Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/172

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THE MUNIMENTS OF THE ABBEY OF WESTMINSTER.

ness has been urged as an objection to its derivation from the ancient word signifying a beacon or look-out station.^[1] That objection appears to me to vanish before the statement in the petition of 1658, that there had been a great hill there, consisting of "many thousand loads"—doubtless of good gravel or sand. Horse-races were run in Tothill Fields, and the following letter was written by Wilcocke, Bishop of Rochester and Dean of Westminster, in 1736, drawing the attention of Mr. Gell (the steward) to the complaints that had been made about the disorders committed at such gatherings.

Letter from the Bishop of Rochester (Dean of Westminster) to "Mr. Daniel Cell at Westminster Abbey."

"Bromley, Sept. 28, 1736.

"Sir,—I sent to inquire after you yesterday, but neither you nor your clerk were in town; and I send again to-day to advise you that complaints are made of the great disorders committed in Tothil fieMs at the late races. It has been signified to me from Court that the Government is offended at the riotous assemblies that have met there, the Dean and Chapter have been highly reflected upon, money having been demanded at the booths and scaffoldings as for the use of the Dean and Chapter, and for which we are threatened to be complained of to Parliament; and the nobility and gentry who have children at our school are under the greatest uneasiness about it.

"What I would have you do therefore, is to give notice that as they ended last Saturday, they are not to be revived again, nor allowed any more; and to give order that the booths and benches be forthwith taken away, and the fields reduced to their former state. Let me hear from you by to-night's post that you'll do this or else I shall be obliged to come to town myself to see it done.

"Yours, &c.,
"Jos. Rochester."

↑ Several examples of the present use of the word applied to elevated spots could doubtless be found. Many of our readers will recollect that at Carnarvon the bold mass of rock just outside the town on the north east, which affords so excellent a view, is called "Twt Hill," and a modern row of houses at tits foot is name "Twt Hill Terrace." Halliwell gives "Toot, to pry inquisitively. North. Also to gave at eagerly." Also "Tote, to look, observe, or peepe (A.—S.)" Also "Tote-hill, an eminence—'montaignette,' Palsgrave.

[1] Several examples of the present use of the word applied to elevated spots could doubtless be found. Many of our readers will recollect that at Carnarvon the bold mass of rock just outside the town on the north east, which affords so excellent a view, is called "Twt Hill," and a modern row of houses at tits foot is name "Twt Hill Terrace." Halliwell gives "Toot, to pry inquisitively. North. Also to gave at eagerly." Also "Tote, to look, observe, or peepe (A.—S.)" Also "Tote-hill, an eminence—'montaignette,' Palsgrave.

[1]