H.W.
Cromlech.—I shall feel much obliged if any of your readers will kindly refer me to any authority for the use of the word Cromlech, prior to the sixteenth century, whether in the Welsh or English language.
JAS. H. TODD.
Trin. Coll. Dublin, Jan. 31, 1850.
Meaning of "Grummett."—A Constant Reader is desirous of addressing such of your correspondents as are well versed in maritime history,—Mr. Bolton Corney to wit,—on the following subject. In the early ages of our Navy there was a distinct rating, called "Grummett," on board each man-of-war, and he was generally, as may be seen in the Cottonian MSS., placed after the "maryners and gonners." Now, the reader will be highly obliged to any one who will trace the designation to its source, and give information as to what were the special duties of the Grummett, or Gromet.
Σ.
Vertue's Manuscripts.—Steevens and Malone, in fixing the dates of Shakspeare's Dramas, frequently quote from Vertue's MSS. George Chalmers, in his Supplemental Apology, says, "On making some inquiries, by a friend, what manuscript of Vertue's it were, which I saw so often quoted about scenic matters, Mr. Steevens was so obliging as to say, 'The books, from which those extracts were made, with several others lost, belonged to Secretary Pepys, and afterwards to Dr. Rawlinson, who lent them to Mr. Vertue.' When the said MSS. were consulted by the two commentators, they were, I believe, in the possession of Garrick." Chalmers adds, "Much is it to be lamented, that any MS. or book, which furnished an illustration of Shakespeare, and having once been seen, should ever disappear." Every true lover of our great poet will heartily agree with this remark.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
Loscop.—The Patent Roll, 1 Edw. III. part I, membrane 27, contains the exemplification or copy of a grant by Henry I. to his butler William de Albini of—"Manerium de Snetesham cum duobus hundredis et dimidio scil. Fredebruge et Smethedune cum wreck et cum omnibus pertinentiis suis et misteria de Luna cum medietate fori et theloneis et cum ceteris consuetudinibus et portu cum applicacione navium et loscop et viam ipsius aquæ et transitu cum omnibus querelis." I should be greatly obliged to any of your learned correspondents who would explain the word loscop. Luna is the town or port of King's Lynn. Misteria may probably be translated "offices." See Ducange (Paris Edit. 1845) under the words misterium and ministerium. Loscop appears to be a word of similar formation to Laudcop and Lahcop, which occur in the Laws of Ethelred (Thorpe's Ancient Laws, vol. i. pp. 294, 295.). Can it mean a fee paid on loosing the vessel in order to leave the port?
C.W.G.