during the fair at the common ground of Southampton, and was told, that while it was there debtors were free from arrest within the town.
Anon.
In returning my thanks to your correspondents who have given instances of this custom, allow me to add that a friend has called my attention to the fact that Mattishall Gant, or fair, takes place in Rogation or Gang week, and probably takes its name from the latter word. Forby says that there are probably few instances of the use of this word, and I am not aware of any other than the one he gives, viz. Mattishall Gant.
E. G. R.
Popular Sayings.—The Sparrows at Lindholme (Vol. vii., p. 234.).—The sparrows at Lindholme have made themselves scarce here, under the following circumstances:—William of Lindholme seems to have united in himself the characters of hermit and wizard. When a boy, his parents, on going to Wroot Feast, hard by, left him to keep the sparrows from the corn; at which he was so enraged that he took up an enormous stone, and threw it at the house to which they were gone, but from throwing it too high it fell on the other side. After he had done this he went to the feast, and when scolded for it, said he had fastened up all the sparrows in the barn; where they were found, on the return home, all dead, except a few which were turned white. (Vide Stonehouse's History of the Isle of Axholme.)
As for the "Doncaster Daggers" and "Hatfield Rats," also inquired after, I have no information, although those places are in the same neighbourhood.
W. H. L.
Effects of the Vox Regalis of the Queen Bee (Vol. vii., p. 499.).—Dr. Bevan, than whom there is probably no better authority on apiarian matters, discredits this statement of Huber. No other naturalist appears to have witnessed these wonderful effects. Dr. Bevan however states, that when the queen is
"Piping, prior to the issue of an after-swarm, the bees that are near her remain still, with a slight inclination of their heads, but whether impressed by fear or not seems doubtful."—Bevan On the Honey Bee, p. 18.
Cheverells.