Hanging out the Broom at the Mast-heads of Ships to be sold (Vol. ii., p. 226.).
—In reply to the question of your correspondent W. P., I beg to inform him that the custom originated from that period of our history when the Dutch admiral, Van Tromp, with his fleet appeared on our coasts in hostility against England. The broom was hoisted as indicative of his intention to sweep the ships of England from the sea. To repel this insolence the English admiral hoisted a horse-whip, equally indicative of his intention to chastise the Dutchman. The pennant which the horse-whip symbolised has ever since been the distinguishing mark of English ships of war.
JAMES CORNISH.
William Godwin (Vol. i., pp. 415. 478.).
—Your correspondents N. and C. H. may find some interesting passages of Godwin's life in his Memoirs of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin: Johnson, St. Paul's Church Yard, 1798.
JAMES CORNISH.
Family of Kyme (Vol. iv., p. 23.).
—Bold may find some information which will assist him in a pedigree and account of this family, showing the descent of the manor of South and North Kyme in Lincolnshire, in Creasy's History of Sleaford and the surrounding Neighbourhood, p. 274. The barony of Kyme appears to have passed into the female line by the death of William de Kyme without issue in 12 Edward III.
J. P. JUN.