And see the notes of the various commentators on these passages. If the subject be worth further illustration, I may mention that in the district of the cotton manufacture, the instrument by which the shuttle is _thrown_ across the loom is called a _picker_; and each thread of the woven fabric, being the result of one throw of the shuttle, is, by using the word in a secondary sense, called a _pick_. I have heard a story of a worthy patron of the Arts, more noted for his wealth than his taste, who, attributing certain freedom of touch in a picture, for which he had given a commission, to a want of due pains in elaboration, expressed his dissatisfaction by saying, "there were not the right number of _picks_ to the inch;" the threads of calico, when received from the weaver, being usually counted under the microscope as a test of the goodness of the work.
_North Lincolnshire Provincialisms_ (Vol. v., pp. 173. 250.).--I have noted the following North Lincolnshire provincialisms since the appearance of MR. RAWLINSON'S suggestion:--
_Bumble._ A rush used to make the seats of chairs.
_Coul Rake._ An instrument used to scrape mud from roads.
_Dozel._ A toppen; a ball placed on the highest point of a corn-rick.
_Fingers-and-toes._ Turnips are said to go to fingers and toes when instead of forming bulbs they branch off into small knotty substances.
_Livery._ Sad; heavy; said of freshly-ploughed soil.
I believe more than one of the courts to be haunted by persons who may have suggested Mr. Dickens's "Little Old Lady." More than twenty years ago a female of about fifty was a constant attendant on the Court of Queen's Bench in Banco: I never saw her at a Nisi Prius sitting. She was meanly but tidily dressed, quiet and unobtrusive in manners, but much gratified by notice from any barrister. It was said she had been ruined by a suit, but I could not learn anything authentic about her; though I several times spoke and listened to her, partly from curiosity and partly from the pleasure which she showed at being spoken to. Her thoughts seemed fixed upon the business of the day, and I never extracted more than, "Will they take motions?--Will _it_ come on next?--I hope he will bring it on to-day!" but who was "he," or what was "it," I could not learn; and when I asked, she would pause as if to think, and pointing to the bench, say, "That's Lord Tenterden." I have seen her rise, as about to address the court, when the judges were going out, and look mortified as if she felt neglected. I cannot say when she disappeared, but I do not remember having seen her for the last eight years.