there are _enough_
Born to that drudgery, what need we plough?"

When did the change of pronunciation take place? Perhaps some reader of "N.
& Q." can also give the etymology of the word.

ROBERT WRIGHT.

_Archbishop Magee._--In a committee of the House of Lords, 1825, Lord
Holland asked Archbishop Magee: "Does your grace really think that there is
any person capable of holding such a monstrous opinion, as that the Roman
Catholic religion is idolatrous?" The Archbishop calmly fixed his eyes on
Lord Holland's countenance, and replied "My Lord, _some have sworn to
it_."--I only quote so much of the anecdote (which your readers will find
in Archbishop Magee's _Works_, vol. i. p. 67., 1842) as my purpose
requires.

As reported in _The Times_, on April 18, 1853, Lord Lansdown, speaking of
an old committee in the House of Lords, said:

"During those two days, a right reverend prelate was examined; and he
was required to state upon oath whether the Creed of St. Athanasius was
necessary to salvation. The reply was, 'He would not say whether it was
that, but a great many persons had sworn that it was.'"

Some correspondent may be able to state whether these two extracts pertain
or not to one and the same occurrence, and which is the true version.

INDAGATOR.

_Carpets at Rome._--In a cutting from a newspaper or periodical, apparently
of the year 1790, narrating an accident that happened to Lady Augusta
Clavering, daughter of the Duke of Argyle (whilst staying at Rome) by her
muslin dress catching fire, it is said:

"Fortunately, the gentlemen did not lose their presence of mind; and
there happening to be a carpet in the room, _a thing very uncommon in
that that country_, they covered her with it," &c.

Can any of your readers oblige me by informing me whether it is a fact,
that the luxury of a carpet was _very uncommon_ at Rome at the period
referred to; and when carpets were first introduced at Rome?

L. A. M.

Great Yarmouth.

_Nursery Rhymes._--Can you or any of your correspondents tell me where I
shall find an account of the origin of our common nursery rhymes? Is there
not reason to believe that many of them are of great antiquity?

L.

Oxford.

_Gloves at Fairs._--I think that I have read that at some large fair it was
customary to hang out on the town-hall a large gilt glove, as a token of
freedom from arrest for debt during the period that the fair lasted. Can
any of yo