P.S.--Allow me to put a Query to the antiquaries of Scotland. Can any of them help me to the authority from which Nich. Upton derived his livery collar of the King of Scotland "de gormettis fremalibus equorum?"--J.G.N.
_Collar of SS_ (Vol. ii., pp. 89. 194. 248. 280.).--I am surprised that any doubt should have arisen about this term, which has evidently no _spiritual_ or _literary_ derivation from the initial letters of _Sovereign_, _Sanctus_, _Seneschallus_, or any similar word. It is (as MR. ELLACOMBE hints, p. 248.) purely descriptive of the _mechanical_ mode of forming the chain, not by round or closed links, but by hooks alternately deflected into the shape of _esses_; thus, [Illustration: 3 sideways capital letter S's]. Whether chains so made (being more susceptible of ornament than other forms of links) may not have been in special use for particular { 331} purposes, I will not say; but I have no doubt that the _name_ means no more than that the links were in the shape of the letter S.
Several correspondents who treat of Lancashire matters do not appear to be sufficiently careful to ascertain the correct designations of the places mentioned in their communications. In a late number Mr. J.G. NICHOLS gave some very necessary corrections to CLERICUS CRAVENSIS respecting his note on the "Capture of King Henry VI." (Vol. ii., p. 181.); and I have now to remind H.C. (Vol. ii., p. 268.) that "Haughton Castle" ought to be "Hoghton Tower, near Blackburn, Lancashire." Hoghton Tower and Whittle Springs have of late been much resorted to by pic-nic parties from neighbouring towns; and from the interesting scenery and splendid prospects afforded by these localities, they richly deserve to be classed among the _lions_ of Lancashire. It is not improbable that the far-famed beauties and rugged grandeur of "The Horr" may, for the time, have rendered it impossible for H.C. to attend to orthography and the simple designation "Hoghton Tower," and hence the necessity for the present Note.
The popular tradition of the knighting of the Sirloin has found its way into many publications of a local tendency, and, amongst the rest, into the graphic _Traditions of Lancashire_, by the late Mr. Roby, whose premature death in the Orion steamer we have had so recently to deplore. Mr. Roby, however, is not disposed to treat the subject very seriously; for after stating that Dr. Morton had preached before the king on the duty of obedience, "inasmuch as it was rendered to the vicegerent of heaven, the high and mighty and puissant James, Defender of the Faith, and so forth," he adds:--