_Sacramental Wine_ (Vol. iii., p. 320.).--This idea is a relic of Roman Catholic times. In Ireland a weakly child is frequently brought to the altar rails, and the priest officiating at mass requested to allow it to drink from the chalice of what is termed _the ablution_, that is, the wine and water with which the chalice is _rinsed_ after the priest has taken the communion, and which ablution ordinarily is taken by the priest. _Here_ the efficacy is ascribed to the cup having just before contained the blood of Our Lord. I have heard it seriously recommended in a case of hooping-cough. Your correspondent MR. BUCKMAN does not give sufficient credit for common sense to the believers in some portion of folk lore. Red wine is considered tonic, and justly, as it contains a greater proportion of _turmic_ than white. The yellow bark of the barberry contains an essential tonic ingredient, as the Jesuit's bark does _quinine_, or that of the willow _salicine_. Nettle juice is well known as a purifier of the blood; and the navelwort, like Euphrosia, which is properly called _Eyebright_, is as likely to have had its name from its proved efficacy as a simple, as from any fancied likeness to the region affected. The old monks were shrewd herbalists. They were generally the physicians of their neighbourhood, and the names and uses of the simples used by them survive the ruin of the monasteries and the expulsion of their tenants. KERRIENSIS. "_Nettle in Dock out_" (Vol. iii., pp. 133. 201. 205.).--I can assure A. E. B. that in the days of my childhood, long before I had ever heard of Chaucer, I used invariably, when I was stung with nettles, to rub the part affected with a dock-leaf or stalk, and repeat, "Nettle out, dock in." This charm is so common in Huntingdonshire at this day that it seems to come to children almost instinctively. None of them can tell where they first heard it, any more than why they use it. ARUN. * * * * * METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS. The following passage from a sermon preached at Paul's Cross, March 26, 1620, by John King, Bishop of London, refers in a curious manner to many improvements and alterations which have either been already effected in our own time, or are still in contemplation. The sermon was "on behalfe of Paule's Church," then in a ruinous condition; and was delivered in the presence of James himself, who suggested the preacher's text, Psal. cii. 13, 14. "So had my manner ever beene aforetime," says the Bishop, "to open the volume of this Booke, and goe through the fields of the Old and New Testament, plucking and rubbing such eares of corne therein as I best liked, makings, choice (I meane) of my text, and buckling myself to my task at myne owne discretion; but now I am girt and tied to a Scripture by him, who as he hath most right to command, so best skill to direct and appoint the best service I can."