One perpetually hears this exclamation attributed to different people.  In a magazine which I took up this morning, I find it set down to “a certain orator of the last century;” a friend who is now with me, tells me that it was unquestionably the saying of the celebrated Lord Wharton; and I once heard poor Edward Irving, in a sermon, quote it as the exclamation of Wallace, or some other Scottish patriot.  Do relieve my uncertainty, and, for the benefit of our rising orator, tell us to whom the saying ought to be set down.

C.U.B.E.R.

To endeavour Oneself.

In the Collect for the 2nd Sunday after Easter, in the preface to the Confirmation Service, and in the form of Ordering of priest, the verb “endeavour” takes (clearly, I think) a middle-voice form, “to endeavour one’s self.”  Is there any other authority for this usage?  No dictionary I have seen recognises it.

G.P.

Date of the Anonymous Ravennas.

Can you inform me of the date of the Chorographia Britanniae Anonymi
Ravennatis?

W.C.

     [This is a very difficult question.  We should be glad to hear any
     of our correspondents upon the subject.]

The Battle of Towton.

The “Note” on the battle-field of Sedgemoor, induces a “Query” concerning another equally celebrated locality.

It is well known in the neighbourhood, that the field of Towton, at least that part of it which is now, and, according to tradition, has remained pasture since the days of the wars of York and Lancaster, produces two species of roses, which grow in stunted patches throughout its extent.  Has their presence ever been noticed or accounted for?  If we again allow tradition to give its evidence, we are told they were planted on the graves of the fallen combatants.

PETER H. JENNINGS.

Tadcaster.

A Peal of Bells.

Mr. Editor,—­The following question was put to me by a clergyman and a scholar, who, like myself, takes an interest in the subject of Bells.  At first sight I fancied that a satisfactory answer could easily be given:  but I found that I was mistaken, and I shall be very glad if any of your correspondents will favour me with a solution of the difficulty.

Can you define what is a Peal? Of course we know what is meant by a Peal of Bells, and to ring a Peal; but I want it defined as to duration, mode of ringing it, &c. &c.  None of the old writers explain what they mean by ringing a Peal.

ALFRED GATTY.

Ecclesfield Vicarage, Dec. 11. 1849.

Lines quoted by Goethe.

If any of your readers can inform me who is the author of the following lines, quoted by Goethe in his Autobiography, he will greatly oblige me:—­

  “Then old age and experience, hand in hand,
  Lead him to death, and make him understand,
  After a search so painful and so long,
  That all his life he has been in the wrong.”