462 
NOTES AND QUERIES. 
[No. 28. 
formed that Dr. Thomas Hancock died at Lis- 
burn, in Ireland, during the past year. The 
papers of Locke respecting which he inquires are 
probably still in the possession of Dr. H.’s son. 
oe. 
MISCELLANIES. 
Spur Money.— Although I used often, twenty 
years ago, when a chorister at the Chapel Royal, 
to take part in levying a fine on all who entered 
that place with spurs on, I was not aware of its 
origin till I saw it explained in your interesting 
publication (No. 23. p. 374.). There was a custom, 
however, connected with this impost, the origin of 
which I should be glad to learn. After the claim 
was made, the person from whom it was sought to 
be exacted had the power to summon the youngest 
chorister before him, and request him to “repeat 
his gamut,” and if he failed, the spur-bearer was 
entitled to exemption. E. J. H. 
Spur Money.—Lbeg to offer the following humble 
illustration of spur-money, which I copied from 
the belfry wall of All Saints Church at Hastings :— 
1. 
«« This is a belfry that is free 
For all those that civil be: 
And if you please to chime or ring, 
It is a very pleasant thing. 
2. 
* There is no musick play’d or sung, 
Like unto bells when they’re well rung: 
Then ring your bells well, if you can — 
Silence is best for every man. 
3. 
* But if you ring in spur or hat, 
Sixpence you pay —be sure of that: 
And if a bell you overthrow, 
Pray pay a groat before you go.” 
(dated) 1756. 
ALFRED GATTY. 
Ecclesfield, April 6. 1850. 
Note Books. — Looking at what your correspon- 
dent says about ‘‘ Note Books,” I think the fol- 
lowing hint may be useful to others, as it has been 
to myself. Many persons never get so far as the 
formality of a common-place book, and do not 
like to write in their books. Let them follow my 
plan. The envelope maker will procure them any 
number of little slips of white paper, with a touch 
of isinglass at each of the four corners. Let the 
note be written on one of these, and then let the 
slip be stuck into any book which is sure to be 
wanted in connection with the subject when it 
comes up again; either by one, two, or four cor- 
ners, as convenient. The isinglass will not hurt 
the book, if ever it be wanted to remove the slip. 
A note is more in the way, when attached to a 
book which suggested it, than when buried among 
unindexed miscellanies; and there are few who 
index themselves. Your motto is good, as far as 
it goes ; but the other half is wanting : — 
“ When made a note of, —find if you can.” 
M. 
LADY RACHAEL RUSSELL. 
Mr. Dyce has admitted Lady Rachael Russell 
among his British Poetesses on account of the 
following verses :— 
TO THE MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND. 
“ Right noble twice, by virtue and by birth. 
Of heaven loy’d, and honour’d on the earth ; 
His country’s hope, his kindred’s chief delight, 
My husband dear, more than this world’s light, 
Death hath me reft. But I from death will take 
His memory, to whom this tomb I make. 
John was his name (ah, was! wretch, must I say), 
Lord Russell once, now my tear-thirsty clay.” 
Now “John” was not the Christian name of 
William Lord Russell, so that these verses could 
not have come from his widow’s pen. Indeed, 
they are much older than Lady Rachael's time, 
and may be found on the monument in West- 
minster Abbey erected by Lady Russell, in the 
reign of Queen Elizabeth, to John Lord Russell, 
who died in 1584. P. Cunninenam. 
Byron and Tacitus (No. 20. p.390.).— To your 
young friend, who honestly signs himself “ A 
Scuoorpoy,” let an older correspondent say, that 
he will do more wisely to let the rules of his 
teachers keep him from perusing an author who 
makes a mock of all moral and all honourable 
feelings. But if he wishes to know whether the 
introduction of the sentence from Tacitus into a 
poetical tale should be called “ cabbaging,” the 
reply will properly be, No. The poet expected 
that the well-known figure, which he had thus 
thrown into verse, would be immediately recog- 
nised by every literary reader, and that the 
recognition would give pleasure. He was trying 
his hand at a task of which it has been affirmed 
by a master, that Difficile est proprie communia 
dicere. The Schoolboy knows where to find 
these words; and I hope that he also knows where 
to find the words of one who speaks with greater 
authority, and has said most kindly, “ Cease, my 
son, to hear [read] the instruction that causeth to 
dene H.W. 
Aboriginal Chambers near Tilbury.—It is pro- 
posed to descend some of the aboriginal chambers 
alluded to by Camden, near Tilbury in Essex. In 
consequence, however, of Camden having named 
a wrong parish, later antiquaries have been puz- 
zled to ascertain their precise whereabouts. Mr. 
Crafter, in 1848, after many days’ labour, found 
them out; and a brief notice of them was given 
ap 
