_Fox's Cunning._--Can any of your correspondents or readers give any authentic information as to the fact having been witnessed by any one, of the old story of the fox relieving itself of fleas by taking a feather in its mouth, and gradually, though slowly enough, retrograding itself into the water, first by legs and tail, then body, shoulders, and head to the nose, and thus compelling the fleas, to escape from the drowning element, to pass over the nose on to the bridge of the feather, which is then committed to the stream. Has any one actually seen this? Has any one heard it related by one who has seen the ejectment performed? J. D. Torquay, May 12. [Lord Brougham, in his _Dialogues on Instinct_ (ed. 1844, p. 110.), does not allude to this proverbial instance, but says: "I know not if it (the Fox's cunning) was ever more remarkably displayed than in the Duke of Beaufort's country; where Reynard, being hard pressed, disappeared suddenly, and was, after strict search, found immersed in a water pool up to the very snout, by which he held a willow bough hanging over the pond."] Replies. ARCHBISHOP OF SPALATRO. (Vol. iv., p. 257.) _Audi alteram partem_ is too excellent and equitable a rule, not to find ample scope given for its exercise in "NOTES AND QUERIES," especially where the memory of a foreigner is concerned, who, after dwelling awhile among us under the protection of our hospitality, and in the communion of our Church, was content eventually to sacrifice his life, rather than forsake the truth, or repudiate the Church of England. I am led to this remark by observing the tone of depreciation in which Chalmers speaks of Antonius de Dominis, Archbishop of Spalatro, in the extract produced at p. 257. out of the _Biographical Dictionary_, for the satisfaction of MR. W. FRAZER. The words of Chalmers, which I conceive to be objectionable, alike ungenerous and inaccurate--such as Fuller might rejoice in (conf. _Church History_, book x.)--are: "He returned to Rome in 1622, _where he abjured his errors_; but on the discovery of a correspondence which he held with some Protestants, he was thrown into prison, where he died in 1625. He was a man of great abilities and learning, _although remarkable for a fickleness in religious matters_." This reproach against the good archbishop, of having renounced the English communion (for that is doubtless what is meant), is clearly an unjust accusation, and appears to be based upon no better authority than a spurious book, published in the Low Countries under Spalatro's name, but without his knowledge or sanction, and bearing the following title: _Marc. Ant. de Dominis sui reditus ex Angliâ concilium exponit_, 4to. Dilingæ, 1623. This book at the time of its publication deceived Bishop Hall, and gave occasion to the _Alter Ecebolius M. Ant. de Dominis, pluribus dominis inservire doctus_: 4to. Lond. 1624.