MARK ANTONY LOWER.

Lewes, March 18. 1850.

Grummett.—­Bailey explains, “Gromets or Gromwells, the most servile persons on ship-board,” probably, metaphorically, from “Gromet or Grummet,” “small rings,” adds Bailey, “fastened with staples on the upper side of the yard.”  The latter term is still in use; the metaphorical one is, I believe, quite obsolete.

C.

Meaning of “Grummett,” &c.—­The word is derived from the Low Latin “gromettus”, the original of our “groom” (see Ducange’s, Gromes and Gromus), and answers to the old French gourmete, i.e. garcon.  In old books he is sometimes called a “novice” or “page,” and may be compared with the “apprentice” of our marine.  He was employed in waiting on the sailors, cooking their victuals, working the pumps, scouring the decks, and, in short, was expected to lend a hand wherever he was wanted, except taking the helm (Clairac, Commentaire du premier Article des Rooles d’Oleron); and, consequently, is always distinguished from, and rated below, the mariner or able-bodied seaman.

The information here given is taken from Jal, Archeologie navale, vol. ii. p. 238.

A. RICH, Jun.

* * * * *

MISCELLANIES.

The Duke of Monmouth.—­I made the following note many years ago, and am now reminded of its existence by your admirable periodical, which must rouse many an idler besides myself to a rummage amongst long-neglected old papers.  This small piece of tradition indicates that the adventurous but ill-advised duke was a man of unusual muscular power and activity.

“On the 8th of July, 1685, the Duke of Monmouth was brought a prisoner to Ringwood, and halted at an inn there.  My mother, who was a native of Ringwood, used to relate that her grandmother was one of the spectators when the royal prisoner came out to take horse; and that the old lady never failed to recount, how he rejected any assistance in mounting, though his arms were pinioned; but placing his foot in the stirrup, sprang lightly into his saddle, to the admiration of all observers.”

ELIJAH WARING.

Dowry Parade, Clifton Hotwells, March 21. 1850.

* * * * *

TO PHILAUTUS.

(FROM THE LATIN OF BUCHANAN.)

  Narcissus loved himself we know,
  And you, perhaps, have cause to show
      Why you should do the same;
  But he was wrong:  and, if I may,
  Philautus, I will freely say,
      I think you more to blame. 
  He loved what others loved; while you
  Admire what other folks eschew.

RUFUS.

* * * * *

Junius.—­Nobody can read, without being struck with the propriety of it, that beautiful passage in the 8th letter—­“Examine your own breast, Sir William, &c. &c. &c.”  A parallel passage may however be found in Bevill Higgons’s Short View of English History (temp.  Hen.  VI.), a work written before 1700, and not published till thirty-four years afterwards:—­