Dr. Radcliffe's funeral had taken place in the preceding month.

In Nichols's _Literary Anecdotes_, vol. iv. p. 181., is the following
epitaph of Pullen, drawn up by Mr. Thomas Wagstaffe:

"Hic jacet reverendus vir Josia Pullen, A.M. Aulae Magd. 57 annos vice
principalis, necnon hujusce ecclesiae Pastor 39 annos. Obiit 31^o
Decembris, anno Domini 1714, aetatis 84."

From the notice of Thomas Walden, in Johnson's _Lives of the Poets_, it
appears that Yalden was a pupil of Pullen. (See also Walton's _Life of
Sanderson_, towards the end.) I hope this may elicit some farther account
of a man whose name has survived so long in Oxford memory. {490}

As to the tree, I have some recollection of having heard that it had a few
years ago a narrow escape of being thrown down, sometime about the
vice-chancellorship of Dr. Symons, who promptly came forward to the rescue.
Was it ever in such peril? and, if so, was it preserved?

BALLIOLENSIS.

* * * * *

FOLK LORE.

_Ancient Custom in Warwickshire._--In Sir William Dugdale's _Diary_, under
the year 1658, is noted the following:

"On All Hallow Even, the master of the family antiently used to carry a
bunch of straw, fired, about his corne, saying,

'Fire and red low,
Light on my teen low.'"

Can any of your readers learned in ancient lore explain the custom and the
meaning of the couplet, well as its origin? Does it now at all prevail in
that county?

J. B. WHITBORNE.

_Nottinghamshire Customs._--1. The 29th of May is observed by the Notts
juveniles not only by wearing the usual piece of oak-twig, but each young
loyalist is armed with a nettle, as coarse as can be procured, with which
instrument of torture are coerced those unfortunates who are unprovided
with "royal oak," as it is called. Some who are unable to procure it
endeavour to avoid the penalty by wearing "dog-oak" (maple), but the
punishment is always more severe on discovery of the imposition.

2. On Shrove Tuesday, the first pancake cooked is given to Chanticleer for
his sole gratification.

3. The following matrimonial custom prevails at Wellow or Welley, as it is
called, a village in the heart of the county. The account is copied from
the _Notts Guardian_ of April 28, 1853:

"Wellow. It has been a custom from time immemorial in this parish, when
the banns of marriage are published, for a person, selected by the
clerk, to rise an