the neighbourhood, being known as Lindow school. I may be mentioned that Dinger Brow has of late years been lowered and made much better. The last event of importance was the formation of a committee a few months back to carry out the long-thought-of scheme for having a church for Lindow. If it does succ el, it is to be hoped that Lindow may be greatly improved, and those whose charge it may be to work the place will endeavour, in harmony with other institutions of a similar aim, to stimulate the inhabitants to habits of purity, industry, and honesty, that all around may witness a sincere and happy people residing at that place, a peculiarity of which is that if anyone once settles, it is with the greatest difficulty they separate themselves again, and even if they do, it is with long remembrances of their happy days spent at Lindow." THE SNOWS IN 1752. [489.] The following notice occurs in Harrop's Manchester Mercury, March 3rd, 1752:-Last Thursday his Grace the Duke of Devonshire came to his house, Piccadilly, from his seat at Chats worth When his Grace went down, about six weeks ago, he was obliged to employ upwards of a hundred persons to clear the roads of the snow, which was in many places six, eight, and ten feet deep, but happily no sheep were lost, the snow falling gradually. E. H. LOCAL DONORS TO THE MANCHESTER INFIRMARY. [490.] In Harrop's Manchester Mercury, July 31st, 1753, I find the following notabilities in the list of benefactions and subscriptions to the Manchester Infirmary from its first opening: Charles Leigh, Esq., Adlington ...... THE DAVENPORT FAMILY. £21 0 0 30 220 2 2 0 2 2 0 10 10 0 E. H. THE LATE RECTOR'S FATHER. [492] The death of this worthy is recorded in the Manchester Mercury of April 4th, 1820, as follows:"On Wednesday, March 29th, at the Parsonage, Stockport, aged 75, the Rev. Charles Prescot, nearly 40 years rector of that parish, whose loss as a most active magistrate for the counties of Chester and Lancaster will be severely felt." Those who feel interested will find a very handsome tablet of white marble in the Parish Church of Stockport (St. Mary's), "in memory of the late Rev. Charles Prescot, B.D.," which records the great veneration and love of his parishioners, who erected this tablet to his memory. He departed this life on the 29th day of March, 1820, after a long and useful ministry of nearly 37 years. During his time the church, with the exception of the chancel, was rebuilt. E. H. Replies. THEATRE IN HEATON LANE. (Query No. 263, 268, 803-May 7, 21, 28.) [493.] I remember frequently visiting this theatre. Mrs Joyce was the lessee. It was here I first saw "ceiling walking," which then created a great sensation. The principal actors were Mr Harald, Mr Erser Jones, Mr Sam Johnson (a friend of Mr H. Irving's), his sister, Miss Johnson, and several others from the Theatre Royal, Manchester. Mr Harker, also of the Theatre Royal, who resided in one of the cottages opposite Travis's School, appeared only once or twice on benefit nights. I remember well one Friday night Mr Charles Pitt, a leading "star," taking a benefit-a very poor one indeed, about 150 people all told. This did not please Mr Pitt, for in a short speech to his audience he said that he expected better support from his "brother Stockportonians," he having been christened at the old Parish Church on the hill. The play that evening was Shakespeare's King Lear." I also remember Arthur Nelson, the clown, appearing here and playing upon a kind of rock harmonicon, composed of slabs of stone, which gave forth musical sounds when struck or played upon; imitated a chime of bells, and several popular tunes were performed. He also perormed on musical glasses filled with water. I also remember the Bridgefield Theatre. Mr Clarence Holt, one of the leading actors, is still travelling. Another one, Herr Teasdale, the converted clown, joined the Salvation or some other Army, some time ago, and I believe has now gone to glory. S. F. C. JACK SIDEBOTHAM. (Query No. 392. July 2.) [494.] I knew the above very well. He was a most eccentric character; son of a greengrocer. He always turned up where people assembled, and enjoyed himself in his own way. He was up to all kinds of mischief. If a friend had a spite against anyone, all he had to do was to give Jack a penny and point out the person; the consequence was Jack eased his stomach (and could at any time over anybody's coat or dress. I remember a Miss Leigh, who lived on the Old Road, speaking to Jack about something she had seen him do which did not please her, and no sooner had she turned her back to go home than Jack vomited over her lace shawl, and went away laughing. There were several instances of Jack doing these dirty tricks. He died in the Workhouse, I think, some years ago. No doubt some of your older correspondents could give something amusing about this person. There are several I know who could do so. S. F. C. I (Queries No. 1, 91, 108.-Feb. 12, March 12, 19.) [497.] "Historical and miscellaneous questions for the use of young people (two quotations), Stock port. Printed by J. Clarke, Little Underbank. 