Chapter L: E. X

_Clarke's Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning._--Can any of the readers of "N. & Q." assist me in obtaining a copy of this work? In the same author's _Rationale of Circulating Numbers_ (Murray, London, 1778) it is stated that the demonstrations of all the theorems and problems at the end of the Rev. John Lawson's _Dissertation on the Geometrical Analysis of the Ancients_ "will be given at the latter end of _An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning_, which will soon be published." In a subsequent portion of the work, a sketch of the contents of the _Essay_ is given, which include "a Treatise on Magic Squares, translated from the French of Frenicle, as published in _Les Ouvrages de Mathématique par Messieurs de l'Académie Royale des Sciences_, with several Additions and Remarks." And in a list of "Tracts and Translations _written and published_ by H. Clarke, LL.D.," which occurs at the end of my copy of the first volume of Leybourn's _Mathematical Repository_ (London, 1805), the _Essay_ appears as No. 10, and is stated to have been published in 8vo. at six shillings. None of my friends are acquainted with the work; but if the preceding description will enable any reader to help me to a copy, I shall esteem it a great favour.

T. T. WILKINSON.

Burnley, Lancashire.

"_The General Pardon._"--An imperfect copy of a small tract (measuring five and a half inches by three and a half inches) has recently come into my hands, of which I much desire to obtain the wanting parts. It is entitled:

"The general Pardon, geuen longe agone, and sythe newly confyrmed, by
our Almightie Father, with many large Priuileges, Grauntes, and Bulles
graunted for euer, as is to be seen hereafter: Drawne out of Frenche
into English. By Wyllyam Hayward. Imprinted at London, by Wyllyam How,
for Wyllyam Pickeringe."

There is no date, but it is believed to have been printed in or about 1571. It is in black letter, and is an imitation of the Roman Catholic pardons. It consists of twelve leaves. In my copy the last seven of these are torn through their middle vertically.

I have not been able to meet with this tract in the catalogues of any of the great libraries which I have consulted; _e.g._ The British Museum, Bodleian, Cambridge University, Lambeth, and several of the college libraries at Cambridge.

I want any information concerning it, or its original in French, which the readers of "N. & Q." can give: also access to a copy from which to transcribe the parts wanting in mine.

CHARLES C. BABINGTON.

St. John's Coll. Cambridge.

* * * * *

Minor Queries with Answers.

_Edward the Confessor's Rings._--There is an old legend of a ring given to one of our early kings, I think Edward the Confessor, by some saintly or angelic messenger. If any of your readers could give me any of the details of this story, it would very much oblige your constant reader