Joh. Versor, in 1473, and the _Summulae_
of Paulus Venetus, in 1474; the first I find in Hain (who had not seen
it), the second I have seen. Can any one of your readers go farther
back?

M.

_Darvon Gatherall?_--Can any reader adduce further information
respecting an image, called _Darvon Gatherall_, brought from Wales at
the Reformation, than what is mentioned in one of the treatises
published by the Camden Society?

W. Bell.

_Damasked Linen._--I should feel obliged for any information on the
earliest specimen of tablecloths being "damasked," and the history of
that manufacture. I have lately had shown me as "family curiosities" a
beautiful "damask service" of Flemish or Dutch work. The centre
contained a representation of St. George and the Dragon. The hero is
attired in the costume of the latter part of the seventeenth century
(?), with it cocked hat and plume, open sleeves and breeches, heavy
shoes and spurs: with this motto in German characters over him,

[German: Ben Gott ist Rath und That,]
"With God is counsel and deed."

At each corner of the cloth and napkins is a representation of a female
figure kneeling on a rock, with clasped hands, with a lamb by her side
(Query, St. Agnes?) On the border, at the top and bottom, St. George is
figured in armour stabbing with a spear an alligator; and then with a
sword, in the act of killing a bear.

On the side borders, he is receiving the attack of a lion on his arm,
covered with a mantle; and then, with a raised sword, cutting at the
proboscis of an elephant. I have seen, also, an older specimen, I think,
of the same manufacture; the subject being the "Bear and Ragged Staff,"
on alternate rows, with figures of trumpeters. I know not if this
subject is of sufficient interest for your "Notes and Queries," but I
trust you will make what use of it you please.

R.G.P.M.

_Flourish._--We are told that a writer _flourished_ at such and such a
time. Is any definite notion attached to this word? When it is said of a
century there is no difficulty; it means that the writer was born and
died in that century. But when we are told that a writer flourished
about the year 1328 (such limitation of florescence is not uncommon),
what is then meant? What are we to understand he did in or about 1328?

M.

_Drax Abbey and Free School._--Can you, or any of your intelligent
contributors, direct me where I can find any records of Drax Abbey, near
Selby, Yorkshire, or of the