_Humming Ale._--Having lately met with the above epithet applied to ale in one of James's novels (_Forest Days_), I should be glad to know its meaning. W. H. P. * * * * * Minor Queries with Answers. _Dr. Richard Sherlock._--Dr. Richard Sherlock, afterwards Vicar of Winwick, had his first cure in Ireland. I should be glad to know where he officiated, and to receive any information respecting him beyond what is met with in his nephew, Bishop Wilson's, life of him. WILLIAM DENTON. [A few additional notes have been added to Bishop Wilson's _Life of Dr. Richard Sherlock_, in the seventh edition, 2 vols. 1841-44. The editor, the Rev. H. H. Sherlock, M. A., has the following note on his first cure in Ireland: "Wood (_Athen. Oxon._, vol. iv. p. 259. Bliss) leads us to suppose that Dr. Sherlock was ordained immediately after taking his Master's degree, and adds, that 'soon after he became minister of several small parishes in Ireland, united together, and yielding no more than 80_l._ a year.' The editor has not been able to obtain any particulars of his ordination, nor the names of the united parishes in Ireland where he ministered. Canonically, he could not have been ordained earlier than A. D. 1636."] _Cardinal Fleury and Bishop Wilson._--There exists a tradition to the effect that during a war between this country and France, Cardinal Fleury gave directions to the French cruisers not to molest the Island of Man, and this out of regard to the character of its apostolic bishop, Wilson. I should be glad to know whether any and what authority can be assigned for this story. WILLIAM DENTON. [The story rests upon the authority of the Rev. C. Cruttwell, the bishop's biographer and editor. The following passage occurs in the _Life of Bishop Wilson_, vol. i. p. 226 of his _Works_, third edition, 8vo., 1784, and in the folio edition, p. 57.:--"Cardinal Fleury wanted much to see him [the bishop], and sent over on purpose to inquire after his health, his age, and the date of his consecration; as they were the two oldest bishops, and he believed the poorest, in Europe; at the same time inviting him to France. The Bishop sent the Cardinal an answer, which gave him so high an opinion of him, that he obtained an order that no French privateer should ravage the Isle of Man." Feltham, in his _Tour through the Isle of Man_, 1798, after quoting this story, adds, "And that the French still respect a Manksman, some recent instances confirm."] _Dr. Dodd a Dramatist._--I have seen it somewhere stated, that after Dr. Dodd's trial, he sent for Mr. Woodfall to consult him respecting the publication of a comedy he had written in his youth, entitled _Sir Roger de Coverley_, and which he had actually revised and completed while in Newgate. Was it ever published; and if not, where is the MS.? V. T. STERNBERG.