ly Cross" between the horns of a wild hart (_Rites of Durham_, p.
21.), and the practice that existed of an offering of a stag annually
made, on St. Cuthbert's day, in September, by the Nevilles of Raby, to
the Priory of Durham? May it not have been an acknowledgement {309} that
the cross won at the battle of Neville's Cross was believed to have been
taken by King David from the hart in the forest of Edinburgh? In the
"Lament for Robert Neville," called by Surtees "the very oldest rhyme of
the North" we read--

"Wel, qwa sal thir hornes blaw
Haly rod thi day?
Nou is he dede and lies law
Was wont to blaw thaim ay."

7. Is it known what became of the "Holy Cross" or "Black Rood" at the
dissolution of Durham Priory?

P.A.F.

Newcastle-on-Tyne.

* * * * *

MINOR QUERIES.

_Trogus Pompeius._--In Hannay and Dietrichsen's _Almanuck for the Year_
1849, I find the following statement under the head of "Remarkable
Occurrences of the Year 1847:"--

"July 21. A portion of the history of Trogus Pompeius (the
author abridged by Justin) is discovered in the library of
Ossolinski at Berlin."

Not having noticed any contemporary account of this occurrence, I should
be glad of any information respecting the nature and extent of the
discovery.

E.L.N.

_Mortuary Stanzas._--Could any of your readers supply me with
information respecting the practice of appending mortuary stanzas to the
yearly bills of mortality, published in many parishes; whether there are
any extant specimens of such stanzas besides those memorable poems of
Cowper written for the parish clerk of Northampton; and whether, also,
the practice is still kept up in any parts of the country?

[Greek: Philopatris].

_Laird of Grant._--In the north of England, I have repeatedly heard the
_auld wife_ remark, on observing any unwonted act of extravagance, such
as burning more than the ordinary number of candles, &c. &c.,--"Who is
to be Laird of Grant next year?" As this saying appears to be used only
in the north, I have no other medium at present than to seek a reply
through the aid of your valuable little work.

SENEX.

[A similar "saw" was formerly current in the metropolis,--"What,
three candles burning! we shall be Lord Mayor next year."]

_Bastille, MS. Records of._--Are there amongst the MSS. of the British
Museum any documents relating to spies, or political agents, employed by