_John Bale, Bishop of Ossory._--A _complete_ list of the works of this voluminous writer, giving the titles in full, will be thankfully acknowledged; also any facts as to his life, not generally known. There is a very imperfect list of Bale's _Works_ given in Harris's _Ware's Bishops_, and most of the Biographical Dictionaries. JAMES GRAVES. Kilkenny. _Proxies for absent Sponsors._--Can any of your readers mention earlier instances than the following of the attendance of proxies on behalf of absent sponsors? "My daughter, Elizabeth Burrell, was born on Thursday, 25th June, 1696 ... She was baptized on Monday, 15th February. My brother, P. Burrell (by Wm. Board, Esq.), Godfather, my Lady Gee (by my sister Parker), and my niece Jane Burrell, Godmothers."--"Extracts from the Journal and Account-Book of Timothy Burrell, Esq., Barrister-at-Law of Ockenden House, Cuckfield" (_Sussex Archaeological Collections_, vol. iii. p. 131.). E. M. Hastings. {325} _Heraldic Query._--Names of the families bearing the following coats of arms are requested: 1. Ermine, on a chief sable, two griffins segreant combatant argent. _Crest_, a demylyon affrontee or. 2. Azure, a bend or, between three spear-heads argent. _Crest_, an armed arm, embowed, grasping a broken spear. 3. Barry of six or and sable (with quarterings). _Crest_, on coil of rope a dog sable collared argent. E. D. _Christmas Ballad._--Perhaps some of your correspondents may be able to throw some light upon the following verses, which are sung by the waits at Christmas in the neighbourhood of Falmouth: "Twelve is twelve as goes to hell, Eleven is eleven as goes to heaven, Ten is the Ten Commandments, Nine is nine so bright to shine, Eight is the gable angels, Seven is the seven stars of the sky, And six is the six bold waiters, Five is the flamboys under the bough, And four is the Gospel preachers; Three of them is thrivers (shrivers?), Two of them is lilywhite babes, and clothed all in green oh! And One is One, and all alone, and ever more shall be so." That the first line alludes to the fate of the twelfth apostle is evident. The meaning of the second, third, sixth, ninth, and last lines, is also apparent. The others I am quite at a loss to explain. C. M. G. _Hay-bread Recipe._--The Query of your correspondent G. D. (Vol. ix., p. 148.) has reminded me of a question which I wish to ask. By what chemical process may hay be converted into bread? E. W. J.