and if this should once happen, "the end of the was removed to the inside, and inserted in the worrld 'ould come." Such of your Irish readers as south wall at the west entrance, opposite its preknow anything of the old world traditions and sent position; at that time it was painted, the simple beliefs which have such vitality among the letters blackened, but not recut. In 1847 the honest country-folk in that island could, I fancy, inside of the church was quite taken out, and the add other notes about the popular superstitions floor concreted. Among the alterations then made connected with the cuckoo. Information on the the stone was again taken out and inserted in point-as upon other matters connected with the north wall close to the west entrance, about Celtic popular mythology and superstition-seven feet from the floor; its superficial measure would be interesting and welcome if original-is two feet four inches by one foot one inch. In if drawn, that is, from the actual sayings of the comparing the inscription, p. 181, with the oripeople, and not from the various works claiming ginal and my MS. I find the interjection should to treat of Irish folk-lore, which are most of them have a superior comma, inserted, between the of slight value, And as Ireland is only one Cel-o and h, (sic O'h) and the words Wall, Pity, tic country, the folk-lore of the cuckoo might be and Dust, have not capitals in the original. expected to be increased by items surviving in H. W. ROLfe. Wales, in the Highlands of Scotland, and in the 3, Punderson-place, Bethnal Green-road. Isle of Man. DAVID FITZGERALD. HORSE-RACING (vol. i., p. 195).-Horse-racing is mentioned as being first established in England IN the July number of LONG AGO I have read in a crude form in the time of Queen Elizabeth. I the "Cuckoo Notes and Rhymes," with some have by me a little book, entitled "Anecdotes of interest. The following rhyme, common in the Horse-racing," an interesting little pamphlet mouths of the peasant children in this neigh-written in 1825. I extract the following from it bourhood of Twickenham, runs somewhat like the last rhyme given in your article. "The cuckoo comes in April, Hammersmith. And sings his song in May, He tips a tune, in the middle of June, which shows that horse-racing was practised in England at a much earlier date than that given in LONG AGO-"The emperor Aurelian, who began his reign in A.D. 271 and died in 276, who was yet an heathen, was extremely fond of the festivities of Mittwas, or the Sun, and particularly of horseThis description is perfectly accurate, as he is in races; this fondness was greatly increased by full song in April, and tips us only an occasional his being so much amongst the Persians. Having note in June. For quaintness of expression and conquered Zenobia and her sons, and taken Palprobably for facility of acquisition and remem-myra in A.D. 273, ("Stukeley's Palæographia," vol. brance by children, the above rhyme probably iii. p. 13-"Isaacson's Chronology," p. 208) it will surpasses the interesting examples published in excite no wonder, therefore that the same festiviyour July number. I fancy the female bird does ties were continued in England, and particularly at York, where they were celebrated, and probably in his reign." not call" cuckoo." J. RUSK. * * * same custom. St. Margarets, Twickenham. STEPNEY CHURCH (vol i. p. 213).-In compli-The horses being up at the line, ready for startance with Mr. Solly's suggestion, I have examined ing, the signal was given by mappa, or napkin, the surface of the stone "of Carthage wall." hung out at the Prætor's tent or chief magistrate's The part of it on which the inscription is cut, seat, whence the Tryers at the starting place in for the most part, is unbroken, and affords no England have followed the evidence of alterations in any of the letters, words, Hence Juvenal (Sat. II.) calls them Megaleusian or date. Between and beyond the lines of the games. Megaliacæ Spectacula Mappa-The inscription may be traced, in different characters rise of this custom was when Nero was once at and sizes, several initial letters, the word "Luke" dinner, and the people making a great noise, and apparently the figures 78. Mr. J. Price, the desiring that the sport might begin, the emparish-clerk, who succeeded to his father in that peror immediately threw the napkin he had in office, can well remember the stone for fifty-five his hand out of the window, as a token he had years, and relates that the church underwent granted their request.-Cassador, L. 5." great repairs and alterations, between the years. 1802 and 1806, when the portico on the north wall was taken away, and the stone" of Carthage wall," which until then had been on the outside of the church, subjected to the defacements of those desirous to chip off a portion of its surface, or transmit their names or initials to posterity, Bedford. DUDLEY CARY ELWES, F.S.A. TRADITIONARY LEGEND OF BRADSHAW (vol. i. p. 176). The prophetic lines attributed to Bradshaw differ slightly from the version given in the Gentlemen's Magazine of February, 1794, p. 115, which was communicated by one claiming con nection through his Mother with the Regicide family. The doggerel referred to run thus:- a adopted it as his sign, which it retains to the It will be noticed that though the first line in each stanza are to the same effect, different words are employed, and in the second line we have in one instance a "brother Frank," and in the other Tom." The correspondent in the Gentlemen's Magazine, states that the President was the youngest of three sons, but the two versions yield us four names, viz: Henry, Francis, Thomas, and John, the last being the infamous lawyer whom Walker in his "History of Independency" politely styles "the horse-leech of hell." I will just add that the late Mr. George Corner, F.S.A., I copied this remarkable epitaph from a stone in possessed a curious old portrait in oil of Presi- the neighbouring village church of Walton, Seadent Bradshaw, wearing a high-crowned black hat, a representation probably of the one now preserved in the Ashmole museum at Oxford. H. SYER CUMING. "LONDON CONEYS" (vol i. p. 215).—I would suggest that "Coneys" in the names of streets of old London, may have referred to a biped, rather than to the well-known quadruped: especially in connection with the locality mentioned by your correspondent-an Inn of Court. A meaning given to "Cony" in Johnson's Dictionary, is, a Simpleton," and in Groses "Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue" (1796), "Cony or Tom Cony, a silly fellow." I suspect the word was much more used in this sense in the olden time than it is now. Lowndes in his "Bibliographers Manual," in his list of the works of Robert Greene, the well-known dramatist and satirist of the sixteenth century, enumerates seven pamphlets on "Conies and Conie-Catchers,"-the cheats or swindlers who preyed on them, printed in 1591 and 1592. We may presume that "Coney-court," now Gray's Inn-square, may have been often resorted to for redress by the plundered Conies. Wallington. W. C. TREVelyan. SOCIETY OF BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGY (vol. i. p. 183).—I can add somewhat to H. W. H's reply. Parts one and two of the "Transactions," have been published, and three this month, I believe. All at Longman's, five-shillings each. - more. In vain his name to raise, "J. H. He was ever beloved in the circle of In his death the esteem of all; Queries. THE TERM "YEOMAN" in the chapter on "Archery Laws" in the May number of LONG AGO, it is stated that "no person under the age of seventeen years was to shoot with any bow of yew unless his father or mother have land or tenements of the value of ten pounds," which it may be presumed meant freehold of an annual amount, whether land or tenements. Now is it not likely that the title "yeoman" arose from this, being a contraction of Yew-bow-man, a title to distinguish respectable freeholders below the Esquire. The yeoman in "Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims," is said to "have in hand a mighty bow," and the engraving, published a few years ago to illustrate the Pilgrimage, has the Yeoman armed with his bow; if it has not arisen from this I have no doubt that it would interest others as well as myself to know its origin. SAM. RILEY. Post Office, Oldham. LORD BROUGHAM.-The savage critique of the Edinburgh Reviewers on the first poems of Lord Byron, and which produced "English Bards," is, I believe, generally ascribed to the late Lord Brougham. Is the authorship of the article acknowledged in his "Memoirs of his Life"? Or is it otherwise known to have been written by his lordship? FREDK. RULE. 125, Blandford-square. H. W. WILKINSON. "QUEER SIGN (vol. i., p. 215). The "Pickled Egg," in Clerkenwell, owes the origin of its curious sign to a matter which occurred in the reign of the second Charles. Larwood and Hotten inform us, that it is stated that Charles the Second partook here of Pickled Egg, with which dish he was so pleased that the landlord! Ashford. THE WONDERS OF WALES.-The Oswestry AdverCANDLEMAS GILLS.