, and quotes Matt.
Westmon.: "Portans _cassidile_ toxicum mellitum."--_Gloss_. tom. ii.
col. 387. The root _caps_, or _cas_, does not appear to have any
Teutonic correspondent, and may merit a philological investigation.

R.T. Hampson.

_Humble Pie_.--the proverbial expression of "eating humble pie,"
explained by A.G., will be found also explained in the same manner in
the Appendix to Forby's _Vocabulary_, where it is suggested that the
correct orthography would be "umble pie," without the aspirate. Bailey,
in his valuable old _Dictionary_, traces the word properly to
_umbilicus_, the region of the intestines, and acknowledges in his time
the perquisite of the game-keeper.

J.I.

Oxford.

_By Hook or by Crook_.--You have noted the origin of Humble Pie. May I
add a note of a saying, in my opinion also derived from forest customs,
viz. "By hook or by crook?" Persons entitled to fuel wood in the king's
forest, were only authorised to take it of the dead wood or branches of
trees in the forest, "with a cart, a hook, and a crook."

The answer to the query respecting the meaning of "per serjantiam
Marescautiae," is the Serjeantry of Farriery, i.e. shoeing of the king's
horses. In Maddox, vol. i. p. 43. you will find a very full account of
the office of Marescallus.

J.R.F.

THE ORIGIN OF GROG.

"Written on board the Berwick, a few days before Admiral Parker's
engagement with the Dutch fleet, on the 5th of August, 1781. By DR.
TROTTER.

"'Tis sung on proud Olympus' hill
The Muses bear record,
Ere half the gods had drank their fill
The sacred nectar sour'd.

"At Neptune's toast the bumper stood,
Britannia crown'd the cup;
A thousand Nereids from the flood
Attend to serve it up.

"'This nauseous juice,' the monarch cries,
'Thou darling child of fame,
Tho' it each earthly clime denies,
Shall never bathe thy name.

"'Ye azure tribes that rule the sea,
And rise at my command,
Bid _Vernon_ mix a draught for me
To toast his native land.'

"Swift o'er the waves the Nereids flew,
Where _Vernon's_ flag appear'd;
Around the shores they sung 'True Blue,'
And Britain's hero cheer'd.

"A mighty bowl on deck he drew,
And filled it to the brink;
Such drank the Burford's[2] gallant crew,
And such the gods shall drink.

"The sacred robe which Vernon wore
Was drenched within the same;
And hence his virtues guard our shore,
An