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Barton Turf, Binham, and Ludham his figure is not to be found, so probably the note in Messrs. Bond and Camm's book has been misplaced.

To end with a query. In the Proceedings of the Bury and West Suffolk Archæological Institute (vol. i. p. 222) there is described a representation of Sir John Schorne which is said to have come from a rood-screen at Sudbury. In 1850 it belonged to Mr. Gainsborough Dupont. In The Archeological Journal (vol. xxv. pp. 334-44) a description is given of a stained-glass panel with a figure of Schorne, which in 1838 belonged to a resident of Bury St. Edmunds. And in The Reliquary for 1902 (p. 40) mention is made of the leaf of a vellum Antiphoner at Clare, in private possession, with an illumination or miniature of Sir John. Can any one say where these are now to be found?

WM. BARCLAY SQUIRE.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE ALMANACS.

and poorer Partridge is well known; the calendar itself is derived from the old authority.

To show the growth of these slender ephemerides I subjoin a list of almanacs for the county of Huntingdon, with a few notes detailing the local uses and some of their contents. My list commences with a small volume published by the Stationers' Company in 1782, but the county is yet more closely connected with the Company than this implies, for in the year 1802 the latter consigned to "Mr. Gregory the editorship of the Gentleman's Diary and another of the almanacs." From the year 1817 he had the general superintendence of the almanacs published by them, which had been for a long time conducted by Dr. Hutton. "Mr. Gregory" was the famous mathematician, Dr. Ölinthus Gregory-born at Yaxley, Huntingdonshire, Jan. 29, 1774, died at Woolwich in 1841; so the pleasure of perusing these slight works is enhanced by their recalling some interesting historical associations. Mr. J. Wright of St. Neots kindly sent me a list of those in his collection, which added to mine and the B.M. sheets make up the total.

became much more numerous, and some of them published from Stationers' Hall, about this time and later, contained information relating to many counties, so that their circulation was extensive, whilst others limited their scope to a district or just a few counties.

(1) The earliest almanac connected with Huntingdonshire is one in my possession dated 1782. It is printed in red and black, size 5 in. by 3 in., and called

66 The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdonshire Almanack For the Year of Our Lord God 1782. Second after Bissextile or Leap Year."

THE printing of almanacs in England can be traced back to pre-Elizabethan times, for the earliest one known was printed by Richard Pynson in 1497. Afterwards After the repeal of the stamp tax, almanacs the exclusive right to sell almanacs and prognostications was granted by Queen Elizabeth to the Stationers' Company, and James I. extended the privilege to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for about two centuries these bodies were the only ones permitted to issue printed calendars. It was not until 1834, when the heavy stamp duty of one shilling and threepence per copy was repealed, that local printers were able to publish their own productions; and even up to the present day most of the locally printed almanacs contain the calendar and other matter supplied by the Company, and used for the inside," having added thereto advertisements and much local information to make up the little volumes, which are mostly small octavos. It is this extra material, or Companion to the Almanac, that I am here most concerned with and interested in, for I wish to indicate how useful it is for topographical and genealogical purposes a point which has not been sufficiently noted. Yet a small collection of such annuals of any county should be most instructive and may well be consulted for the above information. These little records of a year's work are still popular, and their genesis from the official sheets and later forecasts and prognostications of Old Moore, Poor Robin,

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It has an engraved view of Stationers' Hall and the Stationers' arms, and gives a list of the fairs in Huntingdonshire, and the names of members of Parliament, &c. This particular copy belonged to some one in St. Neots, and he made almost daily entries about the weather. The forecast in the almanac for Feb. 11 was "mild and temperate weather for the season, and the observer writes: Very windy, high wind"; and on May 16 the forecast was: Hot and dry weather." He noticed that it was Rainy weather to the 28th," and on the 31st, River out of its banks."

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This copy seems of quite a recent date for weather fore compared with the Lincoln

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It gives lists of the fairs and members of Parliament. From 1822 to 1849 the almanacs were sold by George Greenhill; from 1850 to 1883 by Joseph Greenhill; and from 1884 to 1894 they were "published by the Stationers' Company." The price of each was two shillings up to 1834; the next year and subsequent years the price was reduced to sixpence, the result possibly of the repeal of the stamp duty.

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(7) The "St. Neots Chronicle' Almanack,' a sheet 17 in. by 22 in., was presented to subscribers to the St. Neots Chronicle by F. Topham. The almanac was issued yearly from about 1856 to 1871.

(8) Evans & Wells succeeded Topham, and they issued a similar almanac from 1872 to 1886, when the Chronicle was absorbed by the Hunts County News.

(9) Handford's Family Almanack, 1863,' is the next book almanac, printed and published by Robert Wm. Handford, Market Place, St. Neots, ld. He was in business as a stationer for only about a year.

(10) The Rev. E. Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede") was curate of Glatton with Holme, 1850-54, and Rector of Denton with Caldicote, 1859-71. He presented his parishioners with an almanac, as the following note shows:

(11) The Denton and Caldicot Almanack, 1872,' was dated by Harry M. Wells from Denton Rectory, November, 1871.

"Continuing a practice established by your late Rector, the Rev. E. Bradley, I have resolved to present you with a sheet almanack."

The one for the year 1873 had the same address and the same illustrations dated November 1871.

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(13) Foster's Illustrated Huntingdonshire Almanack,' St. Ives, 1872-82, 8vo.-The year (3) Hannay & Dietrichsen's Almanack 1881 has advertisements only. That for for 1844' amongst other counties includes 1882 (the eleventh year) was called ' Foster's Huntingdonshire, but gives only the usual | Huntingdonshire Almanack,' and gave St. local information of that period.

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Ives local information, a list of carriers from
St. Ives, and a calendar of local events.

(4) The first of the locally published almanacs was a folio sheet, 14 in. by 24 in., (14) Hankin's Huntingdonshire Almaprinted by David Richard Tomson, Market nac and Fireside Companion,' St. Ives, Square, St. Neots, who had recently succeeded 1882-1916, 8vo.-Contains Companion to his uncle J. Stott. It is called Tomson's the Almanac (tales), conundrums, &c., Almanack for the Year 1852,' and printed in blue. 'Tomson's St. Neots Almanac, 1854,' gave an engraving of St. Neots Church; and another one entitled Almanack for 1869' was 21 in. by 28 in., and all were issued gratis.

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all printed at St. Ives-at first by James G. Hankin, and after 1885 by James G. Hankin & Son. The following years have rather interesting frontispieces :

1888.

1889.

The Old Bridge, St. Ives. By C. R. B.
Barrett.

The Old House, St. Ives. By C. R. B.
Barrett. (This is the old house
referred to in my note at 11 S. x. 501.)
Ramsey Abbey in Huntingdonshire. Haw-
kins, sculp.

1890.
1891. The Waits, St. Ives. By C. R. B. Barrett.
1892. Skating Match at Chatteris, 1823.
1893. Congregational Church, St. Ives.

May I be allowed to mention that in 1884 appeared my 'Notes on the History of

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St. Ives,' and in 1886 Municipal History | printed by McCorquodale & Co., Ltd. of Huntingdon'? This was about the com- Portrait of A. H. Smith Barry, M.P., and mencement of any attempts at writing any- another copy with portrait of Hon. Ailwyn thing about the county, and, so far as I know, Fellowes, M.P. these were the only local articles in the series. " Al(24) The Huntingdonshire Post Although I was told by my friend the late manack and Diary,' 1895, Huntingdon, 8vo. Theodore Watts-Dunton that he had contri--This is a specially interesting number, buted to it, I have failed to find anything by containing several outline sketches, and a 'Calendar of local events' as the Calendar; (15) St. Neots Parish Almanac,' 1883-98. Carlyle's description of St. Ives; and verses (16) Free Church Sunday School, St. by E. J. Naish of St. Ives, viz., Hemingford Ives, Illustrated Almanack.' Sheets, 1886-9, Abbots Church,' Hemingford Grey Church,' Sunday School Union, 56 Old Bailey, and A Summer's Day.' (Even some early London, E.C. German almanacs contained pieces by

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(17) Jarman & Gregory's Hunts poets.) County Guardian Almanack and Direc- (25) Wrycroft's Almanack for St. Neots tory,' St. Ives, 1888-93, 8vo (with County and District,' D. S. Wrycroft, St. Neots, Map, 4d., I have not seen).-It has lists of 1900-1905, 8vo.-Contains original articles: fairs, members of the County Council. Historical Notes. Trades Directory. The carriers, magistrates, and clergy of HunTown of St. Neots, with illustrations. tingdonshire. James Toller, the Eynesbury Giant, and portrait frontispiece.

1900.

1901. 1892. Frontispiece, Church of St. Peter and 1902. St. Paul, Fenstanton.

1893. Frontispiece, North Hunts Constitutional

Club, St. Ives.

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1903.

(19) The Saint Ives Wesleyan Sunday 1904. School Almanack for 1889.' Sheet, 2 Castle Street, City Road, E.C.

A Short Sketch of the Life of the celebrated
Saint" Neot." Frontispiece, Alfred's
Famous Jewel. Summary of Chief
Events.