18 mo. pp. 239." The dedication to John Kay, Esq., Manchester, is dated Sept. 30th, 1800. This book is far better known as 66 Mangnall's Questions." should be glad to know if this is the first edition, and what, if any, other editions were published in Stockport ? The success of the book was remarkable and rapid, as would appear from the fact that I have now lying before me the eleventh edition, corrected and improved, published in 1814, pp. 442; printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, Pater noster Row; and for John Hurst, Wakefield; and dedicated to Neville Maskelyne, D.D., Astronomer Royal. The name of the authoress is given on the title page, Richmal Mangnall, and the preface is written from Crofton Hall, near Wakefield, where was situated her very successful and largely attended school for young ladies. Messrs Longmin and Co. had bought the copyright of the book, and into their pockets went, I have been told, the larger part of the profits of the book. As the 1800 Stockport edition seems to have appeared anonymously, it would be interesting to learn in which edition Miss Mangnall first published her name. The dedication to John Kay, Esq., is explained by the fact that, 1 ft an orphan, Miss Mangnall had been adopted and edu. cated by that gentleman, who was her uncle. That the book was first printed in Stockport is probably due to the fact that her sister was the wife of Mr Wm. Coppock, of this town, to whose house she paid long visits during vacation time. The eleventh edition closes with a notice that shortly will be published "Mangnall's Compendium of Geography." The first edition of this book was published in 1815, and the second shortly after the death of the authoress in 1822. Her earlier and better known work had gained her so established a reputation that she had no need this time to seek the services of a provincial publisher in Stockport to give her book to the world, but found willing agents in Messrs Longman, o London. K. E. A HEALING WELL. (Queries No. 242, 260.-April 29, May 7.) [498] The following appears to have escaped notice. I make the extract from "A description of the country from 80 to 40 miles round Manchester, by J. Aikin, M,D. London, June 4th, 1795; page 448":"Very lately a spring of mineral water, appearing to come from a coal mine or bed of ironstore, was discovered near the town. It was reported to be a cure for weak eyes, and was for a time frequented by great numbers of people, well and ill, some of whom drank the water. About this time the jaundice became very epidemical in and about Stockport, and this was by some imputed to the use of the mineral water; in consequence of which it came to be entirely neglected." K. E. CRAB CHAPEL. (Query No. 209, 217, 254.-April 16, 23, May 7.) [499.] I do not know when it was erected, bnt the Unitarians worshipped there until their present church in St. Petersgate was opened on 23rd March, 1842, at which time the minister was the Rev. Wm Smith, F.L.S., afterwards Professor of Natural History and Botany at Queen's College, Cork, and author of "British Diatomaceo," &c. The High-stree Chapel was not used again until 1852, when the Swedenborgians met there for about a year. In 1860 the ancient chapel was pulled down and the present boundary fence erccted. The enclosed space is almost entirely flagged with gravestones, on which are carved family names that still have representatives amongst Stockport Unitarians of to-day. LIFTING AT EASTER. (Query No. 419. 16th July.) K. E. [509] The custom referred to by "Jacques" would, no doubt, be that of "heaving or "lifting" at Easter; one of great antiquity. Edward I. (according to a record formerly in the tower of London, and communicated by the keeper of the records to the Society of Antiquarians in 1805), was taken in his bed and lifted by certain ladies of the bedchamber and maids-of-honour on Easter Monday, and the king paid them £14 ( a sum equivalent to about £400 at the present day) as largess. It would thus seem to have been a well-understood custom at that early period. The custom prevailed extensively in this and the neighbouring counties, and in some parts of North Wales; but of late years it has almost dropped out, owing to the disorders occasioned by it. In 1774, and again in 1787, 4d was paid to the sexton at Eccles for "warning people against lifting at Easter." It is supposed to typify the resurrection; and a writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine," July, 1783, page 578, says :-"There seems to be a trace of the descent of the Holy Ghost on the heads of the Apostles in what passes at Whitsuntide Fai in some parts of Lancashire, where one person holds a stick over the head of another, whilst a third, unperceived, strikes the stick, and thus gives a smart blow to the first. But this, probably, is only local." All classes of people were subjected to the custom, and a writer in the same magazine, February, 1784, dating from Manchester, says: "Our Magistrates constantly prohibit it by the bellman, but it subsists at the end of the town, and the women have of late years converted it into a money job. I believe it is chiefly confined to these northern counties." The men lift the women on Easter Monday, and the women the men on the Tuesday. Parties