_St. Christopher and the Doree._--Brand, in his _Popular Antiquities_, vol. iii. p. 194., says that the fish called the Doree is traditionally said to have derived the spots on its sides frown the fact of St. Christopher, in wading through the arm of the sea, having caught a fish of this description _en passant_, and having left as an eternal memorial of the fact an impression on its sides to be transmitted to all posterity. Can any of your readers inform me from what source Brand derived this idea? E. A. H. L. _Custom of Women wearing Masks in the Theatre._--When did this custom originate? It was not common before the civil wars, nor in fashion till some time after the Restoration. Masked ladies are often mentioned in the prologues and epilogues to the plays of Dryden, Lee, Otway, &c. The custom probably originated in France. A dispute which ended in a duel (concerning a Mrs. Fawkes) caused the entire prohibition of women's wearing masks in the playhouse. This was about the 5th of Queen Anne. EDWARD F. RIMBAULT. _Brass of Abbot Kirton; Matrices._--When was the brass of Abbot Kirton, in Westminster Abbey, removed? Have there been any brasses taken away (of which the _matrices_ have been also removed); and if so, in whose possession are they at the present time? UNICORN. _Lines on Chaucer._-- "Swan-like, in dying Famous old Chaucer Sang his last song." Who is the author of the above lines? ELIZA. _The Nacar._--What species of shell-fish is the _Nacar_, said to be found in some of the islands of the Mediterranean, and off the east coast of {537} Spain. Is it not the same fish from which what is called mother-of-pearl is taken? Has not some part of it, the beard or otherwise, been spun and wove? Is the _Nacar_ the true name, or only local; and, if so, what is the scientific appellation? CYRUS REDDING. _Cilgerran Castle._--I shall be much obliged to any correspondent of "N. & Q." who will direct me to any charters or other early records relating to this castle of Kilgarran, or Cilgerran, which is situated near Cardigan. LLEWELLYN. _Use of Slings by the Early Britons._--In the course of the very interesting operations at present in progress on Weston Hill, there have been frequently found in the hut-pits small accumulations of shore-pebbles, of the size most convenient for slings, for which it is supposed they were intended. Any information on this topic will be received with many thanks. It is worth noting that to this day the boys of the obscure village of Priddy, on the Mendips, are notorious for the skill with which they can hit a bird on the wing with a stone thrown by the hand. HENRY G. TOMKINS. Weston super Mare. "_Squire Vernon's Fox Chase._"--Can any of your correspondents refer me to a copy of the ballad called "Squire Vernon's Fox Chase?" I am anxious to meet with an original copy, and also to know if it has been reprinted in any modern collection. R. S.