[A notice was published in the _London Gazette_ in March, 1816, stating that the Bishop of London's registrar would register all marriages of British subjects solemnised in foreign countries; and also the births and deaths of British subjects which occurred abroad. Has that notice any reference to the notion?] _Shawls._--When were shawls first introduced into this country from the East? and whence has the name arisen? for I see no trace of it in our English dictionaries. Is it from its Persian name, "do-shâllâ?" I should also much wish to know when plaids and tartans were first mentioned as part of the national dress of Scotland. A JUROR. "_Racked by pain, by shame confounded._"--From whence are the following lines taken? "Racked by pain, by shame confounded; Goaded to the desperate deed." Y. G. F. Oxford, June 17. 1850. _Figures of Saints._--During some slight repairs in my parish church, vestiges of mural paintings were discovered above and on each side of the chancel arch. I caused the plaster and whitewash to be removed, and discovered two colossal angelic figures, but in a very imperfect state. Each have nimbi of a blue colour, surmounted by crosses, with globular extremities. The S. figure holds an enormous spear. The N. one is so much defaced that nothing could be traced but the outline of the figure, and what appears a gigantic serpent, or perhaps a scroll of a blue colour behind it. The clerk reports that traces of an anchor could be seen ten years ago; but on his statement I cannot place much reliance. I should be obliged for any information respecting the subject. Above the centre of the arch I could only see a profusion of fragments of wings surrounded by a glory. E. S. TAYLOR. Martham, Norfolk, June 7. _Conceyted Letters, who wrote?_-- "Conceyted Letters, newly laid open: or a most excellent bundle of new wit, wherein is knit up together all the perfection or art of episteling, by which the most ignorant may with much modestie talke and argue with the best learned." London: B. Alsop, 1618. Who is the author of this little work? Lowndes gives it as an anonymous production, but it is sometimes ascribed to Nicolas Breton. The initials I. M. affixed to the preface, would rather denote Jervase Markham as the author. Δ. _Acta Sanctorum._--Is any endeavour being made for the completion of that vast work, the _Acta Sanctorum_, the last volume of which I believe was published at Brussels in 1845? P. S. E. _Pope's "honest Factor."_--I shall be obliged if any of your readers can inform me who was the "honest factor" referred to in Pope's "Sir Balaam" in the lines: "Asleep and naked, as an Indian lay, An honest factor stole a gem away: He pledg'd it to the knight," &c. I have seen it noticed in the biography of an individual who held some official post in India, but have forgotten the name. J. SWANN. Norwich, May, 1851.