ESTRIENSIS.

_Mackey's "Theory of the Earth."_--I have a small pamphlet entitled,

"A New Theory of the Earth and of Planetary Motion; in which it is
demonstrated that the Sun is Vicegerent of his own System. By Sampson
Arnold Mackey, author of _Mythological Astronomy_ and _Urania's Key to
the Revelations, &c._ Norwich, printed for the Author."

There is no date on the title-page, but a notice on the second page
indicates 1825. The book is extraordinary, and shows great astronomical and
philological attainments, with some startling facts in geology, and bold
theories as to the formation of the earth. I have endeavoured to procure
the other two works of which Mr. Mackey is said to be the author, and also
some account of him, but without success. I can hardly suppose that a
writer of so much ability and learning can be unknown, and shall feel much
obliged by any information as to him or his writings.

J. WARD.

Coventry.

_Birthplace of King Edward V._--Can you give me any information as to the
exact birthplace of this monarch?

Hume (vol. ii. p. 430.) merely says that he was born while his mother was
in sanctuary in London, and his father was a fugitive from the victorious
Earl of Warwick.

Commynes (book iii. chap. 5.) also says that she took refuge "es franchises
qui sont a Londres," and "y accoucha d'ung filz en grant povrete."

Chastellain, at p. 486. of his _Chronique_, says: "Elle alla a
Saincte-Catherine, une abbeye, disoient aucuns: aucuns autres disoient a
Vasemonstre (Westminster), lieu de franchise, qui oncques n'avoit este
corrompu."

I should be glad to have some more definite information on this point, if
any of your readers can supply it.

A LEGULEIAN.

_Name of Infants._--In Scotland there is a superstition that it is unlucky
to tell the name of infants before they are christened. Can this be
explained?

R. J. A.

_Geometrical Curiosity._--Take half a sheet of note-paper; fold and crease
it so that two opposite corners exactly meet; then fold and crease it so
that the remaining two opposite corners exactly meet. Armed with a fine
pair of scissors, proceed now to repeat both these folds alternately
without cessation, taking care to cut off quite flush and clear all the
overlappings on both sides after each fold. When these overlappings become
too small to be cut off, _the paper is in the shape of a circle_, _i. e._
the ultimate intersection of an infinite series of tangent