three tones or variations of sound, or
interval, were used in speaking in his time; whereas now our preachers,
orators, and elocutionists take in a range of eight at least."

Will some indulgent reader of "N. & Q." tell me where such a passage
occurs?

SEMI-TONE.

* * * * *

Minor Queries with Answers.

_Goldsmith's "Haunch of Venison._"--What is the name in this poem beginning
with H, which Goldsmith makes to rhyme with "beef?" The metre requires it
to be a monosyllable, but there is no name that I have ever heard of that
would answer in this place. Is the H a mistake for K, which would give a
well-known Irish name?

J. S. WARDEN.

[A variation in the Aldine edition gives the line--

"There's Coley and Williams, and Howard and Hiff."

MR. BOLTON CORNEY, in his unrivalled edition of Goldsmith's _Poetical
Works_, 1846, has furnished the following note:--"_Howard_=H. Howard?
author of _The Choice Spirits Museum_, 1765; _Coley_=Colman, says
Horace Walpole; _H--rth_=Hogarth? a surgeon of Golden Square;
_Hiff_=Paul Hiffernan, M.D., author of _Dramatic Genius_, &c." Mr.
Peter Cunningham, in his forthcoming edition of _Goldsmith_, will
probably tell us more.

* * * * *

Replies.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

(Vol. viii., pp. 220. 395. 498.)

When I mentioned the above subject in "N. & Q.," I admit that my meaning
may have taken too wide a signification. I, however, wrote advisedly, my
object being to draw the attention of those schools that were in fault, and
in the hope of benefiting those that desired to do more. I suppose I must
exonerate Tonbridge, therefore, from any aspersion; and as it appears they
are well provided, from Bacon and Newton to _Punch_ and the _Family
Friend_, I am at a loss to know how I can be of service.

Of the defects in popular education I am as sensible as the rest of the
multitude appear to be, and my particular view of the case would, I fear,
be too lengthy a subject for these columns. It is quite clear, however,
that education is partial, and in some sort a monopoly; its valuable
branches being altogether out of the reach of more than half the
population, and the staple industry of the people not sufficiently
represented,--as, for instance, the steam-engine. In them there is not
sufficient concentration, if I may use the term, of instruction; and the
requirements of many arts a