res respecting the Origin of
Alphabetic writing," pp. 365-384. Reference to these papers is
principally made, not on the ground of any assumed merit, but
because _all_ that has been written on any given subject ought,
if possible, to be brought before the minds of those engaged in
the prosecution of the inquiry.]

_Arabic Numerals._--If you think the following {281} title will do for
your correspondent "E.V." (No. 15. p. 230.), please to communicate it to
him:

"Mannert, K., de Numerorum, quos arabicos voc., vera origine
pythagorico; e. Fig. aen. 8vo. Nuernberg, 1801."

Oscar Heun.

Cambridge, Feb. 11. 1850.

_Arabic Numerals_ (No. 15. p. 230.).--Your correspondent should consult
Peacock's "History of Arithmetic" in the _Encyclopaedia Metropolitana_;
and, if he can get them, the notes to Chasles' _Apercu Historique des
Methodes en Geometric_, and various papers of Mr. Chasles, published in
the _Comptes Rendus_ of the French Institute. He may perhaps find some
information in De Morgan's _Arithmetical Books_, particularly at p. 14.

M.

* * * * *

THE FRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE--CHAUCER'S NIGHT CHARM.

In a little work by Costanzi, entitled _Le Istituzioni di Pieta che si
esercitano in Roma_, &c., and published A.D. 1825, in Rome, where the
schools under the management of that brotherhood are in great favour,
"C.F.S." will find much to interest him on the subject, though not
exactly in the order in which he has put his queries (No. 14. p. 214.),
nor to their full extent.

Mr. Thoms, to whom English mediaeval literature is so much beholden, asks
very earnestly for some information about "the white Paternoster" and
"seynte Petres soster," (No. 15. p. 229.). Perhaps the following guesses
may not be without use. First, then, about the "white Paternoster:"

Henry Parker, a Carmelite friar of Doncaster, who wrote his admirable
_Compendiouse Treatyse, or Dialogue of Dives and Pauper_, during the
reign of Edward IV., speaking against superstitions, and especially
"craftes and conjurations with holy prayers," says:

"They that use holy wordes of the gospel, Pater noster, Ave, or
Crede, or holy prayers in theyr wytchecraftes, for charmes or
conjurations--they make a full hye sacrifice to the fende. It
hath oft ben knowen, that wytches, with sayenge of their Pater
noster and droppynge of the holy candell in a man's steppes that