Royal Supporters (Vol. ii., p. 136.).—­E.C. asks when and why the unicorn was introduced as one of the royal supporters.  It was introduced by James VI. of Scotland when he ascended the throne of England, on account of the Scottish royal supporters being two unicorns rampant argent, crowned with imperial, and gorged with antique, crowns, with chains affixed to the latter passing between their forelegs and reflexed over their backs, unguled, armed, and crined, all or; the dexter one embracing and bearing up a banner of gold charged with the royal arms; the sinister, another banner azure, charged with the cross of St. Andrew, argent.  Queen Elizabeth had used as supporters, dexter, a lion rampant gardant, crowned; and sinister, a dragon rampant, both or.  She also used a lion ramp. gardant crowned, and a greyhound, both or.  James adopted as supporters, dexter, a lion ramp. gardant, {222} crowned with the imperial crown, or; sinister, an unicorn argent, armed, crined, unguled, gorged with a coronet composed of crosses patees, and fleurs-de-lis, a chain affixed thereto passing between its forelegs, and reflexed over the back, all or.  These have been used as the royal supporters ever since their first adoption, with but one exception, and that is in the seal of the Exchequer, time of Charles I., where the supporters are an antelope and stag, both ducally collared and chained.

E.K.

The Frog and the Crow of Ennow.—­In answer to M. (Vol. ii., p. 136.), I send you the edition of “the frog and the crow” which I have been familiar with since childhood.  I can give you no history of it, save that it is tolerably well known in Lancashire, and that the point consists in giving a scream over the last “oh!” which invariably, if well done, elicits a start even in those who are familiar with the rhyme, and know what to expect.

  The Frog and the Crow.

  “There was a jolly fat frog lived in the river Swimmo,
  And there was a comely black crow lived on the
          river Brimmo;
  Come on shore, come on shore, said the crow to the
          frog, and then, oh;
  No, you’ll bite me, no, you’ll bite me, said the frog
          to the crow again, oh.

  “But there is sweet music on yonder green hill, oh,
  And you shall be a dancer, a dancer in yellow,
  All in yellow, all in yellow, said the crow to the frog,
          and then, oh;
  Sir, I thank you, Sir, I thank you, said the frog to
          the crow again, oh.

  “Farewell, ye little fishes, that are in the river Swimmo,
  For I am going to be a dancer, a dancer in yellow;
  Oh, beware, Oh, beware, said the fish to the frog
          again, oh;
  All in yellow, all in yellow, said the frog to the fish,
          and then, oh.