nd this line as referring to the notorious fact, that some
liquors turn sour if the air gets to them from without. "Sincerum vas" is a
sound or air-tight vessel. In another place (_Sat._, lib. i. 3.), Horace
employs the same figure, where he says that we "call evil good, and good
evil," figuring the sentiment thus:

"At nos virtutes ipsas invertimus, atque
Sincerum cupimus vas _incrustare_"--

meaning, of course, that we bring the vessel into suspicion, by treating it
as if it were flawed. Dryden, no doubt, knew the radical meaning of
_sincere_ when he wrote the lines cited by Johnson:

"He try'd a tough well-chosen spear;
Th' inviolable body stood sincere."

C. MANSFIELD INGLEBY.

Birmingham.

_The Saltpetre Man_ (Vol. viii., p. 225.).--In addition to the curious
particulars of this office, I send you an extract from Abp. Laud's _Diary_:

"December 13, Monday. I received letters from Brecknock; that the
_saltpeter man_ was dead and buried the Sunday before the messenger
came. This _saltpeter man_ had digged in the Colledge Church for his
work, bearing too bold upon his commission. The news of it came to me
to London about November 26. I went to my Lord Keeper, and had a
messenger sent to bring him up to answer that sacrilegious abuse. He
prevented his punishment by death."

JOHN S. BURN.

_Major Andre_ (Vol. viii., p. 174.).--There is in the picture gallery of
Yale College, New Haven, Conn., an original sketch of Major Andre, executed
by himself with pen and ink, and without the aid of a glass. It was drawn
in his guard-room on the morning of the day first fixed for his execution.

J. E.

_Longevity_ (Vol. viii., p. 182.).--A DOUBTER is informed that the
_National Intelligencer_ (published at Washington, and edited by Messrs.
Gales and Seaton) is the authority for my statement respecting Mrs.
Singleton, and her advanced age. If A DOUBTER is desirous of satisfying
himself more fully respecting its correctness, he has but {400} to write to
the above-named gentlemen, or to the English Consul at Charleston, S. C.,
and his wish will doubtless be gratified. I cannot but hope that your
correspondent's "fifty cents worth of reasons" for doubting my statement is
now, or shortly will be, removed.

If A DOUBTER intends to be in New York while the present Exhibition is
open, he will have an opportunity of seeing a negro of the age of _one
hundred and twenty-four_, who once belonge