Page:Notes and Queries - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/153

 S. N 8., FEE. 23. '56.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

145

LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 185a

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS, THEIR USAGES AND TRADI- TIONS.

In addition to the mere history of the founda- tion and endowments of our grammar schools, much interesting illustration of ancient manners might be collected by notices of the peculiar recreations, customs, and privileges asserted by the boys on various anniversaries, such as the Eton Montem was. Most schools, too, have some peculiar prayers and graces to be said before and after meat, commemorations of benefactors, &c.

The new course of study proposed at Oxford will gradually affect the state of things in the schools, and many of their old observances will probably become obsolete. It seems, therefore, that a few columns of "N. & Q." might fitly be reserved for placing on record those memories of their old schools, which, doubtless, many a veteran will be glad to supply.

As an alumnus of Blundell's school at Tiverton, Devon, I would furnish a Note and a Query in illustration of my meaning. The school stands Tipon the bank of a small stream called the Low- man, which is often suddenly swollen to such a degree as to intercept the communication with the town. In front of the entrance to the school- green the letters P. B., the initials of Peter Blun- dell, the founder, are wrought in white stones in the pavement; and, whenever the first swell of the rising Lowman reaches these letters, it is the duty of the porter to announce it, and the boys rush home, solvenlur tabula for that day. Again, towards the close of the winter half-year, the boys used to subscribe for the purchase of tar-barrels and torches ; the latter were kindled into a bon- fire in the centre of the green, each boy standing round with a lighted torch in his hand, whilst "Dulce domum " was sung, for two or three nights in the last week of the half-year, according to the amount of the funds collected. Now for my Queries. Can any contributor furnish a copy of the true "Dulce domum " ? * It is, I believe, of Wyckamist origin. A peculiar prayer was used on Saturdays at Tiverton School, of which I give the commencement, and should be obliged if any one will complete it :

" Gratias tibi agimus, Domine Deus, quod nos hie loci studio pietatis et literarum, immificentia Petri Blundelli pise memorise educamur; Teque rogamus pro summa tua benevolentia ut, cum nos hoe tanto beneficio adjuti in lauclem tui nominis profecerimus," eastern desiderantur.

Then " Pater noster," &c., " Gratia Domini nos- tri," &c.

[* It is given with translations in Milaer's H'incheshr, vol. ii. p. 130. ; and in the Gentleman's Magazine for March, 1796, pp. 208210.]

A few college memoranda, copies of " Graces in Hall," &c., may, for aught we know, find in " N. & Q." their safest asylum for posterity, whilst they assuredly would interest many in the present day. Y. B. N. J.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF MACAULAY.

Judge Jeffreys at Wells. I have read with much interest the Illustrations of Macaulay which have appeared in recent Numbers of " N. & Q." It is well known that WELLS, among other places. in this part of the kingdom, was the scene of Judge Jeffreys's wholesale condemnation of the unfortunate followers of the equally unfortunate Duke of Monmouth, which was soon afterwards followed up by the execution of nearly one hun- dred of Jeffreys's victims. The spot where the gsillows stood is a short distance to the south-west of the town, and is still known by the name of " Gallows Close." Within the memory of old men now living, the remains of the gallows still stood there ; and the upright shaft or post was removed some years ago, and is now converted into the doorpost of a house in a street called Southover, which leads from the city to the place from whence it was taken. The same gallows continued to be occasionally used for the execution of offenders who happened to be condemned at Wells, the last victim being a man named Reginald Tucker, who was hung here for a murder committed at Ansford, near Castle Gary.

It may not be uninteresting to some of the readers of "N. & Q." to see the manner in which Jeffreys and his associates were entertained at Wells; and underneath I have transcribed the particulars from the City Records. They are as follows :

" 1085. The Account of Monies disburs't hy Rich'd Cup- per for ye Entertainment of ye 5 Judges and their Attendance, by order of Mr. Mayor and (his House, at the Assizes in Wells, in September '85.

" It. paid. For 2 hogsheads and halfe and I s. d. tearse of beere and ale brewed -300 Mr. Edward Slade, for 5 duz. of Oc- tober beere - - - - 1

For 24 flint glasses - - - 12 For 1 load of old hay and 1 load of straw - -- - -J2120

For 2 bushells of beanes - - 8 4

For 9 bushells of oats, nt Is. Of/. p r b. 15 4

For 2 sackes of charcoals - - 6 8

For IGsnckesof cole, at 9f/. per sacke 12

For 5 duzzen of bottles and corkes - 11 For tobaco and pipes, 2s. ; 2 slips,

lOrf. - - - - - - 2 10

For 3 horscloads of dry billetts and

^ 30 faggotts - - - - 10 G

For carige, lOd. ; vinegar and ovle,

2s. Gd. - - - ."-034

For 1 sacke more of oates - - 8 For 2 bushells and J of beanes, at

4s. 4c/. per b. - - - - 10 10