ships" (approaching to his rescue) "could meet by thrice five leagues;" so that each ship must have been at least five leagues distant when discovered. Now Shakspeare was too good a sailor to suppose that a ship could be visible to a man on the surface of the water a distance of fifteen miles; but at one-third of that distance it might be so. Therefore it would be necessary to take league as synonymous with mile in this instance, even if it were not corroborated by the necessity for a similar understanding in other places.

But wherever Shakspeare uses the word league, its equivalence with mile is not only consistent with the sense, but, in some cases, absolutely necessary to it.

Thus, in the opening scene of the Midsummer Night's Dream, Lysander appoints to meet Hermia "in the wood, a league without the town," but, in the next scene, Quince appoints the same place for the rehearsal, calling it "the palace wood, a mile without the town."

Again, in the Two Gentlemen of Verona, when Silvia escapes with Eglamour, the latter reassures her by reminding her that they will be safe if they can "gain the forest, not three leagues off," which would be but poor comfort if by three leagues the lady was to understand nine miles.

By the way, this forest is described in all the "stage directions," upon what authority I cannot guess, as "a forest near Mantua;" whereas all the circumstances concur to place it in the immediate vicinity of Milan. There is nothing to warrant the supposition that any of the characters had journeyed far from Milan when they were seized upon by the outlaws; and it is to the Duke of Milan that the outlaws apply for pardon for misdeeds done in his territories.

A. E. B.

Leeds.

DONIZETTI.

The following very curious account of the ancestry of this very talented individual is copied from the Berwick Advertiser—a paper confined to the provinces, and not likely to reach the metropolis. It appeared somewhere about four years ago; but in cutting the scrap from the paper I incautiously omitted inserting the date.

"NEW FACTS CONCERNING DONIZETTI THE COMPOSER.—We have learned from authority not to be questioned, that the late Donizetti, whose great talents as a composer are now beginning to be appreciated, was of Scotch origin. His grandfather was a native of Perthshire, of the name of Izett (or rather, I should think, Izatt). He was a farmer under the Earl of Breadalbane, and his son Donald was born at the farm. When very young the sprightly Donald left his paternal home, having been enticed by the fascinating address of a recruiting serjeant to enlist in the united services of Mars and his Majesty, to the great grief of his mother, who did not survive his departure many months. Young Donald soon got discontented with his military duties; and having been taken prisoner by General La Hoche during his invasion of Ireland, was quite delighted with the easy mode which presented itself of liberation from the unpleasant thraldom which he had been suffering, and quickly embraced an offer made to him to enter the General's service. With him he remained as private secretary till his untimely death. Subsequently he married an Italian lady of some fortune, and his name of Donald Izett was easily metamorphosed into Donizetti. The composer was the offspring of this marriage; and it is remarkable that evidence of his Scottish origin may be traced in many of his beautiful melodies. Thus, for instance, in 'Don Pasquale,' the exquisite air of 'O Summer Night' reminds us of some Highland strains sung to the bagpipe; and the entire score of 'Lucia di Lammermoor' is replete with snatches and fragments of the minstrelsy of Scotland."

There is then added a few lines relative to Rossini, whose family is also alleged to be Scotch.

How far this legend is true I know not; but perhaps some of your correspondents might throw light on the subject. But assuredly there did exist a Scotch family called Izett; and a lady of that name is at present living in, or near, the romantic town of Stirling. What is remarkable is this: that in the list of subscribers to the Edinburgh Circus, afterwards better known as Corri's Rooms, and now the Adelphi Theatre, occurs the name of Izatt or Izett, who followed the calling of a hatter. This was in 1790. On making inquiry, it has been ascertained that he came from Perthshire; that his father was a farmer there; and what is still more striking, that, having realised an ample fortune, he retired from business and purchased an estate in that county. It was also said, that he corresponded with some relative on the Continent. All this is very inconclusive, but still it is worth noticing.

J. G. S.

FOLK LORE.

Ash Sap—The Ash (Vol. iv., p. 273.).

—The reason for giving ash sap to new-born children in the Highlands of Scotland is, first, because it acts as a powerful astringent, and, secondly, because the ash, in common with the rowan, is supposed to possess the property of resisting the attacks of witches, fairies, and other imps of darkness. Without some precaution of this kind, they would change the child, or possibly steal it away altogether. The herd boys in the district of Buchan, in Aberdeenshire, always prefer a herding stick of ash to any other wood, as in throwing it at their cattle, it is sure not to strike on a vital part, and so kill or injure the animal, which they say a stick of any other wood might do.

It is common practice with the housewives in the same district, to tie a piece of red worsted thread round their cows' tails, previous to turning them out to grass for the first time in the spring. It secures their cattle, they say, from an evil eye, from being elf-shot by fairies, &c. &c.

ABERDONIENSIS.

Souling.

—On the 2nd of November, All Souls' Day, it is in Shropshire the custom for the village children to go round to all their neighbours souling, as they call it, collecting small contributions, and singing the following verses, which I took down from two of the children themselves:—

The soul-cake referred to in the verses is a sort of bun, which until lately it was an almost general custom for persons to make, and to give to one another on the 2nd of November. Perhaps some of your readers can state whether this custom prevails in other counties in England. It seems to be a remnant of the practice of collecting alms, to be applied to the benefit of the souls of the departed, for which especial masses and services were formerly sung on All Souls' Day.

W. FRASER.

Minor Notes.