Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 2.djvu/341

 t2 s. ii. OCT. 21. i9i6.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

335

LADIES' SPURS (12 S. ii. 190, 255). Though unable to refer to antique notes on the use of spurs by ladies, as asked for by EPERON, may I state my experiences thereon? In 1875, when at a Newmarket race meeting I observed Lady Cardigan getting out of her travelling chariot, and, from the steps, mounting her horse. She wore two straight dre^s spurs, recognized as those of her late Hussar husband's, only one of which she ould use. My wife's spur is without rowel, and only by pressure does the point appear out of its cover from the short straight neck, thus preventing any abuse to horse or habit. Whyte- Melville hunted without spurs. My painful experiences by being dragged taught me that they were due to the projecting knobs on the spurs to which the straps are fastened. My lady's spur like those issued to cavalry has in place of knobs a flat oval with a bar across, through which the strap passes under and over, and such are safe -against the horrors of a drag.

HAROLD MAI/RT, Col.

LOCAL ALMANACS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY (12 S. ii. 241). As a small con- tribution to the bibliography of local almanacs I may call attention to one compiled in 1642 by Nathanael Nye, " Practitioner of Astronomy," and published for

in Warwickshire, where the Pole is elevated above the Horizon 52 degrees and 38 minutes."
 * ' the faire and populous Towne of Birmicham

So far as I know, this is the first book printed for Birmingham ; and N"athanael Xye is conjectured with some probability to have been of a Birmingham family. The imprint is: ''London. Printed by R. H., for the Company of Stationers." A copy is in the Birmingham Reference Library.

HOWARD S. PEARSON.

LEGAL MACARONICS ( 7 S. i. 346 ; ITS. iii. 6). I wish to add a few examples of " Law French " to those already noted. In the case of the Earl of Arundel v. Lord Lumley, .24 Eliz., a previous case of Sir John Throgmorton was cited, in which it was sought to amfnd a writ " ou les ratts ou tiel semble casualty ussent eat in le moyte del Parchement," but the damage was beyond cure.

In 26 Eliz., December (1583), a case was heard which involved the name of Arden of Warwick, and the report says

" Sm le Fyne del Case il apperoit de estre tiel scilicet quo un Somervile intend et compasse le mort le Reign, et a ceo executer a son mansion en le County de Warr prist un daggc powder et

pellets efc oue eux prist son journey vers le Roign adonques esteant a Saint James's, a quel fait le dit Somervile fuit procure per Edward Arden et son femme a Perke-Hall en le dit County."

It appeared, however, that Somervile was insane, and the question arose

" Si un apres que est indite & al temps quant il veign a son arraignment appier en open shew de estre lunatike ou madd que serra f rtit."

It was agreed that in such a case an inquest of office ought to be held, to determine whether the lunacy is real or counterfeit. The inquest found that Somervile was shamming. So he pleaded Guilty, and the Ardens pleaded Not guilt y, but were con- victed. Finally, the three prisoners were delivered

"a les Viconts [sheriffs] de Londres, et eux command de fair execution, & devant Execution Somervile soy-mesme strangle & Arden [fuit] execute apres ceo," &c.

Perhaps some further light may be thrown on the Ardens of Perke-Hall.

During Hilary Term, 26 Eliz., the question of burglary was examined :

" Tous les Justices assembles a Serjeants Inn agree que si un enfreint le glasse en un window en le Mansion House de ascun esteant, & la oue hooks trahe Carpits hors, & eux felonieusment emble, que ceo est burglary sil soit fait en le nuit, coment que le home que ceo fist ne enter ou enfreint le mease auterment." A case was cited as follows :

" Si I^rons en le nuit veign a un Mansion ascun person esteant la deins, que vient & over le dore, & quant est appiert, un de les larons intendoit [intendant] a tuer le home sagitta a luy oue un gunn, le pellet de que misse le home <fc enfreint le wall de Tauter part del mease, et fuit agree per touts que ceo nest burglary/'

In another cited case,

" En le nuit, un que intend do tucr auter en un meason enfreint un hole en le mure de le Mansion & percevant ou le person fuit shot a luy thorough \he hole oue un gun & misse le person, que ad estre ajuge pur burglary : issint ou un enfreint un hole en le mure & percevant un que avoit burse oue Argent pendant per son girdle veignant per le aole, il snaccha a le purse wner del chien per le owner del barbitts, neque

'owner del terr. Car le chaser fuit legal, & il ne

poit restraine son Chien quant il voil, mes fuit

trove que il appell luy back & que il fist son

indeavour pur faire le Chien eraser le poursuite."

RICHARD H. THORNTON.