As I am about to reprint Davis's tract with additional illustrations, including the MS. above referred to, I shall be glad to receive any particulars of the life of Davis, and of his connexion with that great patron of discovery, William Sanderson; of his death, any reference to his autograph, and to any authentic portrait of him. JOHN PETHERAM. Minor Queries. _Poem on the Burning of the Houses of Parliament._--On the 17th of October, 1834, the houses of parliament were burnt down, and I believe you will recollect that very soon afterwards a long serio-comic poem was published, detailing the event; the following stray morsels of which just occur to me: "And poor Mrs. Wright, Was in a great fright, For she swore that night, She saw a great light." Again-- "She felt a great heat Come thro' to her feet, As she sat herself down In the black rod seat." I wish very much to find out this poem, or whatever else it may be called; can you assist me? I am told it was published in one of the weekly papers at the time, probably the _Sunday Times_ or _Dispatch_. T. B. Exeter. _Newton's Library._--In 1813, Leigh and Sotheby sold the books of Mrs. Anne Newton, professing to contain the collection of Newton's own books. As it is fully believed that no _personal_ property of Newton descended to any relatives of his name, how is this pretension explained? The statement is copied from Sotheby's catalogue of sales into Hartwell Horne's _Bibliography_, and will be credited at a future time, if not now called in question. M. _Meaning of Royd._--What is the meaning of the word _Royd_, which is attached to the names of so many persons and places in Yorkshire, as Ackroyd, Learoyd, Brownroyd, and Boltonroyd? C. W. _The Cromwell Family._--I have in my possession a document, which shows that my great-grandfather, "William Cromwell of London," mason, was admitted into "The freedom aforesaid, and sworn in the Mayoralty of Thomas Wright, Esq., Mayor, and John Wilkes, Esq., Chamberlain; and is entered in the book signed with the letter A., relating to the purchasing of freedom and the admission of freemen, (to wit) the 4th day of April, in the 26th year of the reign of King George the Third, and in the year of our Lord 1786. In witness whereof," &c. The parchment bears the initials "J. W." I am anxious to learn, from some of your numerous correspondents, whether this person once lived near Bath, and then at Hammersmith? and, secondly, whether he was descended from the Protector? J. G. C. _Sir John Darnell, Knt._--Who was Sir John Darnell, whom did he marry, who were his father and mother, and what arms did he bear? His daughter Mary was married to the Hon. Robert Ord, Lord Chief Baron of Scotland (alive in 1773). Any other particulars regarding his family will be gratefully received by E. N.