272 
NOTES AND QUERIES. 
[254 §. No 14, Aprir 5. 56. 
ing the families of Thomas and James Hooper, 
mentioned in the list of those who obtained the 
royal pardon (in the “ Illustrations of Macaulay,” 
grt §, i. 228.), where they came from, whither 
they went, and if any of their descendants are in 
existence ? CLERIcus. 
“ Beilby’s Ball.” — What is the origin of the 
following synonym for being hanged? ‘“ He will 
dance at Beilby's Ball, where the Sheriff pays the 
music.” Henry Kensineton. 
The Convocations of York and Canterbury. — 
“The author of Antiquitates Britannice tells us that in 
the third year of King Henry I.’s reign, the clergy at 
York unanimously rejected Archbishop Anselm’s synodical 
constitutions, and the issue is very remarkable; for here- 
upon, statim sprete atque contempte fuerunt. I could give 
some other instances wherein it appears that we have 
not always been implicit transcribers of the copy set us 
by our brethren of Canterbury.” — Nicolson’s Letter in 
Defence of the English Historical Library, p. 6. 
I should be glad of some of the instances in which 
the Convocation of York has dissented from that 
of Canterbury. Wut11am Fraser, B.C.L. 
Alton, Staffordshire. 
Fight at Riby Gapp, North Lincolnshire. — 
The parish register of Riby contains the follow- 
ing entries in the year 1646 : 
“ Nine soldiers slaine in a skirmish in the field of Riby 
the day before, buried June the xixth,” 
“Charles Skelton, a soldiour wounded in the same 
skirmish, buried June the xxth,” 
“ William Willoughbie, a soldier wounded in the skir- 
mish above named, buried July the iiii.” 
The register of the adjoining parish of Stalling- 
borough gives the following burials as occurring 
in the year above mentioned : 
“John Harrington, Esq., Lievetent-Colonel, slaine at 
the fight at Ryeby gapp, the 18» day of June, was buried 
the 19 day of the same month.” 
* John Pugson, a Cavileere, wounded at the fight of 
Reyeby gapp, buried the 20 day of June.” 
Can any of your numerous readers kindly fur- 
nish any information respecting this engagement, 
or direct me to any source from whence sueh in- 
formation is likely to be obtained ? 
J. Byron, M.A. 
Killingholme. 
The great Comet (cometh). — The great comet 
of 1556 will probably re-appear between the 
years 1856 and 1860. For the exact calculation 
of this event the original observations of the (then 
Imperial) Mathematicus, Paul Fabricius, would 
be of the utmost importance. But although it is 
known that they were printed, and are quoted by 
contemporaneous authors, and much research has 
been made after them, not even one copy could 
be discovered hitherto. This has been found, 
however, in the Parliamentary Archives of the 
Honourable the States of Austria, a printed letter 
of Paul Fabricius relative thereto, which contains 
some prophetie allusions to that event, all fulfilled. 
It concludes with the following passage: “ Who 
wishes for more information may read my Latin 
Judicium on that comet, which contains my daily 
and hourly observations.” It is hoped that this 
notice will induce the gentlemen who are at the 
head of the national and private libraries of this 
country to inquire after this unique and important 
document of medieval astronomy. 
Dr. J. Lotsxy, 
F. R. Bot. Soc. of Bavaria. 
15. Gower Street. 
Strachan of Craigcrook.—Can your corre- 
spondent I. G.S. give us any information as to 
the family or pedigree of John Strachan of Craig- 
crook, who “ mortified” his property at the be- 
ginning of the last century for the benefit of the 
poor of the parish of Cramond? —Craigerook 
House was long occupied by Lord Jeffrey. Some 
account of it is given in Wood's History of Cra- 
mond, but I think no account of the family of 
Strachan is there given. Any information on this 
point would oblige B.S. 
FHinor Bueries with Anshers. 
Robert Nelson and Religious Societies. —In the 
preface to the first edition of Nelson’s Companion 
to the Festivals and Fasts occurs this passage: 
“ Upon this occasion I think it a great piece of justice 
to acknowledge and commend the pious and devout 
practices of the Religious Societies, who in this point, as 
well as in many others, distinguish themselves by their 
regular conformity and obedience to the laws of the 
church; for they constantly attend the publick assemblies 
upon such holy seasons. And till they can communicate 
regularly in their own parish churches upon such days, 
they embrace those opportunities that are provided, there 
being two churches in London employed for that pur- 
pose*; where they as duly receive the Blessed Sacra- 
ment upon all festivals as they perform all the other acts 
of public worship. How they spend the vigils, in pre- 
paring their minds for a due celebration of the ensuing 
solemnity, is more private but not less commendable. 
And the great care they take to suppress the dawnings of 
enthusiasm, and to discountenance the first appearance of 
any vicious practices amongst their members, and‘the 
method they impose before delinquents are entirely re- 
conciled or totally rejected, is such a preparation of the 
minds of the laity for the reception of that discipline that 
is wanted in the Church, that if ever we are blessed with 
what good men wish for, and what bad men fear, these 
Religious Societies will be very instrumental in intro- 
ducing it, by that happy regulation which prevails among 
them. And while they pay that deference they profess to 
their parochial ministers+, and are ready to be governed 
by their directions, and are willing to submit their rules 
and orders to the judgment of the reverend clergy, I 
cannot but apprehend that they must be very serviceable 
to the interest of religion, and may contribute very much 
* St. Mary-le-Bow and St. Dunstan’s in the West. 
+ View of Religious Societies, Ord. 3, 
