About thirty years ago the following appeared in Lackington and Co.'s book catalogue: "Dalton (Edward) Doubting's Downfall, 1_s._ 6_d._" Application was made, when other books were ordered, three several times; in each case the answer was "_sold_." Since that date inquiries have been instituted from time to time, in the usual quarters, but always unsuccessfully. No clue can be given as to the size or date, but from the quaintness of the title it is presumed to be about the period of the Commonwealth. Should any of your readers procure this work, the liberal price of 20_s._ if a book, or 10_s._ if a pamphlet, will be paid for it through your medium, by G. _Authors of Old Plays._ Query the authors of the following plays?-- 1. The Tragedy of Nero newly written. London, printed by Aug. Mathewes for Thomas Jones, and are to be sold at his shoppe in Saint Dunstane's Churchyard in Fleete Street. 1633. 2. Sicily and Naples, or the Fatall Vnion, a Tragædy. By S H. A B è C. Ex. Oxford: printed by William Turner, 1640. 3. Emilia. London: printed for the author, 1672. 4. Sir Gyles Goose-Cappe Knight, a comedy lately acted with great applause at the private House in Salisbury Court. London: printed for Hugh Perry, and are to be sold by Roger Ball, at the Golden Anchor in the Strand, neere Temple Barre, 1636. I have given the title-pages in full, omitting a Latin motto which adorns the title-page of the M.A. of Exeter College. Q.D. _Periwinkle--a Mocking Emblem._ Can any of your readers, learned in the language of flowers, inform me why, when Sir W. Fraser (the last of Wallace's adherents) was led in triumph through the streets of London, with his legs tied under his horse's belly--"a garland of Periwinkle was in mockery placed upon his head?" See Tytler's _History of Scotland_, cap. 3. MELANION. _Wives of Ecclesiastics._ Sir,--In looking over some ancient charters a few days ago, I met with one dated 22 Edw. III, by which "Willielmus de Bolton clericus et Goditha uxor ejus," release a claim to certain lands. If William de Bolton was an ecclesiastic, as I suppose, how is it that his wife is openly mentioned? I shall be must obliged to any of your readers for an explanation. A SUBSCRIBER. _Whelps._ Sir,--In Howell's _Letters_, Sect. 5. p. 9. the following words occur:-- "At the return of this fleet two of the _Whelps_ were cast away, and three ships more." I should feel obliged to any of your correspondents who may be able to favour me with an explanation of the word _Whelps_ in this passage. J.J. * * * * * NOTES ON BOOKS, CATALOGUES, SALES, ETC. J.J.S. informs us, with reference to a Note in No. 2. (p. 21.), "that an account of Anglesey Abbey, in Cambridgeshire, is ready, and will be published ere long."