20d §. No 24., June 14. ’56.] 
kilns. This was a foot thick, and immediately 
beneath was a bed of what is technically called 
“tough clay.” This is of a light buff colour, and is 
used for making chimney-pots, and coarser yellow 
basons. It is almost as tenacious as putty, and in 
this, at a depth of sixteen inches below the coal, 
the toad was found, in a matrix fitting his body as 
closely as the wax does the seal. The spade for- 
tunately brought up the clod without injuring its 
inhabitant. As might be expected, for some time 
he was very impatient of light, which appeared to 
distress him greatly, but by degrees he became 
accustomed to it. When I saw him his eyes were 
as brilliant as possible, his skin moist, and of a 
full olive green, and his mouth hermetically sealed. 
These are the facts, upon which I shall make no 
comment, simply vouching for those I myself 
noted ; and observing that those respecting the 
“ find” itself are above suspicion, from the known 
character of the Messrs. Bathurst in the vicinity. 
W. J. Bernuarp SMITH. 
Temple. 
ILLUSTRATIONS OF MACAULAY. 
Deposition of Mr. William Carstares. — An 
extract from the deposition of Mr. William Car- 
stares, when he was examined before the Lords of 
Secret Committee, given in by him, and renewed 
upon oath, upon the 22nd of December, 1684, in 
presence of the Lords of His Majesty’s Privy 
Council. Reprinted at London in King’s Street, 
Westminster, 1684. 
“The Deponent desired to speak to the Lord Russel, 
NOTES AND QUERIES. 
467 
which the Lord Russel did, and having reiterate the | 
former Proposition for the 30000 pound Sterling, and the 
1000 Horse and Dragoons, he the Lord Russel told the 
Deponent, they could not get so much raised at the time, 
but if they had 10000 pound to begin, that would draw 
People in, and when they were once in, they would soon 
be brought to more; but as for the 1000 Horse and Dra- 
hoved to be concerted upon the Borders. ‘The Deponent 
made the same proposal to Mr. Ferguson, who was much 
concerned in the Affair, and zealous for the promoting of 
it. This Mr. Ferguson had in October or November 
before, as the Deponent remembers in a Conversation 
with the Deponent in Cheap-side, or the Street some- 
where there about, said, that for the saving of innocent 
Blood, it would be necessary to cut off a few, insinuating 
the King and Duke, but cannot be positive whether he | 
named them or not; To which the Deponent said, that’s 
work for our wild People in Scotland, my Conscience 
does not serve me for such things; after which the De- 
guson as to that matter; but as to the other Affair, Fer- 
guson told the Deponent that he was doing what he 
could to get it effectuate, as particularly that he spoke to 
one Major Wildman, who is not of the Deponent his ac- 
menace. Ferguson blamed always Sidney, as driving 
esigns of his own, The Deponent met twice or thrice 
with the Lord Melvil, Sir John Cochran, Jerviswood, 
Commissar Monro, the two Cessnocks, Montgomery of 
Langshaw, and one Mr. Veatch, where they discoursed of 
Money to be sent to Argyle, in order to the carrying on 
| in “N. & Q.” 
ponent had never any particular discourse with Fer- | 
the Affair, and though he cannot be positive the Affair 
was named, yet it was understood by himself, and as he 
conceives by all present, to be for rising in Arms, for rec- 
tifying the Government. Commissary Monro, Lord 
Melvil, and the two Cessnocks were against medling with 
the English, because they judged them men that would 
talk, and would not do, but were more inclined to do 
something by themselves, if it could be done. The Lord 
Melvil thought every thing hazardous, and therefore the 
Deponent cannot say he was positive in any thing, but 
was most inclined to have the Duke of Monmouth to 
head them in Scotland, of which no particular method 
was laid down. Jerviswood, the Deponent, and Mr. 
Veatch, were for taking the Money; at one of these 
Meetings it was resolved, that Mr. Martin, late Clerk of 
the Justice Court, should be sent to Scotland, to desire 
their Friends to hinder the Country from Rising, or 
taking rash Resolutions upon the account of the Council, 
till they should see how matters went on in England. 
The said Martin did go at the Charges of the Gentlemen 
of the Meeting, aud was directed to the Laird of Polwart 
and Torwoodlie, who sent back word, that it would not 
be found so easie a matter to get the Gentrie of Scotland 
to concur: But afterwards in a Letter to Commissar 
Monro, Polwart wrote that the Countrey was readier to 
concur than they had imagined, or something to that 
purpose. ‘The Deponent, as above-said, having brought 
over a Key from Holland, to serve himself and Major 
Holms: he remembers not that ever he had an exact 
Copy of it, but that sometimes the one, sometimes the 
other keeped it, and so it chanced to be in his custody 
when a Letter from the Earl of Argile came to Major 
Holms, intimating, that he would join with the Duke of 
Monmouth, and follow his Measures, or obey his Direc- 
tions: this Mr. Veatch thought fit to communicate to the 
Duke of Monmouth, and for the Understanding of it was 
brought to the Deponent, and he gave the Key to Mr. 
Veatch, who as the Deponent was informed, was to give 
it and the Letter to Mr. Ferguson, and he to shew it to 
the Duke of Monmouth; but what was done in it the 
Deponent knows not. The Deponent heard the Design 
of Killing the King and Duke, from Mr. Shepard, who 
told the Deponent some were full upon it. The Deponent 
heard that Aaron Smith was sent by those in England to 
call Sir John Cochran, on the account of Carolina, but 
| that he does not know Aaron Smith, nor any more of 
that matter, not being concerned in it. Shepard named 
Reeth a etuld say uctiiine atthe present, for thet be. | young Hamden frequently as concerned in these matters. 
? Le > 
“Signed at Edinburgh Castle, the 8th of September, 
1684, and renewed the 18th of the same moneth. 
“WiviiAmM CARSTARES.” 
No. 420. of the Collection of Proclamations, §c., 
| presented to the Chetham Library, Manchester, 
by James O. Halliwell, Esq., F.R.S. 
BisviorHecar, CoetHam. 
Lines on the Horse “ Sorrel.” —I do not know 
whether the enclosed may be worthy of insertion 
It has been in my possession some 
time, but I do not know the reputed writer. Per- 
haps some one of your correspondents can enlighten 
me on the subject. 
“ On the Horse ‘ Sorrel,’ who threw William III. and 
caused his death. 
“ Tllustris sonipes, certe dignissime ccelo, 
Cui Leo, cui Taurus, cui daret Ursa locum, 
Que te felicem felicia prata tulere? 
Ubera que felix prebuit alma parens? 
