at less in diameter than a shilling. The deeds, which were
executed in the time of Henry the Seventh, relate to the transfer of small
landed properties. I have no doubt that this diminutive _hayband_ was the
distinctive mark of a grazier or husbandman who did not consider his social
status sufficient to warrant the use of a more regular device by way of
seal. I have seen a few others connected with the same county, and, if I
recollect rightly, of a somewhat earlier date. I shall be glad to ascertain
whether this curious practice was in use in other parts of England.

M. A. LOWER.

Lewes.

_Edmund Prideaux, and the First Post-office._--Polwhele, in his _History of
Cornwall_, says, p. 139.:

"To our countryman Edmund Prideaux we owe the regular establishment of
the Post-office."

{187}

He says again, p. 144.:

"Edmund Prideaux, Attorney-General to Oliver Cromwell, and _Inventor_ of
the Post-office."

Now the Edmund spoken of as Attorney-General, was of Ford Abbey, in
Devonshire, and second son of Sir Edmund Prideaux, of Netherton, in the
said county, therefore could not be one of the Cornish branch.

Query No. 1. Who was the Edmund Prideaux, his countryman, that regularly
established the Post-office?

Query No. 2. How were letters circulated before his time?

Query No. 3. Was Edmund Prideaux the Attorney-General, the inventor of the
Post-office, as he states; if not, who was?

Query No. 4. Has any life of Edmund Prideaux as Attorney-General been
published, or is any account of him to be found in any work?

G. P. P.

_William Tell Legend._--Could any of your readers tell me the true origin
of the William Tell apple story? I find the same story told of--

(1.) Egil, the father of the famous smith Wayland, who was instructed in
the art of forging metals by two dwarfs of the mountain of Kallova.
(Depping, _Mem. de la Societe des Antiquaires de France_, tom. v. pp. 223.
229.)

(2.) Saxo Grammaticus, who wrote nearly a century before Tell, tells nearly
the same story of one Toko, who killed Harold.

(3.) "There was a souldier called Pumher, who, daily through witchcraft,
killed three of his enemies. This was he who shot at a pennie on his son's
head, and made ready another arrow to have slain the Duke Remgrave (?
Rheingraf), who commanded it." (Reginald Scot, 1584.)

(4.) And Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie.

G. H. R.

_Arms of Cottons buried in Landwade Church, &c._