_Meaning of "Slums."_--In Dr. Wiseman's _Appeal to the Reason and Good Feeling of the English People_, we find the word "slums" made use of with respect to the purlieus of Westminster Abbey. Warren, in a note of his letter on "The Queen or the Pope?" asks "What are 'slums?' And where is the word to be found explained? Is it Roman or Spanish? There is none such in our language, at least used by gentlemen." I would ask, may not the word be derived from _asylum_, seeing that the precincts of abbeys, &c. used to be an asylum or place of refuge in ancient times for robbers and murderers? W. M. W. Stokesley. _Bartolus' "Learned Man Defended and Reformed."_--Can any one inform the applicant in what modern author this excellent (and he believes rare) book in his possession, translated from the Italian of Daniel Bartolus, G. J., by (Sir) Thomas Salusbury, 1660, is spoken of in terms of high approval? The passage passed before him not long ago, but having _made no note_, he is unable to recover it.--Query, Is it in Mr. Hallam's _Literary History_, which he has not at hand? U. Q. _Odour from the Rainbow._--What English poet is it that embodies the idea contained in the following passage of Bacon's _Sylva_? I had noted it on a loose scrap of paper which I left in my copy of the _Sylva_, but have lost it:-- "It hath been observed by the Ancients, that when a Raine Bow seemeth to hang over or to touch, there breaketh forth a sweet smell. The cause is, for that this happenth but in certain matters which have in themselves some sweetnesse, which the Gentle Dew of the Raine Bow doth draw forth. And the like doe soft showers; for they also make the ground sweet. But none are so delicate as the Dew of the Raine Bow, where it falleth. It may be also that the water itself hath some sweetnesse: for the Raine Bow consisteth of a glomeration of small drops which cannot possibly fall but from the Aire that is very low. And therefore may hold giving sweetnesse of the herbs and flowers, as a distilled water," &c.--Bacon's _Sylva_, by Rawley, 6th ed. 1651, p. 176. JARLTZBERG. _Tradesmen's Signs._--A CITIZEN wishes to be informed in what year or reign the signs that used to hang over the tradesmen's shop-doors were abolished, and whether it was accomplished by "act of parliament," or only "by the authority of the Lord Mayor." Also, whether there is any law now in existence that prevents the tradesmen putting the signs up again, if they were so disposed. * * * * * Minor Queries Answered. _Supporters borne by Commoners._--Can any of your readers state why some commoners bear supporters, and whether the representatives of Bannerets are entitled to do so? I find in Burke's _Dictionary of Landed Gentry_, that several gentlemen in England, Scotland, and Ireland continue to use them. See Fulford, p. 452.; Wyse, p. 1661.; Hay-Newton, p. 552., &c. &c.