so remarkable that I am induced to transcribe it. If it be true,
"Matfelonensis" is certainly justified in saying, "We need hardly
question that Richard Brandon was the executioner."

"_William Cox_ examined.

"When my Lord Capell, Duke Hamilton, and the Earl of Holland,
were beheaded in the Palace-yard, in Westminster, my Lord Capell
asked the common hangman, said he, 'Did you cut off my master's
head?' 'Yes,' saith he. 'Where is the instrument that did it?'
He then brought the ax. 'Is this the same ax; are you sure?'
said my Lord. 'Yes, my Lord,' saith the hangman, 'I am very sure
it is the same.' My Lord Capell took the ax and kissed it, and
gave him five pieces of gold. I heard him say, 'Sirrah, wert
thou not afraid?' Saith the hangman, 'They made me cut it off,
and I had thirty pound for my pains.'"

William Franks Mathews.

_Charade_ (Vol. ii., p. 120.).--I think I can answer Mr. Gatty's Query
as to the authorship of the charade in question. A schoolfellow of mine
at Charterhouse wrote the following:

"What's that which all love more than life,
Fear more than death or mortal strife;
That which contented men desire,
The poor possess, the rich require,
The miser spends, the spendthrift saves,
And all men carry to their graves?"

This was taken from the original copy, and it was certainly his own
invention while at school, and was written about five years ago. I have
not seen him since, and do not like therefore to give his name.

While on the subject of charades, can any of your correspondents inform
me of either the authorship or the answer of the following:

"Sir Hilary charged at Agincourt--
Sooth! 'twas a fearful day!
The Rufflers of the camp and court
Had little time to pray.
'Tis said Sir Hilary utter'd there
Two syllables, by way of prayer--
The first to all the young and proud
Who'll see to-morrow's sun;
The next, with its cold and quiet cloud,
To those who'll meet a dewy shroud
Before to-day's is gone:
And both together to all bright eyes,
That weep when a warrior nobly dies."

I quote from recollection, so perhaps have omitted part, but believe it
to be pretty correct. I heard it at the same time as the one quoted in
No. 31., and believe both to be hoaxes, as no answer I have heard
(including that given in No. 35.) can be considered satisfactory. The
former charade was attributed at the time to the late Ar