int, is of an angular form. But then the place is mentioned, by the
name of Finchale, as the scene of occurrences that long preceded the
coming of the Danes; and the second syllable may be derived from the
Saxon "alh" or "healh," as the place was distinguished for a building
there in Saxon times.

W.S.G.

Newcastle, May 4. 1850.

* * * * *

Your correspondent "W.M." ("_Finkel._" p. 384.) may not have
recollected that there is a beautiful ruin on the river Wear near
Durham, of which the name is pronounced (though not spelt) _Finkel_
Abbey.

* * * * *

_Christian Captives_ (No. 27. p. 441.).--As a very small contribution
towards an answer to "R.W.B.'s" inquiry, I may inform you that Lady
Russell mentions in her _Letters_ (p. 338., ed. 1792) that Sir William
Coventry left by his will 3000l. to redeem slaves.

C.H.

* * * * *

_Christian Captives_ (No. 27. p. 441.).--"R.W.B." may be referred to
the case of "Attorney-General _v._ the Ironmongers' Company," which
was a suit for the administration of a fund bequeathed for the
redemption of the captives. See 2 _Mylne & Keen_, 576.; 2 _Beavan_,
313., 10 _Beavan_, 194.; and 1 _Craig & Philips_, 208.: all of which I
mention to be Reports in Chancery, in case he be not a lawyer.

A.J.H.

* * * * *

_Ecclesiastical Year_ (No. 24. p. 381.).--"NATHAN" is informed, that,
according to the legal supputation, until A.D. 1752, the year of Our
Lord in that part of Great Britain called England, began on the 25th
day of March, as he will find stated in the 24 Geo. II. c. 23., by
which Act it was enacted, that the 1st day of January next following
the last day of December, 1751, should be the first day of the year
1752; and that the 1st day of January in every year in time to come
should be the first day of the year.

Philippe de Thaun, in his _Livre des Creatures_, which was written in
the first half of the twelfth century, p. 48. of the edition published
for the Historical Society of Science, has some remarks which may
interest your correspondent, that are thus literally translated by Mr.
Wright:--

"In March, the year ought always to begin,
According to that explanation which we find in the book,
That in the twelve kalends of April, as your understand,
Our Creator formed the first,
Where the sun always will begin his course,
But at all