They would also feel much obliged by the communication of any notices of MSS. of the Wycliffite versions, existing in private hands, exclusive of those copies of which they already possess descriptions, existing in the libraries of the following individuals:—­Mrs. Allanson of Farn, Flintshire, the Earl of Ashburnham, Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., Sir Peregrine Ackland, Bart., Sir David Dundas, H.M.  Judge Advocate, Dr. Cardwell, Principal of St. Alban’s Hall, Oxford, and Thomas Bannister, Esq.

F. Madden.

British Museum, March 28.

Why are Gloves not worn before Royalty?—­Can any of your readers inform me what is the origin of the custom observed at Court, of persons in the royal presence not wearing gloves?  Is it a matter of pure etiquette, or does the observance of it derive its origins from barbarous times, when chivalry was little else than barbarism in armour?

F.E.

Law Courts at St. Albans.—­Can any of your correspondents give me the reference to a communication in the Gentleman’s Magazine (between, I think, the years 1815 and 1836), in which a passage in Massinger, which alludes to lawyers going to St. Albans, is illustrated by an inscription in the nave of St. Alban’s Abbey Church, which records that the courts were held there on account of the sweating-sickness in the reign of Elizabeth?

[Greek:  Sigma.]

Richard Haley, or Hales.—­Milton Pedigree.—­I should feel obliged by any particulars respecting Richard Haley, or Hales, of Idlestreete, otherwise Ilstreyd, in com.  Hertford, yeoman; my object being to ascertain the nature of some transaction he had with Milton, in July 1674, referred to in a bond which the former executed, dated the 27th of that month, for performance of the covenants contained in an indenture of even date.

Is any thing known of Richard Milton, who signs his name as the attesting witness to the releases given by two of the poet’s daughters for their share of his estate?  Is there any pedigree of the family of Sir Christopher Milton, the poet’s brother, drawn up with sufficient apparent accuracy to exclude the probability of Richard Milton being his son?  I have referred to the pedigree in the British Museum (Harl.  MS. 5802. fo. 19b.), which makes no mention of the letter; but it is evidently so imperfect a notice, as to be of little authority one way or other.

J.F.M.

Sapcote Motto.—­Over the old gatehouse of Elton, co.  Hunts., built by the family of Sapcote, is their coat of arms, namely, “three dove-cotes;” and upon a scroll, surrounding the lower part of the shield, is carved a motto, evidently French, and as evidently cut by a person ignorant of that language.  So far as I can decypher it, the letters appear to be

  sco toot X vinic [or umic]
  X poncs.

Possibly the first and last letters s are only flourishes.  I shall be glad of any suggestion as to its meaning.