Book Reviews, their Origin.—Dodsley published in 1741 The Public Register, or the Weekly Magazine. Under the head of "Records of Literature," he undertook to give a compendious account of "whatever works are published either at home or abroad worthy the attention of the public." Was this small beginning the origin of our innumerable reviews?
W. Cramp.
Martyr of Collet Well.—One James Martyr, in 1790, bought of George Lake the seat called Collet Well, in the parish of Otford. Can any reader of "N. & Q." tell from what family this Martyr sprang, and what their armorial bearings are?
Q. M. S.
Black as a Mourning Colour.—Can any of your correspondents kindly inform me when black was first known in England, as the colour of mourning robes? We read in Hamlet:
"'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
That can denote me truly."
W. W.
Malta.