conciliarunt, ut largiter remunerati domum inde auro et argento onusti sint
reversi.)

Dancing succeeded the feast and then (p. 244.) "the English players made
their appearance, and represented the sacred history of _Susanna_, with so
much art of histrionic action, and with such dexterity, that they obtained
both praise and a most ample reward."

(Histriones Anglicani mature prodibant, et sacram Susannae historiam tanta
actionis histrionicae arte, tanta dexteritate representabant, ut et laudem
inde et praemium amplissimum reportarent.)

W.B.R.

[See, also upon this subject, a most interesting communication from
Albert Cohn in the _Athenaeum_ of Saturday last, January the 4th.]

* * * * *

MINOR NOTES.

_The Curse of Scotland._--In Vol. i. p. 61., is a Query why the Nine of
Diamonds is called the Curse of Scotland. Reference is made to a print
dated Oct. 21, 1745, entitled "Briton's Association against the Pope's
Bulls," in which the young Pretender is represented attempting to lead
across the Tweed a herd of bulls laden with curses, excommunications,
indulgences, &c.: on the ground before them lies the Nine of Diamonds. In
p. 90. it is said that the "Curse of Scotland" is a corruption of the
"Cross of Scotland," and that the allusion is to St. Andrew's cross, which
is supposed to resemble the Nine of Diamonds. This explanation is
unsatisfactory. The _nine_ resembles St. Andrew's cross less than the
_five_, in a pack of cards; and, moreover, the nine of any other suit would
be equally applicable. The true explanation is evidently to be found in the
game of Pope Joan, in which the Nine of Diamonds is the pope. The
well-known antipapal spirit of the Scottish people caused the pope to be
called the Curse of Scotland.

The game of Pope Joan is stated to have been originally called Pope Julio,
and to be as old as the reign of Queen Elizabeth. See Sir John Harington's
"Treatise on Playe," written about 1597, Nugae Antiquae, vol. i. p. 220.

L.

_George Herbert._--It is much to be desired that the suggestion thrown out
by your correspondent (Vol. ii., p. 460.) may be acted upon. The admirers
of George Herbert are doubtless so numerous, that the correct and complete
restoration of Bemerton Church might be effected by means of a small
subscription among them, as in the case of the Chaucer monument. Most
gladly would I aid in the good work.

R.V.

[It is needless for us to