feel at the present time much obliged if any one could tell me where

may be found?

H. A. B.

Trinity College, Cambridge.

Queries.

MASTERS AND MARSHALS OF THE CEREMONIES?

How are these offices now held? By letters patent of the crown, or by the lord chamberlain's nomination?

Where can any list of these offices be found? The office of Master of the Ceremonies, whose duty it is to arrange the reception of all foreign ministers, and their departures, was formerly an office of considerable importance. In the reign of King Charles I. it was held seemingly by grants from ] the crown. In 1627, Sir John Finett says he received news of the death of Sir Lewis Lewknor, by which, in right of his Majesty's grant of reversion by letters patent, he became sole Master of the Ceremonies—an office which he before held jointly with Sir Lewis Lewknor.

S. E. G.

Minor Queries.

286. Cause of Transparency.

—Seeing through the glass of my window a landscape, and not knowing why I see through the glass, and not through the shutters, I will thank one of your philosophical correspondents to tell me the cause of transparency.

ÆGROTUS.

287. Gold Medal of late Duke of York.

—I have a small gold medal, three-quarter inch in diameter, a head with inscription—

and Rev.:

Were many such struck at the duke's death, or what is the history of it?

A. A. D.

288. Composition's during the Protectorate.

—Where is there any account or list of these? In Oldfield's History of Wainfleet, p. 12. Appendix, is a "List of Residents in the County of Lincoln who compounded for their Estates during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell;" but he gives no authority or reference. Where can this list be checked, as I suspect an error?

W. H. L.

Fulham.

289. Bristol Tables.

—Upon the pavement in front of the Exchange, Bristol, there are four very handsome bronze tables standing, upon a single pedestal each; the tops circular, about two feet in diameter, with a slightly raised edge round them. It is said that they were presented to the Bristol merchants for them to pay their money upon; but when, or by whom, they were so given, I have not been able to learn. A friend of mine who was lately examining them was told that they were formerly called "Nails," and gave rise to the saying, "Pay down upon the nail:" this I should think must be an error. "Solvere ad unguem" would be found to be older than they are. If any of your correspondents can give me any information respecting them, I shall be obliged.

E. N. W.

Southwark.

290. Macfarlane's Geographical Collection.

—In almost every work treating of the history and topographical antiquities of Scotland, we are referred to Macfarlane's Geographical Collection, preserved in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. This MS., and its author, are very little known, except by name, benorth the Tay, notwithstanding they are so often quoted. I should be glad if any of your correspondents would give me any information regarding the extent of country embraced, i.e. parishes, counties, &c., and if any part of it has been published per se, and when, and where.

ANTIQUARIENSIS.

Inverness.

291. "Acu tinali meridi."

—At the head of an English metrical discourse upon the administration of justice, in a MS. of the fourteenth or fifteenth century, in the Public Library, Cambridge, is placed the following obscure motto, upon which, perhaps, some correspondent can throw light:—

I have not seen the MS., but am told that the correctness of the reading may be depended upon.

C. W. G.

292. Sir Joshua Reynolds.

—Having the early catalogues of the Royal Academy before me, I see that in 1773 and following years, Sir Joshua exhibited twelve or thirteen works. You will find they stand as current Nos. in the list. Can you inform me whether they hung on the line, that is, in the space of privilege, or took their chance with the many? Had they, under his own eye, been grouped together, what a treat it must have been to see them! What an evidence of the industry of the man! Though too late in the day to obtain these details from actual observation, enough may be recorded or remembered through others, to assist in throwing light on the rules and customs of past days, which never can be deficient in interest while they tend to illustrate the habits and character of great men.

You could touch no topic more interesting than this must prove to the increasing curiosity seekers in your useful and amusing repertorium, and your attention to it will be valued by

A LAYMAN.

Athenæum Club.

293. Great Plough at Castor Church.

—Can any of your correspondents give me the history of, or afford me any intelligence about, the large plough which Dibdin, in his Northern Tour, vol. i. p. 44., tells us is about twenty feet in length, and suspended in Castor Church, extending from one transept to the other? In a foot-note on the same church, he speaks of a curious ceremony, as practised there every Palm Sunday, respecting a peculiar tenure. I do not find it referred to in any other account of Castor Church. Bourne, in his Antiquities, vol. i. p. 130., gives the history of it, but says it is practised at Caistor Church in Lincolnshire. Is the doctor right in his statement? I would also be glad to know whether it is still continued at Caistor Church, as some years ago an act was tried for in the House to abolish it.

R. W. ELLIOT.

Hull.

294. Church of St. Bene't Fink.

—Is there any copy in existence of the inscriptions on the gravestones and monuments of St. Bene't Fink in the City, adjoining the Exchange, and which is now pulled down? If any of your correspondents can direct me to any transcript of them, I shall be much obliged by the communication.

JAS. CROSSLEY.

295. Spectacles, Inscription on a Pair of.

—Will you oblige me by inserting, as soon as possible, the following curious inscription round the rim of a pair of spectacles found in a stone coffin in Ombersley Church, Worcestershire, some years since, when the old church was being pulled down. It is as follows:—

This occurs on each rim, and I should be glad of an explanation of the words.

J. N. B. (A Subscriber.)