The Witches' Prayer.—Can you inform me where I can find the epigram alluded to by Addison, in No. 61. of the Spectator, as "The Witches' Prayer," which falls into verse either way, only that it reads "cursing" one way, and "blessing" the other? Or is the epigram only a creation of the pleasing author's fertile imagination?

Doubtful.

St. John's Wood.

Water-buckets given to Sheriffs.—Can any of your readers inform me the origin of the delivery of water-buckets, glazed and painted with the city arms, given to the sheriffs of London and Middlesex at the expiration of the year of their shrievalty?

J. B. K.

Temple.

A Cracow Pike.—Can any of your readers tell me what a Cracow pike is? I have searched Meyrick's works on Ancient Armour without finding any notice of such a weapon; but as those works have no indexes one cannot be certain that there may not be some mention of it. I shall be obliged by a description of the Cracow pike, or a reference to any authorities mentioning it, or its use.

I. H. T.

Meaning of Waste Book.—Can you or any of your readers inform me the origin of the term used in book-keeping, viz., "Waste" book?

I am the book-keeper and cashier in an extensive firm, and I know there is very little wasted that goes into our books bearing that name.

One who often runs for the Great Ledger.

Machell's MS. Collections for Westmoreland and Cumberland.—In the library of the dean and chapter at Carlisle, are preserved six volumes in folio, which purport to be Collections for the History of Westmoreland and Cumberland, made in the Reign of Charles II., by the Reverend Thomas Machell. Have these collections been carefully examined, and their contents made use of in any topographical publication?

Edward F. Rimbault.

Decking Churches at Christmas.—Does the custom of dressing the churches at Christmas with holly, and other evergreens, prevail in any country besides England?

L.

Coinage of Germany.—I should wish to be referred to the names of the principal works on the coinage of Germany; not merely the imperial, but that of sovereign prelates, abbeys, &c., that struck money.

A. N.

Titles of Peers who are Bishops (Vol. iii., p. 23.).—Why is Lord Crewe always called so, and not Bishop of Durham, considering his spiritual precedency? Was not Lord Bristol (who was an Earl) always called Bishop of Derry?

Cx.

At Sixes and Sevens.—Shakspeare uses the well-known adage—"at sixes and sevens;" Bacon, Hudibras, Arbuthnot, Swift, all use the proverb. Why should sixes and sevens be more congruous with disorder than "twos and threes?" and whence comes the saying?

D. C.

Shaking Hands.—What is the origin of the custom of shaking hands in token of friendship? And were the clasped hands (now the common symbol of Benefit Clubs) ever used as a signet, prior to their adoption as such by the early Christians in their wedding rings; or, did these rings bear any other motto, or posy, than "Fides annulus castus" (i. e. simplex et sine gemmÂ)?

J. Sansom.

George Steevens.—Can any of your readers inform me whether a memoir of George Steevens, the Shakspearian commentator, ever was published? Of course I have seen the biographical sketch in the Gentleman's Magazine, the paragraph in Nichols' Anecdotes, and many like incidental notices. Steevens, who died in January, 1800, left the bulk of his property to his cousin, Miss Elizabeth Steevens, of Poplar; and as there is no reservation nor special bequest in the will, I presume she took possession of his books and manuscripts. The books were sold by auction; but what has become of the manuscripts?

A. Z.

Extradition.—The discussion which was occasioned, some time ago, by the sudden transference of the word extradition into our diplomatic phraseology, must be still in the recollection of your readers. Some were opposed to this change on the ground that extradition is not English; others justified its adoption, for the very reason that we have no corresponding term for it; and one gentleman resolved the question by urging that, "si le mot n'est pas Anglais, il mÉrite de l'Être." I believe there is no reference in "Notes and Queries" to this controversy; nor do I now refer to it with any intention of reviving discussion on a point which seems to have been set at rest by the acquiescence of public opinion. I wish merely to put one or two Queries, which have been suggested to me by the fact that extradition is now generally employed as an English word.

1. Is there any contingency in which the meaning of the word extradition may not be sufficiently expressed by the verb to deliver up, or the substantive restitution?

2. If so, how has its place been supplied heretofore in our diplomatic correspondence?

Henry H. Breen.

St. Lucia, Dec. 1850.

Singing of Metrical Psalms and Hymns in Churches.—1. When and how did the custom of singing metrical psalms and hymns in churches originate? 2. By what authority was it sanctioned? 3. At what parts of the service were these psalms and hymns directed to be introduced? 4. Was this custom contemplated by the compilers of the Book of Common Prayer?

Arun.

Ormonde Portraits.—I shall feel much obliged by information on the following points:—

1. Whether any portrait of Thomas Earl of Ormonde has been published? He died in the year 1614.

2. How many engraved portraits of Thomas, the famous Lord Ossory, have been issued? their dates, and the engravers' names.

3. How many engraved portraits of the first and second Dukes of Ormonde, respectively, have appeared? their dates, and engravers' names.

James Graves.

Kilkenny, Jan. 31. 1851.

Tradescant.—In the inscription on the tomb of the Tradescants in Lambeth churchyard, which it is proposed to restore as soon as possible, these two lines occur:

Can any of your readers inform me when the elder Tradescant came over to England, and when he was appointed royal gardener? Was it not in the reign of Elizabeth?

J. C. B.

Lambeth.

Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Craigs.—L. M. M. R. is very anxious to be informed as to the origin of the name of Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Craigs, the well-known hill and rocks close to Edinburgh.

Lincoln Missal.—Is a manuscript of the missal, according to the use of the church of Lincoln, known to exist? and, if so, where may it be seen?

Edward Peacock, Jun.