Miscellaneous.

NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.

The author of The History of the Church of Rome to the end of the Episcopate of Damasus, A.D. 384, which has just been published by Messrs. Longman, well remarks, "that he is not aware that there is any account of the Church of Rome, framed on the simple and obvious principle of merely collecting and arranging the testimony of history with regard to facts, and so presented to the reader as that he should leave a right to believe that when he has read what is before him, he has learnt all that is to known. This is strange, considering the points at issue, and the extent, duration, and intensity of the controversies which have been carried on between that Church and the rest of Christendom." It is indeed strange, and it happens fortunately, looking at the all-important question which now agitates the public mind, that the subject should have engaged for some years the attention of a learned, acute, and laborious scholar like Mr. Shepherd, so that he is enabled to put forth the result of his inquiries upon this interesting topic at this moment. Mr. Shepherd's book is indeed a startling one: and when we tell our readers that he "has proved, or, to say the least, has given such indications as will lead to the proof that some documents which have been quoted as authorities in the History of the Early Christian Church, are neither genuine nor authentic;" that he has pretty well resolved St. Cyprian into a purely mythic personage; and shown that all the letters in his works passed between imagined or imaginary correspondents,—we think we are justified in pronouncing his History of the Church of Rome a work calculated to excite the deepest interest in all who peruse it (and by the omission of all long quotations in the learned languages, it is adapted for the perusal of all), to exercise great influence on the public mind, and to awaken a host of endeavours to combat and overthrow arguments which appear to us, however, to be irresistible.

The Council of the Shakspeare Society has just issued to the members the first volume for the present year. It contains Two Historical Plays on the Life and Reign of Queen Elizabeth, by Thomas Heywood, which are very ably edited, with an Introduction and Notes, by Mr. Collier; and we have no doubt will be very acceptable; first, from the interest of the plays themselves, the second of which appears to have been extremely popular; and, lastly, as a further instalment towards a complete collection of Heywood's dramatic works.

Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson will sell on Tuesday and Wednesday next a valuable portion of the Library of a gentleman, including the late Charles Mathews' copy of the Second Shakspeare; a valuable series of works on Annuities, &c.; and another on the History and Antiquities of London.

Books Received.—Supplement on the Doctrine and Discipline of the Greek Church. We characterised Mr. Appleyard's interesting little volume, entitled, The Greek Church, as historical rather than doctrinal. The title of this Supplement shows that it expressly supplies the very material in which the original work was deficient.—Archæologia Cambrensis, New Series, No. VI. A very good number of this record of the Antiquities of Wales and its Marches, and in which are commenced two series of papers of great interest to the Principality: one on the Architectural Antiquities of Monmouthshire, by Mr. Freeman; the other on the Poems of Taliessin, by Mr. Stephens.

Catalogues Received.—W. Brown's (46. High Holborn) Catalogue Part 52. of Valuable Second-hand Books, Ancient and Modern;—Cole's (15. Great Turnstile, Holborn) List No. 33. of very Cheap Books; B. Quaritch's (16. Castle Street, Leicester Square) Catalogue No. 27. of Antiquarian, Historical, Heraldic, Numismatic, and Topographical Books; Charles Skeet's (21. King William Street, Strand) List No. 2. of Miscellaneous Books just purchased.

BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES WANTED TO PURCHASE.

*** Letters stating particulars and lowest price, carriage free, to be sent to Mr. Bell, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street.

Notices to Correspondents.

We are reluctantly compelled, by want of room, to postpone until next week Mr. Singer's Paper on a passage in Shakspeare's Anthony and Cleopatra; one by Mr. Dawson Turner on the Authors of the Rolliad; and many other interesting communications.

Cromwell's Devlings with the Devil. S. H. H. is thanked for the curious MS. he has forwarded upon this subject, which shall appear next week, when the original shall be carefully returned. We should be glad to see the other paper referred to by S. H. H.

A. L. is thanked. The only reason for the non-appearance of any of his communications is, that they were not sent separately, and we have not had time to make a selection. We take this opportunity of again begging correspondents who write to us on several subjects to oblige us by writing on separate papers; and (which does not refer to A. L.) by writing plainly, more particularly proper names and quotations.

K. R. H. M. Received.

Nocab has our very best thanks for his kind letter, and his endeavours to increase our circulation. We are endeavouring to arrange for a permanent enlargement of our paper, and propose shortly to make use of Nocab's communication and valuable hint.

Sing's reminder, that Saturday last, the 29th of March, was "the centenary anniversary of the death of Captain Coram, the worthy founder of the Foundling," reached us too late for us to call attention to it.

Mr. A. J. Dunkin's communication on the subject of his proposed Monumenta Anglicana shall have our early attention.

Kerriensis is thanked for several interesting communications of which we propose to make an early use.

Will L. M. M. R. send his address? The book he wants has been reported to the publisher.

Replies Received.—Mathew's Med. Passage—San Grail—Nettle in. &c.—The Tanthony—Treatise by Engelbert—Circulation of the Blood—Sir A. Chadwick—Rowley Powley—Langholme Fair—Epitaph on a Turncoat—Gig Hill—Damasked Linen—Endeavour—Meaning of Strained—Rack—Daughter of James II.—Snail-eating—Munchausen's Travels—Mitre, &c.—Cloven Tongues—"Going the whole hog"—Expression in Milton—Haybands in Seals—King John at Lincoln—Handbell—Vineyards—Mazer Wood.

Vols. I. and II., each with very copious Index, may still be had, price 9s. 6d. each.

Notes and Queries may be procured, by order, of all Booksellers and Newsvenders. It is published at noon on Friday, so that our country Subscribers ought not to experience any difficulty in procuring it regularly. Many of the country Booksellers, &c. are, probably, not yet aware of this arrangement, which will enable them to receive Notes and Queries in their Saturday parcels.

All communications for the Editor of Notes and Queries should be addressed to the care of Mr. Bell, No. 186. Fleet Street.

Errata.—P. 236, Col. 2. l. 26, for Hanse town read hamlet; p. 238, col. 1. l. 27, for "cratus" read "natus"; p. 217, col. 1. l. 29. for "Count" read "Court"; p. 250, col. 1. l. 4, for "Tedley" read "Sedley," col. 2. l. 23, for "tantus" read "tantas."

On the 31st of March was commenced the Publication of a