and the premises remained empty some time. In 1850 the alterations above alluded to occurred when the premises were taken by the late Mr Thomas Hunt, until his death, and subsequently by Mr J. Walthew, who stills owns and occupies the premises. Close by the end of the factory is a narrow path cut out of the solid rock, which leads to the high ground from below On the top of the rock is a small chapel, erected by a peculiar sect, who believed in abstaining from the use of flesh meat-it was called "Beefsteak Chapel." It is a plain brick building, and has been purchased and converted into a Church of England Sunday School in connection with St. Matthew's, Edgeley. In the yard there is a solitary grave. Near the chapel is the residence of W. L. Eskrigge, Esq., and from this spot there is a magnificent view of the town and surrounding country. Two views are given in Mr Heginbotham's "Stockport Ancient and Modern," one in 1793 and the other one of more recent date-1876which shows the changes which have been wrought by the introduction of manufacturing industry. Again descending to the highway we are on Brinksway Banks or Bongs" (bounds), for it must be remembered the Mersey below divides the two great counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. The derivation is easily understood. The way, or road, by the side of the river, and the Old Roman Road also. Above Mr Wakhew's mill, a few years ago, was an open spac consisting of masses of irregular rock, intersected by cuttings, rude steps, and paths. The place was prolific in coarse herbage. During the summer months it was a favourite resort for men and boys to play cricket and other games. The site is now covered with a pretty row of cottages on a terrace or bank, from which a splendid view is obtained. The enthusiastic lover of romance may tell that a fortress or castle was planted here, and that the caverns cut in the rock below, which look ancient and hoary when viewed from the opposite side of the river, were used as dungeons wherein the loyal subjects of King John confined their enemies. the Some say the ancient Britons made these hollows in the rocks to shelter them from the inclemency of winter. Nothing is really known of their origin, but it has been ascertained that a house once stood on this lofty eminence, and was occupied by Mr Taylor in conjunction with the works below, for some peculiar process-more subsequently they were occupied by a distiller of gas-tar producing naptha-crystal, &c., which found a ready and profitable market. How long these places may have been hollowed out it is impossible to say, as the "ock is of so friable a nature; some old inhabitants say they were made by Mr Taylor's orders, and others that they have been in existence much longer, which, from the general appearance of the place, is very probable. From this spot a wide and more extended view is obtained, showing at a glance that the changes which have occurred during the last century-chimneys, domes, and spires innumerable, now stud the space, which then formed a beautiful view of the little town of Stockport, and the magnificent landscape around it,-a wonderful change has occurred through the commercial industry and enterprise of the natives -black clouds of smoke fill the air, and the river, once bright and clear, in which fishes gambolled, is now dark and dank, emitting an odour anything but agreeable in the hot days of summer. We now come to Bow Garratt's Tavern, which, no, doubt, has taken its name from the place; its proper name being Bulkeley Arms, which is displayed in all the glory of heraldic blazonry. Why this place is called Bow Garratts, antiquarians are not agreed, but it seems more than probable before any of the houses were erected there, it would obtain its name from being on a peculiar semi-circular curve in the road in the form of a bow, As seen from the road below it would be a high lofty curve or bow, hence the name Bow Garratts. Some of the houses by the roadside are very ancient. We now arrive at a road which leads to Lark Hill, a pleasant suburb, where there are a number of cottages and gentlemen's residences. A little further on we find M Moorhouse's mill, at which a fire occurred before it came into the possession of that gentleman, when two men had a narrow escape of being burnt to death, which they escaped by letting themselves down by a rope from an upper storey of the building. Another mill has been erected on the banks of the river by the late Mr Moorhouse. A terrible fire occurred, and for some time afterwards the place was unoccupied. was subsequently let for a malleable-glass manufac tory, but that failed and the premises are now occupied by one of Mr Moorhouse's sons as a doubler's mill. Passing the Robin Hood we cross the borough boundary, and find Orme and Sons billiard table, and also a skinner's establishment. On the opposite side of the road stands the modest school, erected by J. T. Newton, Esq., of Cheadle Heath. This gentleman died in 1852; he was in the Commission of the Peace for Cheshire, and a borough magistrate, and won the respect and esteem of both rich and poor. I cannot leave this locality without saying Cheadle Heath was enclosed in 1810, where, according to the authority of Captain Newton's father, there existed a sepulchral It tumulus, and a visit to the place, says Mr Marriott, in his “ Antiquities of Lyme," demonstrates the existence of a subterranean