Two letters.
Numbering of items begins at 77 and goes up to 139. Other numbering is crossed out. Items listed by source:
'Discovered at "Fox Hill Hole" near Orwell, Cambs., in 1872. Presented by William White, sub-Librarian';
'Articles from a Saxon cemetery at Harlton, Cambs.; presented by Prof. Hughes, June 1875';
'Presented by Prof. Hughes... discovered at Haslingfield'; various dates from Feb 1876-Dec 1878. Items found at Six Mile Bottom presented in Mar. 1879
'Presented by Lees Knowles Esq., Trin. Coll... found near Barton', Jun. 1878
'Presented by H. J. Washbrough Esq., 7 Gloster Row, Clifton... found in the Townfield, Maydon, near Bristol'.
Also items from Barrington, Colchester, Stourbridge Common, Sandy, Newnham Croft and Blagdon, Somerset with no indication of donor.
The New Inn, Clapham, Yorkshire.—Has written to his father about Wright’s friend (a candidate for some appointment). Gives examples of the use of the word ‘sine’ and ‘snakes’. J. G. Goodchild has promised to lend his collection of words for Wright’s benefit.
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Transcript
The New Inn Clapham Yorkshire June 1873
My dear Wright
I have written to my father about your friend and am sure your opinion will have great weight. There are many candidates—some with very high testimonials.
Do you know that the word sinin[g] {1} applied to cows = letting run dry.
It would be used thus
“I’ll begin to sine that cow or she will not have time to fatten” —i e begin to cease milking her so often so that she may cease to produce milk.
“Some cows will sine themselves” i e cease to give milk.
“Its† bad weather for sining.”
Snakes = snails in the Yorkshire dales—the word in use for a viper or slow worm is hagworm.
One of my colleagues who is here with me (J. G. Goodchild) who has paid much attention to these points and has a much better collection of words than I have has promised to lend me his list for you.
Yours very truly
Thos McK Hughes.
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{1} The square brackets are in the MS.