"York, Guildhall, Feb. 4, 1754. "Whereas on Monday night, or Tuesday morning last, the heads of two of the rebels, which were fixed upon poles on the top of Micklegate Bar, in this City, were wilfully and designedly taken down, and carried away: If any person or persons (except the person or persons who actually took down and carried away the same) will discover the person or persons who were guilty of so unlawful and audacious an action, or anywise hiding or assisting therein, he, she, or they shall, upon the conviction of the offenders, receive a reward of Ten Pounds from the Mayor and Commonality of the City of York. "By order of the said Mayor and said Commonality, JOHN RAPER, Common Clerk of the said City and County of the same." A tailor named William Arundel and an accomplice were found guilty of the crime. In addition to being fined, Arundel was committed to prison for two years. This last act closes a long and painful chapter in our history. Many of our larger old English towns have their gruesome tales of Rebel Heads on their chief gates. Burial at Cross Roads. It was customary in the olden time when a person committed suicide to bury the body at the meeting of four cross roads. We are told by writers who have paid special attention to this subject, that this strange mode of burial was confined to the humbler members of society. A careful consideration of this matter, from particulars furnished by parish registers and from other old-time records and writings, confirms the statement. Shakespeare, in the grave scene in _Hamlet_, puts into the mouths of the clowns who are preparing the grave of Ophelia something to the same effect. Here are his words:-- SECOND CLOWN: But is this law? FIRST CLOWN: Ay, marry, is't; crowner's quest law. SECOND CLOWN: Will you ha' the truth on't If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o' Christian burial. FIRST CLOWN: Why, there thou say'st; and the more pity that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves more than their even Christian (that is, their equal fellow Christian).