and "Doveton?"_ (Vol. viii., p.
127.).--MR. ANSTRUTHER begs to decline the compliment; perhaps the
publisher of the admirable _History of the War in Affghanistan_ can find a
head to fit the cap.

Oswestry.

[On a reference to our note-book, we find our authority for attributing
the authorship of these works to Mr. Anstruther is the _Gentleman's
Magazine_ for September, 1837, p. 283. In the review of _Doveton_ the
writer says, "There is in it a good deal to amuse, and something to
instruct, but the whole narrative of _Mr. Anstruther_ is too
melodramatic," &c. However, as he declines the compliment, perhaps some
of our readers will be able to find the right head to fit the cap.]

_Alma Mater._--In Ainsworth's _Latin Dictionary_ I observed he limits the
use of that expression to Cambridge. I have been accustomed to see it used
for Oxford, or any other university. What is his reason for applying it to
Cambridge alone?

MA. L.

[Bailey, too, in his _Dictionary_, applies the epithet exclusively to
Cambridge, _Alma mater Cantabrigia_: so that it seems to have
originated with that university. It is now popularly applied to Oxford,
and other universities, by those who have imbibed the milk of learning
from these places. The epithet has lately been transplanted to the
United States of America.]

* * * * *

Replies.

ALEXANDER CLARK.

(Vol. viii., p. 18.)

In communicating a few particulars about Alexander Clark, I must disappoint
your correspondent PERTHENSIS; _my_ subject answering in no respect to
Peter Buchan's "drucken dominie," the author of the _Buttery College_.
Alexander Clark, who has fallen in my way, belongs to the class of "amiable
enthusiasts;" a character I am somewhat fond of, believing that in any
pursuit a dash of the latter quality is essential to success.

Clark was by profession a gardener; and as my friends in the north always
seek to localise their worthies, I venture to assign him to Annandale. My
first acquaintance with him arose from his {518} _Emblematical
Representation_ falling into my hands; and, pursuing my inquiries, I found
this was but one of some half-dozen visionary works from the same pen. In
his _View of the Glory of the Messiah's Kingdom_, we have the origin of his
taking upon himself the prophetic character; it is entitled:

"A Brief Account of an Extraordinary Revelation, and other Things