422 a query — satplar. Aprii \ti 



much praised. I fhould be glad to see a criticism 

 on his works by your Old Correspondent. I have 

 not a doubt but he would convince you that hitherto 

 you have not been thinking for yourself on that sub- 

 ject, but with the piiblic, and that it is now time to 

 open your eyes to wisdom. 



Yackstrotte. 



A QUERY. 



To the Editor of the Bee. 



Sir, 

 I HAVE often wilhed to know what was the precise 

 amount of the old weight called a sarplar or surple, 

 but have never been able to make it out. It was 

 applied only, I think, to the weighing of wool. 

 What perplexes the matter is, that in all old dic- 

 tionaries, and accounts of weights, you find this de- 

 nomination of weights e:^plained, but in such an in- 

 accurate and erroneous manner as to exceed belief. 

 I will be much obliged to you, Sir, or any of your 

 readers, who can explain this matter to me. To af- 

 sist them in their inquiries the following notes re- 

 specting it, that have occurred- to myself, are sub- 

 joined. 



This word occurs in Rymer, torn. v. p. 248, where 

 we meet with the following words : " Captores, &c. 

 in com. Leyc. 34 SARPLAR, tribiis saccis, l^ viginta 

 duce petris ;" so thut it is plain three sacks, and 

 twenty-two stones, are lefs than one sarplar. 



In Smith's memoirs of wool, vol. i. p. 50. thirty- 

 six surples of Yorkfhire wool are valued, 50 Eix- 



