we were in perpetual danger. Being on shore, Father Francis and I
walked along by the sea-side, towards the town of Tamalo, and had
already walked about 500 paces, when both of us beheld, arising out
of the sea, a crab fish, which carried betwixt his claws the same
crucifix raised on high. I saw the crab fish come directly to the
Father, by whose side I was, and stopped before him. The Father,
falling on his knees, took his crucifix, after which the crab-fish
returned into the sea. But the Father still continuing in the same
humble posture, hugging and kissing the crucifix, was half an hour
praying with his hands across his breast, and myself joining with
him in thanksgiving to God for so evident a miracle; after which we
arose and continued on our way.' Thus you have the relation of
Rodriguez."--Dryden's _Life of St. Francis Xavier_, book iii.

EDW. HAWKINS.

* * * * *


JOHN AUBREY.


As the biographer and editor of that amiable and zealous antiquary JOHN
AUBREY, I noticed with peculiar interest the statement of your
correspondent, that the date of your first publication coincided with
the anniversary of his birthday; but, unhappily, the coincidence is
imaginary. Your correspondent has, on that point, adopted a careless
reading of the first chapter of Aubrey's _Miscellanies_, whereby the 3rd
of November, the birthday of the Duke of York, afterwards James the
Second, has been frequently stated as that of the antiquary himself. See