cavity of large dimensions. It is said that the tumulus alluded to may still be traced in the fields between the highroad and the river close by Walnut Tree Farm, a few yards nearer Cheadle than the house where Captain Newton once resided. PALESTINE POTTERY. his hands. E. H. The biblical descriptions of pottery are singu any applicative to the present process of manufae, ure, As in Bible times, so in the nineteenth century, the otter sits at his frame and turns the wheer with his foot; or, as we read in the Apocalypse: ** So go...n the otter, sitting at his work and turning the wheel with his feet; he fashioneth the clay with his arms. The potter had a lot of the prepared clay near him and a jug of water at his side. Taking a amp in his hand, he placed it on top of the wheel, which revolves horizontally, and smoothed it into a low cone between As it enlarged and became thinner, he gave it whatever shape he pleased with the utmost ease and expedition. It is evident, from numerous expressions in the Bible, that the potter's vessel was the synonym of utter frugality; and to say as David does, that Zion's king would dash his enemies to pieces like a potter's vessel, was to threaten with ruin and remediless destruction. We, who are accustomed to the strong stoneware of considerable value can scarcely appreciate some of these biblical references, but for Palestine, they are as appropriate and forcible as ever. Arab jars are so thin and frail that they are literally dashed to shivers at the slightest stroke. Water jars are often broken by merely putting them down upon the floor; and the servant frequently returns from the mountain empty-handed, having all his jars smashed to atoms by some irregular behaviour of the donor." A SHREWD FEDDLER.-Sharp dealing is confined to neither place nor people. In a small German town an inn-keeper, to get rid of a book-peddler's importunities, bought an almanac from him, ana putting it in his pocket left the inn, his wife just then coming in to take his place. The woman was then persuaded to buy an almanac, not knowing that her husband had one already. The husband shortly returning and discovering the trick, sent his porter to the railway station after the peddler, with a message that he wished to see the latter on important business. "Oh, yes," said the peddler, "I know, he wants one of my almanacs, but I really can't miss my train for that. You can give me a quarter and take the almanac to him." The porter paid the money and carried the third almanac to the inn-keeper. Imagine the sensations of the SATURDAY, APRIL 22ND, 1882. Notes. STOCKPORT PORTS. [781.] The following lines, by Joseph Pecl, appeared in the Chester Chronicle, 13th December, 1816ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE S(TOCKPORT) L(YRIC) S (OCIETY), NOVEMBER 6TH, 1816. Genius of Shakes, eare, deign my breast t' inspire With flowing words to equal my de-ire! Come, tune me harp, to sing in lofty strains, The numerous thoughts that in my bosom reigns. This night completes the rst uspicious year Since first we ventur'd on he name we bear, Essay'd the task to make fair virtue snipe, And ineral truth with wisdom close combine; Point out how Virtue, Truth and Wisdom join'd, And fix "eich generous purpos of the miud." Yo lyists, wound your lyre to chords of joy, And sing His praise "whose glory fills the sky:" Whose powerful fiat Nature must obey. And as ye strise the strings, record this annual day. * S. L. C. In the same paper 19th December, 1817, appeared the following, dated 1st December in the same year, by John Leech: -- ON BEING RESENTED WITH A SELECTION OF FLOWERS, IN How these remind me of the vernal spring, Dret to the mind s eye-like the beauteous maid But ah! no season this for early flowers, to woep! and hara nati-n's grief And when ye droop to winter's iron sway- Who bids us live-or de, at His command. • Cestria's royal vele, as an inhabitant of the Earldom of Chester-the daughter of its carl-may be with propriety so called. From the Chronicle, 30th May, 1817: THE PLEASURES OF RETIREMENT. How sacred and how innocent This was that first and happy life, 'Twas then the poets were inspir'd, Who taught the multitude; And think I have as good a fate Stockport, My 20th, 1817. T. C. "Clio" was the author of the two succeeding pieces, taken from the Chronicle, 6th and 13th June, 1817: ON SPRING. "He giveth the former and the latter rain." See! the gentle rain descending, Causing leaves and herbs to grow; Nature's car, et, neatly blending With he flowers, which early blow; Lie within the stem secure, Grown-macured they sinne reveal'd. Thon, wh moves each changing season, Stockport, May 28th, 1817. AN EVENING'S MEDITATION. Those streets, whic late were crowded by the throng To sweeten labour with domestic joys. This is the time to weigh with steady poine STOCKPORT PRINTED Books. [782.] "Odes and Miscellanies, by Robert Farren Cheetham, Stockport, 12mo., 1796," printed by J. Clarke." The Stockport Letter-bag," established chiefly and avowedly for the purpose of procuring justice on behalf of the members of the Middle Hill. gate Benevolent Burial Society against Jas. Williamson, the ex-treasurer of that society, and landlord of the "Old Admiral," in the Middle Hillgate, by James Acland, late editor of the "North Cheshire Reformer," and previously by the proprietor and editor of the "Bristolian," the "Hall Portfolio," and the "Paris Sun" (a daily English newspaper, published in that capital). Printed and published by James Acland, Spring Bank, Stockport, MDCCCXXXVIII. It came out in 17 penny numbers, between the 1st January and the 21st February, 1838. K. E. Replies. LIFTING AT EASTER. (Nos. 419, 500, 592. June 16, August 27, and Oct. 22, 1831.) [783.] The fact that Edward I. was lifted by the maids-of-honour one Easter Monday has several times been mentioned. The statement rests on the authority of the following translated extract from a document entitled "Liber Contrarotulatoris Hospicii," 13 Edward I. (1225): To the ladies of the Queen's chamber, 15th of May. Seven ladies and damsels of the queen, because they took [or lifted] the king in his bed, on the morrow of Easter, and made him pay fine for the peace of the king, which he made of his gift by the hand of Hugh de Cerr (or Kerr), Esq., to the lady of Weston, £14." See Baines's "History of Lancashire," and Harland and Wilkinson's "Lancashire Folk-Lore." SIMNEL CAKE. K. E. (Nos. 762 and 709. March 25 and 31). [784.] In days of yore' there was a little alleviation of the severities of Lent, permitted to the faithful, in the shape of a cake called "simmel." Two English towns claim the honour of its origin-Shrewsbury and Devizes. The first makes its simnel in the shape of a warden pie, the crust being of saffron, and very thick; the last has no crust, is star-shaped, and the saffron is mixed with a mass of currants, spice, and candied lemon. Bury, in Lancashire, is almost world-famous for its simnels and its bragot (or sweet, spiced ale), on Mothering Sunday, or Mid-Lent. As to the name, Dr. Cowell, in his Law Directory or Interpreter (folio 1,727) derives simnell (Lat. siminellus) from the Latin simila the finest part of the flour; panis similageneus, simnel bread-still in use, especially in Lent. The English simnel was the purest white bread, as in the Book of Battle Abbey, "Panem regiæ mensa ap sum, qui simenel vulgo vocatur." (Bread fit for the Royal table, which is commonly called simenel). Dr. Cowell adds that it was sometimes called simnellus, as in the "Annals of the Church of Winchester," under the year 1012,"conventus centum simnellos" (the convent 100 simnels). He also quotes the statute of 51, Henry III. (1:266-67), which enacts that "bread made into a simnel should weigh two shillings less than wastel bread;" and also an old manuscript of the customs of the House of Farendon (where it is called "bread of symenel ") to the same effect. Wastel was the finest sort of bread. Bailey, in his Dictionary (folio 1764), says simnel is probably derived from the Latin simila, fine flour, and means "a sort of cake or bun, made of fine flour, spice, &c." It will thus appear that simnel cakes can boast a much higher antiquity than the reign of Henry VII. (Lambert Simnel probably taking his name from them, as a baker, and not giving his name to them), and that they were not originally confined to any particular time or place. (Notes and Queries, 2nd ser., v.) In the Dictionarius of John de Scirlande, compiled at Paris in the thirteenth century, the word simineus or simnels is used as the equivalent to the Latin placenta, which are described as cakes exposed in the windows of the hucksters, to sell to scholars of the University and others. For the simnel cakes of Shrewsbury, &c., see Book of Days, 1, 336. There is an ancient celebration in Bury, on Mid-Lent Sunday, there called "Simblin Sunday," when large cakes, called "simblins" (i.e., simnels) were sold generally in the town, and the shops were kept open the whole day, except during Divine service, for the purpose of vending this mysterious aliment. (Baines's History of Lancashire). These cakes are a compound of currants, candied lemon, sugar, and spice, sandwich-wise, between crusts of short or puff-paste. They are in great request at the period, not only in Bury, but in Manchester and most of the surrounding towns. A still richer kind, approaching the bride-cake in character, are called "Almond Simnels." The whole of the above I have copied from pp. 223-224 of "Lancashire Folk-Lore," by John Harland, F.S.A., and T. T. Wilkinson, F.R.S.A. K. E. JACK KETCH. (No. 749, 760. March 10. 21.) [785.] The office of hangman has always been considered a most degraded one, and the sheriff has shown a natural anxiety to relieve himself of that part of his duty. For you yourself to act Squire Dun- but before he had printed off his poem, Jack Ketch was in office. Till Ketch observing he was choos'd, In Macaulay's "History of England," vol. 1, chap. v., we have a vivid account of the execution of the Duke of Monmouth in 1685, whose executioner was the Jack Ketch mentioned above, "a wretch who had butchered many brave and noble victims, and whose name has, during a century and a half, been vulgarly given to all who have succeeded him in his odious office." The horrid bungling shown by Ketch on this occasion so enraged the spectators that "the executioner was in danger of being torn in pieces, and was conveyed away under a strong guard. In the year which followed Monmouth's execution Ketch was turned out of his office for insulting one of the sheriffs, and was succeeded by a butcher named Rose; but in four months Rose himself was hanged at Tyburn, and Ketch was reinstated." Familiarity with death, breeds a callousness that has not infrequently led the hangman himself to pay the penalty, which, at the instance of the law, he has visited upon others. The Chester Courant, 22nd Decr., 1812, says, "Died Wednesday, in Lancaster Castle, aged 66, Ed. Barlow, alias Old Ned, alias Jack Ketch, which last situation he had filled for 31 years, during which time he had executed 131 criminals. He was convicted of horse stealing at March Assize3, 1806, and received sentence of death, but was afterwards reprieved, on condition of being imprisoned 10 years." At this Assize seven persons were capitally convicted, but three afterwards were reprieved. ALFRED BURTON. Queries. [786.] CURIOUS GRAVE NEAR ROMILEY.-During a bank holiday ramble over Werneth Low, I came across a peculiar gravestone in one of the fields of the hillside. It consisted of a round iron tablet of about 12 inches diameter, with a kind of Maltese cross in the middle. The outer rim contained the words "In the midst of life we are in death," and in the cross were "Dec. 19th, 1870. William Swain." This was situated near a quarry which, I think, is not worked at present, and near a lane which leads to Romiley Station. Can any of your numerous readers give me any particulars of Wm. Swain, who chose such an open burying place. C.D. LEAVE OF ABSENCE.-Some short time ago a Paris clerk applied for forty-eight hours' leave of absence, which was granted. He did not appear til the following Monday at the regular hour. Well, monsieur," demanded his superior, "why have you stayed away all the week?" You gave me permission." "I gave you leave for fortyeight hours; not for six days." "I beg your par don, sir," said the young man; "I have taken the exact time you have granted. We work here eight hours a day, and six times eight are forty-eight. I certainly had no occasion to ask your permission for the night, any more than for the hours I do not owe to the business." This was logical; but now the chief specifies the limits of the leave he grants. Over SUPERSTITIONS OF MINERS.-The foreign iron miners in the Pennsylvania coal mines believe that whistling in a mine is absolutely certain to be followed by some calamity, and they cite several stories of disasters which have happened to unbelieving Americans who have defied tate in that way. forty years ago a shaft which was not properly supported by timbers was, on account of the danger, to be abandoned. As the miners were quitting work for the last time one of them began whistling, and as his companions remonstrated he only whistled louder and faster. In the midst of it a dull, roaring sound was heard, and the whistler, stopping, bade them run for their lives. In spite of the warning they were imprisoned by the falling walls, but were ail rescued alive except the whistler, who was instantly crushed to death. This incident has stood for many years as a warning against all whistling in the mines, which drives away the "good spirits.' About ten years ago a mine boss imagined he heard Somebody whistle, but investigation proved that he was mistaken. He was assured, however, that it was very ominous, and that he might expect some trouble to befall him. That night he was shot dead by a Molly Maguire," and the miners believe that it was the whistle of the fatal bullet which he heard in the marming SATURDAY, APRIL 29TH, 1882. Notes. KEEPING ORDER IN CHURCH. [787.] An interesting article on "Keeping Oriz: Church" appeared in Chambers' Journal for Apr It was written by one of our contributors, Potter Briscoe, F.R.H.S., public librarian of Nottin ham. We extract the following notes, which relate the adjoining county of Derbyshire :-"It may no. known to many of our readers that for more than tixe centuries the duties of awakening sleeping mem of congregations and of driving out intruding from churches were discharged by regularly appe and salaried officials in various parts of England to a more limited extent in America. These moreover, were often performed by a single indivi The earliest mention of dog-whipping in conse with religious services which we have noted 1550. At Youlgreave one shilling and fourpeux f the annual salary received in 1609 by Robert Wi for whipping the dogges forth of the church in of divyne service.' Eight years later (1617) the si rities of the same church rewarded Robert Benbow his services in the same direction by the payme two shillings. Whether the Youlgreave dog-wing? had any distinguishing badge of office at this time are unable to state, but the accounts of a or later (1715) show that a coat and furniture '*" provided for that officer at a cost of eleven s and sixpence. For his wages the dog-whipp? South Wingfield church received one shilling eightpence. In the churchwardens' account Sutton-on-the-Hill is the following resolution, uz date July 1, 1754: Samuel Lygoe shall have shillings for the whipping of the dogs out church on all Sundays and other days on which -is divine service, also he is to prevent anyone Tin the church by wakeing them with a white #2 At Hayfield the dog-whipper received seven sh in 1783. Mr (now the Rev.) J. C. Cox tells us th the vestry of the church of Baslow there stil the weapon of the ancient parish functiecas whom we read in so many churchwardens' ace in almost every county of England, the dog-w.. It was his duty to whip the dogs out of chur generally to look after the orderly behaviour et bipeds and quadrupeds during divine service. whip in question is a stout lash, some three 1length, fastened to a short ash stick, with k |