e Icelandic _Paki_, an evil spirit. But on this
etymology our correspondent can consult an article by Sir F.
Palgrave, on the "Popular Mythology of the Middle Ages." in the
_Quarterly Review_, vol. xxii.; a paper, by Mr. Thoms, on the
"Folk Lore of Shakspeare," No. 6.; "Puck's several Names," in _The
Athenaeum_, Oct. 9. 1847; and lastly, Mr. Keightley's most
interesting work, _The Fairy Mythology_. vol. ii. p. 118., of
which we are happy to hear that a new and enlarged edition may
shortly be expected.]

* * * * *

MISCELLANIES.

_Excecution of Duke of Monmouth._--Among the memorials of the
"rash but unfortunate Duke of Monmouth," which have recently
attracted much attention, and for which the public are principally
indebted to certain inquiries originated in the "NOTES AND QUERIES,"
I have not observed any notice taken of an anecdote respecting him,
which is current among our neighbours on the Continent; namely, that
he gave six guineas to the executioner, the JOHN KETCH of that day,
to perform his work well!--

"Le Duc de Monmout donna six guinees au Bourreau de Londres,
pour lui bien couper la tete; mais le miserable ne merroit
par ces guinees, puisqu'il la lui coupa tres mal."

This anecdote is introduced, in the form of a note, into the folio
Dictionary of Pierre Richelet, a most valuable work, and full of
history, ancient and modern. Can any of your correspondents produce
the authority for this anecdote? Richelet himself does not give any,
but merely relates the story, apparently with a view of illustrating
the term "guinea," as applied to the gold coin of Charles the
Second. Vid, voc. "_Guinee_."

J.I.

_By Hook or by Crook_.--I send you a note, which I made some
years ago.

This expression is much more ancient than the time of Charles I., to
which it is generally referred. It occurs in Skelton, _Colin
Clout_, line 31. _a fine_:--

"Nor wyll suffer this boke
_By hooke ne by crooke_
Prynted for to be."

In Spenser, f. 2. v. ii. 27.:--

"Thereafter all that mucky pelfe he tooke,
The spoile of peoples evil gotten good,
The which her sire had serap't by hooke and crooke,
And burning all to ashes pour'd it down the brooke."

In Holland's _Suetonius_, p. 169:--

"Likewise to get, to pill and poll _by hooke and crooke_
so much, as that----"

In a letter of Sir Richard Morysin to the Privy
Council, in L