says Stow, “some person of that name lived near.”  I look on the name as only a corruption or romantic alteration of the word Baal or Bel; and, as we have every reason to suppose he was worshipped by part of the aborigines of this country, I deem it not improbable that on or near this spot might once have existed a temple for his worship, which afterwards gave a name to the place.  It is true Baal generally had his temples placed on the summit of lofty mountains or other eminences.  But supposing a number of his votaries to have settled near London, and on the banks of the Thames, nothing would be more likely than, to obviate the natural lowness of the ground, they would raise a tower for the better celebration of the ceremonies attendant on his worship.  This might have been the foundation upon which Geoffrey built his story.  However, I only suggest this.  The real origin of the name I am afraid is too far sunk in oblivion to hold out any hopes of its being rescued at the present day.

VOX.

* * * * *

If “WILLIAM WILLIAMS” will examine the map of London in 1543, lately engraved from a drawing in the Bodleian Library, he will perceive the “Water Gate,”, about which he inquires, defended on the west side by a lofty hexagonal machicolated tower.

C.S.

* * * * *

NOTES FROM FLY-LEAVES, NO. 4.

In order to forward your views as regards the valuable department of “Notes from Fly-Leaves” I have spent some leisure hours in beating the covers of a portion of my library.  I send you the produce of my first day’s sport, which, you will observe, has been in the fields of poetry.  Make what use of it you think fit, selecting such notes only as you think of sufficient interest for publication.

I. Note in the handwriting of Richard Farmer, in a copy of “Canidia, or the Witches; a Rhapsody in five parts, by R.D.” 4to.  London, printed by S. Roycroft for Robert Clavell, 1683.

“In Mr. Hutton’s Catale P. 65.  N. 1552. this strange composition is ascribed to one Dixon.  There was a Robert Dixon, an author about the time, and D.D. (Woods’s Fasti, v. ii. p. 103.), but it surely must not be given to him!  Qu.?  This is the only copy I have seen, 1785.”

     [Lowndes has the work under the name of Robert Dixon, D.D.]

II.  Note in the handwriting of James Bindley, in a copy of an English translation of Milton’s “Defensio pro Populo Anglicano,” printed in the year 1692.

     “Translated into English by Richard Washington, Esq., of the Middle
     Temple.”

On another page, however, he has written,

“Mem. in a miscellany called ‘Poems on Affairs of State,’ 8vo. 5th edit. 1703, at page 223 ’In memory of Joseph Washington, Esq., late of the Middle Temple, an elegy written by N. Tate, Servant to their Majesties.’  Though Mr. Warton calls him Richard, his name was, I believe, as above, and the translator most likely of this book.—­J.B.”

To this is added, in the handwriting of the late Mr. Ford, bookseller, formerly of Manchester—­