_Curious Welsh Custom._--A custom prevails in Wales of carrying about at Christmas time a horse's skull dressed up with ribbons, and supported on a pole by a man who is concealed under a large white cloth. There is a contrivance for opening and shutting the jaws, and the figure pursues and bites every body it can lay hold of, and does not release them except on payment of a fine. It is generally accompanied by some men dressed up in a grotesque manner, who, on reaching a house, sing some extempore verses requesting admittance, and are in turn answered by those within, until one party or the other is at a loss for a reply. The Welsh are undoubtedly a poetical people, and these verses often display a good deal of cleverness. This horse's head is called _Mari Lwyd,_ which I have heard translated "grey mare." _Llwyd_ certainly is grey, but _Mari_ is not a mare, in Welsh. I think I have heard that there is some connection between it and the camel which often appears in old pictures of the Magi offering their gifts. Can any of your readers inform me of the real meaning of the name, and the origin of the custom, and also whether a similar custom does not prevail in some parts of Oxfordshire? PWCCA. _Fall of Rain in England._--Can you give me any information respecting the fall of rain in England? I mean the quantity of rain that has fallen in various parts of the island, from month to month, during the last ten, fifteen, or twenty years. If any of your correspondents can do that, or can give me a list of works, periodical or otherwise, in which such information is to be found, they will greatly oblige me. Can any of your correspondents inform me who is the author of the following lines?-- "Though with forced mirth we oft may soothe a smart, What seemeth well, is oft not well, I ween; For many a burning breast and bleeding heart, Hid under guise of mirth is often seen." ROYDON. _Rev. J. Edwards on Metals for Telescopes_.--I shall feel obliged if any of your correspondents can inform me where I can find a paper, called "Directions for making the best Composition for the Metals of reflecting Telescopes, and the Method of grinding, polishing, and giving the great Speculum the true parabolic figure," by the Rev. John Edwards, B.A. I saw it some years ago in on old journal or transactions, but Capt. Cuttle's maxim not having been then given to the world, and being now unable to make a search, I avail myself of your valuable publication. [Hebrew] _Colonel Blood's House_.--The notorious Colonel Blood is said to have resided at a house in Peter Street, Westminster. Tradition points out the corner of Tufton Street. Can any of your readers give me information as to the correctness of this statement? E.F.R.