on pleas."

The day of the month is torn out. It would almost seem as if this was
the wedding dinner, on the occasion of the marriage of the Chief Justice
with Lady Dering's mother; at all events the reunion of the family in
London was caused by that event.

Banquet was the name given to a dessert, and it was usually set out in
another room.

The large baking pear is still called warden in many counties.

Appended to the above is a bill of the items of the "banquet," with the
cost of hire for the glass plates; but it is so hopelessly illegible
that I will not venture to give it. Many of the items, as far as I can
read them, are not to be found in "the books," and are quite new to me.

Having had no small experience in deciphering hopeless scribblings, I
think I may pronounce this to be better left alone than given in its
present confused state.

LAMBERT B. LARKING

Ryarsh Vicarage.

* * * * *

MONETA SANCTAE HELENAE.

As a subscriber to your valuable publication, allow me to suggest that
it might, from time to time, be open to contributions explaining obscure
passages or words, which often occur in the works of mediaeval writers,
and more especially in early English records. So far as English usages
and customs are concerned, the Glossary of Du Cange is of comparatively
little value to the English student; many terms, indeed, being wrongly
interpreted in all editions of that work. Take, for example, the word
"tricesima," the explanation of which is truly ridiculous; under
"berefellarii," the commentary is positively comic; and many other
instances might be cited. At the same time, it would be presumptuous to
speak otherwise than in terms of the highest respect and admiration of
Du Cange and his labours. The errors to which I allude were the natural
consequences of a foreigner's imperfect knowledge of English law and
English customs; still it is to be lamented that they should have
remained uncorrected in the later editions of the Glossary; and I take
it to be our duty to collect and publish, where feasible, materials for
an English dictionary of mediaeval Latin. It is in your power materially
to advance such a work, and under that impression I venture to send the
present "Note."

In the Wardrobe Account of the 55th year of Henry the Third, it is
stated that among the valuables in the charge of the keeper of the royal
wardrobe, there was a silken purse, containing "_moneta