in MS.: "This scarce portrait has sold for 7l." It is engraved by Cole from
a picture by Kneller, in oval with armorial bearings below, and is
subscribed "Anno Salutis 1723, aetatis 72." I am at a loss to suppose it
ever could have fetched the price assigned to my impression by its previous
owner, and should feel obliged if any of your correspondents would state
whether, from any peculiar circumstances, it may have become rare, and so
acquired an adventitious value. It does not appear to have been known to
Granger.

While the two names are before me, I venture to inquire how the remarkable
interchange occurred between that of _Whitelock Bulstrode_ the Essayist,
and _Bulstrode Whitelock_ the Memorialist, of the parliamentary period. Was
there any family connexion?

BALLIOLENSIS.

_The Assembly House, Kentish Town._--Can any of your antiquarian
correspondents give me a clue as to the date, or probable date, of the
erection of this well-known roadside public-house (I beg pardon, tavern),
which is now being pulled down? I am desirous of obtaining some slight
account of the old building, having just completed an etching, from a
sketch taken as it appeared in its dismantled state. Possibly some
anecdotes may be current regarding it. I learn from a rare little tome,
entitled _Some Account of Kentish Town_, published at that place in 1821,
and written, I believe, by a Mr. Elliot, that the Assembly House was
formerly called the Black Bull. The writer of this Query asked "one of the
oldest inhabitants," who was seated on a door-step opposite the house,
_his_ opinion concerning its age: considering a little, the old gentleman
seriously said he thought it might be two or three _thousand_ years at
least! This opinion I am afraid to accept as correct, and I would therefore
seek, through the medium of "N. & Q.," some information which may be more
depended upon.

W. B. R.

Camden New Town.

_Letters respecting Hougomont._--Could any reader of "N. & Q." kindly
furnish the undersigned with certain Letters, which have recently {294}
appeared in _The Times_, on "The Defence of Hougomont?" Such letters,
extracted, would be of much service to him, as they are wanted for a
specific purpose. The letters from Saturday, Sept. 10, _inclusive_, are
_already_ obtained: but the letters on the subject previous to that date
are wanting, and would greatly favour, if it were possible to have them,

ARAN.

Swillington.

_Peter Lombard._--Mr