and that the recognition would give pleasure.  He was trying his hand at a task of which it has been affirmed by a master, that Difficile est proprie communia dicere.  The Schoolboy knows where to find these words; and I hope that he also knows where to find the words of one who speaks with greater authority, and has said most kindly, “Cease, my son, to hear [read] the instruction that causeth to err.”

H.W.

Aboriginal Chambers near Tilbury.—­It is proposed to descend some of the aboriginal chambers alluded to by Camden, near Tilbury in Essex.  In consequence, however, of Camden having named a wrong parish, later antiquaries have been puzzled to ascertain their precise whereabouts.  Mr. Crafter, in 1848, after many days’ labour, found them out; and a brief notice of them was given {463} in an article upon “Primaeval Britain” in the West Kent Almanack for 1849.  Hasted mentions similar pits in Crayford Parish, Kent.  In Dartford parish is another called “the Sound Hole,” from the echoes, &c., made upon a stone being thrown down.  Mr. S. Laudale intends an examination of it this summer.  Tradition reports that there are three enormous caverns, which communicate with the central shaft.

How, or what, is the best way of driving the foul air out of those chambers which are aloof from the central shaft?

[Greek:  Delta]

Sir R. Haigh’s Letter-Book.—­A few days ago, Messrs. Puttick and Simpson sold a very important manuscript, the original letter-book of Sir R. Haigh, of Lancashire, of the time of Charles II.  It fetched 51l., being bought by a collector whose name has not transpired; but perhaps this notice, if you kindly insert it, may induce the purchaser to edit it for the Chetham Society, to whose publications it would for a most valuable addition.

R.

A Phonetic Peculiarity.—­I venture to note as a very curious phonetic peculiarity, that we have in the English language a large number of monosyllabic words ending is sh, all of which are expressive of some violet action or emotion.  I quote a few which have occurred without search, in alphabetical order.  “Brush, brash, crash, crush, dash, gash, gush, hash, gnash, lash, mash, pash, push, quash, rush, slash, smash, squash, thrash.”

J.M.B.

* * * * *

MISCELLANEOUS.

NOTES ON BOOKS, CATALOGUES, SALES, ETC.

At the late Annual Meeting of the Shakespeare Society it was announced that a complete collection of the works of Thomas Heywood had been determined upon, and the first volume containing six plays was laid upon the table.  It was also shown that Mr. Collier’s Essay on the Chandos Portrait had only been delayed from a desire to obtain the most novel and accurate information.

The members of the Percy Society will be glad to hear, that at the Annual Meeting on the 1st instant, the immediate publication of the third volume of Mr. Wright’s edition of the Canterbury Tales was announced.