Notes and Queries, Number 78, April 26, 1851

Chapter X: Y. Z. The custom of "Swearing on the Horns at Highgate" is very ably

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treated by Hone_, Every-Day Book, vol. ii. p. 79 _et seq. It probably arose from the graziers who put up at the Gate-house on their way to Smithfield, and were accustomed, as a means of keeping strangers out of their company, to bring an ox to the door as a test: those who did not like to be sworn of their fraternity, and kiss its horns, not being deemed fit members of their society._

W. R. M. _Will this correspondent favour us with another copy of his Queries, which were received and intended for insertion, but have apparently been omitted by some accident?_

A. W. H. _Our correspondent will find that his Query had been anticipated in_ Vol. i., p. 336. _Its appearance then brought it a mass of Replies, mostly of a very unsatisfactory kind. We delayed repeating the Query until we could find leisure to condense those replies, so as to prevent our correspondents furnishing us with information already in our possession. We hope to do this next week._

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