The paragraph goes on further to observe that if the prize be taken by _a champion_ out of the parish, the charter is lost. And I shall be glad to know the origin of the custom, and of the notion of the charter or usage, as it is called, being lost if the prize be taken away as before alluded to. I observe that it is noticed in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for April, 1828, p. 305. JOHN NURSE CHADWICK. [It may be as well to state, as a clue to the discovery of this ancient custom, that the tithes of Hornchurch belong to New College, Oxford; the warden and fellows of which society are ordinaries of the place, and appoint a commissary, who holds an annual visitation. The lessee of the tithes supplies the boar's head, dressed and garnished with bay leaves, &c. Several curious notices are given by Hone in his works of the custom observed at Christmas at Queen's College, Oxford, of serving up at the first course at dinner, "a fair and large boreshead upon a silver platter with minstralsye;" but he has omitted to furnish the origin of the custom at Hornchurch. Perhaps some Oxonian connected with New College will favour us with a reply.] _Spectacles._--In recent numbers of "N. & Q." there have been several allusions to spectacles, and as I am not aware of any clear and satisfactory data relative to the origin or antiquity of this most important auxiliary to the extension and usefulness of that sense upon which the enjoyment and value of life so much depends, I beg to submit the Query, What is the earliest form in which evidence of the existence of this invaluable optical aid to the human eye presents itself? H.