parishes are situated, viz. between Norwich and
Yarmouth:--

"Halvergate hares, Reedham rats,
Southwood swine, and Cantley cats;
Acle asses, Moulton mules,
Beighton bears, and Freethorpe fools."

They seem to proceed simply on the alliterative principle mentioned by
J.M.B. (Vol. i., p. 475.) as common to many popular proverbs, &c. Two
others I subjoin from my own recollection, which differ in this
particular:--

"Blickling flats, Aylsham fliers,
Marsham peewits, and Hevingham liars."

These are four villages on the road between Norwich and Cromer. A third
couplet alludes merely to the situation of a group of villages near the
sea-coast,--

"Gimingham, Trimingham, Knapton, and Trunch,
Northrepps and Southrepps, hang all in a bunch."

E.S.T.

_Throwing Salt over the Shoulder_.--This custom I have frequently
observed, of taking a pinch of salt without any remark, and flinging it
over the shoulder. I should be glad to know its origin.

E.S.T.

_Charming for Warts_.--In Vol. i., p. 19., a correspondent asks if the
custom of "charming for warts" prevails in England.

A year or two ago I was staying in Somersetshire, and having a wart
myself, was persuaded to have it "charmed." The village-charmer was
summoned; he first cut off a slip of elder-tree, and made a notch in it
for every wart. He then rubbed the elder against each, strictly
enjoining me to think no more about it, as if I looked often at the
warts the charm would fail.

In about a week the warts had altogether disappeared, to the delight of
the operator.

N.A.B.

* * * * *

NOTES ON COLLEGE SALTING; TURKISH SPY; DR. DEE; FROM "LETTERS FROM THE
BODLEIAN, &c." 2 VOLS. 1813.

Having been lately reading through this interesting collection, I have
"noted" some references to subjects which have been discussed in your
columns.

1. _College Salting. Salt at Eton Montem_ (Vol. i., pp. 261. 306. 321.
384. 390. 492.).--I am not quite clear as to the connection between
these two subjects: but an identity of origin is not improbable. A
letter from Mr. Byrom to Aubrey, "On the Custom of Salting at Eton,"
Nov. 15. 1693, is in vol. ii. p. 167.: {151}

"I could send you a long answer to your queries, but have not
the confidence to do it; for all that I can say was only heard
from others when I was at school at Eton, and if I should depend
upon that, perhaps I should make too bold with truth