_Mousehunt_ (Vol. ix., pp. 65, 135.).--A short time ago I was informed by a gamekeeper, that this little animal is found in the Holt Forest. He told me that there are three kinds of the weasel tribe in the woods: the weasel, the stoat or stump, and the _mousehunt_ or _mousehunter_, which is also called the _thumb_, from its diminutive size. It feeds on mice and small birds; but my informant does not think that it attacks game. White of Selbourne mentions that such an animal was supposed to exist in his neighbourhood: "Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have, in these parts, a species of the genus _Mustelinum,_ besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat: a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_. This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made."--_Natural History of Selbourne_, Let. 15. FREDERICK M. MIDDLETON. As I can completely join in with the praise your correspondent MR. TENNYSON awards to Mr. Fennell's _Natural History of Quadrupeds_ (except as regards some of its woodcuts, which I understand were inserted by the publisher in spite of the author's remonstrance), I feel induced to protect Mr. Fennell from the hypercritical commentary of your correspondent J. S.s. (p. 136.). In the passage quoted and commented on, had Mr. Fennell used the word _beach_, it would certainly have referred to the sea; but the word "shore," which he there uses, applies to rivers as well as seas. Thus Spenser, speaking of the river Nile, says: "... Beside the fruitful _shore_ of muddy _Nile_, Upon a sunny bank outstretched lay, In monstrous length, a mighty crocodile." The passage, therefore, in Mr. Fennell's work does not seem to me to be incorrect, as it may have reference to the _shore_ of the Tweed, Ettrick, Yarrow, or some other rivers in Selkirkshire. May I take the present opportunity of inquiring through your truly useful columns, when Mr. Fennell's work on the natural history of Shakspeare, advertised some few years since, is likely to appear? ARCHIBALD FRASER. Woodford. "_Vanitatem observare_" (Vol. ix., pp. 247. 311.).--The quotation of R. H. G. is no more to be found in the Canons of Laodicea than in those of Ancyra. Indeed the passage has more the appearance of a recommendation, certainly excellent, than of any grave decree of a council. It can hardly be supposed to bear any other meaning than that Christian females ought not to _indulge vanity_, or take occasion to be vain of their works in wool, spun or woven; but to refer all their talent to the Almighty, who gives to them the skill and ability to work. Here is evidently an allusion to the skill and wisdom given to Beseleel and Ooliab: