MISCELLANIES.
Spur Money.—Although I used often, twenty years ago, when a chorister at the Chapel Royal, to take part in levying a fine on all who entered that place with spurs on, I was not aware of its origin till I saw it explained in your interesting publication (No. 23. p. 374.). There was a custom however, connected with this impost, the origin of which I should be glad to learn. After the claim was made, the person from whom it was sought to be exacted had the power to summon the youngest chorister before him, and request him to "repeat his gamut," and if he failed, the spur-bearer was entitled to exemption.
E.J.H.
Spur Money.—I beg to offer the following humble illustration of spur-money, which I copied from the belfry wall of All Saints Church at Hastings:—
1.
"This is a belfry that is free
For all those that civil be:
And if you please to chime or ring,
It is a very pleasant thing.
2.
"There is no musick play'd or sung,
Like unto bells when they're well rung:
Then right your bells well, if you can—
Silence is best for every man.
3.
"But if you ring in spur or hat,
Sixpence you pay—be sure of that:
And if a bell you overthrow,
Pray pay a groat before you go."
(dated) 1756.
ALFRED GATTY.
Ecclesfield, April 6. 1850.
Note Books.—Looking at what your correspondent says about "Note Books," I think the following hint may be useful to others, as it has been to myself. Many persons never get so far as the formality of a common-place book, and do not like to write in their books. Let them follow my plan. The envelope maker will procure them any number of little slips of white paper, with a touch of isinglass at each of the four corners. Let the note be written on one of these, and then let the slip be stuck into any book which is sure to be wanted in connection with the subject when it comes up again; either by one, two, or four corners, as convenient. The isinglass will not hurt the book, if ever it be wanted to remove the slip. A note is more in the way, when attached to a book which suggested it, than when buried among unindexed miscellanies; and there are few who index themselves. Your motto is good as far as it goes; but the other half is wanting:—
"When made a note of,—find if you can."
M.