_Laird of Grant._--In the north of England, I have repeatedly heard the
_auld wife_ remark, on observing any unwonted act of extravagance, such
as burning more than the ordinary number of candles, &c. &c.,--"Who is
to be Laird of Grant next year?" As this saying appears to be used only
in the north, I have no other medium at present than to seek a reply
through the aid of your valuable little work.
SENEX.
[A similar "saw" was formerly current in the metropolis,--"What,
three candles burning! we shall be Lord Mayor next year."]
_Bastille, MS. Records of._--Are there amongst the MSS. of the British
Museum any documents relating to spies, or political agents, employed by
the French and English governments from 1643 to 1715, who were
incarcerated in the Bastille?
M.V.
_Orkney under the Norwegians._--Torfaeus (_Orcades_), under the
transactions of the year 1430 (p. 182-3.), has an incidental mention of
the Orkneys as among the forbidden islands, "vetitae insulas," of which
the commerce was forbidden to strangers, and confined to the mother
country, as to this day it is with Denmark and her possessions of the
Faroe Islands and Iceland, both mentioned in the paragraph of the
historian among the islands whose commerce was restricted.
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