In the town in which I reside, in the north of England, the word Snob was formerly applied to a _cobbler_, and the phrase was in use, "_Snip_ the _tailor_, and _Snob_ the _cobbler_." I cannot discover how and why the word Snob was enlarged into its present comprehensive meaning. Explanations of many of the slang phrases met with in the dramatic works of the last century, such as, "Thank you, sir, I owe you one," "A Rowland for an Oliver," "Keep moving, dad," &c. &c. would perhaps give much light upon the manners of the times, and an interesting history might be compiled of the progress of slang phrases to the present day. ALPHA. _Mertens, Martins, or Martini, the Printer._--Can any of your correspondents inform me what was really the surname of Theodoric Mertens, Martins, or Martini, the printer of Louvain, and who {186} was a friend of Erasmus? In a small volume of his, now before me, printed in 1517, the colophon gives: "Lovanii apud Theodoricum Martinum anno MDXVII mense April;" while, on the reverse of _the same leaf_, is a wooden block, of his device, occupying the whole page, and beneath it are inscribed the words "Theodoricus Martini." This appears to put _Mertens_ out of the question. W. _Queen's Messengers_.--I should esteem it a favour conferred if any of your readers could give me any memoranda touching the early origin of the corps now termed Queen's Messengers, the former "Knightes caligate of Armes." The only mention that I have read of their origin is a brief notice in Knight's _London_, No. 131. p. 91; but doubtless there exists, did I know what works to consult, many more voluminous a history of their origin and proceedings than the short summary given in the work of Mr. Knight. In whose reign were they first created? and by whom were they appointed? In fact, any data relating to their early history would very much oblige, J.U.G.G. _Bishop Lesly of Ross' Epitaph.--Machoreus or Macorovius, "De Prælio Aveniniano."_--Would any of your readers be so kind as to favour me with a copy of the Latin epitaph of Bishop Lesly, of Ross, inscribed on his tomb in the abbey church of Gurtenburg, near Brussels? Can any one furnish the _entire_ title and imprint of a Latin poem, _De Prælio Aveniniano_, said to have been written in 1594, by a Scottish Jesuit named Alexander Macorovius, or Machoreus? Any particulars concerning this author would gratify LLEWELYN ST. GEORGE. _The Word "Cannibal."_--When was the word _Cannibal_ first used in English books?--To what language does it belong?--and what is its exact meaning? W. _Sir William Rider_.--"H.F." would feel obliged by a reference to any work containing an account of Sir William Rider and his family. He was Lord Mayor of London in 1600; and his daughter Mary was married to Sir Thomas Lake, of Cannons, Secretary of State temp. James I. He wishes more particularly to ascertain the date of Sir William Rider's death.