_Reynolds's Nephew_ (Vol. viii., p. 102.).--I think I can certify A. Z. that two distinct branches of the Palmer family, the Deans, and another claiming like kindred to Sir Joshua Reynolds, still exist; from which I conclude that Sir Joshua had at least two nephews of that name. I regret that I cannot inform your correspondent as to the authorship of the piece about which he inquires; but, in the event of A. Z. not receiving a satisfactory answer to his Query through the medium of our publication, if he will furnish me with any farther particulars he may possess on the subject, I shall be happy to try what I can do towards possessing him with the desired information. J. SANSOM. Oxford. _The Laird of Brodie_ (Vol. viii., p. 103.).--I. H. B. mistakes, I think, the meaning of the lines. The idea is not that the Laird was less than a gentleman, but that he was a gentleman of mark; at least, I have never heard any other interpretation put upon it in Scotland, where the ballad of "We'll gang nae mair a-roving," is a great favourite. King James is the _subject_ of the ballad. That merry monarch made many lively escapades, and on this occasion he personated a beggarman. The damsel, to whom he successfully paid his addresses, saw through the disguise at first; but from the king's good acting, when he pretended to be afraid that the dongs would "rive his meal pokes," she began to think she had been mistaken. Then she expressed her disgust by saying, that she had thought her lover could not be anything less than the Laird of Brodie, the highest untitled gentleman probably in the neighbourhood: implying that she suspected he might be peer or prince. W. C. _Mulciber_ (Vol. viii., p. 102).--It may not be a sufficient answer to MR. WARD'S Query, but I wish to state that there was no "Mayor of Bromigham" until after the passing of the Reform Bill. I think that it may be inferred from the extract given below, that the mayor was no more a reality than the shield which he is said to have wrought: "His shield was wrought, if we may credit Fame, By Mulciber, the Mayor of Bromigham. A foliage of dissembl'd senna leaves Grav'd round its brim, the wond'ring sight deceives. Embost upon its field, a battle stood, Of leeches spouting hemorrhoidal blood. The artist too expresst the solemn state, Of grave physicians at a consult met; About each symptom how they disagree! But how unanimous in case of fee! And whilst one ass-ass-in another plies With starch'd civilities--the patient dyes." N. W. S. _Voiding Knife_ (Vol. vi., pp. 150. 280.).--The following quotation from Leland will throw more light on the ancient custom of _voyding_: "In the mean time the server geueth a voyder to the carver, and he doth _voyde_ into it the trenchers that lyeth under the _knyues_ point, and so cleanseth the tables cleane."--_Collectanea_, vol. vi. p. 11., "The Intronization of Nevill." Q. Bloomsbury.