EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
Marylebone Gardens (No. 24. p. 383.).—These gardens were finally closed in 1777-8. It is not generally known that, previous to the year 1737, this "fashionable" place of amusement was entered gratis by all ranks of people; but the company becoming more "select," Mr. Gough, the proprietor, determined to charge a shilling as entrance money, for which the party paying was to receive an equivalent in viands.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
Mother of Thomas à Becket (No. 26. p. 415.).—An inspection of some of the numerous legends touching the blessed martyr, St. Thomas of Canterbury, would probably supply many interesting particulars concerning the story of his father's romantic marriage. But the most important narrative is that of Herbert Bosham, Becket's secretary, who, it will be remembered, was present at his martyrdom. Bosham's Vita et Res Gestæ Thomæ Episcopi Cantuariensis is published in the Quadrilogus, Paris, 1495. Consult also the French translation of Peter Langtoft, and the English one by Laurence Wade, a Benedictine monk of Canterbury. Robert of Gloucester's metrical Legend of the Life and Martyrdom of Thomas Beket, published by the Percy Society, under the editorial care of Mr. W.H. Black, fully confirms the "romance;" as also do the later historians, Hollingshed, Fox, and Baker.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
Dr. Strode's Poem (no. 10. p. 147.).—Dr. Strode's poem, beginning—
"Return my joys, and hither bring—"
which Dr. Rimbault does "not remember to have seen in print," is in Ellis's Specimens, iii. 173. ed. 1811. He took it from Wit Restored, p. 66. ed. 1658, or i. 168. reprint. It is the second poem mentioned by Dr. Bliss, A.O. iii. 152., as occurring with Strode's name in MS. Rawl. 142.
R.A.
"All to-broke" (No. 25. p. 395.).—Surely the explanation of Judges, ix. 53, is incorrect. Ought not the words to be printed "and all-to brake his scull," where "all-to" = "altogether"?