of your numerous
correspondents could give me the derivation and meaning of the word
_Finkle_, or _Finkel_, as applied to the name of a street. There is a
street so designated in Carlisle, York, Richmond in Yorkshire, Kendal,
Sedberg, Norwich (in 1508 spelt Fenkyl, and in 1702 Fenkel), and, I
believe, in many other of our more ancient cities and towns. In the
township of Gildersome, a village some few miles from Leeds, there is
an ancient way, till lately wholly unbuilt upon, called Finkle Lane;
and in London we have the parish of St. Benedict Finck, though I do
not imagine that the latter is any way synonymous with the word in
question. The appellation of Finkle is, without doubt, a descriptive
one; but the character of the lane so styled in Gildersome seems to
negative the idea that it has any reference to the peculiarity of
trade or class of persons carried on or inhabiting the locality
distinguished by this title.

W.M.

Cowgill, March 13. 1850.

_Coxcombs vanquish Berkeley, &c._--In Lewis's _Biography of
Philosophy_ (vol. iv. p. 7.) occurs the following quotation:--

"And coxcombs vanquish Berkeley with a grin."

Who is the author of this line? for I cannot find it in Pope, to whom
a note refers it.

R.F. Johnson.

_Derivation of Sterling._--What is the derivation of _Sterling_? Some
authors say from "Easterling," a race of German or Dutch traders;
but is it not more likely from "steer," a bull, or ox, viz. a coin
originally stamped with a figure of that animal? Of this, and parallel
cases, we have many instances among the ancients. I find also, that,
in a decree issued in the time of Richard I., the word is used, and
explained by "peny" as a synonym. Now peny or penny is clearly from
_pecunia_, and that from _pecus_, so that we have the two words
brought side by side, one through the Latin, and the other through the
Saxon language.

R.F. Johnson.

_Hanging out the Broom._--In some parts of England a singular custom
prevails. When a married woman leaves home for a few days, the husband
hangs a broom or besom from the window. When, how, and where did this
originate, and what does it signify?

R.F. Johnson.

_Trunck Breeches.--Barba Longa.--Mercenary Preacher._--In reading
Smith's _Obituary_, edited by Sir H. Ellis for the Camden Society, I
find the following entries:--

"1640. May 29th, old M'r Grice, in Aldersgate S't, who wore
_trunck_ breeches, died."

"1646. Oc'r 1. Wil