Among innumerable instances
that may be given of this nature, I shall produce the device of one
Mr. Newberry, as I find it mentioned by our learned Camden in his
Remains. Mr. Newberry, to represent his name by a picture, hung up
at his door the sign of a yew-tree, that has several berries upon
it, and in the midst of them a great golden N hung upon a bough of
the tree, which by the help of a little false spelling made up the
word Newberry.
I shall conclude this topic with a rebus, which has been lately hewn
out in freestone, and erected over two of the portals of Blenheim
House, being the figure of a monstrous lion tearing to pieces a
little cock. For the better understanding of which device I must
acquaint my English reader that a cock has the misfortune to be
called in Latin by the same word that signifies a Frenchman, as a
lion is the emblem of the English nation. Such a device in so noble
a pile of building looks like a pun in an heroic poem; and I am very
sorry the truly ingenious architect would suffer the statuary to
blemish his excellent plan with so poor a conceit. But I hope what
I have said will gain quarter for the cock, and deliver him out of
the lion's paw.
I find likewise in ancient times the conceit of making an echo talk
sensibly, and give rational answers.
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