I have not peeped into the Anti-Lucretius: it is arrived at Caledon, and reserved for the longest evenings. Carte's voluminous History is weighing down one of my shelves. He likewise is postponed to bad weather, or a fit of the gout. Last week brought us the first Number of Con's second volume. She goes on triumphantly, and is very entertaining. Her sister Pilkington is not so fortunate. She has squandered away the money she gained by her first volume, and cannot print her second. But from you, I hope to hear of books of another sort. A thin quarto named _Louthiana_ is most delicately printed, and the cuts admirably engraved: and yet we think the County of Louth the most devoid of Antiquities of any County in Ireland. The County of Corke is, I believe, in the press; and I am told it will be well executed. I have seen the County of Waterford, and approve of it very much. These kind of Books are owing to an Historical Society formed at Dublin, and of great use to this kingdom, which is improving in all Arts and Sciences very fast: tho' I own to you, the cheapness of French Claret is not likely to add much at present to the encrease of literature. If all true Hibernians could bring themselves to be of your opinion and Pindar's, the glorious memory of King William might keep the head cool, and still warm the heart; but, alas, it sets both on fire: and till these violent fits of bacchanalian loyalty are banished from our great tables, I doubt few of us shall ever rise higher in our reading than the Memoirs of that kind I first mentioned. I am, Dear Sir, and so is all my family, truly Yours, ORRERY. To the Rev. Mr. Thomas Birch, at his House in Norfolk Street, London. Free (Boyle). * * * * * NEWSPAPER FOLK LORE. The following paragraph is now going the round of the newspapers without reference to the source of information. I copy it from the _Morning Chronicle_ of Friday, December 9.