SIR,--The author of _Specimens of Macaronic Poetry_, published by J. Richard Beckley in 1831, is William Sandys, F.S.A. (1791-1874). He was a barrister of Gray's Inn, and a member of the law firm of Sandys and Knott, of Gray's Inn Square. He was born and died in London, and, in addition to the book mentioned above, was the author of _A Short History of Freemasonry_ (1829), _Christmas Carols_ (1833), and a few other books, a full bibliography of which will be found in _Bibliotheca Cornubiensis_. He was an enthusiastic musical amateur from youth, and further biographical particulars will be found in the _Dictionary of National Biography_.--Yours, etc., WINIFRED SPARKE. Bolton. * * * * * (_To the Editor of_ THE LONDON MERCURY) SIR,--_Specimens of Macaronic Poetry_, to which reference is made on page 74 of your last issue, is chiefly remarkable for its interesting introduction to the subject and to the fact that most of the specimens printed are, or were at the date of publication, rarely met with. The epic which you mention first is discussed on page 17 of the introduction, where it is said to be an imitation of Folengo. I have not been able to trace the author, but it bears many evidences of having been written by Folengo himself. The ode was written by Dr. Geddes, and the author of the old Scottish Testament was Wm. Dunbar, whose name is printed at the end of the verses in my copy. Macaronic Poetry creates but little interest in these days, though there are still students who appreciate some of its qualities. If "A. L. H." is interested, I am sure that an article on the subject would be read with very great appreciation even if that quality be confined to very few in number.--Yours, etc., B. BAGNALL. 43 Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2. * * * * * (_To the Editor of_ THE LONDON MERCURY) SIR,--What does "A. L. H." mean by "no" author's name is given? The _editor's_ of the book--or the author's of Mr. Andro Kennedy? The latter is, of course, my compatriot, William Dunbar, but neither of my editions of him mentions this poem's having been printed in that particular book. Also, your reviewer of Wilde, on page 91, begins, quite in error, saying that the book has no indication of how it came into existence or who chose them for republication. The wrapper, cover, and title-page, all three, say, "Being extracts from Reviews and Miscellanies" (one of those large white volumes on hand-made paper that smelt so of bad paste, published by Methuen in 1912); while behind the title-page is, "This selection has been made by Mr. E. V. Lucas." The best thing in it is, I think, the charming paragraph on Balzac, "A steady course of Balzac reduces our living friends to shadows and our acquaintances to the shadows of shades"--Yours, etc., C. K. S. M. * * * * * (_To the Editor of_ THE LONDON MERCURY)