Query. Was there a Herald painter of the time named Ambrose Moore? O.C. Feb. 26. 1850. _Paying through the Nose_.--Can any one tell me the origin of the phrase, "Paying though the nose," expressing a dear bargain? A.G. _Memoirs of an American Lady_.--Are the _Memoirs of an American Lady_ out of print? They were written by Mrs. Grant, of Laggan, the authoress of _Letters from the Mountains_, and of whom some very interesting memoirs have lately been published by her son. Nemo. _Bernicia_.--Can any learned correspondent favour me with the name or title of any English nobleman who held authority in Wales, or the Borders, in 1370-80? The motive for this query is, that a poem of the time, by Trahaearn, a celebrated bard, contains the following passage: "Though fierce in his valour like Lleon, with a violent irresistible assault, he vaulted into battle, to plunder the King of _Bernicia_; yet the ravager of thrice seven dominions was a placid and liberal-handed chief, when he entertained the bards at his magnificent table." It is not supposed that the king here mentioned was any thing more than a powerful nobleman, whose possessions, or castle and lands, were situated in the north of England; in which division of the island the ancient Bernicia was placed. As there is no evidence as to the locality or limits of this ancient district, it is hoped that an answer to the above query will afford a satisfactory solution to an uncertainty that has long existed among Welsh antiquaries. Gomer. {336} _John Bull_.--Might I beg to ask, through your columns, the origin of the name "_John Bull_," as applied to Englishmen? I have frequently heard the question asked; but I never heard it satisfactorily answered. An antiquary once told me that it was so applied from the number of _Johns_ among our countrymen, and the profusion of _bles_ in our language; an explanation which I placed to the credit of my friend's ingenuity. R.F.H. * * * * * REPLIES. LETTER ATTRIBUTED TO SIR ROBERT WALPOLE.