NOTES AND QUERIES.
. x. AUG. 2, 1002.
in sound with " yew. " Let these instances
suffice. The late Mr. Gladstone always wrote
"an European," "an universal," "an one,"
&c. ; and Mr. Andrew Lang does likewise
at which I marvel not, for it was in a book
written by a clerical " brither Scot " that I
met some time ago with the horrific combina-
tion "a habitual." The question of an before
h has already been fully discussed in 'N. & Q.'
(8 th S. i. 89). F. ADAMS.
FASHIONABLE SLANG OF THE PAST (9 th S. ix. 368, 495). If "fierce" was New York's latest slang phrase in 1900, it has been a long time travelling from England ! Fourteen or fifteen years ago it was a very common schoolboy adjective, applied in exactly the same manner as your correspondent reports it at the latter reference. CHAS. WELSH.
Boston, Mass., U.S.
With regard to this matter, I recently heard in a high-class hotel a remarkably well-dressed lady, when ordering luncheon for herself and husband, say : " Have you any beer ? " On receiving a reply in the affirmative, she added, "Then let me have some beer right away." HENRY GERALD HOPE.
119, Elms Road, S.W.
BOON FOR BOOKWORMS (9 th S. ix. 406, 453 ; x. 17). Ribbon-markers are no boon for, but a nuisance to me, an old bookworm from boyhood. I have always regarded them with horror, as doing more harm to books than conferring a boon on the reader. At least I, for one, have absolutely set my face against them, and instantly remove them if found in books I purchase. They (such is my experi- ence) fray the edges of the leaves and pre- vent the book from properly closing, besides oftentimes unduly causing a crack either in the back or binding. I regard them as amongst the worst enemies of books.
J. B. McGovERN.
St. Stephen's Rectory, C-on-M., Manchester.
I have a copy of the choice " Bayard Series " of companionable books, commencing with ' The Story of the Chevalier Bayard,' published in 1868, &c., by Sampson Low & Co., London. Four of the volumes have a silk ribbon-marker each, and eleven volumes have not been so furnished.
HENRY GERALD HOPE.
119, Elms Road, S.W.
THOMAS PHAER, OF CILGERRAN (9 th S. ix. 467 ; x. 35). He died in 1560 ; his will was proved in P.C.C. in 1561. As correctly stated by MR. WILLIAMS, he was M.P. for Carmar- then borough, 1547-52 ; for that of Cardigan in the last two Parliaments of Mary, Octc-ber
to December, 1555, and January to Novem-
ber, 1558 ; and also in the first Parliament of
Elizabeth, January to May, 1559. If D. M. R.
will refer to the Parliamentary Returns he
will find that there was no Parliament
between May, 1559, and January, 1562/3.
W. D. PINK.
GRACE BEFORE MEAT (9 th S. x. 7). Very many articles have already appeared in 'N. & Q.' on the custom and form of saying grace both before and after meals, for which see 5 th S. viii., xi. ; 7 th S. i., ii.,iii., viii., x., xi. EVERARD HOME COLEMAN.
71, Brecknock Road.
"Box HARRY" (9 th S. ix. 449 ; x. 13). May I point out that in 1893 (8 th S. iii. 128) 1 asked for the derivation of this phrase? Replies as to the meaning came at pp. 237 and 275 of that volume, but no light was thrown on the derivation. The subject is indexed under ' Proverbs and Phrases,' s.v. ( Harry.'
JAMES HOOPER.
Norwich.
HOBBINS FAMILY (9 th S. x. 28). Twenty years ago I was acquainted with three maiden ladies, sisters, who all lived to a great age, and were connected with Worcester and Warwick. They lent me a family Bible (1632-3-4), from the fly-leaf of which I copied these notes :
Oliuer Hobbins his Bible, 26 Apr. 1674.
Stephen Hobbins his Book, 1763.
Oliuer Hobbins was baptized the 19 day of January, 1658 [1658/9].
William Hobbins was baptized the 28 of Novem- ber, 1660.
Oliuer Hobbins was born the 26 of December in the year of our Lord God 1668 [? error for 1658].
William Hobbins the brother of Oliuer Hobbins was born the first day of Nouember in the year of our Lord 1670 [? error for 1660].
Alice Hobbins widdow died the first day of June 1699 about fowr of the clock in the after- noon.
For "Redmarsley," "Herefordshire," read Redmarley, Worcestershire. W. C. B.
There are still remaining in Warwick- shire a few members of a Catholic yeoman family of Hobbins, who for generations were free tenants of the Throckmortons. If your correspondent cares to have particulars of them, I can put him in the way of obtaining the information.
JOHN HOBSON MATTHEWS.
Town Hall, Cardiff.
TIB'S EVE (9 th S. ix. 109, 238, 335 ; x. 33). I would ask to be allowed to tender my hearty thanks to all the kind friends who have written under this heading. I have just come across the following in Lytton's
