whence come many of our toys, a _tromp_ is a rattle for children.
Another etymon for _Jews-harp_ is _Jaws-harp_, because the place where
it is played upon is between the jaws. To those who wish to learn more
upon the subject, I beg to refer them to Pegge's _Anonymiana_; Dauncy's
_Ancient Scottish Melodies_; and to my edition of Chettle's _Kind-Harts
Dream_ printed by the Percy Society.

Edward F. Rimbault.

[We are indebted also to Trebor, E.W.D., J.F.M., and F.P. for
replies to this Query. They will perceive that Dr. Rimbault had
anticipated the substance of their several communications.]

* * * * *

ÆLFRIC'S COLLOQUY.

I must trouble you and some of your readers with a few words, in reply
to the doubt of "C.W.G." (No. 16. p. 248.) respecting the word _sprote_.
I do not think the point, and the Capital letter to _saliu_ in the Latin
text, conclusive, as nothing of the kind occurs in the A.-S. version,
where the reading is clearly, "_swa hwylce swa_, on watere swymmath
sprote." I have seen the Cottonian MS., which, as Mr. Hampson observes,
is very distinctly written, both in the Saxon and Latin portions; so
much so in the latter, as to make it a matter of surprise that the
doubtful word _saliu_ should ever have been taken for _salu_, or
_casidilia_ for _calidilia_. The omission of the words _sprote_ and
_saliu_, in the St. John's MS., would only be evidence of a more
cautious scribe, who would not copy what he did not understand.