_Swearing by the Peacock_ (Vol. iii., p. 70.).--Swearing in the presence of a peacock, referred to by T. J., from Dr. Lingard's _History of England_, time of Edward I., is, with the ceremony observed at the Feast of the Peacock, in the thirteenth century, related at full by Mr. Knight in his _Old England_, pp. 311. and 312.; and the representation of the Feast from the Bran of Robert Braunche, in the choir of St. Margaret's Church at Lynn (a mayor of Lynn), who died October 15, 1364, is given fig. 1088. BLOWEN. * * * * * _Howe Family_ (Vol. iii., p. 353.).--Your correspondent who asks what was the connexion of the Howes with the royal family, will find in Walpole's _Reminiscences_ (ch. ii.) that Charlotte Viscountess Howe, the mother of Captain Howe, afterwards the celebrated admiral, and of General Sir William Howe, was the daughter of George I. by Madame Kelmansegge, Countess of Platen, created in England Countess of Darlington. C. Miscellaneous. NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC. Dr. Gregory, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, and the translator of Reichenbach's _Researches on Magnetism_, has just published a volume destined, we believe, to excite considerable attention, both from the nature of its subject and the position of the writer. It is entitled _Letters to a Candid Inquirer on Animal Magnetism_, and in the first Part, after describing the phenomena, and their application to medical purposes, and to the explanation of much that is obscure in what is called Magic or Witchcraft, "a great part of which appears to have rested on a knowledge of these phenomena possessed by a few in an ignorant age," Dr Gregory suggests, not as a fully developed theory, but simply as a conceivable idea, an explanation of the _modus operandi_ in magnetic phenomena, especially in clairvoyance. The basis of this explanation is the existence of that universally diffused power or influence, the existence of which, in Dr. Gregory's opinion, Reichenbach has demonstrated. The second Part consists of a large and startling collection of mostly unpublished cases; and Dr. Gregory expresses his conviction that if the evidence is fairly studied, it will be impossible to believe that the alleged facts are the result of imposture or of delusion; or to resist the conviction, which investigation will confirm, that the essential facts, however apparently marvellous, are yet true, and have been faithfully reported. These cases are indeed most extraordinary, and would, at first sight, seem more fitted to fill our Folk Lore columns than to become the subject of scientific enquiry; and most readers, we believe, will rise from their perusal with an inclination to admit that there are more things true than are dreamt of in their philosophy--some with an anxious doubt