In Songs and other Poems, by Alex.  Brome, Gent.  Lond. 12mo. 1661, there is (at p. 123.) a ballad upon a sign-post set up by one Mr. Pecke, at Skoale in Norfolk.  It appears from this ballad, that the sign in question had figures of Bacchus, Diana, Justice, and Prudence, “a fellow that’s small, with a quadrant discerning the wind,” Temperance, Fortitude, Time, Charon and Cerberus.  This sign is noticed in the Journal of Mr. E. Browne (Sir Thomas Browne’s Works, ed.  Wilkin, i. 53.).  Under date of 4th March, 1663-64, he says:—­“About three mile further I came to Scoale, where is very handsome inne, and the noblest sighne post in England, about and upon which are carved a great many stories, as of Charon and Cerberus, of Actaeon and Diana, and many other; the sighne it self is the white harte, which hangs downe carved in a stately wreath.”  Blomefield, in his History of Norfolk (8vo. edit. i. 130.), speaking of Osmundestone or Scole, has the following passage:—­

“Here are two very good inns for the entertainment of travellers; the White Hart is much noted in these parts, being called, by way of distinction, Scole Inn; the house is a large brick building, adorned with imagery and carved work in several places, as big as the life.  It was built in 1655, by John Peck, Esq., whose arms impaling his wife’s, are over the porch door.  The sign is very large, beautified all over with a great number of images of large stature carved in wood, and was the work of one Fairchild; the arms about it are those of the chief towns and gentlemen in the county, viz. Norwich, Yarmouth, Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Yarmouth, Bacon of Garboldisham, Hobart, Conwaleis, impaling Bukton, Teye, Thurston, Castleton, and many others; Peck’s arms are arg. on a chevron ingrailed, gul. three croslets pattee of the field; his wife’s are arg., a fess between two crescents in chief, a lion rampant in base gul., which coat I think is borne by the name of Jetheston.  Here was lately a very round large bed, big enough to hold fifteen or twenty couple, in imitation (I suppose) of the remarkable great bed at Ware.  The house was in all things accommodated, at first, for large business; but the road not supporting it, it is in much decay at present; though there is a good bowling-green and a pretty large garden, with land sufficient for passengers’ horses.  The business of these two inns is much supported by the annual cock-matches that are here fought.”

In Cruttwell’s Tour through the whole Island of Great Britain (Lond. 12mo. 1801), vol. v. 208., is the following:—­

     “Osmondeston, or Schole.  The inn here was once remarkable for a
     pompous sign, with ridiculous ornaments, and is said to have cost a
     thousand pounds; long since decayed.”

I shall be glad to be referred to any other notices of this sign, and am desirous of knowing if any drawing or engraving of it be extant.