Furness and Cartmel Notes. By Henry Barber, M.D. (Elliot Stock,
London ; Atkinson, IIIverston.)—The earliest history, and the time before history, of which there are considerable remains, are first treated by Dr. Barber. These chapters he follows with a discussion on " Local Etymology," with a list of Place and Family Names. From this part of his subject he proceeds to give his " Notes " on various places of interest, arranging them in alphabetical order. Among the most important of them are Cartmel Priory Church, Furness Abbey, one of the chief Cister- cian Houses of England, and Ulverston. Not a few interesting matters are to be found in these and other papers. Among the latter Swarthmoor Hall, connected as it is with the name of George Fox, may be mentioned. Swarthmoor Hall belonged to judge Fell. His widow married George Fox, thereby forfeiting the estate, which went to her daughters. This did not disturb the harmony of the family. It was with some land bought from his step-daughters that Fox endowed the Friends' Meeting-House (the Friends were to meet there when they did not meet at Swarthmoor Hall). Susanna Fell's account-book (September 25th, 1673—August 15th, 1678), has been fortunately preserved. This young lady and her sister Rachel seem not to have adhered to Friends' simplicity in dress. She has her stockings dyed sky- blue, and her petticoat red, and buys " a black alamode whiske for Sister Rachel" at the cost of 2s. She also buys for herself "a vizard mask and a hat." Some of the prices are interesting. "A fat sheep " bought "when William Penn was here," cost 75. 6d. Dogs seem to have been cheap, 6d. being given for a sheep-dog, and id. for a whelp. A pair of ploughing-oxen sold for ..£10 185. 10d. The volume concludes with a list of trees and shrubs found in the district.
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