‘Never turn a loaf in the presence of a Menteith,’ originated with Sir Walter Scott, in his _Tales by a Grandfather_, thus: Sir John Stewart de Menteith was the person who betrayed Sir William Wallace to King Edward. His signal was, when he turned a loaf set upon the table, the guests were to rush on the patriot and seize him. Then there is the phrase, “to cut large slices out of another man’s loaf,” referring to those who look after themselves at their neighbour’s expense. A popular Scotch proverb tells us that ‘Bread’s house skailed never”; in other words, a full or hospitable house never wants visitors; and, according to another old proverb, “Bread and milk is bairns’ meat, I wish them sorry that lo’e it.”’ FOOTNOTES: [1] _Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and its Tributaries_, by David Livingstone. Lond. 1865, p. 543. [2] Mulcture—fine. [3] Lose. [4] A measure containing 10 homers, or about 60 pints. [5] Vol. II., 89. [6] Vol. IV., 167, 168. [7] _Ilios._ By Dr. H. Schliemann. London, 1880, pp. 32, 33. [8] Prize. [9] Knot. [10] Hinges. [11] Nostrils. [12] Jongleur and joker. [13] Took toll thrice. [14] Some careful investigations have been made by M. Balland on the temperature which is reached in the interior of a loaf of bread during baking, and the results are published in the _Comptes Rendus_, Paris. Delicate thermometers were inserted in the dough before placing it in the oven, and on the removal of the loaf the temperature recorded was carefully noted. It seems that, contrary to the opinions expressed by some investigators—that the heat generated in the crumb of the bread never exceeds 212° Fahr.—that is to say, the temperature of boiling water—M. Balland finds that it invariably attains from 212° to 216° Fahr., while that of the outer crust, which cannot form at this temperature, is very much higher. [15] _The English Bread Book for Domestic Use, &c._, by Eliza Acton, London, 1857. 8vo. [16] _A Glossary of Liturgical and Ecclesiastical Terms._ By the Rev. F. G. Lee. London: 1877; p. 17. [17] He was a constant attendant in the crowds at Lord Mayor’s Day. [18] _Tenures of Land and Customs of Manors_, originally collected by Thomas Blount. London, 1874, 8vo. [19] _A Collection of Old English Customs, etc._ By H. Edwards. London, 1842. THE END. LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W. =Popular Natural History of the Lower Animals.= =Invertebrates.= By HENRY SCHERREN, F.Z.S., Author of ‘Through a Pocket Lens,’ etc. With 169 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. Cloth. 3s. 6d. ‘It gives in simple language many details concerning the structure and habits of “backboneless animals.” The text is profusely illustrated, and altogether the publication is a practical elementary treatise on the invertebrates.’—_The Morning Post._