3 JULY 1926, Page 28

QUAINT SIGNS OF OLDE INNS. By 0. J. Monson-Fitjcl:n. - (.1cnkins.

is. (k. net.)

OxE of the most engaging occupations for an antiquary is to try to follow back to their origin the names of some of our old inns. Mr. Monson-Fitz.john quotes an instance, for example, where a sign showing a kilted Highlander and the .name of the inn as The Andrew Mac was found on being cleaned to have exhibited originally a battleship with the inscription, The Andromache. More famous examples of the same type of corruption are Bag o' Nails (from Bacchanals), Iron Devil (from II irondelle), Pig and Whistle (from Peg of Wassail), and Royal Mortar (for Martyr). But, apart from such amusing mistakes, there is a great deal of history hidden in our inn- signs, and Mr. Monson-Fitzjohn in his dictionary is perpetually bringing odd pieces of information to our notice. Few of us, for example, could say who John o' Groats was, though his name is so celebrated.