Gaul.

Has any attempt been made, in this age of scientific advancement, to explain the causes of the Mistral? Perhaps Sir William Reid, from his present position and opportunities, as Governor of Malta, may be induced to turn his attention to the subject. An attempt to investigate the origin of this phenomenon, coupled with an historical sketch of its progress and effects, would form a valuable chapter in any future edition of his work on the Law of Storms.

HENRY H. BREEN.

St. Lucia.

Deaths from Fasting.

—In the church of St. Mary, Bury St. Edmund's, is a fine table-tomb, surmounted by a corpse in a winding-sheet, to the memory of John Bant, whose very curious will has been printed by the Camden Society. Tradition says that the death of this pious church decorator arose from the vain attempt to imitate Our Lord in fasting forty successive days and nights. This tradition has no foundation in fact, but owes its origin to the figure on the tomb, which would appear to have been made in the lifetime of the deceased. There are similar traditions in other parts of the kingdom. Can any of your correspondents state where, and whether accompanied by similar wasted figures?

BURIENSIS.

Ad Viscum.

—It has not been unusual among antiquaries of a certain class to cite the following Latin hexameter:—

Two or three times I have seen it accompanied by a general reference to one Ovidius. But having met with a copy of that author, to which an index of all his words is annexed, I collect therefrom that the said Ovidius never expressed himself to that effect.

I should wish to learn whether any body else ever did, and who; or whether the knave who first coined that false reference also coined the line.

A. N.

Whipping Graves.

—Excommunicated persons were formerly restored to the Church, according to the old Rituale Romanum, by the ceremony of whipping their graves. When it was resolved the dead party should be restored to the communion of saints, it was ordered that the body should not be disentombed, but that the "graves shall be whipped, and while the priest whips the grave, he shall say—'By the authority which I have received I free thee from the bond of excommunication, and restore thee to the communion of the faithful.'" I do not find this in the copy of the Ritual I possess. Have any readers of the "N. & Q." a copy with the directions for this singular service?

CYRUS REDDING.

John Rogers, Protomartyr

John Rogers, Protomartyr, Prebendary of St. Paul's Cathedral, and Rector of St. Sepulchre's, was burnt at the stake in Smithfield, rendering his testimony to the true religion of the Catholic Church of England: he left a wife and ten children. It is remarkable that no memorial of this celebrated man is to be found in the church of which he was the rector. Can any of the readers of "N. & Q." afford information as to his present descendants? John Rogers, Gentleman, of Charter House Square, was buried in the nave of the church, Nov. 19. 1775, aged fifty-four. The degree of consanguinity to the former rector is required for genealogical purposes.

KT.

Autograph Music by Handel.

—Before me lies a MS. duet in the autograph of Handel, and also an unfinished "Sonata da Cembalo" by the same composer. The former piece is thus authenticated by a note written at the bottom of the last page:

"This duett was given to G. Malchair by Philip Hayes, Mus. Dr., with a declaration that it is Mr. Handel's ohne handwriting."

On the wrapper which contains the two pieces is written:

"The two inclosed pieces of music ware given to me by my worthy friend Dr. Philip Hayes, with an ashurance that they are the handwriting of the celebrated Mr. Handel. The duett, indeed, has all the appearance of being the original conception of that greate man pen'd by himself."

I am desirous of ascertaining from some of your correspondents, better versed than myself in the soul-stirring music of this noble composer, whether the duet has been printed; and if so, where it may be found? The only means of identification which I can supply are these: it is written in two flats, and the words are—