ii s. vii APBIL 19, i9i3.] NOTES AND QUERIES.
311
honour) exerted himself for their preservation, and
he at length succeeded in persuading the Dean that
those splendid trophies were not only worth pre-
serving, but worth restoring. This object is no sooner
achieved, than I receive a long and doleful letter
from the same good Mr. Bankes announcing that
the four beautiful priests' stalls,* which are rare
specimens of wood carving, and stand on the South
side of the Choir of Westminster Abbey, are threat-
ened with destruction. My feelings are again
wrought to a height bordering on phrenzy ; 1 curse
my Stars, and Mr. Bankes again implores the
Dean's pardon for these relics. Success again
attends his exertions ; my pulse resumes its wonted
temperature, and your letter arrives to call to my
remembrance the sentence that has been passed
upon St. Katharine's Church. I have long heard of
the doom of this fine old building with deep regret.
On this occasion, I mourn like one without hope.
As there is no chance of saving the poor devoted
Church, silence on the side of censure, had, I think,
best be kept. I have no sketches of St. Katharine's
Church, but if you desire it, shall be glad to assist
you in the work you mention. I wish you thought
it worth your while to republish Ducarel with
additional matter, which could be supplied by my
good brother antiquary, the Revd. Mr. Allen. I
know he possesses ample collections for the History
of that ancient Parish. It has long been a favourite
subject with him, and now, if ever, is the time for
such a work. I once began to make collections for
this Church, but proceeded no farther than the
Duke of Exeter's monument, of which I made a
tolerably minute sketch.
These are the thoughts and subjects which engage the few hours I can call leisure. My professional engagements require my most close and constant attention, and when I add to these, a load of care, of which most men have their share, though some a larger portion than others, it is almost unne- cessary to subjoin that I have little ability left to employ where necessity does not absolutely demand it.
Let me add that I have too much regard for The Gentleman's Magazine ever entirely to forsake it as a correspondent. As it is really out of my power at present, to undertake any new subject, I will look over my Papers in the hopes of finding an article that will cost me no other trouble but transcribing. I expect to leave London in about a week for Kent. I remain, My dear Sir, Very truly yours,
(Signed) J. C. BUCKLER.
If you can spare half an hour next Tuesday evening, I will call upon you.
Apl. 1824. J. B. Nichols, Esqre.
J. DE BEBNIEBE SMITH.
Stow in his ' Survey ' describes the Hospital, and gives the value of the house as 3151. 14. 2d. There is an illustration of the Brothers' Houses in 1781 in ' Old and Xew London,' vol. ii. ; in vol. v. of the same work, and in ' Metropolitan Improve- ments ' (Shepherd and Elmes), 1828, there
- Commonly and absurdly called St. Sebert's
Tomb.
are pictures of the buildings in Regent's
Park. These volumes also contain notes on
the history of St. Katharine's.
J. ABDAGH, 40, Richmond Road, Drumcondra, Dublin.
CHBISTMAS RIMEBS IN ULSTEB (11 S.
vii. 81, 173, 256). From my father I
learnt something about the mummers in
the North of Ireland in the early part of
the nineteenth century. He was bom a
few miles east of Londonderry, and spent
his boyhood in the country thereabouts.
On certain holidays, according to his
account, a group of youngsters, repre-
senting legendary, national, and historical
characters, would march about visiting
various houses, and there recite in turn rude
verses with appropriate action. This was
not at Christmas, but in the spring, probably
on St. George's Day, though not so called.
Each performer carried an emblem or
implement suited to his character, and dis-
played or wielded it with some comment.
The character that I remember best was Oliver Cromwell, and the verse assigned to him Was as follows : Here come I, Oliver Cromwell, with my copper
nose ;
1 brewed very good ale, as you may suppose, I frightened the French, and made the Pope quake, And I beat the jolly Dutchman till his heart did
ache.
It may be necessary to explain that the " copper nose " was a bent tube of copper used somehow in brewing ale, and referred to the common belief that Cromwell Was a brewer. The other lines show what historic deeds of the Protector had been deeply impressed on the popular mind.
For many years past I have sought further information about this folk-play, inquiring particularly from persons who had lived in or near Londonderry, but without success. In MB. R. S. LEPPEB'S interesting article on ' Christmas Rimers in Ulster ' (ante, p. 81) I find an evident variation of the play for which I have searched for fifty years. It is disjointed and fragmentary ; the verses are worn and mutilated. Perhaps some of the characters have been lost altogether. The only one besides Cromwell that has been revived in my mind is Little Dicky Dout (or is it really Little Divel Dout ?), with his broom, who threatens to sweep his audience out if they do not give him money. But " the play 's the thing," and I am thankful for it.
The strangest mutation of all is the transfer of the May Day play to Christmas,