the hop or ale-drinkers being contrasted with the votaries of wine, "the milk of Venus," and "the true Phœbeian liquor." Is it not possible, after all, that the repetition of, "Hip, hip, hip," is merely intended to mark the time for the grand exertion of the lungs to be made in enunciating the final "Hurrah!"?
Cheverells.
Detached Belfry Towers (Vol. vii., p. 333.; Vol. viii., p. 63.).—The bell-tower at Hackney, mentioned by B. H. C., is that of the old parish church of St. Augustine. This church was rebuilt in the early part of the sixteenth century, which is about the time of the present tower; and when the church was finally taken down in 1798, the tower was forced to be left standing, because the new parish church of St. John-at-Hackney was not strong enough to support the peal of eight bells.
H. T. Griffith.
Hull.
Blotting-paper (Vol. viii., p. 104.).—I am disposed to agree with Speriend in thinking Carlyle must be mistaken in saying this substance was not used in Cromwell's time. The ordinary means for drying writing was by means of the fine silver sand, now but rarely used for that purpose; but I have seen pieces of blotting-paper among MSS. of the time of Charles I., so as to lead me to think it was even then used, though sparingly. This is only conjecture; but I can, however, establish its existence at a rather earlier date than 1670. In an "Account of Stationery supplied to the Receipt of the Exchequer and the Treasury, 1666-1668," occur several entries of "one quire of blotting-paper," "two quires of blotting," &c. Earlier accounts of the same kind (which may be at the Rolls House, Chancery Lane) might enable one to fix the date of its introduction.
J. B-t.
The following occurs in Townesend's Preparative to Pleading (Lond. 12mo. 1675), p. 8.:
"Let the dusting or sanding of presidents in books be avoided, rather using fine brown paper to prevent blotting, if time of the ink's drying cannot be allowed; for sand takes away the good colour of the ink, and getting into the backs of books makes them break their binding."
From this passage it may be inferred, that fine brown paper, to prevent blotting, was then rather a novelty.