2. In the same work, page 278., a passage oc- 
eurs, which not only explains the meaning of the 
term factotum, but furnishes matter for another 
query. The passage is this; speaking of “ emi- 
nent persons buried” at Waltham Abbey, he says: 
““we spoil all, if we forget Robert Passellew, who 
was dominus fac totum in the middle—and fac 
nihil towards the end — of the reign of Henry IIT 
Some parasites extolled him by allusion to his 
name, pass-le-eau, (that is, “ passing the pure 
water,”) the wits of those days thus descanting 
upon him : — 
« Est aqua lenis, et est aqua dulcis, et est aqua clara, 
Tu precellis aquam, nam leni lenior es tu, 
Dulci dulcior es tu, clara clarior es tu; 
Mente quidem lenis, re dulcis, sanguine clarus.” 
Camden's MSS. Cott. Lib. 
The learned Dr. Whitaker, in his History of 
Whalley, says that “the word Paslew was of 
Norman origin (Pass-le-eau), and afforded a sub- 
ject for some rhyming monkish verses, not devoid 
of ingenuity, which the curious reader may find 
in Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 645.;” and a 
question now arises whether the Passellew men- 
tioned by Fuller belongs to the same family as the 
*Paslews of Wiswall,” alluded to by Dr. Whitaker, 
one of whom, “John, Abbot of Whalley” was 
executed for the part he took in the “ Pilgrimage 
of Grace.” When it is stated that the Paslews of 
Wiswall bore ‘“ Argent a fess between three 
mullets Sable pierced of the field, a crescent for 
difference,” probably some of your readers will be 
able to give some particulars respecting “ Robert 
Passelew,” and also identify the families if possible. 
ALE 
Burnley, Lancashire, Feb. 23, 1850. 
MINOR QUERIES. 
Conrad of Salisbury’s Descriptio utrius que Bri- 
tannie. — A good many years since I had a com- 
munication from the Baron de Penhouet, a Breton 
Antiquary, respecting a work which I have never 
yet been able to discover. JI may ascertain, 
through the medium of your very useful pub- 
lication, whether there exists a work under the 
title of a “Descriptio utriusque Britanni,” by 
Conrad of Salisbury, from a MS. of the time of 
Henry I.? I should feel much obliged to any one 
who would favour me with this information. 
James Loaan. 
Peruse or Pervise — Passage in Frith’s Works. 
— Your correspondent “'T. J.” rightly conjec- 
tured that the peruse of a modern reprint of Frith 
was anerror. I have been able since to consult 
two black-letter editions, and have found, as I 
suspected, “ pervise” and “ pervyse.” 
_ If your same correspondent, or any other, can 
help me to correct, or to understand another 
erroneous clause in Russell’s edit. of Frith, vol. iii. 
p- 227., I shall be still further obliged. 
It is probably meant for some old rule in logic, 
but is printed there, “Ab inferiori ad suis su- 
perius confuse distribue.” Foxe, however, has 
“suum” instead of “suis.” H.W. 
Cromlech. —I shall feel much obliged if any of 
your readers will kindly refer me to any authority 
for the use of the word Cromilech, prior to the six- 
teenth century, whether in the Welsh or English 
language. Jas. H. Topp. 
Trin. Coll., Dublin, Jan. 31. 1850. 
Meaning of “Grummett.”—“A Constant READER” 
is desirous of addressing such of your correspond- 
ents as are well versed in maritime history, — Mr. 
Bolton Corney to wit,—-on the following subject. 
In the early ages of our Navy there was a distinct 
rating, called “Grummett,” on board each man- 
of-war, and he was generally, as may be seen in 
the Cottonian MSS., placed after the “ maryners 
and gonners.” Now, the reader will be highly 
obliged to any one who will trace the designation 
to its source, and give information as to what 
were the special duties of the Grummett, or 
Gromet. =. 
Vertue’s Manuscripts.—Steevens and Malone, in 
fixing the dates of Saakspeare’s Dramas, frequently 
quote from Vertue’s MSS. George Chalmers, in 
his Supplemental Apology, says, ‘“ On making some 
inquiries, by a friend, what manuscript of Vertue's 
it were, which £ saw so often quoted about scenic 
matters, Mr. Steevens was so obliging as to say, 
‘ The books, from which those extracts were made, 
with several others lost, belonged to Secretary 
Pepys, and afterwards to Dr. Rawlinson, who lent 
them to Mr. Vertue.’ When the said MSS. were 
consulted by the two commentators, they were, I 
believe, in the possession of Garrick. Chalmers 
adds, “ Much is it to be lamented, that any MS. 
or book, which furnished an illustration of Shaks- 
peare; and having once been seen, skould ever 
disappear.” Every true lover of our great poet 
will heartily agree with this remark. 
Epwarp F. Rimsauvtr. 
Loscop. —'The Patent Roll, 1 Edw. III. part 1, 
membrane 27, contains the exemplification or copy 
of a grant by Henry I. to his butler William 
de Albini of —‘“ Manerium de Snetesham cum 
duobus hundredis et dimidio scil. Fredebruge et 
Smethedune cum wreck et cum omnibus perti- 
nentiis suis et misteria de Luna cum medietate 
fori et theloneis et cum ceteris consuetudinibus et 
ortu cum applicacione navium et loscop et viam 
Ipsius aque et transitu cum omnibus querelis.” I 
should be greatly obliged to any of your learned 
correspondents who would explain the word loscop. 
Luna is the town or port of King’s Lynn. Misteria 