A Brief Account of the Circumstances
which led to Two Atrocious Attacks
on the Person of Ann Izzard (of Great
Paxton) as a reputed Witch.
The Great Bridge of St. Neots (frontis-
piece). Witchcraft in Huntingdon-
shire. Summary of Chief Events.
The Great Frost of 1814, 'Snowed Up.'
(26) St. Neots Advertiser Almanack,'
P. C. Tomson, St. Neots, 1901-16, 8vo
(d. 1888, and afterwards 1d.).—I subjoin a
selection from the contents:-

(20)"Hunts County News" Almanack 1905. and Year-Book for Huntingdonshire,' Huntingdon, 1891-1903, 8vo.-Contains full information as to the various county authorities and local bodies, public institutions, places of worship, &c.; and 1903 adds a Gazetteer of the whole county."

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(21) 'Wells's Almanack and Directory for St. Neots and District,' St. Neots, 1891-1901, 8vo. Zachariah Wells, 1891-7; Wells & Son, 1898-1901.-Contains full information as to the various local authorities, places of worship, public institutions, &c., in St. Neots and neighbourhood.

1893, 1894, 1897, 1898. Very useful record of
local events.

1895. Local chronological landmarks; and a
short account of the stained-glass
windows in St. Neots Church, and by
whom presented.
1896. A thick-paper edition, 2d. (fifth year
of publication); and an Édition de
Luxe, 28. (Two only printed.)
(22) 'Mrs. Wallis's Kimbolton Almanack,'
1890-94, 8vo. (Mrs. Adelaide Selena Wallis,
Post Office, Kimbolton.)-Kimbolton local
information.

(23) The "Huntingdonshire Post" Constitutional Almanack, 1894. Large sheet,

1902.

1903.

1904.

1906.

1907.

1909.

1910.
1911.
1912.

1913.
1914.
1915.

1916.

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J. W.] Huntingdonshire and the Volunteer MoveThe Hawthorn Hunter of Southoe Turnment of Fifty Years Ago. [By J. W.] pike Gate. By Joseph Wright. Some Happenings in Huntingdonshire One Hundred Years Ago. [By J. W.] List of St. Neots Men serving in the Army and Navy.

(27) 'W. Goggs & Son's Almanack and Year-Book,' Huntingdon, 1904, 8vo.-Contains Huntingdon Directory, Magistracy, &c.

(28) South Hunts Liberal Calendar,' 1905. Large sheet, with five portraits.

Various almanacs, or rather calendars, harshness, will hardly bear Symonds's interwith local views, came into fashion about pretation. Accordingly I here follow Del 1910 (one for 1912 showed Houghton Mill, Lungo, who takes qui semina monstrat St. Ives, Hunts); but such things do not amoris to be Guido Cavalcanti, “di cui really belong to our subject. si allude (Obscuri ecc.) alla canzone sulla natura d'amore, comentata, a' suoi tempi e poi, largamente."

Cirencester.

HERBERT E. NORRIS.

DANTE AND POLIZIANO.-In his 'Studies of Dante' ('Estimates, Contemporary and Later,' I.) Dean Plumptre has the following: "I find no tribute to Dante recorded as coming from the pen of Politian or Marsilio Ficino, or Ludovico Vives, or Pico della Mirandola." But some of the most eloquent lines of Poliziano's fervent Nutricia,'' Árgumentum de poetica et poetis' (1486), salute the founders of Italian literature with no mean praise. True, the great Renaissance scholar does not lavish upon the native writers the erudition with which he chants Homer, Virgil, and above all Pindar, yet the following lines are assuredly not without grace and dignity sufficient to contradict Dean Plumptre's all too sweeping statement: Nec tamen Aligerum fraudarim hoc munere Dantem,

Per styga per stellas mediique per ardua montis, Pulchra Beatricis sub uirginis ora, uolantem ; Quique Cupidineum repetit Petrarcha triumphum; Et qui bis quinis centum argumenta diebus Pingit; et obscuri qui semina monstrat amoris : Unde tibi immensae ueniunt praeconia laudis, Ingeniis opibusque potens Florentia mater. Thus Englished by Addington Symonds: "Nor yet of this meed of honour would I cheat wing-bearing Dante, who flew through hell, through the starry heavens, and o'er the intermediate hill of Purgatory beneath the beauteous brows of Beatrice; and Petrarch too, who tells again the tale of Cupid's triumph; or him who in ten days portrays a hundred stories; or him who lays bare the seeds of hidden love: from whom unmeasured fame and name are thine, by wit and wealth twice potent, Florence, mother of great sons!"

