I have only for a week or two been in the possession of "N. & Q." when having accidentally, and for the first time, met with the Number for that week, I could not resist the temptation of becoming the owner of the complete series. Under these circumstances, you will excuse me if I am asking a question which may have been answered long since. What is the origin of Plough Monday? May there not be some connexion with the Town Plough? and that the custom, which was common when I was a boy, of going round for contributions on that day, may not have originated in collecting funds for the keeping in order, and purchasing, if necessary, the Town Plough?
_Shoreditch Cross and the painted Window in Shoreditch Church_ (Vol. vii., p. 38.).--I beg to acquaint your correspondent J. W. B. that although I had long searched for an engraving of Shoreditch Cross, my labour was lost. The nearest approach to it will be found in a modern copy of a plan of London, taken in the time of Elizabeth, in which its position is denoted to be on the west side of Kingsland Road; but, from records to { 340} which I have access, I believe that the cross stood on the opposite side, between the pump and the house of Dr. Burchell. Most likely its remains were demolished when the two redoubts were erected at the London ends of Kingsland and Hackney Roads, to fortify the entrance to the City, in the year 1642.
The best accounts that I have seen of the painted window are in Dr. Denne's _Register of Benefactions_ to the parish, compiled in 1745, and printed in 1778; and Dr. Hughson's _History of London_, vol. iv. pp. 436, 437.
_Race for Canterbury_ (Vol. vii., pp. 219. 268.).--It is probable that the lines
"The man whose place they thought to take, Is still alive, and still _a Wake_,"
are erroneously _written_ on the print referred to; but I have no doubt of having seen a print of which (with the variation of "ye think" for "they thought") is the genuine engraved motto.
_Lady High Sheriff_ (Vol. vii., p. 236.).--There is a passage in Warton's _History of English Poetry_ (Vol. i. p. 194., Tegg's edition) which will in part answer the Query of your correspondent W. M. It is in the form of a note, appended to the following lines from the metrical romance of _Ipomydon_: