"In the old metrical romance of _Kyng Horn_, or _Horn Child_, we find both Westnesse and Estnesse; and it is somewhat singular, that two places, so called, actually exist in Yorkshire at this day. But _ness_, in that quarter, is the name given to an inlet from a river. There is, however, great confusion in this poem, as _Horn_ is called king sometimes of one country, and sometimes of the other. In the French original, Westir is said to have been the old name of Hirland, or Ireland; which, occasionally at least, is called Westnesse, in the translation, in which Britain is named Sudene; but here, again, it is inconsistent and confused. "It is, at any rate, highly probable, that the story, cited in the _Complaynt of Scotland_, was a romance of _King Horn_, whether prose or verse; and, consequently, that Estmureland and Westmureland should there mean England and Ireland; though it is possible that no other instance can be found of those two names occurring with the same sense." _And they cast kevils them amang._--P. 4. v. 3. _Kevils_--Lots. Both words originally meant only a portion, or share, of any thing.--_Leges Burgorum_, cap. 59, _de lot, cut, or kavil_. _Statuta Gildæ_, cap. 20. _Nullus emat lanam, &c. nisi fuerit confrater Gildæ, &c._ _Neque_ lot _neque_ cavil _habeat cum aliquo confratre nostro._ In both these laws, _lot_ and _cavil_ signify a share in trade. _Dame, how does my gay goss hawk?_--P. 9. v. 1. This metaphorical language was customary among the northern nations. In 925, king Adelstein sent an embassy to Harald Harfagar, king of Norway, the chief of which presented that prince with an elegant sword, ornamented with precious stones. As it was presented by the point, the Norwegian chief, in receiving it, unwarily laid hold of the hilt. The English ambassador declared, in the name of his master, that he accepted the act as a deed of homage; for, touching the hilt of a warrior's sword was regarded as an acknowledgement of subjection. The Norwegian prince, resolving to circumvent his rival by a similar artifice, suppressed his resentment, and sent, next summer, an embassy to Adelstein, the chief of which presented Haco, the son of Harald, to the English prince; and, placing him on his knees, made the following declaration:--"_Haraldus, Normannorum rex, amice te salutat;_ albamque _hunc avem, bene institutam mittit, utque melius deinceps erudias, postulat._" The king received young Haco on his knees; which the Norwegian ambassador immediately accepted, in the name of his master, as a declaration of inferiority; according to the proverb, "_Is minor semper habetur, qui alterius filium educat._"--Pontoppidani Vestigia Danor. Vol. II. p. 67. FOOTNOTES: [1] _Kevils_--Lots. [2] _Dow_--Dove. [3] _Lay gowd_--To embroider in gold. KEMPION. NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED * * * * *