"On the first appearance of the culprit in 'strit,' or on 'grin,' the villagers rise _en masse_, and greet him with a terrible din of tin pots and kettles, &c.; and, amidst the hooting and vociferation of the multitude, he is generally compelled to seek shelter by flight. This is called 'lowbelling,' and the actors are termed 'lowbells,' or 'lowbellers,' forming a tolerable explanation of the _lowbell_ in Beaumont and Fletcher's _Woman's Prize_, Act I. Sc. 3., which has so long mystified the commentators: '_Petru._ If you can carry't so, 'tis very well. _Bian._ No, you shall carry it, Sir. _Petru._ Peace, gentle _Lowbell_.'" MR. STERNBERG derives it from the Anglo-Saxon _lowian_, past participle of the Anglo-Saxon _lowian_, and the verb _bellan_. This would seem satisfactory; but I should like to know whether the word is current anywhere else besides Northamptonshire. H. T. W. _Meaning of Assassin._--Can any reader of the "N. & Q." inform me of the correct meaning of the word "assassin?" The old story of the nation of the assassins, under their prince the "Old Man of the Mountain," I reject as absurd, although Gibbon adopts it. I have my own idea, which agrees with Mr. Lane in his account of the modern Egyptians, who derives it from the Arabic word "_Hushhusheen_, one drunk with hemp." M. Volney says it comes from the Arabic "_Hass_, to kill, or lie in ambush to kill." Which of all these derivations is correct? MUHAMMED. A. and N. Club, St. James's Square. _Punishment for exercising the Roman Catholic Religion._--In Burton's _Narratives from Criminal Trials in Scotland_, vol. ii. p. 168., I find the following statement: "The latest case of punishment under the act is supposed to have occurred in 1759, when Neil McFie was banished by the circuit court of Inverness, for being 'held and reputed a Popish priest.' Later instances might be adduced of punishment for exercising the Roman Catholic religion in England." Can any of your readers inform me of the date of the last instance in England, and where it is stated? S. Y. _Hogarth's Pictures._--I have a catalogue of the pictures and prints, the property of the late Mrs. Hogarth deceased, which were sold by Mr. Greenwood on April 24th, 1790. Under the head "Pictures by Mr. Hogarth," I see in Lot 44.: "The heads of six servants of Mr. Hogarth's family." Can any of your numerous readers inform me where this picture is placed, or say in what manner the heads are grouped? W. D. HAGGARD. _Lines in a Snuff-box._--The following lines were recently found in a metal (probably silver) snuff-box, which had lain for many years undiscovered in a plate chest. They are engraved {182} _inside_, on the bottom of the box, and are supposed to be a saying of Cardinal Mazarin. Can any of your correspondents give any account of them, and where they are to be found? They are as follow, _verbatim et literatim_, punctuation included: