_Slow-worm Superstition_ (Vol. viii., pp. 33. 479.).--I believe that the superstition alluded to is { 74} not confined to one country, nor to one species of reptile. I remember to have heard some countrymen in Cornwall, who had killed an adder, say that it would not cease to writhe until the sun had gone down. Like many other so-called superstitions, it is probably founded on a close observation of a natural phenomenon; and I feel quite sure that I have seen in print, although I cannot now call to mind where, that it is to be accounted for by the fact, that in these cold-blooded animals the nervous irritability does not cease until checked or destroyed by the chilling dews of evening.
(Vol. v., pp. 303. 333. 607.; Vol. viii., p. 8.)
I have no doubt that it will be satisfactory to some of your readers to know that I have in my possession a copy, "vellum bound in gilt," of _Junius_, printed for Henry Sampson Woodfall, 1772, 2 vols. This copy has been in the family library for about sixty years. There are no marks by which it can be traced to its original owner. I imagine it must have been purchased by my grandfather, Sir Thomas Metcalfe, after his arrival from India about 1788; this is, however, merely a conjecture, in default of any more probable theory. Of the authenticity of this copy I have no doubt; I mean that it is now in the same condition as when it was first issued by the bookseller. The binding is evidently of an old date, the gilding is peculiar, and the books correspond exactly with the orders of Junius as given to Woodfall in Note No. 47., Dec. 1771, and although neatly bound, are, as Woodfall mentions in No. 64., not highly finished. Are there many copies of this edition, or may I congratulate myself upon possessing _the_ one ordered by Junius? It is quite possible that my grandfather possessed this copy some years before his return from India; and I may mention that I also have a great many political pamphlets and satires, chiefly in poetry, of different dates, from 1760 to 1780, such as _Catiline's Conspiracy_; _The Diaboliad_; _Ditto_, with additions, dedicated to the worst man in the kingdom (Rigby), and containing allusions to all the most celebrated characters of Junius; _The Senators_, _La Fête Champêtre_, and many miscellanies. These, however, are perhaps well known. I have also a pamphlet containing an alleged unpublished canto of the _Faerie Queene_ of Spenser, and a great many religious tracts from 1580 to 1700. Some of the political poems are published by Almon. Among other curious stray sheets, is a list of all the gentlemen and officers who fell in the cause of Charles I., and Mr. Richard Brown appears amongst the number. I hope to communicate more fully upon some future occasion, and must conclude with an allusion to the claims of Francis as the author of _Junius_. Strong as the proofs may be in his favour in England, I believe that in India there is testimony no less important; and I have been informed, by one who spoke with some authority, that the letters of Francis upon record in this country bear no resemblance _whatever_ to those of Junius. This assertion, however, is far too vague to satisfy any of your readers. I hope some day to be able to confirm it by examples. The India House might furnish the private correspondence between Francis and Hastings, which would be extremely interesting.