_Poetical Tavern Signs_ (Vol. viii., p. 242.).--May I add to those mentioned by your correspondent MR. WARDE, one at Chatham. On the sign-board is painted "an arm embowed, holding a malt-shovel," underneath which is written,--
"Good malt makes good beer, Walk in, and you'll find it here."
At a small inn in Castleton, near Whitby, the sign represents Robin Hood and Little John in their usual forest costume, and underneath appear the following doggerel lines:
"To gentlemen and yeomen good, Come in and drink with Robin Hood; If Robin Hood is not at home, Come in and drink with Little John."
_Parish Clerks' Company_ (Vol. viii., p. 341.).--The hall is in Silver Street, Wood Street; the beadle is Mr. Bullard, No. 9. Grocers' Hall Court, Poultry.
If the circulars of the company were attended to, a great service would be rendered to the public; but as there are about one hundred and sixty churches in the metropolis, the chance of a parish clerk finding any particular marriage, &c. is, at the best, but as one to one hundred and sixty. Besides this, the parish registers are generally in the custody of the clergyman, and it is therefore feared that the searches are but too often { 453} neglected, unless the reward is sufficiently tempting to induce the loss of time and the probability of an unsuccessful examination.
"_Elijah's Mantle_" (Vol. viii., p. 295.).--James Sayers, Esq., a solicitor of Staple Inn, was the author of this beautiful poem, and he was also the reputed author of some of Gilray's best caricatures.
_Histories of Literature_ (Vol. viii., p. 222.).--In addition to the works of Hallam, Maitland, and Berrington mentioned by you, I would recommend your correspondent ILMONASTERIENSIS to procure an _anonymous_ publication, entitled _An Introduction to the Literary History of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries_, London, 1798, 8vo. It is a much neglected work, replete with interesting information relative to the state of literature during the dark ages. I observe a copy in calf, marked 4s. 6d. in a bookseller's catalogue published lately in this city.
_Birthplace of General Monk_ (Vol. viii., p. 316.).--I regret to find I am in error in saying that Lysons positively assigns Landcross as Monk's birthplace in the _Magna Britannia_.