mely John Twells, Master of the
Free School at Newark, says, in his preface, that he owed the
opportunity of perusing _Matthew of Westminster_ "to the kindness of
that learned patron of learning, Edward Lee, of Norwell, Esquire."

And now, having given you a Note, I will add a Query, and ask, Can any
one inform me what became of this library, or who were the
representatives and heirs of Edward Lee, through whom this MS. may have
passed to Mr. Conybeare, or give me any further particulars respecting
this Edward Lee?

A person who asks a question in such a publication as yours ought to
endeavour to answer one. I add therefore that Mr. Thorpe--no mean
authority on such a point--in his _Catalogue_ for 1834, No. 1234, says
the E.F. in the title-page of _The Life of King Edward II_, represents
"E. Falkland:" but he does not tell us who E. Falkland was, and it is
questionable whether there was any person so named living at the time
when the book in question was written. There was no Edward Lord Falkland
before the reign of William III. Also, in answer to Dr. Maitland's Query
respecting the fate of Bindley's copy of _Borde's Dyetary of Health_,
1567, in a priced copy of the Catalogue now before me, the name of Rodd
stands as the purchaser for eleven shillings.

JOSEPH HUNTER.

Nov. 26. 1849

* * * * *

QUERIES ANSWERED, NO. 3.

_A Flemish Account, &c._

The readiness with which we adopt a _current saying_, though unaware of
its source and therefore somewhat uncertain as to the proper mode of
applying it, is curiously exemplified by the outstanding query on the
origin and primary signification of the phrase _A Flemish account_.

I have consulted, in search of it, dictionaries of various dates, the
glossaries of our dramatic annotators, and the best collections of
proverbs and proverbial sayings--but without success.

The _saying_ casts no reproach on the Flemings. It always means, I
believe that the sum to be received turns out less than had been
expected. It is a commercial joke, and admits of explanation by
reference to the early commercial transactions between the English and
the Flemings.

I rely on the authority of _The merchants mappe of commerce_, by Lewes
Roberts, London, 1638, folio, chap. 179:--

In Antwerp, which _gave rule in trade_ to most other cities, the
accounts were kept in _livres, sols, and deniers_; which they termed
pounds, shillings, and penc