-There is, at Horbury, in tiser has just published the following:-The "Seventh Yorkshire, still practised a curious custom called wonder of Wales." While proceeding with the work "Candlemas Gills." To quote a local writer: "By of widening the Llangollen Bridge, the workmen virtue of this custom every ratepayer is entitled to have found on a stone in the arch on the south side, a gill of ale, which may be had and drunk at the the figures "1131," and also the letters "W.S." | Fleece inn, or be sent for and consumed at home. This shows the bridge to be 742 years of age, while The trustees of the town pay the expense entailed history states that it was built by the Bishop Trevor, by this custom." "Candlemas Gills" were duly of St. Asaph, in 1346, making it but 527 years old. served to the ratepayers in the second week of Why Llangollen Bridge should be called the February, 1873. If any reader of LONG AGO can "seventh" wonder I am at a loss to say. It dates give the origin of this custom, I shall be obliged to first in order of age; that is of such as are works him; and also if anyone can refer me to fuller parof art, and is certainly as worthy of being the first ticulars regarding this custom. of these as either of the others-viz: Wrexham THOMAS RATCLIFFE. Steeple, 1506; Gresford Bells, 1623. The rest are Snowden, St. Winefred's well, Pistyll-Rhaiadr waterfall, and the Trees in Overton Churchyard. Touching the new discovery at Llangollen I should like to hear the opinion of antiquaries. A. R. "HE WHO FIGHTS AND RUNS AWAY, MAY LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY."—It is asserted by Stephen Collet, A.M. ("Relics of Literature,") whose name, I believe, is J. S. Bryerley, that the above couplet is to be found in a small volume of miscellaneous poems (the "Musarum Delicia") by Sir John Mennes, or Mennis, edit. 1636. The same fact is asserted by Lowndes, in his "Bibliographical Manual.” I believe the statement to be unfounded, and that literary research has failed to discover any edition containing the Hudibrastic distich. Ashford. FREDK. RULE. PREFACES.-Whence originated the custom of writing prefaces to books? and what is the date of the earliest printed one? I shall be glad to know the date of this preface: "To all who buy Almanacks. Gentlemen; a good new-year to ye; and I believe you wish the like to us too, for that is but manners; but this is not all I have to say to ye. Do you think these sheets were printed for nothing? No the bookseller swears that if he thought you would not have um, he would never have published um; and he swears further, that if you don't buy um now, he will never print um again. Thus, you see, 'tis in your power either to vex or please him. Do which you will, and so farewell." I believe the above is the preface to an almanack which is in the Harleian collection. TOAST. THOMAS RATCLIFFE. "Happy have we met, Who originated the above toast? THOMAS RATCLIFFE. SYMBOLISM OF ROSEMARY AND BAY.-Deering, describing the ceremony of the election of the mayor self in an elbow-chair, at a table covered with black of Nottingham, says: "The old mayor seats himcloth, the mace being laid in the middle of it, covered with rosemary and sprigs of bay (which they term burying the mace), then the mayor presents the person before nominated to the body," &c. assembled. What does the rosemary and sprigs of bay symbolise? and is it still the custom on the election of mayors to bury the mace in this fashion? THOMAS RATCLIFFE. UNMARRYING A COUPLE.-The following is from The Monthly Mirror for July, 1805:-A young man and woman were married at a church in the West Riding of Yorkshire, during the last week, who proved on inquiring to be brother and sister by that he had acted improperly in uniting this pair, marriage. The officiating clergyman, apprehensive attempted to unmarry them. This novel ceremony he performed by taking the bride's bonnet from her head, and placing the church Bible there. But the charm proved not sufficiently powerful, the loving couple insisted on the validity of the marriage, and firmly resisted the dangerous innovation of attempting to untie the hymeneal knot. Can anyone explain the very curious action of the clergyman's? and why he should adopt such a plan? I shall be glad to hear of any similar cases, either before or since above date. THOMAS RATCLIFFE. CEREMONY OF CORONATION.-You will greatly oblige and assist me by inserting the following query in your valuable work :-Hallam ("Europe During Middle Ages") says "the ceremony of coronation, according to the ancient form, appears to imply the necessity of an elective monarchy." I wish to obtain information, or hear of some work that contains it, about the "ancient form" here spoken of. The only two published works on coronation appear to be that of James II., by Sandford in 1687, and of George IV., by Naylor, (twenty-five guineas!) but there are several valuable MSS. mentioned in the Historical Commission Reports, but not full enough in detail to be of use to me, one in particular of the Duke of Northumberland's, of "Richard the Thyrde and Queene Anne," which Mr. A. J. Horwood, designates as "a curious and minute description by an eye-witness," (third report page 114). G. LAURENCE GOMME. 4, Roseford-gardens, Shepherd's-bush Common. ST. CORANTYN.