conflicting and contradictory
accounts of,--(1.) The title by which he became possessed of the _Vesci_
estates; (2.) _When_ and by what authority he took upon him the title of
"King of the Isle of Man;" and (3.) How he became dispossessed of that
title, which it is well known that Edward II. bestowed upon Gaveston;
and whether that circumstance did not induce him to take part with the
confederate barons who eventually destroyed that favourite.

Other incongruities occur in my researches, but the above are the most
difficult of solution.

I am, dear Sir,

ONE THAT INTENDS TO BE A REGULAR SUBSCRIBER TO THE "NOTES AND QUERIES."

_Curious Welsh Custom._--A custom prevails in Wales of carrying about at
Christmas time a horse's skull dressed up with ribbons, and supported on
a pole by a man who is concealed under a large white cloth. There is a
contrivance for opening and shutting the jaws, and the figure pursues
and bites every body it can lay hold of, and does not release them
except on payment of a fine. It is generally accompanied by some men
dressed up in a grotesque manner, who, on reaching a house, sing some
extempore verses requesting admittance, and are in turn answered by
those within, until one party or the other is at a loss for a reply. The
Welsh are undoubtedly a poetical people, and these verses often display
a good deal of cleverness. This horse's head is called _Mari Lwyd,_
which I have heard translated "grey mare." _Llwyd_ certainly is grey,
but _Mari_ is not a mare, in Welsh. I think I have heard that there is
some connection between it and the camel which often appears in old
pictures of the Magi offering their gifts. Can any of your readers
inform me of the real meaning of the name, and the origin of the custom,
and also whether a similar custom does not prevail in some parts of
Oxfordshire?

PWCCA.

_Fall of Rain in England._--Can you give me any information respecting
the fall of rain in England? I mean the quantity of rain that has fallen
in various parts of the island, from month to month, during the last
ten, fifteen, or twenty years. If any of your correspondents can do
that, or can give me a list of works, periodical or otherwise, in which
such information is to be found, they will greatly oblige me.

Can any of your correspondents inform me who is the author of the
following lines?--

"Though with forced mirth we oft may soothe a smart,
What seemeth well, is oft not well, I ween;