_Custom at University College, Oxford._--What is the origin of the following custom observed at this college? On every Easter Sunday the representation of a tree, dressed with evergreens and flowers, is placed on a turf, close to the buttery, and every member there resident, as he leaves the Hall, after dinner, chops at the tree with a cleaver. The college-cook stands by holding a plate, in which the Master deposits half a guinea, each Fellow five shillings, and the other members two shillings and sixpence each; this custom is called "chopping at the tree." When was this custom instituted, and to what circumstance are we to attribute its origin? Who presented to the chapel of this College the splendid eagle, as a lectern, which forms one of its chief ornaments? Was it presented by Dr. Radcliffe, or does it date its origin from the happy reign of Queen Mary? M. A. "_Old Dominion._"--It is stated in a newspaper that the term "Old Dominion," generally applied here to the state of Virginia, originated from the following facts. During the Protectorate of Cromwell the colony of Virginia refused to acknowledge his authority, and sent to Flanders for Charles II. to reign over them. Charles accepted, and was about to embark, when he was recalled to the throne of England. Upon his accession, as a reward for her loyalty, he allowed the colony to quarter the arms of England, Ireland, and Scotland, as an independent member of the "Old Dominion;" whence the term. What truth is there in this story? PENN. "_Wise men labour_," _&c._-- On the fly-leaf of Sir Roger Twysden's copy of Stow's _Annales_ are the following, lines, dated 1643: "Wise men labour, good men grieve, Knaves devise, and fooles believe; Help, Lord! and now stand to us, Or fooles and knaves will quite undoe us, Or knaves and fooles will quite undoe us." From whence are these lines taken? L. B. L. * * * * * Minor Queries with Answers. _Dame Hester Temple._--"Lady Temple lived to see seven hundred of her own descendants: she had thirteen children." I have extracted this "sea-serpent" from an extract in Burke from _Fuller's Worthies_, but I am unable to refer to the original for confirmation of this astounding fact; if true it is wonderful. Y. S. M.