The above drama is said to be "by a descendant of one of the _dramatis personæ_," viz. of "De Combre, one of William's generals;" being written by Rev. Thomas Comber, of Oswaldkirk, Yorkshire. This De Combre is represented as having married _Ilda_, a daughter of King Harold, and sister of _Edgar_. Can any of your correspondents furnish me with information as to the origin and antiquity of this family of Comber? I learn from the present representatives of this family, that they have no recorded pedigree which goes higher than the reign of Henry VI., but that the family tradition has always been, that their ancestor came over from Normandy with William, and married Ilda, daughter of Harold. It seems that the name of Ilda is at this very day borne by one of the family. In the _Memoirs of Dr. Thomas Comber, Dean of Durham_, this De Combre is said to have had the manor of Barkham, in Sussex, given to him by the Conqueror. What family had King Harold II.? Had he any daughter Ilda? and, if so, is there any record or mention of her husband's name? T.E.L.L. 19th July, 1850. _"De male quæsitis," &c._--Spelman's striking argument, that spoliated church property is seldom enjoyed for more than three generations, seems but a special application of a general principle,-- "De male quæsitis gaudet non tertius hæraes." Can any of your readers tell me who is the author of the above verse? I find it quoted as "an adage" by John Gadsbury, in his work _On the Doctrine of Nativities_, 1658. R.P. _Westminster Abbey._--The late Sir Harry Englefield is known to have had access to some of the original fabric accounts of this venerable structure. Can any of your readers inform me whether he published the information he may have obtained from those documents; and, if so, where it may be found? J.BT. _Haberdasher--Martinet._--Can any of your correspondents suggest an etymology for the word _haberdasher_? I ought, perhaps, to say that I am acquainted with the derivations propounded by Mr. Richardson, but consider them all unsatisfactory. While on the subject, I would also ask if Mr. Richardson's _Dictionary_ is considered the best {168} source extant of information on English etymology, because I cannot help thinking that it has very many faults and deficiencies. The very word, for instance, on the derivation of which your valuable correspondent MR. FORBES offered a suggestion in No. 38., viz. _Martinet_, I had in vain sought for in Mr. Richardson's _Dictionary_, at least in his quarto edition, 1887. PRISCIAN. * * * * *