col. 387. The root _caps_, or _cas_, does not appear to have any
Teutonic correspondent, and may merit a philological investigation.

R.T. Hampson.


_Humble Pie_.--the proverbial expression of "eating humble pie,"
explained by A.G., will be found also explained in the same manner in
the Appendix to Forby's _Vocabulary_, where it is suggested that the
correct orthography would be "umble pie," without the aspirate. Bailey,
in his valuable old _Dictionary_, traces the word properly to
_umbilicus_, the region of the intestines, and acknowledges in his time
the perquisite of the game-keeper.

J.I.

Oxford.


_By Hook or by Crook_.--You have noted the origin of Humble Pie. May I
add a note of a saying, in my opinion also derived from forest customs,
viz. "By hook or by crook?" Persons entitled to fuel wood in the king's
forest, were only authorised to take it of the dead wood or branches of
trees in the forest, "with a cart, a hook, and a crook."

The answer to the query respecting the meaning of "per serjantiam
Marescautiae," is the Serjeantry of Farriery, i.e. shoeing of the king's
horses. In Maddox, vol. i. p. 43. you will find a very full account of
the office of Marescallus.