esne,
and its details, are well known; but I should like to know something more
of his previous history. Walpole gives an anecdote or two of him, and
mentions that he had been Governor of Gibraltar. I think too he was of
Irish extraction. Is there no portrait or engraving of Braddock in
existence?

SERVIENS.

* * * * *

Minor Queries with Answers.

_Lawless Court, Rochford, Essex._--A most extraordinary custom exists, in a
manor at Rochford, in the tenants holding under what is called the "Lawless
Court." This court is held at midnight, by torch-light, in the centre of a
field, on the first Friday after the 29th Sept., and is presided over by
the steward of the manor, who, however, appoints a deputy to fulfil this
part of his duty. The tenants of the manor are obliged to attend to answer
to their names, when called upon, under pain of a heavy fine, or at all
events have some one there to respond for them. All the proceedings are
carried on in a whisper, no one speaking above that tone of voice; and the
informations as to deaths, names, &c. are entered in a book by the
president with a piece of charcoal. I may add, the business is not
commenced until a cock has crowed three times, and as it is sometimes a
difficult matter to get Chanticleer to do his duty, a man is employed to
crow, whose fee therefor is 5s.

Now Morant, in his _History of Essex_, merely cursorily mentions this most
singular custom, and has nothing as to its antiquity or origin; I should
therefore feel much obliged for any information concerning it.

RUSSELL GOLE.

[The singular custom at Rochford is of uncertain origin: in old authors
it is spoken of as belonging to the manor of Rayleigh. The following
account of "The Lawless Court," at that place, is printed by Hearne
from the Dodsworth MSS. in the Bodleian, vol. cxxv.:--"The manor of
Raylie, in Essex, hath a custome court kept yearly, the Wednesday nexte
after Michael's day. The court is kept in the night, and without light,
but as the skye gives, att a little hill without the towne, called the
King's Hill, where the steward writes only with coals, and not with
inke. And many men and mannors of greate worth hold of the same, and do
suite unto this strange court, where the steward calls them with as low
a voice as possibly he may; giving no notice when he goes to the hill
to keepe the same court, and he that attend