of from six to 12 persons go about and lift such of the opposite sex as they meet three times above the head, accompanying the act with loud shouts, either with or without their consent; but in some cases this was obviated on payment of a small sum of money. Sometimes one or more take hold of each arm and leg and lift the person up into a horizontal position; at others a chair is provided. In Warwickshire the person lifted was kissed, and compelled to pay 6d in Yorkshire the buckles of young girls were taken off by youths on the Sunday, and on the Monday those of the youths by the girls; these were redeemed by small sums of money on the Wednesday, out of which a tansy cake was provi led. At Durham the person's shoe was taken off, which had to be redeemed by a small sum; and at Shrewsbury the custom of lifting took place between the hours of nine and twelve. ALFRED BURTON. queries. [501.] JOHN OF GAUNT.-Is there any known authority for Dr. Aikin's statement ("Manchester," p. 448), that John of Gaunt, "time-honoured Lancaster," once occupied Harden Hall-or should it be Arden? K. E. [502.] THE GOYT.-Where does the Goyt end? K. E. [503.] ANCIENT REMAINS FOUND AT WILMSLOW. -During the time the railway was cut through Wilmslow (if I am informed right) an old sword in capital preservation was found. It was, I believe, in the possession of the late Mr Gratrix, solleitor, Wilmslow. Can anyone give any information about it, and where it is to be seen now? ANTIQUARIAN. Archbishop Melcha was catechising a number of children the other day, and asked a sharp little girl, who seemed to be well up in her theology, if confirmation were necessary for the soul. "No," replied the child, with praiseworthy promptitude; "but when one can be confirmed one should seize "A most excellent answer, my the opportunity." daughter," said his Grace, graciously, and proceeded to ask several other questions, which were answered with equal smartness. At length he put the query, "Is marriage, as one of the sacraments, necessary to salvation ?" "No," said the girl gravely; "but when one can marry, one should seize the opportunity." School Boards work wonders. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 1881. Notes, CUCKOO RHYMES. [504.] I send you the following rhymes relating to the cuckoo, and the date of its departure, as an addition to that in No. 440. I may mention that the earliest date on which I have heard and seen the cuckoo in this neighbourhood was on Easter Monday, this year, at Bramhall and the lates the 4th September, 1873, near the same place, its note broken and somewhat hoarse : The cuckoo's a fine bird, she sings as she flies, In April the cuckoo shows his bill, In May he is singing all day, In June he changes his tune, In July he prepares to fly, In August fly he must. RECOLLECTIONS. I love the old walks where in childhood I've gamboll'd, And dreams of their brightress oft haunt me e'en now, For ebon-wing'd sorrow (as careless I rambled) Had cast no dark cloud o'er my then joyous brow. Oh! I love those old walks, where the wild flow'rs seem'd flinging There 'midst friends and companions, the light laugh would waken For no pestilent new from death's dark wing was shaken Alas! when I look through time's vista, the finger But still, tho' the frowns of a hard fate doth sever The day-dreams of childhood shall fade from me never, THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SILK TRADE INTO The [506] "Down to the early part of last century, all the silk, for whatever purpose used in England, was imported ready thrown-i.e., formed into threads ready for use, from various foreign countries. Italians had the exclusive art of silk throwing, consequently an absolute command of that lucrative traffic. John Lombe, a man of spirit, a good draughtsman, and an excellent mechanic, travelled into Italy with a view of penetrating the secret. He stayed some time, but as he knew admission was prohibited, he adepted the usual mode of accomplishing his end by corrupting the servants. This gained him frequent access in private. Whatever part he became master of he committed to paper before he slept. By perseverance and bribery he acquired the whole, when the plot was discovered, and he fled with the utmost precipitation on board a ship at the hazard of his life, taking with him two natives, who had favoured his interest and his life at the risk of their own; but, though he judged the danger over, he was yet to become a sacrifice. Arriving safe with his acquired knowledge, he fixed upon Derby as a proper place for his purpose, because the town was likely to supply him with a sufficient number of hands, and the able stream with a constant supply of water. This happened about 1717. He erected a mill at a cost of £30,000, and procured, in 1718, a patent from the Crown to secure the profits during 14 years. But alas he had not pursued this lucrative commerce more than three or four years, when the Italians, who felt the effects of the theft from their want of trade, determined his destruction, and hoped that that of his works would follow. An artful woman came over in the character of a friend, associated with the parties, and assisted in the