ooting of Cain by Lamech is detailed in _The Creation
of the World, with Noah's Flood_, a Cornish mystery, translated into
English by John Keigwin, and edited by Davies Gilbert, Esq. The legend and
translation, in parallel columns, are given also at pp. 15, 16. of Mr.
Gilbert's "Collections and Translations respecting St. Neot," prefixed to
descriptive account (in 4to., with sixteen coloured plates) of the windows
of St. Neot's Church in Cornwall, by Mr. Hedgeland, who restored them,
1805-1829, at the expense of the Rev. Richard Gerveys Grylls, patron, and
formerly incumbent of the living.

JOSEPH RIX.

St. Neot's, Huntingdonshire.

* * * * *

LORD COKE'S CHARGE TO THE JURY.

(Vol. vii., p. 376.)

_Saltpetre-man._--An explanation of this title may be found in a
proclamation of King Charles I. (1625):

"For the Maintaining and Increasing of the Saltpetre Mines of England,
for the Necessary and Important Manufacture of Gunpowder."

This proclamation states:

"That our realm naturally yields sufficient mines of saltpetre without
depending on foreign parts; wherefore, for the future, no dovehouse
shall be paved with stones, bricks, nor boards, lime, sand, nor gravel,
nor any other thing whereby the growth and increase of the mine and
saltpetre may be hindered or impaired; but the proprietors shall suffer
the ground or floors thereof, as also all stables where horses stand,
to lie open with good and mellow earth, apt to breed increase of the
said mine. And that none deny or hinder any _saltpetre-man_, lawfully
deputed thereto, from digging, taking, or working any ground which by
commission may be taken and wrought for saltpetre. Neither shall any
constable, or other officer, neglect to furnish any such
_saltpetre-man_ with convenient carriages, that the King's service
suffer not. _None shall bribe any saltpetre-man_ for the sparing or
forbearing of any ground fit to be wrought for saltpetre," &c.

It would appear that the _saltpetre-man_ abused his authority, and that the
people suffered a good deal of annoyance from the manner in which this
{434} absurd system was carried out; for two years afterwards we find that
another proclamation was published by the King, notifying, "that the
practice of making saltpetre in England by digging up the floors of
dwelling-houses, &c. &c., tended too much to the grievance of his loving