._ for a special day of rejoicing.

4. An instance of the compound epithets so much used by Chapman in his
translation of Homer, is found in Spenser's description of the sea-nymphs,
book iv. canto xi. verse 50.:

"Eione well-in-age,
And seeming-still-to-smile Glauconome."

J. H. C.

Adelaide, South Australia.

_Prayer of Mary Queen of Scots._--The incorrect arrangement, in Seward's
_Anecdotes_, of the following beautiful lines, said to be composed by Mary
Queen of Scots, and repeated immediately before her execution, and a
diffuse paraphrase subjoined, in which all their tenderness is lost by
destroying their brevity and simplicity, may justify another arrangement,
and an attempt to preserve their simple and tender character in fewer words
and a different measure:--

"O Domine Deus, O Lord, my God,
Speravi in Te, I have trusted in Thee:
O mi care Jesu, My Jesu beloved,
Nunc libera me: Me presently free:
In dura catena, In cruel chains,
Desidero Te. In penal pains,
Languendo, gemendo, I long for Thee,
Et genu flectendo, I moan, I groan,
Adoro, imploro, I bend my knee;
Ut liberes me. I adore, I implore,
Me presently free."

Can any of your correspondents inform me where these lines first appear? on
what authority they are ascribed to Mary Queen of Scots? and also who
mentions their having been repeated immediately before her execution?

ALEXANDER PYTTS FALCONER.

Beeton-Christchurch, Hants.

_A small Instance of Warren Hastings' Magnanimity._--During the latter
years of his life, Warren Hastings was in the habit of visiting General
D'Oyley in the New Forest; and thus he became {370} acquainted with the
Rev. W. Gilpin, vicar of Boldre, and author of _Forest Scenery_, &c. Mr.
Gilpin's custom was to receive morning visitors, who sat and enjoyed his
agreeable conversation; and Warren Hastings, when staying in the
neighbourhood, often resorted to the Boldre Parsonage. It happened, one
Sunday, that Mr. Gilpin preached a sermon on the character of Felix, which
commenced in words like these:

"Felix was a bad man, and a bad governor. He took away another man's
wife and lived with her; and he behaved with extortion and cruelty in
the province over which he