_"Hanging out the Broom"._--Besides the instance given by Mr. R.F.
Johnson (Vol. i., p. 384.), perhaps some of your readers can inform me
of the origin of a somewhat similar custom, applicable to all ships and
vessels for sale or hire, by the broom (all old one being generally
used) being attached to the mast-head: if of two masts, to the
foretop-mast head.