"_Please the Pigs_" (Vol. v., p. 13.).--The editorial reply to my query about the origin of this expression is very ingenious, and appears at first sight to be very probable; and, of course, if it can be shown to rest upon authority, it will be accounted satisfactory. But [and here let me say, how conscious I am that it savours something of presumption to be butting my buts against editorial sapience which has been brought to the aid of my own confessed ignorance; yet, as that "purry furry creature with a tail yclept a cat" may with impunity cast its feline glances at a king, I am emboldened to hope that "a pig without a tail" may enjoy the immunity of projecting just one porcine squint at an editor. And so to my _but_ right boldly, though perhaps as blunderingly as pigs are wont] the sound of the word "pyx" has suggested to my mind another solution which, while it is much less ingenious, appears to me to be much more probable. May not the saying be a simple corruption, _all' allegria_, of "please the _pixies_?" This would save the metonymy, and would also avoid what I conceive to be a more formidable difficulty attaching to the idea of "please the _Host_"--viz., the fact that, although I have travelled and resided not a little in Roman Catholic countries, in France, Italy, Spain, and the Mediterranean Islands, I never yet have heard any expression which could be supposed to involve the idea of favour or disfavour from the Host; albeit such expressions applying to the several persons of the blessed Trinity, and to every saint in the calendar, are rife in every mouth. Having no authority, however, for my conjecture, I put it in the form of a Query, in the hope of provoking an authoritative decision. PORCUS. _Basnet Family_ (Vol. iii., p. 495.; Vol. iv., p. 77.).--My attention has been directed to the inquiries made touching this family, and I have looked into my Manuscript Collections for such as related to the name. I find them distinguished by me into Bassenet and Basnet, though the latter writer on the subject identifies them as one and the same. The classification in my books subdivides the notices I possess (as in the instance of other pedigrees, 3000 surnames, for which I have gathered illustrations), according to the localities where _they_ fix the name. These references are numerous in Ireland, and far more in England; especially in Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Essex, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Surrey; as well as in MSS. of rare access. These various notices would be too numerous, and, to the many, too uninteresting, to engross your pages, or I would gladly draw them out. Those who feel interested may receive further information on communicating their wishes to me by letter. JOHN D'ALTON. 48. Summer Hill, Dublin, New Year's Day, 1852.