_Tristan d'Acunha._--COSMOPOLITE will be glad to have references to any authentic sources of information respecting the island of Tristan d'Acunha. _Production of Fire by Friction._--In most of the accounts written by persons who have visited the South Sea Islands, we meet with descriptions of the method adopted by the natives to produce fire by the rapid attrition of two bits of wood. Now I wish to ask whether any person has ever seen the same effect produced in this country by similar means? If not, to what cause is the difficulty--if such difficulty really exists--attributable? {359} Does it depend upon the nature of the wood used, the condition of the atmosphere, or the dexterity of the operator? I have not quoted any particular passages, as they are sufficiently familiar to readers of voyages and travels in the South Sea hemisphere; and although they exhibit some diversity in the _modus operandi_, the principle involved is essentially the same in each mode. I need scarcely add, that I am of course well aware of the means by which, whether by accident or design, heat is ordinarily generated by friction in this country. D. Rotherfield. _Murderer hanged when pardoned._--I have a copy of the _Protestant's Almanack_ for 1680, full of MS. notes of the period, written by one of the Crew family. Among other matter it states: "A man was hung for a murder in Southwark (I think), notwithstanding the king's pardon had been obtained for him, and he actually had it in his pocket at the time." Will some kind friend oblige me with further information of this case, or tell me where I may obtain it? GILBERT. _Burke, Passage from._--The following passage is quoted as a motto _from Burke_:-- "The swarthy daughters of Cadmus may hang their trophies on high, for when all the pride of the chisel and the pomp of heraldry yield to the silent touches of time, a single line, a half worn-out inscription, remain faithful to their trust." In what composition of Burke's is it to be found? Q.(2.) _Licensing of Books._--Can any of your readers inform me what was the law in 1665 relative to the licensing of books? also when it was introduced (or revived), and when modified? I find in a manual of devotion printed in that year the following page, after the preface:-- "I have perused this book, and finding nothing in it but what may tend to the increase of private devotion and piety, I recommend it to my Lord the Bishop of London for his licence to have it printed." JO. DURESME. "Imprimatur: Tho. Grigg, R. P. D. Hamff. Ep. Lond. a Sac. Dom. Ex AEdibus, Lond. Mart. 28. 1665." R. N.