or have any remarkable customs prevailed
within memory, in relation to the ceremonies accompanying the choice of
corporate officers, annual processions, feasts, &c., not noticed in the
printed histories or accounts of your borough? Describe them, if there
be such."

To this question the borough of Chippenham, Wilts, replied as
follows:--"The corporation dine together twice a-year, and _pay for it
themselves_!" (_Report of Record Commissioners_, 1837, p. 442.)

J.E.

_Kite_ (_French_, "_Cerf-volant_").--Some years ago, when reading Dr.
Paris' popular work called _Philosophy in Sport made Science in
Earnest_, 5th edition, London, J. Murray, 1842, I observed that the
author could not explain the meaning of the French term "cerf-volant,"
applied to the toy so well known among boys in England as a "kite," and
in Scotland as a "dragon." The following passages will solve this
mystery: {517}

"Cerf-volant. Scarabaeus lucanus. Sorte d'insecte volant qui porte
des cornes dentelees, comme celles du cerf.

"Cerf-volant. Ludicra scarabei lucani effigies. On donne ce nom a
une sorte de joueet d'enfans qui est compose de quelques batons
croises sur lesquels on etend du papier, et exposant cette petite
machine a l'air, le moindre vent la fait voler. On la retient et on
la tire comme l'on veut, par le moyen d'une longue corde qui y est
attachee."--See _Dictionnaire de la Langue Francoise_, de Pierre
Richelet; a Amsterdam, 1732.

In Kirby and Spence's _Entomology_, vol. ii. p. 224., they mention "the
terrific and protended jaws of the stag-beetle of Europe, the _Lucanus
Cervus_ of Linnaeus."

The "toothed horns" alluded to by Richelet are represented by the pieces
of stiff paper fastened at intervals, and at right angles, to the
string-tail of the toy kite, or dragon, so much delighted in by boys at
certain seasons of the year in England and Scotland.

G.F.G.

Edinburgh.

_Epitaph on John Randal._--As a counterpart to Palise's death, I have
sent a Warwickshire epitaph, taken from Watford Magna churchyard,
written about the same period:

"Here old John Randal lies, who counting by his sale,
Lived three score years and ten, such virtue was in ale;
Ale was his meat, ale was his drink, ale did his heart revive,
And could he still have drunk his ale, he still had been alive."

J.R.

_Playing Cards._--As a rider to THE HERMIT OF HOLYPORT'S Query
respecting his pla