28 DECEMBER 1907, Page 16

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."'

SIR,—The historical lines in question (Spectator, December 21st) were taught me by my grandmother in the "forties," and as her education ceased in 1785 they are probably anterior to that

date. I cannot remember them all, but as taught to me they began thus:— "The Romans in Britain they long held sway, The Saxons they afterwards led the way, And they tugged with the Danes, till an overthrow They both of them got from the Norman bow."

Then followed the lines beginning as your correspondent sets forth, except that for " ascended " the version taught to me had "climbed up to."—I am, Sir, &c., A. G.