opinion, that the Greek
original (now printed in Boissonade's _Anecdota Graeca_, vol. iv.) is not
older than the eighth century, and was composed by Johannes Damascenus. But
this must be decided by future criticism.

GEORGE STEPHENS.

Stockholm.

_Witte van Haemstede_ (Vol. iii., p. 209).--It may be of use to the editors
of the "NAVORSCHER" to know that _Adrianus Hamstedius_ became pastor of the
Dutch church in Austin Friars, London, in the year 1559. He succeeded
Walterus Delaenus, and resigned his office, one year after his appointment,
in favour of Petrus Delaenus, probably a son of the before-named Walterus.

I cannot answer the question as to whether there still exist any
descendants of _Witte van Haemstede_; but as late as 1740, _Hendrik van
Haemstede_ was appointed pastor to the Dutch congregation in London. He
held the office until the year 1751, when Henricus Putman succeeded him.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

_The Dutch Church in Norwich_ (Vol. iii., p. 209.).--The editors of the
"NAVORSCHER" will find the early history of this church in Strype's _Annals
of the Reformation_; Blomefield's _History of Norwich_; and in Burn's
_History of the Foreign Refugees_. Dr. Hendrik Gehle, the pastor of the
Dutch church in Austin Friars, who is also the occasional minister of the
Dutch church at Norwich, would be the most likely person to furnish
information as to its present state.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

_Fest Sittings_ (Vol. iii., p. 328.).--_Festing_ is, I presume, without
doubt, a Saxon word. A "Festing-man," among the Saxons, was a person who
stood as a surety or pledge for another. "Festing-penny" was the money
given as an earnest or token to servants when hired.

In the word _sittings_ there _might_ be some reference to the
_statute-sessions_, which were courts or tribunals designed for the
settlement of disputes between masters and servants.

R. VINCENT.

_Quakers' Attempt to convert the Pope_ (Vol. iii., p. 302.).--I beg to
refer B. S. S. to the _Correspondance inedite de Mabillon et de Montfaucon
avec l'Italie_ ... edited by M. Valery, Paris, 1846, vol. ii. p. 112. In a
letter from the Benedictine Claude Estiennot to Dom. Bulteau, dated Rome,
September 30, 1687, he will read:

"Ce qu'on a dit ici des quakers d'Angleterre n'est ni tout-a-fait vrai
ni tout-a-fait faux. Il est certain qu'il en est venu _un_ qui a fort
presse pour avoir une audience de Sa Saintete et se promettait de le
pouvoir c