It is a remarkable feature in this process, that it is carried on by the crown; and that the losing party, whether plaintiff or defendant, is mulcted in a small fine to the king, because the sacred name of _Haro_ is not to be carelessly invoked with impunity. See upon the subject of the _clameur_, _Le Geyt sur les Constitutions, etc. de Jersey_, par Marett, vol. i. p. 294. M. L. Lincoln's Inn. I do not think that the explanation of these words, quoted by MR. BRENT, is much more probable than that of "Hierosolyma est perdita." In the first place, if we are to believe Dr. Johnson, _hips_ are not _sloes_, but the fruit or seed-vessels of the dog-rose or briar, which usually go by that name, and from which it would be difficult to make any infusion resembling wine. In the next place, it will be found, on reference to Ben Jonson's lines "over the door at the entrance into the Apollo" (vol. vii. p. 295., ed. 1756), of which the distich forms a part, that it is misquoted. The words are,-- "Hang up all the poor _hop_-drinkers, Cries old Sym, the king of skinkers;" the hop or ale-drinkers being contrasted with the votaries of wine, "the milk of Venus," and "the true Phœbeian liquor." Is it not possible, after all, that the repetition of, "Hip, hip, hip," is merely intended to mark the time for the grand exertion of the lungs to be made in enunciating the final "Hurrah!"? CHEVERELLS. _Detached Belfry Towers_ (Vol. vii., p. 333.; Vol. viii., p. 63.).--The bell-tower at Hackney, mentioned by B. H. C., is that of the old parish church of St. Augustine. This church was rebuilt in the early part of the sixteenth century, which is about the time of the present tower; and when the church was finally taken down in 1798, the tower was forced to be left standing, because the new parish church of St. John-at-Hackney was not strong enough to support the peal of eight bells. H. T. GRIFFITH. Hull. _Blotting-paper_ (Vol. viii., p. 104.).--I am disposed to agree with SPERIEND in thinking Carlyle must be mistaken in saying this substance was not used in Cromwell's time. The ordinary means for drying writing was by means of the fine silver sand, now but rarely used for that purpose; but I have seen pieces of blotting-paper among MSS. of the time of Charles I., so as to lead me to think it was even then used, though sparingly. This is only conjecture; but I can, however, establish its existence at a rather earlier date than 1670. In an "Account of Stationery supplied to the Receipt of the Exchequer and the Treasury, 1666-1668," occur several entries of "one quire of blotting-paper," "two quires of blotting," &c. Earlier accounts of the same kind (which may be at the Rolls House, Chancery Lane) might enable one to fix the date of its introduction. J. B-T. The following occurs in Townesend's _Preparative to Pleading_ (Lond. 12mo. 1675), p. 8.: