_A Query for the City Commission._--In the _London Gazette_ of January 23,
1684-5, we read that King Charles II. sent to the Lord Mayor, in a silver
box sealed up with his majesty's seal, the receipts of the several cements
used by the patentees for making sea-water fresh; as also the receipt of
their metallic composition and ingredients, certified under the hand of the
Hon. Robert Boyle, to be kept so sealed up by the present and succeeding
lord mayors, lest a secret of so great importance to the public might come
to be lost, if lodged only in the knowledge of a few persons therein
concerned.
It is to be hoped that the commissioners who are now engaged in
investigating the affairs of the Corporation of London, will not fail in
making inquiry of the present Lord Mayor after this silver box, committed
so carefully to City preservation.