escribe the nature of the festivity, as it is so
graphically pourtrayed in Miss Wetherell's, or rather Warner's work, to
which I would refer those desirous of further acquaintance with the
subject; the object of this Query being to learn, through some of the
American or other correspondents of "N. & Q.," the original legend, as well
as the period and events connected with the immigration into "The States"
of that beneficent friend of Young America, _Santa Claus_.

ROBERT WRIGHT.

_Donnybrook Fair._--This old-established fair, so well known in every
quarter of the globe, and so very injurious to the morality of those who
frequent it, is said to be held by patent: but is there any patent for it
in existence? If there be, why is it not produced? I am anxious to obtain
information upon the subject.

ABHBA.

_Saffron, when brought into England._--In a footnote to Beckmann's _History
of Inventions, &c._, vol. i. p. 179. (Bohn's), is the following, purporting
to be from Hakluyt, vol. ii. p. 164.:

"It is reported at Saffron Walden that a pilgrim, proposing to do good
to his country, stole a head of saffron, and hid the same in his
palmer's staff, which he had made hollow before on purpose, and so he
brought this root into this realm, with venture of his life; for if he
had been taken, by the law of the country from whence it came, he had
died for the fact."

Can any of your readers throw any light upon this tradition?

W. T.

Saffron Walden.

_Isping Geil._--In a charter of Joanna Fossart, making a grant of lands and
other possessions to the priory of Grosmont in Yorkshire, is the following
passage as given in Dugdale's _Monasticon_ (I quote from Bohn's edition,
1846, vol. vi. p. 1025.):

"Dedi eis insuper domos meas in Eboraco; illas scilicet quae sunt inter
domos Laurentii clerici quae fuerunt Benedicti Judaei et _Isping Geil_,
cum tota curia et omnibus pertinentiis."

Can any of your readers, and in particular any of our York antiquaries,
inform me whether the "Isping Geil" mentioned in this passage is the name
of a person, or of some locality in that city now obsolete? In either case
I should be glad of any information as to the etymology of so singular
{550} a designation, which may possibly have undergone some change in
copying.

[Greek: Th.]

_Humbug._--When was this word introduced into the English language? The
earliest instance in which I have met with it is in one