orrespondence into his possession. On
the other, it is far from improbable that in some of the collections to
which I have alluded, some letters, notes, or documents may exist,
treasured by the possessors as mere autographs; but which might, if given
to the world, serve to solve many of those mysteries which envelope the
early history of Edmund Burke. The discovery of documents of such a
character seems to be the special province of "N. & Q.," and I hope,
therefore, although this letter has extended far beyond the limits I
originally contemplated, you will insert it, and so permit me to put this
Query to autograph collectors, "Have you any documents illustrative of the
Burkes?" and to add as a Note, "If so, print them!"

N. O.

* * * * *

Minor Queries.

_Farrant's Anthem._--From what source did Farrant take the words of his
well-known anthem, "Lord, for thy tender mercies' sake?"

C. F. S.

_Ascension Day Custom._--What is the origin of the custom which still
obtains in St. Magnus and other city churches, of presenting the clergy
with ribbons, cakes, and silk staylaces on Ascension Day?

C. F. S.

_Sawbridge and Knight's Numismatic Collections._--In Snelling's tract on
_Pattern Pieces for English Gold and Silver Coins_ (1769), p. 45., it is
stated, in the description of a gold Coin of Elizabeth, that it is "unique,
formerly in the collection of Thomas Sawbridge, Esq., but at present in the
collection of Thomas Knight, Esq., who purchased the whole cabinet."--Can
any of your readers inform me who this Mr. Knight was, and whether his
collection is still in existence; or if it was dispersed, when, and in what
manner? I am not aware of any sale catalogue under his name.

J. B. B.

_"The spire whose silent finger points to heaven."_--I have met with, and
sometimes quoted, this line. {10} Who is its author, and in what poem does
it occur?

J. W. T.

Dewsbury.

_Lord Fairfax._--In the _Peerage of Scotland_ I find this entry:

"Fairfax, Baron, Charles Snowdon Fairfax, 1627, Baron Fairfax, of
Cameron; suc. his grandfather, Thomas, ninth baron, 1846. His lordship
resides at Woodburne, in Maryland, United States."

Fairfax is not a Scotch name. And I can find no trace of any person of that
family taking a part in Scotch affairs. _Cameron_ is, I suppose, the parish
of that name in the east of Fife.

I wish to ask, 1st. For what services, or under what circumstances,