He continues: ‘Indeed, no common supply was required; for, besides what the Corporation (great devourers of custard) consumed on the spot, it appears that it was thought no breach of city manners to send, or take some of it home with them for the use of their ladies.’ In the excellent old play quoted above, Clara twits her uncle with this practise: Now shall you, sir, as ’tis a frequent custom, ‘Cause you’re a worthy alderman of a ward, Feed me with custard, and perpetual white broth Sent from the lord Mayor’s feast.’ Cunningham says: ‘Poets of a comparatively recent date continue to associate mayors and custards.’ He Quotes Prior _(Alma_, Cant. 1) and a letter from Bishop Warburton to Hurd (Apr. 1766): ‘I told him (the Lord Mayor) in what I thought he was defective--that I was greatly disappointed to see no custard at table. He said that they had been so ridiculed for their custard that none had ventured to make its appearance for some years.’ Jonson mentions the ‘quaking custards’ again in _The Fox_, _Wks._ 3. 164., and in _The Staple of News_, _Wks._ 5. 196, 7. An Almain-leap was a dancing leap. ‘Allemands were danced here a few years back’ (Nares). Cunningham quotes from Dyce: ‘Rabelais tells us that Gargantua “wrestled, ran, jumped, not at three steps and a leap, ... nor yet at the Almane’s, for, said Gymnast, these jumps are for the wars altogether unprofitable and of no use.” _Rabelais_, Book 1, C. 23.’ Bishop Barlow, _Answer to a Catholike Englishman_, p. 231, Lond. 1607, says: ‘Now heere the Censurer makes an Almaine leape, skipping 3 whole pages together’ (quoted in _N. & Q._ 1st Ser. 10. 157). =1. 1. 97 their hoods.= The French hood was still worn by citizens’ wives. Thus in the _London Prodigal_, ed. 1709: No _Frank_, I’ll have thee go like a _Citizen_ In a Garded Gown, and a _French_ Hood. When Simon Eyre is appointed sheriff, his wife immediately inquires for a ‘Fardingale-maker’ and a ‘French-hood maker’ (Dekker, _Wks._ 1. 39). Strutt says that French hoods were out of fashion by the middle of the 17th century (_Antiq._ 3. 93). See the frequent references to this article of apparel in _Bart. Fair_. It is interesting to notice that the hoods are worn at dinner. =1. 1. 106, 7.= The readings of ‘Whalley and Gifford are distinctly inferior to the original.