us instances, that most of
those whom we have been taught to look up to as the greatest authorities
in English writing--Dryden, Swift, Pope, Johnson, and others--seem to
have had no fixed rule on the subject, but to have used "a" or "an"
before the same words with the most reckless inconsistency.

The second paper, at p. 162., gives a more detailed account of the
adage, "Quem Deus (potius _Jupiter_) vult perdere," &c., than "F.C.B."
(whose object, of course, was rather to compare _results_ than to trace
_derivations_) has supplied in his interesting communication.

C. FORBES.

* * * * *

MISCELLANEOUS.

NOTES ON BOOKS, CATALOGUES, SALES, ETC.

Such of our readers as do not possess Halliwell's _Dictionary of Archaic
and Provincial Words_, which Mr. Way, a very competent authority, lately
designated in our columns as Mr. Halliwell's "useful glossarial
collections," will be glad to learn that Mr. Russell Smith has announced
a second and cheaper edition of it.

The new number of the _Archaeological Journal_ is a very interesting one.
That portion if it, more particularly, which relates the Proceedings of
the Meetings of the Archaeological Institute, contains a great mass of
curious and valuable information; made the more available and
instructive by means of the admirable woodcuts by which it is
illustrated.

We have received several curious communications on the subject of Parish
Registers, with reference to the article on "Early Statistics," and the
"Registers of Chart, Kent," to which we shall endeavour to give early
insertion. We have also received a copy of _A Letter addressed to R.
Monckton Milnes, Esq. M.P., on the Condition and unsafe State of Ancient
Parochial Registers in England and the Colonies_, to which we beg to
direct the attention of such of our friends as take an interest in this
important subject.

Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, of 191. Piccadilly, will sell on Monday,
the 29th instant, and three following days, a selection from the
valuable library of the Rev. Dr. Maitland. Although only a selection
from the library of the learned historian of the Dark Ages, the
Catalogue exhibits, in addition to numerous Polyglot and other important
editions of the Scriptures, and the great collections of Baronius,
Mabillon, Dupin, Martene, and Durand, &c., a vast number of works of the
highest value in the departments of Theology and Ecclesiastical History.

We have received