_Abraham-Men._--Although I cannot find it in your former volumes, nor in your Index, I think there was an inquiry in one of your past Numbers as to the meaning of the phrase "_To sham Abraham_." If there has been any reply, will you be good enough to refer me to it? as it may explain the passage in Burton's _Anatomy of Melancholy_, that "every village almost will yield dummerers _Abraham-men_," &c. (Part I. sec. 2., vol. i. p. 360.) W. W. E. T. Warwick Square, Belgravia. ["To sham Abraham" is a cant expression, having reference to the practices of a class of vagabonds and cheats once common in this country. In Decker's _English Villanies_ there are many curious particulars of the habits of this class of impostors. "She's all Abram," that is, quite naked. "What an Abram!" an exclamation for a ragged fellow. "An Abraham-man" was an impostor who personated a poor lunatic called Tom of Bedlam: one of this class is described by Shakspeare in his _Lear_, Act II. Sc. 3.: "The basest and most poorest shape, That every penury, in contempt of man, Brought near to beast." Among sailors, "An Abram" is being unwell, or out of sorts. When Abraham Newland was Cashier of the Bank of England, it was sung-- "I have heard people say, That sham Abraham you may, But you must not sham Abraham Newland."] _Author of "Le Blason des Couleurs."_--Can you give me the date of, or any account of the author of a small black-letter French work on heraldry entitled, _Le Blason des Couleurs en Armes_, &c. The author introduces himself as "Je Sicille Herault a tres puissant roy Alph[=o]se Darragon: de Sicilie: de Vallence de Maillaque: de Corseique et Sardeigne: Conte de Barselonne," &c.; and at the end of the first part it is said to be "compose par Sicille Herault du roy Alph[=o]se daragon." H. N. E. [See Brunet, _Manuel du Libraire_, vol. i. p. 279., ed. Bruxelles, 1838, 8vo.] _Banyan-day._--Can any of your correspondents inform me of the meaning and origin of the term "Banyan-day," which is frequently used by sailors? W. B. M. Dee Side. [A marine term for those days in which the sailors have no flesh meat; and is probably derived from the practice of the Banians, a caste of Hindoos, who entirely abstained from all animal food.] _General Urmston._--Can any of your correspondents inform me whether a General Edward Urmston, who married in 1752 Leonora daughter of the first Earl Bathurst, had any children; or whether he was himself an only son or child: also when he was born, or when he died? His wife died in 1798 (I believe). E. B.