is an early copy
(of the latter part of the sixteenth century) {266} preserved in the
Harleian MSS., No. 7332, fol. 41. It purports to have been

"Written (i.e. transcribed) be Feargod Barebone, who being
at many times idle and wanting employment, wrote out certain
songs and epigrams, with the idea of mending his hand in
writing."

There is another copy among Malone's MSS. in the Bodleian (No. 16. p.
55.), where it is entitled _A new Tom of Bedlam_. But I contend there
is no evidence to show that this is the ballad alluded to by Walton;
none of the copies having the name of the author. We have two other
songs (probably more) bearing the same title of _Tom of Bedlam_; one
beginning, "From the top of high Caucasus;" the other commencing,
"From the hag and hungry goblin;" either of which are quite as likely
to have been intended as that mentioned above.

It still remains a question, I think, which of the two Basses was
the author of the ballads mentioned by Walton. But I have already
trespassed so long upon your valuable space that I will leave the
further consideration of the subject until a future period: in the
meantime, perhaps some of your correspondents may be enabled to
"illuminate our darkness" upon the various knotty points.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

* * * * *

BEAVER HATS--PISAN.

Allow me to say a few words in reply to your correspondent "GASTROS."
His quotation from Fairholt (_Costume in England_), who cites
Stubbes's _Anatomy of Abuses_ as the earliest authority for the use
of beaver hats in England, is not a satisfactory reply to my query;
inasmuch as I am aware that beaver hats were occasionally worn by
great people in this country some centuries before Stubbes was born.
For example, Henry III. possessed "unum capellum de Bevre cum apparatu
auri et lapidibus preciosis;" as appears from the "Wardrobe Account,"
of the 55th year of his reign. I have, therefore, still to ask for
the _earliest_ instance of the use of hats or caps of this material
in England; such hats, as well as gloves, are mentioned in several
English inventories made between the thirteenth and sixteenth
centuries. Is there any example earlier than the time of Henry III.?

"GASTROS" has also obligingly replied to my query as to "the meaning
of the term _Pisan_, used in old records for some part of defensive
armour," but he seems to have forgotten that I expressly stated that
term had no rela