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NOTES AND QUERIES. [9 th s. XIL SEPT. 19, igrc.

dialect &c*=sk ; if in Mercia it would have been Shroby or Shrooby. The important part played by personal names in the forma- tion of place-names has only been recently realized. At all times and everywhere their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations ; they call their lands after their own names." W. H. DUIGNAN.

Walsall.

JOHN THOMAS TOWSON (9 th S. xii. 190). He was born at Fore Street, Devonport, 8 April, 1804, and died at his residence, 47, Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool, 3 January, 1881. See 'D.N.B.' and Boase's 'Modern English Biography,' iii. 1000.

ADRIAN WHEELER.

FARTHINGS (9 th S. xii. 169). Some time ago I sent a couple of farthings with other coins to pay for stamps or postcards at a sub-office in a large town. The poor things were rejected by the presiding genius, who said that the collector would decline to accept them. One, if not both, of these farthings had been included in change handed to me at a London West - End post office. This restriction on the currency of lawful coinage struck me as being vexatious and unjustifi- able. ST. SWITHIN.

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (9 th S. xii. 148, 196). It appears to be worth noting that Faber's portrait print is lettered "Maria Stuart Kegina Scotise." To go a step further. Why is Stuart so spelt ? For if the story be true that this form of the word was merely the resultof French attempt at phonetic imitation, in the absence of " w " from that language, then Stewart would be the more correct spelling. GEORGE C. PEACHEY.

NOTES ON BOOKS, &c.

.1r/.s of the Priry Council of England. New Series. Vols. XX IV., XXV., XX VI., XXVII. Edited by John Roche Dasent, C.B. (Eyre & Spottis- woode.)

CONSTANT and equal progress is being made by Mr. Dasent with the publication of the Privy Council Acts, and no falling off' whatever from the high standard first adopted is found in the later volumes. The four volumes now before us cover virtually the period from 1592 to 1597 inclusive. There is, however, a break so far as our memory serves us, the first that has yet occurred in the series. No record is accessible for the period between 20 August, 1593, when there was a meeting at " Wiude/xmr Castle." itself but partially recorded, and 1 October, 15^5, the book in which are entered the minutes for the period between these two dates

having been lost. Whether, as is not inconceivable, it was borrowed for some temporary purpose by one of the Privy Council, who was prevented by death or some other cause from returning it, is unknown. The book is, at least, not to be found, and a lament- able lacuna exists. From another source, which Mr Dasent mentions (British Museum Add. Mb. No. 11,402), information concerning some of the pro- ceedings is obtained, and is printed as an appendix to vol. xxv.

It is, naturally, from the standpoint of history and of social life that the work is most interesting, the Council then, as in modern days, occupying itself little with the intellectual accomplishment or aspiration of the epoch. Almost solitary in literary interest are two entries on 18 and 20 May, 1593, respectively. The former notes the issue of a warrant to Henry Maunder, one of the Messengers of Her Majesty's Chamber, "to repaire to the house of Mr. Thomas Walsingham in Kent, or to anie other place where he shall understand Cristofer Marlow to be remayning, and by vertue thereof to apprehend and bring him to Court in his companie. And in case of need to require ayd." On the 20th the entry is, ''This daie Cristofer Marley [sic] of London, gentleman, being sent for by warrant from their Lordships, hath entered hisapparence accord- inglie for his indemnity therein, and is commaunded to give his daily attendaunce on their Lordships untill he shalbe lycensed to the contrary." Very many entries in 1593 refer to the Plague and the necessity, consequent upon its ravages, of forbidding altogether or regulating fairs, or whatever may lead to the concourse of men. Theatrical entertain- ments are, naturally, sufferers, though " my lords " are more lenient in such matters than are the civic authorities. After a preamble concerning the ille- gality of "plaies or enterludes" in London, it is ordered, 6 May, 1593, that Edward Allen, " seryaunt to the right honourable the Lord Highe Admiral," William Kernp, Thomas Pope, John Heminges, Augustine Phillipes, and Georg Brian, all servants to the Lord Strainge, shall be permitted to play "comedies, tragedies, and such like," in towns and places not within seven miles of London or the Court, "that they maie be in the better readiness hereafter for her Majestys service whensoever they shalbe thereunto called.'' The vice-chancellors and heads of colleges of Cambridge and Oxenforde are called upon to prevent the performance of plays within five miles of the university, and bidden during the time of fairs to keep the gates of colleges shut. Much of the time of " my lords " is occupied in dealing with recusants. In 1596 we find a letter relating to the death of Sir Frauncis Drake. From an entry during this year it is seen that the main- tenance of archery is still imperative, and a com- mission is appointed under the Great Seal to " make diligent search in all places, aswell within liberties as without, whether the inhabitantes bee furnished with bowes and arrowes as by the lawes is pro- vided." The change of religion of Henry IV. of France has modified the condition of affairs in that country, but troops are still required. In 1596-7 the pressure upon recusants proves less severe, but diligent inquiry is still made after the seminary priests. The Turbervilles or Turvills of Glamorgan, on whom we come in the 'Cardiff Records' of Mr. John Hobson Matthews, are often in trouble, and Jenkin Turvill, "a man of good sorte dwelling at Penllyne in that county of Glamorgan," keeps " in his house two Seminary Preistes." Turvill is