ence--
The Two Drs. Abercromby--Witte van Haemstede--J.
Bruckner: Dutch Church in Norwich 208

MINOR QUERIES ANSWERED:--The Hereditary Earl
Marshal--The Beggar's Petition--"Tiring-irons
never to be untied" 209

REPLIES:--
The Meaning of Eisell, by H. K. S. Causton 210
Replies to Minor Queries:--William Chilcott--Fossil
Elk of Ireland--Canes Lesos--"By Hook or by
Crook"--Suem--Sir George Downing--Miching
Malicho--Cor Linguae--Under the Rose--"Impatient
to speak, and not see"--Bishop Frampton--Old
Tract on the Eucharist--Was Hugh Peters ever on
the Stage? 212

MISCELLANEOUS:--
Notes on Books, Sales, Catalogues, &c. 214
Books and Odd Volumes wanted 215
Notices to Correspondents 215
Advertisements 215

* * * * *

Notes.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHAUCER.

(Vol. iii., pp. 131. 133.)

I am glad to perceive that some of the correspondents of "NOTES AND
QUERIES" are turning their attention to the elucidation of Chaucer. The
text of our father-poet, having remained as it were in fallow since the
time of Tyrwhitt, now presents a rich field for industry; and, in offering
free port and entry to all comments and suggestions, to be there sifted and
garnered up, the pages of "NOTES AND QUERIES" may soon become a depository
from which ample materials may be obtained for a new edition of Chaucer,
now become an acknowledged desideratum.

One excellent illustration has lately been added, at page 133., in a note
without signature upon "Nettle in, dock out." If _confirmed_[1], it will
furnish not only a most satisfactory explanation of that hitherto
incomprehensible phrase, but also a curious example of the faithful
preservation of an exact form of words through centuries of oral tradition.

And if the note which precedes it, at page 131., upon a passage in Palamon
and Arcite, is less valuable, it is because it is deficient in one of the
most essential conditions which such communications ought to possess--that
of originality. No suggestion ought to be offered which had been previously
published in connexion with the same subject: at least in any _very
obvious_ place of reference, such as notes or glossari