Any information connected with this family I am most anxious to obtain.
E. A. G.
London.
Burnomania.
—I should be glad if any of your correspondents could favour me with the name of the author of this work: it is entitled Burnomania, or the Celebrity of Robert Burns considered, Edinburgh, 1811, 12mo., pp. 103. In his advertisement to the reader, the author says:
"Who is the author? Is he a poor man? Is he employed by the booksellers? Is he a young student? Does he write for fame? For gain? Does he wish to irritate, to offend, to indulge in a sarcastic humour? To all these questions, the answer is 'No.'"
ELGINENSIS.
Rent of Assize.
—Can you or any of your correspondents explain certain difficulties I find in a schedule of the revenues of the bishopric of Winton, sent by Thomas Cooper, the Bishop of Winton, 1587, to the Lord Treasurer: Strype's Annals, vol. iii. part 2. p. 263. Oxon, 1824?
In the first place, there appears to be some misprint, as "the whole charge or value" is put at 3114l. 0s. 5d., and "ordinary reprizes and allowances deducted" 3389l. 0s. 11d., and then "remain of rent of assize of the same bishopric" 2773l. 10s. 6d., which appears afterwards to be a misprint for 2775l., &c. What is "rent of assize?" is it the assessment of the bishopric for dues, rates, &c.? Also what is the meaning of "ob. q.," which is added after certain items?