-The Rev. A. H. Cumming's interesting paper on the church of St. Corantyn, leads me to inquire whether this St. Corantyn is the same as St. Corentin, of Brittany, Bishop, circa 560, at Brest. Dr. Halléguen in his valuable Armorique et Bretagne," vol. i., p. 230, says he was born in Armorica; if so, how comes it to pass a Cornish church is dedicated to him? Are there any other churches dedicated to the same? AVALONENSIS. 66 nence. Several encaustic tiles have been discovered, containing numerous rude figures. DISCOVERY OF A REREDOS IN WORCESTER COL LEGE HALL.—A few days ago, as some workmen CURSITOR - STEEET. -Why was this Street so called? Harman in his "Caveat, or Warning for Common Cursitors," applies the term to tramps, vagabonds, and horse-stealers. Z. X. Q. OLD COTTAGES.-The rural parts of England but they have disappeared. Portions of the colourand the Continent are dotted with very ancient ing and gilding are still perceptible, leaving no doubt picturesque and strongly-built cottages, which have breasted wind and weather for at least three or four centuries. In fact, unless identified with some historical event, it is difficult to come at their exact age. The cottage in which. Titian was born, at Pieve di Cadore, in 1477, is still standing, and is said to have belonged to his grandfather. For sketching purposes, connected with a commission entrusted to me by the proprietors of LONG AGO, I should be glad to hear of any quaint old cottages whose construction can be fixed with certainty within the fifteenth century. Research and Discovery. PICTOR. SOME repairs being made to a fountain at Narbonne, Aude, the discovery has been made of a splendid mosaic. The design consists of a medallion representing Bacchus holding the thyrsus in his hand, the whole being surrounded with vine leaves and a magnificent border. This work of art is to be transported to the museum of the town. DISCOVERY IN ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL.-During the works connected with the restoration, several interesting discoveries have been made of ancient portions of the original cathedral, erected A.D. 604. On excavating at the spot near the present communion-tables discovery was made of a large leaden coffin, evidently of great age. It is thought probable that it contains the remains of Ithamar, one of the first Bishops of Rochester, who died in 655, and was buried in the cathedral. Another leaden coffin was discovered near this one. It is believed also to contain the remains of some person of emi but that at one period the work was one of great magnificence. The discovery will doubtless chanlenge the investigation of archæologists and historians, to whom it is necessarily of much importance. Restorations. ST. ALBAN'S ABBEY.-The amount subscribed up till last week for the restoration of the Abbey is £17,067 5s. 4d., towards which the Drapers' Company have subscribed £210, the Merchant Taylors' Company £105, and the Clothworkers' Company £52 10s. This is the amount promised, but we believe only £15,000 have been actually collected, and that amount is nearly exhausted. Those of the readers of LONG AGO who remem ber the pleasant Abbey chimes will regret to hear that it is not contemplated to reinstate them. Thus far, the great central tower has been stripped of its unsightly plaster casing, and the Roman tile, of which it is mainly composed, has been pointed, and it has been thoroughly underpinned and substantially repaired at its base, where the hand of time, and the tools of amateur and unskilled architects, had rendered it almost dangerous. Inside the Abbey thus far the work of restoration has been mostly confined to the choir and transepts. Here windows of elaborate tracery have been restored, arches and tombs have been substantially repaired, the walls have been cleaned and strengthened, unsightly excrescences have been removed, and the lantern of the central tower has been raised so as to exhibit its fine proportions. Added to this, by opening up two arches at the south-east angle of the Abbey, close canopy or "cove" which overhung the tabernacle work above the whole length of the stalls was destroyed, and this must be replaced before they can be seen in their original completeness. It will be a work of considerable cost, but it is included in the scheme for the restoration of the choir.