Old Street.
131. A Sword-blade Note.
—I find in an account-book of a public company an entry dated Oct. 1720, directing the disposal of "A Sword-blade Note for One hundred ninety-two pounds ten shillings seven pence." Can any of your numerous readers, especially those cognisant of monetary transactions, favour me with an explanation of the nature of this note, and the origin of its peculiar appellation?
R. J.
Threadneedle Street, Aug. 28. 1851.
132. Abacot.
—The word ABACOT, now inserted in foreign as well as English dictionaries, was adopted by Spelman in his Glossary: the authority which he gives seems to be the passage (stating that King Henry VI.'s "high cap of estate, called Abacot, garnished with two rich crowns," was presented to King Edward IV. after the battle of Hexham) which is in Holinshed, (the third volume of Chronicles, fol. Lond. 1577, p. 666. col. 2. line 28.): but this appears to be copied from Grafton (A Chronicle, &c., fol. Lond. 1569), where the word stands Abococket. If this author took it from Hall (The Union, &c., fol. Lond. 1549) I think it there stands the same: but in Fabyan's Chronicle, as edited by Ellis, it is printed Bycoket; and in one black-letter copy in the British Museum, it may be seen Bicoket, corrected in the margin by a hand of the sixteenth century, Brioket.
Can any reader point out the right word, and give its derivation?
J. W. P.