_Veneration for the Oak._--The oak--"the brave old oak"--has been an object of veneration in this country from the primaeval to the present times. The term _oak_ is used in several places in Scripture, but nowhere does it appear to refer to the oak as we know it--_our indigenous oak_. The _oak_, under which God appeared to Abraham, bears apparently a resemblance to the _tree of life_ of the Assyrian sculptures; and, perhaps, the _Zoroastrian_ {469} _Homa_, or sacred tree, and the _sacred tree of the Hindus_; and the same may yet be found in the _British oak_. Is there a botanical affinity between these trees? Are they all _oaks_? Was the _tree of life_, as described in the Bible, an _oak_? G. W. Stansted, Montfichet. _Father Matthew's Chickens._--Can any of your correspondents explain why grouse in Scotland are sometimes called "Father Matthew's chickens?" M. R. G. _Pronunciation of Bible and Prayer Book proper Names._--I feel sure that many of your clerical correspondents would feel much obliged by any assistance that might be forwarded them through the medium of your columns respecting the correct pronunciation of those proper names which occur during divine service: such as Sabaoth, Moriah, Aceldama, Sabacthani, Abednego, and several others of the same class.--The opinions already given in publications are so contradictory, that I have been induced to ask you to insert this Query. W. SLOANE SLOANE-EVANS. Cornworthy Vicarage, Totnes. _MSS. of Anthony Bave._--I possess a volume of MS. Sermons, Treatises, and Memorandums in the autograph of one Anthony Bave, who appears, from the doctrines broached therein, to have been a moderate Puritan. What is known concerning him? It is a book I value much from the beauty of the writing and the vigorous style of the discourses. R. C. WARDE. Kidderminster. _Return of Gentry, temp. Hen. VI._--In what collection, or where, can the Return of Gentry of England 12th Henry VI. be seen or met with? GLAIUS. _Taylor's "Holy Living."_--In Pickering's edition of this work (London, 1848), _some_ of the quotations are placed in square brackets (_e. g._ on p. xii.); and _some_ of the paragraphs have an asterisk prefixed to them (as on p. 8.). Why? A. A. D. _Captain Jan Dimmeson._--Can any one give me some information about him? I find his name on a pane of glass, with the date of 1667, in the vicinity of Windsor. I had not an opportunity to obtain a copy of some words that were painted on the glass, beneath a fine flowing sea with a ship in full sail upon its bosom. F. M. _Greek and Roman Fortification._--Where can I obtain an account of Greek and Roman fortification? I am surprised to find that Smith's _Classical Dictionary_ has no article upon that subject. J. H. J.