The Cloisters, Temple.
Herschel Anticipated (Vol. iv., p. 233.).
—I cannot inform ÆGROTUS who was declared to be mad for believing the sun's motion, but Herschel was anticipated by Lalande (Mémoires, 1776), who inferred it from the sun's rotation; also by Professor Wilson, of Glasgow (Thoughts on Universal Gravitation, 1777), and, earlier than these, by the Rev. Mr. Michell, in Philosophical Transactions, 1767. Mayer (De Motu Fixarum, 1760) mentions the hypothesis, and rejects it.
ALTRON.
Wyle Cop (Vol. iv., pp. 116. 243.).
—Cop is not a hill or head, as Mr. Lawrence supposes, and as the word certainly signifies in some parts of England, but a bank. The artificial banks which confine the Dee at and below Chester were called fifty years ago, and I dare say are still called, Cops, with distinctive names. By SALOPIAN'S account, Wyle Cop is such a bank. I cannot explain Wyle, but think it probable that it was the name of some former proprietor of the ground. It however no more needs explanation than if it were joined to Street or Lane, instead of to Cop.
E. H. D. D.
Macfarlane Manuscripts (Vol. iv., p. 406.).
—In reply to your correspondent ANTIQUARIENSIS, I have to inform you that the "Macfarlane Collections" preserved in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, are chiefly of an "ecclesiastic nature." In Turnbull's Fragmenta Scoto-Monastica, published by Stevenson of Edinburgh, 1842, I find it stated that—
"Mr. Walter Macfarlan of Macfarlan (Scoticè, of that Ilk) was an eminent antiquary, who devoted his attentions strictly to the historical monuments of his own country, especially the ecclesiastic remains. He caused to be made, at his own expense, by his clerk, one Tait, copies of most of the chartularies accessible in his time. These are distinguished for their fidelity and neatness. Mr. Macfarlan died 5th June, 1767, and his MSS. were purchased by the Faculty of Advocates."