(if there be any) of a few of the choice expressions contained in this
document.

MONKBARNS.

_Seats in Churches._--The following curious notice of seats in churches
occurs in Thompson's _History of Swine_; which is quoted by him from
_Whitaker's Whalley_, 2nd edit. 4to. p. 228.:--

"My man Shuttleworth, of Harking, made this form and here will I sit
when I come; and any cousin Nowell may make one behind me, if he
please, and my son Sherburne shall make one on the other side; and Mr.
Catteral another behind him; and for the residue the use shall be,
_first come first speed; and that will make the proud wives of Whalley
rise betimes to come to church_."

Which seems to convey the idea, that it was at that time customary for
persons to make their seats in the churches. Query, When did pews come into
general use?

R.W.E.

Hull.

[The earliest notice of pews occurs in the _Vision of Piers Plouman_,
p. 95., edit. 1813:--

"Among wyves and wodewes ich am ywoned sute
Yparroked _in puwes_. The person hit knoweth."