Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 8.djvu/549

 12 s. vm. TUN* 4, i92i.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 451 HANDSHAKING. When did it become customary for a hostess to shake hands on receiving a visitor ? I ask because of the following passage in The Rambler, No. 138, July 13, 1751 : - . . The freedom and laxity of a rustick life produces remarkable particularities of conduct or manner. In the province where I now reside, we have one lady eminent for wearing a gown always of the same cut and colour ; another for shaking hands with those that visit her ; and a third for unshaken resolution never to let tea or coffee enter her house. J. J. FREEMAN. ' PARLIAMENT CLOCK." I have just come into possession of a " Parliament Clock," as I imderstand this type of clock was called. A very large-faced, wooden dial is its prominent feature. I understand that these large time -pieces came into use in 1797-8, when a tax was placed on clocks and watches and public -minded folk went to the expense of putting up such noticeable clocks with a view to assisting " to break the tax," since by thus exposing time publicly and freely there would be fewer watches and clocks left to tax. As so often happens with " legends " they are " just about " until the time comes for verification. The clock being actually mine, upon proceeding to look up references I cannot trace, among quite a number of books that should help, any single reference to complete the history in established form of my trophy if it be such. I shall be grateful for any information from ' N. & Q.' WILLIAM R. POWER. [Our correspondent ST. SWITHIV asked thi* question at 11 S. x. 130, but it has remained unanswered.] PITT'S PEERS. I understand that in the latter part of the eighteenth century any- one possessed of 20,000 a year could petition the King to be called to the House of Lords as a " Pitt's Peer." Where could one read a succinct and reliable account of that privilege ; and is it known what families thus obtained peerage representa- tion ? G. B. M. AUTHORS WANTED. Who wrote ' The wild Geese of Fontenoy.' I believe it deals with the career of Patrick Sarsfleld, or at all events with the doings of the Irish Brigade on the Continent, though I do not know the exact significance of the title. W. H. GINGELL. Who said, " Beware of the woman who does not like cats " ? One of our clients is most anxious to locate this quotation. ASA DON DICKINSON, University of Pennsylvania, Librarian. Philadelphia, LEGAY OF SOUTHAMPTON AND LONDON. (12 S. viii. 341, 362, 385.) THE following letter by Peter Legay (see ante, p. 362) is interesting as an indica- tion of character. The reference is State Papers, Domestic, of Charles II., vol. cccc., at the Public Record Office, No. 47 : Janvary the 10th 1677/8. Honored ST About an hower agoe I reced your kind Letter dated yesterday, by wch you are pleased to give me notice that Sa : Masters &c makes a great Complaint a gainst mee that I opress him, by Charging 200 fagots to his accot wch, I sent to one Addisen and was pilfer them by the said Addsion, &c S* I am sencible of youre tender- nesse to mee & my reputation in this (as well as other Matters), wch putts you to the trouble of interposinge and knowe not howe to express my thankfullnesse to you for the same, and more especially that you woold vndertake to promise for mee that I shoold amend anie error or mistake by mee comitted in that behalfe wch ST be asured you shall find mee readie to doe. And I. shall freely referr the thinge to your Selfe to be Ordered by you, as you in your good discretion shall apointe and to that purpose I shall (god pmittinge) so sooene as the weather is better, and that I cann walke or ride con- veniently (wch I cannot at present well doe by Reason of some infirmitie) goe over to Chichester when I hope I shall so manifest all thinges to you that it shall apear, I am clear and innocent, in that compl made against mee : Nowe that I may the better doe that, Lett mee reqwest you to enquier of Sa : Masters when he bowght 200 of fagots of mee for one Addison and Who paid mee for them and When : that I may search in my booke after it, for I Doe not rememb anie such thinke, but I am Aaged & may forgett & Mistake wch I woold gladly rectifie, if I knowe my owne hart. I shall make bold to send Saterday to you that I may knowe. Sa. Masters answer, and may acordingly search my booke &c pardon this treble. So I remain Youre obliged frend P. LEGAY. (Addressed) For My Honored Frend Mr. John Braman. In (torn off). J. BROWNBELL. The following notes fill in some gaps in the account of the family : Francis Sampson (brother of Col. John Sampson of Barbados) was of London, merchant and Secretary of Antigua ; will dated 1663, p. 1668 (23 Coke). His widow, Mary, sister of Isaac Legay, was of Ken- nington ; will dated and proved 1677 (8 Reeve).