Door-head Inscriptions (Vol. vii., pp. 23. 190.)—In Watson's History of Halifax (1775, 4to., p. 257.), in describing the High Sunderland, an ancient mansion near Halifax, formerly the residence of the Sunderlands, he notices that "over the north door is written, Ne subeat Glis serdus, a mistake for surdus; and over a door on the south side, Ne entret amicus hirudo."
As some of your correspondents doubt as to the proper reading I have thought it worth while to give this duplicate version. I recollect the inscription well, having been sorely puzzled, when a schoolboy, in my frequent walks to High Sunderland, to understand these two inscriptions. I must not omit the inscription on the south front:
"Omnipotens faxet, stirps Sunderlandia sedes
Incolet has placide, et tueatur jura parentum,
Lite vacans, donec fluctus formica marinos
Ebibat et totum testudo perambulet orbem!"
The commentary of the worthy historian is edifying:
"The writer of these, or his son, alienated this very estate, which the then owner so earnestly wished might continue in the family for ever!"
James Crossley.
On the portico of Arley Hall, the seat of the ancient family of Warburton, and about four miles from the town of Northwich, Cheshire, the following "free pass" to visitors appears, carved in stone: