of the defects in question, which
are to be found more in modern books and prints than in those of an
earlier date, and do not arise from damp, as the term "_mildew_" might
seem to imply, although the same appearance no doubt arises from that
cause alone in the older paper. But paper made and bleached by the
processes I have mentioned will become covered with brown spots, however
dry it may be kept.

I have a folio edition of _La Armeria Real de Madrid_, printed at Paris,
without date, but subsequently to 1838 by the preface. The paper is very
stout and fine, and was free from blemish when I purchased it three
years ago, but at present it is covered with brown patches, and the
beauty of the work destroyed, although it has been kept in a very dry
room.

For such defects I should be equally delighted with B. to discover a
remedy; but I fear that so long as our paper manufacturers study
expedition and economy in preference to quality, the case is hopeless.
The ashes left after the combustion of a sheet of paper clearly indicate
the amount of modern sophistication, and greatly exceed those of more
ancient paper. In fact, some paper may now be classed, with more
propriety, among mineral than vegetable productions. Mildew, arising
from damp in old books, may be arrested, if not removed, by exposure to
light, air, and a dry atmosphere.

HENRY WILKINSON.

_The Carpenter's Maggot_ (Vol. ii., p. 104.).--The ancient tune known as
the _Carpenter's Maggot_, and until lately played at the annual dinner
of the Livery of the Carpenters' Company, may be found at p. 258. of the
first volume of a rare work entitled _The Dancing Master_, sm. obl.
1721. The same volume contains a choice assemblage of "Maggots", i.e.
Barker's Maggot, Cary's Maggot, Draper's Maggot, Hill's Maggot,
Huntington's Maggot, M. Coppinger's Maggot, &c.

The word Maggot, from the French _Magot_, means a whim, or a fancy. The
bird "magpie", originally "maggoty-pie," was so called on account of its
whimsical drollery. "A maggoty-pated fellow" is often used to imply a
_whimsical_ man.

I do not trace the word, as applied to a tune, earlier than the end of
the seventeenth century. Before that time, tunes of a similar
description were termed _Fancies_.

If your correspondent F.T.P. wishes to have a copy of the tune from my
volume, he is quite welcome. I append my London address to this Reply,
in order that he may favour me with a communication.

EDWARD F. RIMB