[The desired quotation is from Butler's Hudibras, part iii. canto iii. l. 547-8.:

"He that complies against his will,

Is of his own opinion still."

As to the origin of the phrase "To kick the bucket," the tradition among the slang fraternity is, that "One Bolsover having hung himself to a beam while standing on the bottom of a pail, or bucket, kicked the vessel away in order to pry into futurity, and it was all up with him from that moment—Finis!" Our Querist will find a very humorous illustration of its use (too long to quote) in an article on "Anglo-German Dictionaries," contributed by De Quincy to the London Magazine for April, 1823, p. 442.]

St. Nicholas Cole Abbey.—There is a church in the city of London called St. Nicholas Cole Abbey: what is the origin of the name or derivation?

Ellfin ap Gwyddno.

[This Query seems to have baffled old Stowe. He says, "Towards the west end of Knight Rider Street is the parish church of St. Nicolas Cold Abby, a comely church, somewhat ancient, as appeareth by the ways raised thereabout; so that men are forced to descend into the body of the church. It hath been called of many Golden Abby, of some Gold (or Cold) Bey, and so hath the most ancient writing. But I could never learn the cause why it should be so called, and therefore I will let it pass. Perhaps as standing in a cold place, as Cold Harbour, and such like." For communications on the much-disputed etymology of Cold Harbour, see "N. & Q.," Vol. i., p. 60.; Vol. ii., pp. 159. 340.; and Vol. vi., p. 455.]


Replies.

TRENCH ON PROVERBS.