E. N.
Elizabeth, Equestrian Figure of (Vol. iv., p. 231.).
—The "unnatural gait" which MR. LAWRENCE inquires about, is known in Spain as the "paso Castiliano;" and supplies the place of the more familiar trot, which the Spanish horses are rarely broken into.
I did not see the piece of plate alluded to, but probably the horse was a Spanish (Andalusian) jennet, which would account for the peculiarity of the pace. I cannot explain how this step is taught, but Spanish horses fall into it at once on being touched with the spur, and simultaneously curbed; and they perform long journeys thus, at the rate of five miles an hour, with little fatigue to themselves or their riders. Does not the dromedary also pace in the same way?
G. W. T.
Meaning of Stickle (Vol. iv., p. 209.).
—MR. RELTON'S supposition that the word stickle is used for a pool, is at variance with the common usage of the word in Devonshire, where only I have met with it. It is there used to describe the shallow swift running water immediately below a pool. It is thus equivalent to the word rapids. It is by no means obsolete, or a mere technical term of the "patient anglers." The opposition in the line quoted, "Near to some stickle or deep bay," would alone have been a good reason to doubt whether it could be the same as pool.
G. W. T.
Latin Names of Towns (Vol. i., pp. 287. 402. 474.).
—There is a class of persons who ought to be contributors to (⁕ ?) (I like the idea of a recent correspondent better than "N. & Q." with its marks of quotation) to a much larger extent than is the case. I mean those who having asked questions, and profited by the answer, find additional answer, or better answer, by their subsequent researches. As one of these, in reference to my Query about Latin names of towns in Vol. i., I mention the list given in Riccioli's Geographia et Hydrographiæ Reformatæ, of which the first edition was licensed in 1658 (I don't know where it was printed), and the record is of Venice, folio, 1672. This work contains, from more than 250 authors whose names are given, more than 8500 Latin names rendered into vernacular, and a much larger number reversely given.