Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 4.djvu/216

 292 NOTES AND QUERIES. m* s. iv. Oct. 7, m the idea of " passive force," but the same old "pregnant bull" that has delighted genera- tions of commentators and translators, here given in the form of " laboured idleness." It is strange that Mr. Curry—with no apparent object but that of exposing my ignorance of the particulars of a translation which can only have caught my eye as quoted in some literary paragraph, I know not when or where—should twice over express his pleasure at furnishing me with a reference which he obviously did not furnish. It is the more strange because on turning to the index of the last completed volume I find that I was able to furnish Mr. Curry with some in- formation which he did ask for. I am ashamed to ask for space for matter which partakes of a personal character, but Mr. Curry's communication requires some notice, particularly as an experience of 'N. & Q.' now of many years makes me think that it differs in tone from what one is accustomed to find in these columns. Killigrew. A Cyclopedia of British Domestic Archeology (9th S. iv. 206).—This suggestion is excellent, and ought to be carried out, but it would require a united body of workers. I asked for a museum of such things at!)"' S. ii. 409. Long ago it occurred to me that some such body as the Society of Antiquarias might bring out a series of manuals on the different departments of English antiquities, archi- tecture, armour, church furniture, coins, heraldry, monasteries, records, seals, &c, written by thoroughly competent persons, brought up to the latest standard or know- ledge, with references to further authorities. I do not mean mere little popular primers, written in that affected childish style which some people vainly imagine to be peculiarly English, and aiming chiefly at the instruction of smatterers, but business-like books, in- tended for real students. Likewise in these cycling times there ought to bo a new set of county handbooks. " Murray," with his old-fashioned routes, is most one-sided and provoking. These should give a reasonably good map, and then, under all the places, alphabetically, a brief but trustworthy and intelligent notice of all points of interest. It would be easy to find in every district somebody on the spot able to supply the details. A publisher willing to make the necessary arrangements would find this a profitable enterprise. A moderate octavo would generally suffice. W. C. B. I entirely agree with the note on this sub- ject. Such a work would require many years' hard work and many hundreds of pounds to produce. I desire, however, now only to ex- press disappointment at the hurried way in which my notes on "encyclopedias" have been read. I have not suggested any new " cyclopsedia." I never use the word " cyclo- paedia, and my suggestion was that, having the highest authority for it, we should use the English form "encyclopedia" instead of the foreign one with the diphthong. As for the word "archaeology," nothing would induce me to use such a cumbersome word on a title-page. Ralph Thomas. Bull Races (9th S. iv. 208).—Judging from two early advertisements in the Northampton Mercury, bull races, if never very common, were extremely popular in rural England in the early years of the eighteenth century. The first advertisement is as follows ; and I need only premise that in 1724 Cornmarket Hill was the centre of Northampton, Abing- ton Street was lined with houses for its whole length (400 or 500 yards), Wellingborough Road was mainly unenclosed, and the distance from the place of starting the race to the finish was nearly two miles :— " On Tuesday in Whitsun-week, being the 36th of May, 1724, will lx> run for from the gate of William Thursby, Esq.; leading into Wellingborough Road, down Abiugton Street, to the Pump upon the Corn- market Hill, in Northampton, a lilate of 51. value by any bull, cow, or bullock, of any age or size whatsoever, that never won the value of 67. in money or plate. Each rider to have boots and spurs, with a goad of the usual Bize. Every bull, &c, to pay one shilling entrance, which is to bo given to the second best bull, &e. ; the winning beast to be sold for -201. (if desired) by the subscribers. They are to start at the gate above-mentioned, at five a clock in the afternoon. If any disputes arise, to bo decided by the majority of the subscribers then present." In a subsequent advertisement in the same paper it was announced that, in consequence of Complaints having been made that great Damage will be done to the Corn by the Bulls, etc.," the route was altered. The new course was almost entirely across pasture land into Abington Street, and then, as before, to the pump. The advertisement continues :— "The winning Bull, Ox, or Cow to be rid by the Rider from the said Pump, by the Hind Inn, and down the Drapery to the George Inu: where the Treasurer will De to deliver the Plate." There are many people living who remember small farmers riding an ox round their farms, and occasionally to market. K. "Three Pound Twelve" (9th S. iii. 249: iv. 218).—I havea similar "token "inscribed "Half Guinea," with a head of George III. on the obverse encircled by the usual legend. I have