_Singular distribution of common land in Somersetshire_.--In the
parishes of Congresbury and Puxton were two large pieces of common
land, called East and West Dolemoors (from the Saxon word dol, a
portion or share,) which were occupied till within these few years in
the following manner:---The land was divided into single acres, each
bearing a peculiar mark, cut in the turf, such as a horn, an ox, a
horse, a cross, an oven, &c. On the Saturday before Old Midsummer
Day, the several proprietors of contiguous estates, or their tenants,
assembled on these commons, with a number of apples marked with
similar figures, which were distributed by a boy to each of the
commoners from a bag. At the close of the distribution, each person
repaired to the allotment with the figure corresponding to the one
upon his apple, and took possession of it for the ensuing year. Four
acres were reserved to pay the expenses of an entertainment at the
house of the overseer of the Dolemoors, where the evening was spent in
festivity.--Ibid.

_Anna Maria, Countess of Shrewsbury._--At Avington Park, in Hampshire,
resided the notorious and infamous Anna-Maria, Countess of Shrewsbury,
who held the horse of the Duke of Buckingham while he fought and
killed her husband. Charles II frequently made it the scene of his
licentious pleasures; and the old green-house is said to have been the
apartment in which the royal sensualist was entertained.--Ibid.

* * * * *

_Erratum_--In the lines, by J. Kinder, on a Withered Primrose, in our
last, verse ii. line 2--for "gust of the storm" read "_jest_ of the
storm."