Horace Walpole (_Memoirs of the Reign of George II._, vol. iii. p. 153.), narrating the punishment of Dr. Shebbeare for a libel, 5th December, 1758, says,-- "The man stood in the pillory, having a footman holding an umbrella to keep off the rain." In Burrow's _Reports_ (vol. ii. p. 792.), is an account of the proceedings in the Court of King's Bench against Arthur Beardmore, under-sheriff of Middlesex, for contempt of court in remitting part of the sentence on Dr. Shebbeare. The affidavits produced by the Attorney-General stated-- "That the defendant only stood _upon the_ platform of the pillory, unconfined, and at his ease, attended by a _servant_ in _livery_ (which servant and livery were hired for this occasion only) holding an umbrella over his head, all the time:" and Mr. Justice Dennison, in pronouncing sentence on Beardmore, did not omit to allude to the umbrella. C. H. COOPER. Cambridge, January 25. 1851. _Form of Prayer at the Healing_ (Vol. iii., p. 42.).--A copy of this service of an earlier date than those mentioned is before me. It was printed in folio at the Hague, 1650; and is appended to "a Form of Prayer used in King Charles II.'s Chappel upon _Tuesdays_, in the times of his trouble and distress." Charles I. was executed on that day of the week. J. H. M. * * * * * Miscellaneous. NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC. "Thoughts take up no room," saith Jeremy Collier, in a curious passage which Mr. Elmes has adopted as the motto of a pretty little volume, which he has just put forth under the following characteristic title: _Horae Vacivae, a Thought-book of the Wise Spirits of all Ages and all Countries, fit for all Men and all Hours_. The work appears to have furnished a source of occupation to its editor when partially recovering from a deprivation of sight. It is well described by him as a "Spicilegium of golden thoughts of wise spirits, who, though dead, yet speak;" and being printed in Whittingham's quaintest style, and suitably bound, this Thought-book is as externally tempting as it is intrinsically valuable.