an earthquake, which tradition sayes, and Cardinal Baronius publishes to have happened at our Savior's passion: a stupendous sight it is however, and well worth our digression."—Correspondence, &c., of Basire, edited by the Rev. W. N. Darnell, p. 90.

I cannot here consult Baronius, to see whether he gives any references, and should be very glad to be referred to any ancient historian who has noticed the event to which this remarkable chasm is attributed, and to know whether the tradition is preserved by any classical writer. I do not find the chasm in question described by any naturalist, or other traveller, whose writings I have been able to refer to. It is in a locality which abounds with indications of volcanic action. It is said that the Monte Somma was probably not distinct from the present cone of Vesuvius prior to the great eruption in A.D. 79. In Dr. Daubeny's Description of Active and Extinct Volcanos, mention is made of an ancient town beneath the town of Sessa, where a chamber with antique frescoes and the remains of an amphitheatre were disinterred, of the overwhelming of which there is no record, nor is there even a tradition of any eruption having occurred near it in the memory of man.

W. S. G.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

247. Cavalcade.

—Your correspondent MR. W. H. HESLEDEN, in his description of "A Funeral in Hamburgh" (Vol. iv., p. 269.), has twice made use of the word cavalcade in reference to that which would otherwise appear to be a walking procession. He will oblige me (and I dare say others of your readers) by explaining whether the procession was really equestrian, or whether he has any authority for the application of the term to pedestrians. The use of the word cannot have been a mere oversight, since it is repeated. The relation in which it stands makes it very doubtful whether it can, by any possibility, be intended to describe a riding party. If, by any latitude, the word may be otherwise applied, an authority would be interesting. If it is an error, it certainly should not go uncorrected in "NOTES AND QUERIES."

NOCAB.

Harley Street.

248. A Sept of Hibernians.

—Is sept a word of Erse etymology; and, if not, of what other? Has it a specific sense; or is it a general equivalent to clann or treubh?

A. N.

249. Yankee Doodle.

—Can any of your correspondents explain the origin of this song, or state in what book a correct version of it can be found? Likewise, whether the tune is of older date than the song. To some these may appear trite questions; but I can assure you that I have been unable to obtain the information I require elsewhere, and my applications for the song at several music shops, when I was last in London, were unsuccessful.

SAMPSON WALKER.

Cambridge.

250. Seventeenth of November: Custom.

—When at school at Christ's Hospital, many years ago, a curious custom prevailed on the 17th November respecting which I had not then sufficient curiosity to inquire.

Two or more boys would take one against whom they had any spite or grudge, and having lifted him by the arms and legs would bump him on the hard stones of the cloisters.

I have often, since I left the school, wondered what could be the origin of this practice, and more especially as the day was recognised as having some connexion with Queen Elizabeth.

In reading, "Sir Roger de Coverley" with notes by Willis, published in the Traveller's Library, I find at p. 134. what I consider a fair explanation. A full account is there given of the manner in which the citizens of London intended to celebrate, in 1711, the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession on 17th November; some parts of which would almost seem to have been copied during the excitement against the papal bull in November 1850.

I have little doubt that originally the unfortunate boy who had to endure the rude bumping by his schoolfellows was intended to represent the pope or one of his emissaries, and that those who inflicted the punishment were looked upon as good Protestants.

Is there any other school where this day is celebrated; and if so, what particular custom prevails there?

The boys always attended morning service at Christ Church on this day.

F. B. RELTON.

251. Chatter-box.

—The derivation of this word would seem very plain, and yet I have some doubts about it. I used to think that we called a person a "chatter-box" because he or she was, metaphorically speaking, a box full of chatter, as we should call another person a bag-of-bones. And this seemed confirmed by the German plaudertasche, or a chatter-bag, till I learnt from Wackernagel, Glossar, that in the Middle High German Tasche = a woman. (See under "Flattertasche.") I believe we meet with the word again in the epithet Maultasche applied to the celebrated Margaret Maultasche, the wife of Louis the Elder; i.e. Margaret, the woman with the large mouth. The word also occurs in the Danish Taske = a girl, a wench. Hence, I conclude that there is no doubt but that the German plaudertasche means a chattering woman. Has our chatter-box the same meaning—i.e. is there a word for woman or female in any of our ancient languages from which box might arise? The only word which occurs to me just now as confirming such a supposition is buxom ("to be bonere and buxom, in bedde and at borde." Ancient Matrimony Service), which is thus = womanly.

J. M. (4)

St. Mary Tavy, Tavistock.

252. Printing in 1449, and Shakspeare.

—As the Esil controversy seems now, if not settled, to be at least lulled, at the risk of stirring up another Shakspearean discussion, I venture to set down a passage in the Second Part of Henry VI., which I have never yet seen satisfactorily explained. It is—

"Act IV. Scene 7.—Cade. ... Thou has most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm, in erecting a grammar-school; and whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used; and contrary to the king, his crown and dignity, thou hast built a paper-mill."

Is this a mere wilful anachronism on Shakspeare's part; or had "that misunderstood politician" Mr. John Cade any ground for this particular accusation against the Lord Treasurer Say? Perhaps some of your correspondents who have contributed the very interesting Notes on Caxton and Printing will elucidate the matter.

W. FRASER.

253. Texts before Sermons.

—What is the origin of, and the authority for our present use of texts of Holy Scripture before sermons? In the Roman Catholic church the custom, I believe, is not the same. The homilies used in the Church of England have no texts. In the ancient Postils, was the gospel for the day again read from the pulpit, or were the hearers supposed to carry it in their minds? It is quite clear that texts are now in most cases merely the pegs whereon the sermon is hung, so to speak, and are not read as