_Moonlight_ (Vol. iv., p. 273.).--The effects of the moonlight on animal matter is well known to the inhabitants of warm climates. I remember that when I resided in Bermuda, if the meat (which was usually hung out at night) was exposed to the rays of the moon it putrified directly. I was frequently cautioned by the inhabitants to beware of the moon shining upon me when asleep, as it caused the most dangerous and virulent fevers. Another curious power of the moonlight was that of developing temporary blindness, caused by the glare of the sun on bright objects. I have often seen persons stumbling and walking as quite blind, in a moonlight so bright I could see to read by; these were principally soldiers who had been employed during the day working on the fort and on the white stone. On hearing the surgeon of the regiment mention that two-thirds of the men were troubled with it, causing a greater amount of night-work as sentries to the few who were able to see at night, I suggested to him the following plan mentioned in a story I had read many years before in _Blackwood_:-- "A pirate ship in those latitudes was several times nearly captured, owing to all the men being moon-blind at night; the captain ordered all his men to bind up one eye during the day, and by this means they could see with that eye to navigate the ship at night." My friend the surgeon tried the experiment, and found bandaging the eyes at night, and giving them complete rest, restored in time their sight at moonlight. M. E. C. T. That the light of the moon accelerates putrefaction is more than an unfounded popular opinion. I have heard it repeatedly asserted by observant and sober-minded naval officers as a fact, established by experience in tropical climates. Their constant testimony was, that when there is no moon the fresh meat is hung over the stern of the ship at night for coolness; but if this is done when the moon shines, the meat becomes unfit to eat. The Query will probably elicit an answer from some one able to speak more directly upon the subject. It well deserves further inquiry. T. C. Durham, Oct. 15. _Flatman and Pope_ (Vol. iv., pp. 209. 283.).--"The Thought on Death," by Flatman, is referred to by Wharton, Bowles, and other editors of Pope. Flatman's _Poems_ were first printed in 1674; 2ndly, 1676; 3rdly, 1682; and 4thly and lastly, 1686. The above occurs in the first edition. For an account of Flatman, see Walpole's _Anecdotes of Painters_, vol. iii. p. 20., ed. 1765; Granger's _Biog. Hist._; and Wood's _Athenæ_. Some verses by him on his son, who died 1682, aged ten years, and inscribed on his monument in St. Bride's Church, will be found in Stow by Strype, vol. i. p. 740. ed. 1754. Flatman wrote a preface to Shipman's _Poems_, and verses to Sanderson's _Graphice_, fol.; also to Walton in Chalkhill's _Thealma and Clearchus_, and Johnson's (Wm.) _Narrative of Deliverance at Sea_, 18mo. 3d edit. 1672. π.