[It seems probable that these postmasters formerly occupied one of the postern gates of the college. Hence we find Anthony a Wood, in his Life, August 1, 1635, says, "A fine of 30_li._ was set by the warden and fellowes of Merton College. When his father renewed his lease of the old stone-house, wherein his son A. Wood was borne (called antiently Portionists' or Postmasters' Hall), for forty yeares," &c. Again, April 13, 1664: "A meeting of the warden and fellowes of Merton College, where the renewing of the leases belonging to the family, concerning the housing (Portionists' Hall and its appurtenances) against Merton College, was by them proposed." Fuller, in his _Church Hist._, book III. cent. xiii. sect. 8., has given the origin of postmasters. "There is," says he, "a by-foundation in Merton College, a kind of college in the college, and this tradition goeth of their original:--Anciently there was, over against Merton College, a small unendowed hall, whose scholars had so run in arrears, that their opposite neighbours, out of charity, took them into their college (then but nine in number) to wait on the fellows. But since, they are freed from any attendance, and endowed with plentiful maintenance.... Bishop Jewel was a postmaster, before removed hence to be fellow of Corpus Christi." Consult also Oxoniana, vol. ii. pp. 15-22. The _Portionistae_, or Postmasters, did not reside in the college till the latter end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, but in a hall opposite to it, which had been provided for the use of the college by Peter de Habinton, or Habendon, the first warden. It afterwards became the property of the father of Anthony a Wood, and beneath its roof that distinguished antiquary was born, December 17, 1632. The second brother of Anthony became one of the postmasters of Merton College.] _"Lyra Apostolica."_--Can you inform me who were the writers in the _Lyra Apostolica_ who assumed the letters [alpha], [beta], [gamma], [delta], [epsilon], [zeta]? TYRO. [We have heard the initials attributed to the following writers:--[alpha], Bowden; [beta], R. H. Froude; [gamma], John Keble; [delta], J. H. Newman; [epsilon], Isaac Williams; [zeta], Wilberforce.] _East Dereham Manor._--Is it true that "the manor of East Dereham of the Queen" was wrested from the See of Ely by Queen Elizabeth's celebrated threat of "unfrocking?" S. Z. Z. S.