-Hull Packet, July 11, 1873. to the tomb of "Duke Humphrey," most of the done is the replacing of the oak panelling behind fragments of the ancient Shrine of St. Alban, the stalls, which was removed when the galleries doubtless of the Edwardian period, were found were erected; at that time also a projecting last year, as our readers are aware. These fragments, which make about five-sixths of the entire structure, are now replaced in situ, and the Shrine once more stands in the centre of the chapel, behind what once was the High Altar, and between it and the Lady Chapel, just below the side gallery from which the Shrine itself was so carefully guarded and watched night and day by the monks of the Abbey. Though the actual feretrum of the Saint and its canopy too are gone, yet there will be little or no difficulty in completing the substantial parts of the structure which contained and supported it; even to the minutest crocket, finial, and cusp. We are informed that, when fresh funds are forthcoming, one of the first parts which will require attention will be the outer wall of the south aisle of the nave, which is reported to be in a very insecure state, and which will probably have to be pulled down and re-built stone by stone. Meetings of Societies. the basilica Ulpia by its side. A circular temple was also described by Mr. Joyce, and the circumference of the city, measured along the walls, was stated to be 2,670 yards. A number of ancient relics, found during the progress of the excavations, were exhibited to the Society. At the conclusion of the paper, Mr. J. H. Parker, C.B., bore testimony to the great value of the work which Mr. Joyce had carried on. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES.-June 19.-Dr. C. S. Perceval, V.P., in the chair. The Rev. J. G. Joyce, rector of Strathfieldsaye, read a paper describing the recent excavations on the site of the ancient Roman city at Silchester, which have been carried on at the expense of the Duke of Wellington.* Mr. Joyce explained at length, aided by many plans and drawings, the portions of the city laid open. Among the chief objects of interest, he pointed out the two large gates, one on the east, and the other on the BEVERLEY MINSTER.-We (Minster Parish south. The forum, he said, was of the highest inteMagazine) have usually in the July number of rest, since it has remained to our day entirely perfect this magazine given some account of the interior in plan, so that every chamber admits of being restoration of the Minster. That restoration, accurately measured. The basilica is closely conbegun nearly seven years ago, has since been in nected with the forum, upon exactly the same plan progress in one part of the building or another as the world-famed forum of Trajan at Rome, having up to the present time, and, although very much still remains to be done in the fittings of the choir, yet, so far as the fabric itself is concerned, the work may be said to have reached a definite stage of completion in the cleansing of the whole interior stonework of the church, together with the re-polishing of the Purbeck shafts, bands, &c.; and the scaffolding, which had been left up for the decoration of the vaulting, was a short time ago taken down, revealing the last section of the work-the choir-carefully restored, as far as possible, to its original beauty. As we have before stated, the colouring of the choir vaulting is a reproduction of the ancient work: that of the retro-choir, and at the intersection of the lesser transept (the original painting being almost entirely defaced) is carried out in the spirit of the other work, the design of Messrs. Clayton and Bell, over the altar, representing in the medallions the Evangelists and four greater Prophets, being especially worthy of attention. In taking down the galleries, part of the carved work of the original altar screen (of which the present screen is a copy) was found to have been used in building a wall for their support, and the painting and illumination found upon the carvings -the old screen was very highly decorated will serve as a guide in the reproduction of the colouring when that part of the work is carried out. One of the chief things remaining to be THE ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY met on the evening of Monday, 23rd June, 1873, J. E. Cussans, Esq., in the chair. Eight new members were admitted by ballot. Dr. Rogers read a paper “On James I. of Scotland and his Poetry." The object of the paper was to show that James I., was not only author of the "Queen's Quair," but of the two Scottish poems, "Christ's Kirk on the Green," and "Peebles to the Play," with two minor compositions entitled "Song on Absence," and a hymn on "Divine Trust." Dr. Rogers, who had evidently bestowed much care on his paper, sought to demonstrate from the style of composition the peculiar authography and the particular allusions in the various compositions, that all must have issued from the same pen. The paper was listened to with much interest, and the Chairman and all the Members present expressed their convictions that Dr. Rogers had established *See full account of these excavations under the title of "The English Pompeii," by our contributor, Mr. J. Tom Burgess, in LONG AGO, pp. 197, 199. |