been;
Oblivion's their best home.
. . . .
There is an oath on high,
That ne'er on brow of mortal birth,
Shall blend again the crowns of earth."

[theta].

_Prejudice against Holy Confirmation._--I have found among my rural
parishioners an idea very prevalent, that it is wrong, or at least highly
improper, for a married woman to become a candidate for, or to receive holy
confirmation; and this quite apart from any sectarian views on the matter.
I should like to know if any of my {441} clerical brethren have noticed the
same superstition as I must call it. Labourers' wives in some cases have at
once stated their being married as a valid objection; and in others their
husbands, although Churchmen, have at once entered their _veto_ on their
being confirmed. Can it arise from any vague reminiscence of the practical
rule of the Church of England on the subject, which has been so long
ignored?

W. FRASER.

Tor-Mohun.

_Epigram on MacAdam._--Who was the author of the following epigram?

"My Essay on Roads, quoth MacAdam, lies there,
The result of a life's lucubration;
But does not the title page look rather bare?
I long for a Latin quotation.

"A Delphin edition of Virgil stood nigh,
To second his classic desire;
When the road-maker hit on the shepherd's reply,
'_Miror Magis_,' I rather _add_-mire."

[Old English W. N.]

_Jane Scrimshaw._--Can any of your numerous correspondents inform me if
there is any other biographical notice of Jane Scrimshaw, who attained the
advanced age of 127, and resided for upwards of eighty years in the
Merchant Taylors' Almshouse, near Little Tower Hill, than that recorded in
Caulfield's _Memoirs of Remarkable Characters_?

J. T. M.

_The Word "Quadrille."_--May I trouble some kind reader to give me the
origin, derivation, full and literal meaning, and the several senses, in
their regular succession, of the above word _Quadrille_? There seems to be
much uncertainty attached to the word.

VERITATIS AMICUS.

Oxon.

_The Hungarians in Paules._--Perhaps some of the ingenious contributors to
"N. & Q." may be able to assist P. C. S. S. to explain the following
passage in the dedication of a rare little book _Dekker's Dreame_ (Lond.
4to. 1620). It is inscribed:--

"To the truly accomplished gentleman, and worthy deserver of all men's
loves, Master Endymion Porter. Sir, if you aske why, from the heapes of
men, I picke you out