business. She attempted to gain both the Italians; she succeeded with one. By these two slow poison was supposed, and perhaps jastly, to have been administered to John Lombe, who lingered two or three years in agonies, and departed. The Italian ran away to his own country, and malam was interrogated, but nothing trans pired except what strengthened suspicion. John dying a bachelor at the age of 29, his property passed to his brother William, who shot himself, and then to hi cousin, Sir Thomas Lombe, about 1726. In 1732 the patent expired, when Sir Thomas, a true picture of human nature, petitioned Parliament for a renewal, and pleaded that the works had taken so long a time in perfecting, and the people in teaching, that there had been none to acquire emolument from the patent. But he forgot to inform them that he had already accumulated more than £120,000. Thus veracity flies before profit. Government, willing to spread so useful an invention, gave Sir Thomas £14,000 to suffer the trade to be open and a model of the works taken, which was for many years deposited in the Tower, and considered the greatest curiosity there. A mill was immediately erected at Stockport, in Cheshire, which drew many of the han 13 from that at Derby, and among others that of Nathaniel Gartrevalli, the remaining Italian, who 16 years before came over with John Lombe. He ended his days in poverty-the frequent reward of a man who ventures his life in a base cause, or betrays his country. "William Hutton and the Hutton Family," Pp. 107-109. Further particulars of the silk trade in Stockport would be of interest. K. E. BULKELEY FAMILY OF MACCLESFIELD. [507.1 In your Notes and Queries for May and June I see a copy of a Macclesfield Directory for a hundred years ago, amongst the names in that list I find the Rev. Mr Buckley. This was the Rev. Samuel Buckley (or rather Bulkeley). He was born in London in the year 1724, was educated at Clare College, Cambridge, at which place he took the degrees of B.A. and M.A., was afterwards curate at Acton, near Nantwich, and then incumbent of Pott Shrigley, and also of Rainow. He came to reside in Macclesfield in 1762. His house was in Derby-street, where recently Mr Boyd, the auctioneer, lived. He died in the year 1794, and was interred in the old churchyard. This Rev. Samuel Bulkeley was a descendant of Robert Bulkeley, who was lord of Bulkeley in the reign of King John. One of this Robert's descendants was William de Bulkeley, who married a daughter of Sir John Davenport. This William had several sons, one married a daughter of Robin of Offerton. Robert, the second son, had Eaton, in Davenham and Alstanton. Peter Bulkeley, the third son, married Nicola, daughter and heiress of Thomas Bird, of Alpraham. John Bulkeley, of Haughton, son of Robert, married Arderne, daughter of Fitley, of Woore, Salop. Thomas Bulkeley, lord of Woore, great grandson of John Bulkeley married Elizabeth, daughter of Randall Grosvenor,, of Bellaport; this Thomas had two sons-1st Rowland, of Woore. This branch of the family seems to have died out in the male line. In the female line is now represented by the Maskworth Praeds, the London bankers. The second son of the above named Thomas was the Rev. Edward Bulkeley, D.D., vicar or rector of Odell Beds, Prebend of Chester, and afterwards of Lichfield Cathedral. This Dr. Edward had three sons-Rev. Peter, eldest son, followed his father at Odell, was one of the Puritans, gave up his living and sold his estates, went to America, was the first minister at Concord, Mass., and from this Peter, on the female side, descended several noted Ameriaus. Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Edward Bulkeley, of Concord (who followed his father, the Rev. Peter Bulkeley) married the Rev. Joseph Emerson, ancester of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great writer or author. Peter Bulkelev, youngest son of Rev. Peter Bulkeley, had a daughter Rebecca, who was married to Dr. Jonathan Prescott. Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Prescott, married the Rev. David Hall. Sally, daughter of the Rev. David Hall, was married to General Jonathan Chase, of Cornish, New Hampshire, brother of Dudley Chase, grandfather of the Hon. S. P. Chase, chief justice of the United States. The Rev. Nathaniel Bulkeley was second son of the Rev. Dr. Edward Bulkeley, and from him descended the Rev. Samuel Bulkeley, of Macclesfield. This Rev. Samuel Bulkeley had two sons and two daughters, the eldest, Samuel Bulkeley, was educated for a clergyman, but would not subscribe, therefore was not ordained, but practised as an attorney-at-law. He died in the year 1800, in Mill-street, Macclesfield, at the house now used as a wine and spirit vault by Mr E. Wright, and next door to the Advertiser office. This Samuel Bulkeley had a large family, his eldest son, William, was a solicitor. The late Samuel Armstrong Bulkeley, of Jordangate, who was born in 1791, at what is now the Adelphi Hotel, Jordangate, was also a son of this Sam. Bulkeley. Thos., Rev. S. Bulkeley's second son died unmarried; both daughters wee married, but died, leaving no issue. Richard Bulkeley was second son of Robert Bulkeley, from |