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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io s. x. JULY n, im.

strange words over the head of the deceased." On the subject of amulets, including abraca- dabra, much information, says Brand ('Popular Antiquities'), may be obtained from an academical dissertation published in 1710 at Halle, in Saxony, by Mart. Fr. Blumles. Abracadabra is curiously illustrated on p. 19, accompanied by two or three etymologies of the word.

J. HOLDEN MAcMlCHAEL.

[H. P. L. next week.]

CREOLE FOLK-LOBE : STEPPING ACROSS A CHILD (10 S. ix. 227, 338, 494). In other days I have myself frequently lifted a con- veniently elastic limb over the head of a junior, following the achievement with the disconcerting assurance that the victim's further development in stature was ex- tremely improbable. So far as memory records, no importance whatever was at- tached to the ceremony, but it is interesting to note that the tradition, superstition, or whatever it may be called, thus lingered in St. Andrews and the neighbourhood well into the second half of the nineteenth century. In all likelihood it exists and pleasantly exercises the rising generation at the present moment.

THOMAS BAYNE.

"JIRGAH" (10 S. ix. 427, 472). The newspapers seem to have made this word a naturalized British subject, but it should be spelt jargah, not jirgah. The Pathans and Yaghistanis, when conducting a discus- sion, are accustomed to sit round in a circle, whence they derive the name, which MR. JAMES PLATT correctly states to be Persian. It is sometimes applied to a drove of deer standing in a ring. W. F. PRIDEAUX.

CAMBRIDGE EARLY LISTS : SIR RICHARD COPE (10 S. ix. 350, 414). On referring to Burke' s 'Peerage' I find that the Rev. Sir Richard Cope died on 6 November, 1806, and not, as stated by MRS. J. H. COPE, in 1805. In ' Graduati Canta- brigienses, 1659-1823,' p. 114, is the following : " Cope, Ri. . . . j Clar. I A.B. 1743. A.M. 1747. S.T.P. 1765."

ALFRED SYDNEY LEWIS.

SCOTTISH UNIVERSITY ARMS (10 S. ix. 465). Allow me to correct the statement that the University of Glasgow obtained a grant of arms after 1 888. What was granted was not a grant of arms, but warrant to the Lyon Clerk to matriculate in the Public Register of all arms and bearings in Scotland, in the name of the University of Glasgow

certain ensigns armorial borne by the Uni- versity for many years prior to the passing; of the Act of Parliament 1672, cap. 47.. See the Matriculation of 14 June, 1900.

GEO. WILL. CAMPBELL. Coundon, Coventry.

"ViZT." (10 S. ix. 405). If it be true- bhat we go on from precedent to precedent,, lere is one for the above contraction, which an OUTRAGED SCHOLAR finds so irritating. The document which follows is, at the same- time, a good and interesting specimen of a nuncupative will :

" Memorandum that Phillipp Davy, yeoman, late- of Grimston in the Countie of Dorsett, deceased,

being sicke in body on a day happening shortlie^

after Xpmas Anno D'ni 1636 or neere thereabout did utter and declare his mind and will by word of mouth as followeth or to the very like in effect,. viz fc, speaking unto his two natural! sonnes Robert and John Davye and to John Fors his sorine in law** then w th him, Heere you are come and looke for my goodes, and heere I shall leave it amongest you, take it and part it amongest you, If you cannot, agree uppon parting of it then take it and give it- to popre folks for me. Witnesses then present,

viz' Jesper Dennis his marke, Anne Dennis her

marke."

On 10 June, 1637, issued a commission to Margarie Stroud and Cecilie Force, the- natural and lawful daughters, to administer the goods, &c. (Prerogative Court of Can- terbury, Register Goare, fo. 94).

GEORGE F. T. SHERWOOD.

50, Beecroft Road, Brockley, S.E.

QUEEN ANNE'S FIFTY CHURCHES (10 S. ix.. 429). The Act of 9 Anne, ch. 1, provided for the building of fifty- two " new churches- in or near the populous cities of London and Westminster and the suburbs thereof." These were all to be erected between the- years 1716 and 1724. As a matter of fact r only some fifteen churches were erected or restored, although the time limit wa& extended. These were : St. Alphege, Green- wich ; St. Anne, Limehouse ; Christ Church r Spitalfields ; St. George-in-the-East ; St. Mary, Stratford - le - Bow (restored) ; St. James, Bermondsey ; St. John, Horsley- down ; St. John, Westminster ; St. George,. Bloomsbury ; St. George, Queen's Square ; St. George, Hanover Square ; St. Martin- in-the-Fields ; St. Luke, Old Street ; St. Mary-le-Strand ; St. Mary, Woolnoth. The- tower of St. Michael, Cornhill, was also erected.

I think some confusion often exists be- tween the fifty churches actually built by Wren and the fifty contemplated by the- Act of Queen Anne.