"_Bothy_" (Vol. ix., p. 305.).--For a very complete account of "the Bothy system" in Scotland, see the able and interesting pamphlet of the Rev. Harry Stuart: _Agricultural Labourers as they were, are, and should be_ (Blackwood). W. C. TREVELYAN. {528} _Work on Ants_ (Vol. ix., p. 303.).--I presume that the work for which [Sigma]. inquires is, _Recherches sur les Moeurs des Fourmis indigènes_, par P. Huber, Paris, 1810.[7] [Greek: Halieus.] Dublin. [Footnote 7: [Our correspondent [Sigma]. begs us to acknowledge the favour of the communication of [Greek: Halieus], but his inquiry "on the habits of ants" is by an author, a M. Hauhart, and of a much later date than Huber's. He is informed it is to be found in the Transactions of the University of Basle in Switzerland, published with this title, _Die Zeitschrift der Basler Hochschule_, 1825, p. 62; but he has not been successful in obtaining a sight of that work.]] _Jacobite Garters_ (Vol. viii., p. 586.).--I have lately seen a watch-ribbon, or perhaps garter, with a Jacobite inscription in white letters somewhat like that described by E. L. J., but only about half the length. The middle stripe was red between two blue ones, and yellow edges; there was no attempt at a plaid. The owner had no tradition about it, as connected with any particular incident in Prince Charles' career. P. P. "_The Three Pigeons_" (Vol. ix., p. 423.).--I think Washington Irving, in his _Life of Goldsmith_, satisfactorily explains the origin of the song in _She Stoops to Conquer_, which your correspondent G. TAYLOR supposes was suggested by the inn at Brentford, mentioned by DR. RIMBAULT. The American biographer says that Goldsmith and his companion Bryanton "Got up a country club at the inn at Ballymahon, of which Goldsmith soon became the oracle and prime wit; astonishing his unlettered associates by his learning, and being considered capital at a song and story. From the rustic conviviality of the inn at Ballymahon, and the company which used to assemble there, it is surmised that he took some hints in afterlife for his picturing of Tony Lumpkin and his associates, 'Dick Muggins the exciseman, Jack Slang the horse doctor, Little Aminadab that grinds the music-box, and Tom Twist that spins the pewter-platter.' Nay, it is thought that Tony's drinking-song at the 'Three Jolly Pigeons' was but a revival of one of the convivial catches at Ballymahon." And the author farther remarks, that "Though Goldsmith ultimately rose to associate with birds of a finer feather, his heart would still yearn in secret after the 'Three Jolly Pigeons.'" If this be correct, as it most likely is, the song referred to, and the scene it illustrates, were not suggested by the inn at Brentford. B. M. Philadelphia.