[_Bug_ in Welsh means a ghost or goblin. It is probably the same with the Icelandic _Paki_, an evil spirit. But on this etymology our correspondent can consult an article by Sir F. Palgrave, on the "Popular Mythology of the Middle Ages." in the _Quarterly Review_, vol. xxii.; a paper, by Mr. Thoms, on the "Folk Lore of Shakspeare," No. 6.; "Puck's several Names," in _The Athenæum_, Oct. 9. 1847; and lastly, Mr. Keightley's most interesting work, _The Fairy Mythology_. vol. ii. p. 118., of which we are happy to hear that a new and enlarged edition may shortly be expected.] * * * * * MISCELLANIES. _Excecution of Duke of Monmouth._--Among the memorials of the "rash but unfortunate Duke of Monmouth," which have recently attracted much attention, and for which the public are principally indebted to certain inquiries originated in the "NOTES AND QUERIES," I have not observed any notice taken of an anecdote respecting him, which is current among our neighbours on the Continent; namely, that he gave six guineas to the executioner, the JOHN KETCH of that day, to perform his work well!-- "Le Duc de Monmout donna six guinées au Bourreau de Londres, pour lui bien couper la tête; mais le misérable ne mérroit par ces guinées, puisqu'il la lui coupa très mal." This anecdote is introduced, in the form of a note, into the folio Dictionary of Pierre Richelet, a most valuable work, and full of history, ancient and modern. Can any of your correspondents produce the authority for this anecdote? Richelet himself does not give any, but merely relates the story, apparently with a view of illustrating the term "guinea," as applied to the gold coin of Charles the Second. Vid, voc. "_Guinée_." J.I. _By Hook or by Crook_.--I send you a note, which I made some years ago. This expression is much more ancient than the time of Charles I., to which it is generally referred. It occurs in Skelton, _Colin Clout_, line 31. _a fine_:-- "Nor wyll suffer this boke _By hooke ne by crooke_ Prynted for to be." In Spenser, f. 2. v. ii. 27.:-- "Thereafter all that mucky pelfe he tooke, The spoile of peoples evil gotten good, The which her sire had serap't by hooke and crooke, And burning all to ashes pour'd it down the brooke." In Holland's _Suetonius_, p. 169:-- "Likewise to get, to pill and poll _by hooke and crooke_ so much, as that----" In a letter of Sir Richard Morysin to the Privy Council, in Lodges _Illustrations, &c_., i. 154:-- "Ferrante Gonzaga, d'Arras, and Don Diego, are in a leage, utterlie bent to myslyke, and to charge _by hook or by crooke_, anything don, or to be don, by the thre fyrst." L.S. _Cupid Crying_.--The beautiful epigram upon this subject, which appeared in No. 11 p. 172., was kindly quoted, "for its extreme elegance," by the _Athenæum_ of the 26th January, which produced the following communication to that journal of Saturday last:--