an enigmatical representation of some name, &c., by using figures or pictures instead of words, or parts of words. Camden mentions an instance of this absurd kind of wit in a gallant who expressed his love to a woman named Rose Hill, by painting in the border of his gown a rose, a hill, an eye, a loaf, and a well; which, in the style of the rebus, reads, "Rose Hill I love well." This kind of wit was long practised by the great, who took the pains to find devices for their names. It was, however, happily ridiculed by Ben Jonson, in the humorous description of Abel Drugger's device in the Alchemist; by the Spectator, in the device of Jack of Newbery; at which time this rebus, being raised to sign-posts, was grown out of fashion at court.