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Del Lungo, who, in his ample commentary on Poliziano, rather carpingly characterizes these beautiful lines as Scarso tributo, quasi un' elemosina, dell' aureo latinista alla povera poes a volgare," is none the less bound to modify his judgement with "Nota felicità dei versi che dipingono il viaggio dantesco." It is noticeable that Symonds punctuates the line "Pingit; ..." thus: "Pingit et obscuri...," and renders "... hundred stories, and lays bare...," obviously taking it that 'qui semina monstrat amoris still refers to Boccaccio. I have ventured slightly to alter the translation at this point, as it seems to me that the Latin, without unnecessary

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"You have only to compare an English caricaturist, such as Hogarth, with the famous Callot. "English humour is more concentrated. have seen prints in the shopwindows here that would keep me laughing whole days-figures so weird, costumes so outrageous, so much that is ridiculous collected into a single point, that it would be impossible to find more amusing pictures in the whole world."

For Hogarth, especially for "Marriage à la mode," he has a great admiration. His brother asks him to bring him a set, if it is not too dear. He willingly promises, as it only costs eight shillings. He possessed one himself, and we find him sending for another after his return to Milan.

LACY COLLISON-MORLEY.

SOME NOTES ON KENTISH WILLS.Having had occasion to transcribe some wills of the Commissary Court of Canterbury, I have made the following memoranda, which perhaps may be of some interest. Wills and testaments are usually spoken of indifferently, but a testament means properly a distribution of personal property, whereas a will may refer to either personal or real property; and it may be noted that previously to the year 1476 all testaments were made in Latin, wills being indifferently made in either Latin or English. Then we find in 1551 a will wherein the names of witnesses were omitted, and the seal and signature of the testator added for the first time. In 1559 occurs the first codicil to a

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will. We note also that funeral sermons of Munitions Inventions has made any were charged 68. 8d. in the first year of report to the War Office on the use of mobile Queen Elizabeth's reign, and just double forts propelled by caterpillar tractors that amonnt at the end. for use in traversing ground honeycombed by trenches; and, if so, whether he has reported favourably on their utility. ALFRED F. ROBBINS.

In 1466 Thos. Bysmer of Herne wills 26s. 8d. for one Peace-Kiss of silver (this word not in the 'N.E.D.').

In 1485 John Caxton was buried in the nave of St. Alphege, Canterbury, by his wife Isabella.

In 1505 Thos. Toller of Sandwich wills 31. 68. 8d. to the High Roode for guilding him, also a piece to make him a crown, and as much broken silver to make him a pair of gloves, with the workmanship.

In 1567 Peter Brown of Maidstone, "Bocher," wills to buying a great Bible, of the largest volume that was used, 268. 8d., to be set in the nether end of the church there, in the place where it was wont to be set in the time of the late King Edward VI., and to be fast bound with a chain, for all men to read.

In 1573 John Baker of Westwell, Husbandman, bequeathed all his manors, lands, &c., the inventory being 180l. 88. 8d.

In 1585 Richard Beseley, preacher, desires to be buried in the body of Christ Church, Canterbury, beside his companions in exile, John Bale and Robert Pownal.

In 1570 John Butler, Prebend of Ch. Ch., Canterbury, left his property in Calais, where he formerly lived, if Calais should again become English.

In 1533 John Hatch of Feversham desired to be buried before the Bachelor's Light in the Church of Our Blessed Lady of Feversham. An important Feversham will. In 1530 William Chapman wills his best bow "of ewe" and arrows.

In 1665 Thos. Simon, citizen and goldsmith and Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint, divided his property into three parts, according to the custom of the city of London-one part to his wife, one part to children, and the third part he wills, having power to dispose of it by the said custom, &c.

Paddock Wood, Kent.

W. L. KING.

" CATERPILLAR TRACTORS."-The editor or editors of any future edition of H.E.D.' will find a number of words or sub-words (if that be the correct term) to be added because of the present war. "Bantam " in its military meaning to-day will be among these, while another may be found in a question put in the House of Commons on 8 December to the Under-Secretary of State for War, inquiring whether the Comptroller

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HALLEY AND PEAKE FAMILIES IN VIRGINIA. (See 11 S. xii. 339.)-I am again indebted to Mr. Henry I. Hutton of Warrenton, Virginia, for data concerning the two above-named families as follows:

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"In Prince William County we find James Hally married a Miss Peake, and had a Craven Halley, named for Craven Peake, and one son Humphry, named also for Humphry Peake ; while one Jesse Peakes married a Sybilla Halley about 1785. Find the following in Prince William County, Overwharton parish records :"Mary Pike, died at Michael Pike's, Feb. 27, 1744. "Ann Pyke, married Henry Hunt, March 20, 1750.

"Robert Peake came to Virginia in 1623. D.C., that one of the Hawleys who came from "Found in some old records in Washington, England and settled Hawley, Massachusetts, married a Mary E. Peake. There were three

brothers, it is said, one settling in Massachusetts, south. There is certainly an affinity between one in Virginia, and the other one went further Halleys and Peakes or Pikes, both in U.S. and England. Give you the above for what it is worth." EUGENE F. McPIKE. 1200 Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

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