grounds this opinion, whilst demanding for this locality further consideration, seems to me far from conclusive. MR. HESLEDEN describes some curious earth-works in this situation, and thinks he has discovered the site of Anlaff's camp at Barrow, and that of Athelstan at Burnham (formerly, as he informs us, written "Brunnum"), where is an eminence called "Black Hold," which he thinks was the actual seat of the battle. At Barrow are places called "Barrow Bogs" and "Blow Wells." Does MR. HESLEDEN think we have here any reference to the "fountains" giving their name to Brunanburgh?

It is very desirable, in a topographical and historical point of view, that the site of this remarkable contest between the Anglo-Saxons and the allied Scandinavians and British reguli under Anlaff, should be determined on satisfactory data; and the allusion to it by MR. HESLEDEN, in a recent communication to "NOTES AND QUERIES" (Vol. iv., p. 180.), induces me to call the attention of your readers, and of that gentleman in particular, to some mention of this battle, topographically not unimportant, which is to be found in Egil's Saga; the hero of which was himself a combatant at Brunanburgh, under the standard of Athelstan, and which appears to have escaped the observation of those who have discussed the probable site of this deadly encounter. The circumstantial account to be found in the Saga, chap. lii. and liii., has not been overlooked by Sharon Turner, who however does not quote the passages having a special topographical interest. It is remarkable that the name of Wendune, for which among Anglo-Saxon writers there appears the single authority of Simeon of Durham, is confirmed by the testimony of the Saga: at least there can be little doubt, that the Vinheida of the Saga is but a Norse form for the Wendun or Weondune of the Anglo-Saxon chronicler. The natural and other features of the locality are not neglected by the author of the Saga, who describes it as a wild and uncultivated spot, surrounded by woods, having the town of Vinheida not far distant on the north. These particulars I take from the Latin of the Saga; but the reader of the Icelandic would possibly find more minute characteristics, which may have been lost in the process of translation. As, by his residence in the neighbourhood, MR. HESLEDEN is favourably situated for the further prosecution of this inquiry, I should be glad to find whether his conclusion as to the site of the battle received confirmation, or otherwise, from the passages of the Saga to which I have now ventured to direct attention.

I may here observe, that if we consider the situation of Jorvik, or York, the capital of the then Norse kingdom of Northumbria, we shall perhaps conclude that it was on the Yorkshire rather than on the Lincolnshire side of the Humber, that—

This conclusion is to some extent confirmed, when we connect with the above the tradition or historical fact, whichever we regard it, that it was after this battle that Athelstan, in redemption of a previous vow, made various costly offerings on the altar of St. John of Beverley, and endowed that church with great privileges, the memory of which exists to the present day. It must however be admitted, that such a presumption is anything but conclusive in regard to a topographical question of this description. In conclusion, I would suggest that the Domesday Book for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire should be carefully examined, in order to ascertain whether the place in question, under any of the names assigned to it, is there to be found.

JOHN THURNAM, M.D.

Devizes.

THE CAXTON COFFER.

"Sans titres on fait des romans; pour écrire l'histoire il faut des preuves authentiques, des monumens certains."—J. J. Oberlin, Annales de la vie de Jean Gutenberg.

Gratified by the approbation with which my suggestion of a Caxton memorial has been received, both publicly and privately, and acquiring fresh confidence in its success, it is my intention to make a second appeal to the lovers of literature when the excitement of the present year shall have passed away, and home-subjects shall re-assume their wonted powers of attraction.

In the mean time, I recommend an assemblage of notes on the life and works of Caxton, designed to correct current errors; to expose baseless conjectures; to indicate probable sources of information, or to furnish such novel information as research may produce; and to assist in establishing the principles on which such a memorial as that suggested should be prepared and edited.

In justification of this advice, I must express my belief that there have been few men of celebrity on whose life and labours so many erroneous statements, and inadmissible conjectures, have been published in works of general repute.

Requesting the favour of contributions to The Caxton coffer from such persons as may take an interest in the success of the enterprise, I now proceed to set an example:—

"I have a great number of books printed by Caxton, and in very good condition, except a very few. I think the number is forty-two. Have you any notes relating to that good honest man? I think he deserves those titles, and if I may add industrious too."—Edward, earl of Oxford, to Thomas Hearne, 1731.

"In Osborne's shop-catalogue for 1749, No. 5954, occurs the 'Catalogue of the late E. of Oxford's library, as it was purchased, (being the original) inlaid with royal paper, in 16 vols. 4to. with the prices prefixed to each book—pr. 10. 10. 0.—N.B. There never was any other copy of this catalogue with the prices added to it.'—The same article, at the same price, is repeated in his cat. for 1750, No. 6583, and for 1751, No. 6347—after which, being discontinued in his subsequent cats. it was probably sold. Quy. to whom and where is it now?"—Richard Heber, c. 1811.

The first of the above notes is copied from Letters written by eminent persons, London [Oxford], 1813. 8o. The second note, which concludes with a query, forms part of some manuscript memoranda, now in my possession, on the matchless library to which it refers.

BOLTON CORNEY.

ACCURACY OF PRINTING.

Much of the copy forwarded by the contributors to "NOTES AND QUERIES" contains quotations from old books; which I presume are accurately given, without alteration of spelling or punctuation. The difficulty is this; that the printer, or perhaps even the editor, may sometimes alter what he supposes to be a contributor's error of copying. Thus, in Query 93. (Vol. iv., p. 151.), there is medulla grammaticæ, where I wrote grammatice, as in my authority: but the vile