A GENIUS.

(From the German of Claudius.)

    “Friend Ass,” said the Fox, as he met him one day,
    “What can people mean?—­Do you know what they say?”
    “No, I don’t,” said the Ass; “nor I don’t care, not I.” 
    “Why, they say you’re a GENIUS,” was Reynard’s reply. 
    “My stars!” muttered Jack, quite appall’d by the word,
    “What can I have done that’s so very absurd?”

* * * * *

Dedications (No. 17. p. 259.).—­In Villaneuva’s Dedication to the Duke of Medinaceli of his Origen Epocas y Progressos del Teatro Espanol (Madrid, 1802, sm. 4to.), the enumeration of the names, titles, and offices of his patron occupies three entire pages, and five lines of a fourth.

F.C.B.

* * * * *

NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.

The Percy Society have just issued a reprint of a black letter tract, entitled “A manifest Detection of the most Vyle and Detestable Use of Dice Play,” which exhibits a curious picture of the tricks in vogue amongst the gamesters of the sixteenth century, and, as the Editor very justly observes, “comprises fuller explanations of terms used by Shakspeare and other old dramatists than are to be found in the notes of the commentators.  The mysteries of gowrds and fullams, high men and low men, stumbling-blocks to many intelligent readers of the works of the Stratford Poet, are here satisfactorily revealed.”

Whatever hope the projectors of the approaching Exhibition of Works of Ancient and Mediaeval Art entertained of forming such a collection of objects as might deserve the attention of the public generally, and accomplish the great end in view, have been more than realised.  Thanks to the liberality with which the possessors of works of early art of this description, from the most distinguished personages of the realm, have placed their stores at the disposal of the committee, the very novel exhibition which will open to the public on Thursday next, will be as remarkable for its intrinsic beauty, as for its instructive and suggestive character.

We need scarcely remind lovers of fine editions of first class books that Messrs. Sotheby commence the sale of the first portion of the extensive stock of Messrs. Payne and Foss, of Pall Mall, on Monday next.

We have received from Mr. Straker, of 3.  Adelaide Street, his Catalogue of English and Foreign Theology, arranged according to subject, and with an Alphabetical Index of Authors:  and also Parts I. and II. of his Monthly Catalogues of Ancient and modern Theological Literature.  Mr. Lilly, who has removed to No. 7.  Pall Mall, has also forwarded Nos. 1. and 2. of his Catalogues of Rare, Curious, and Useful Books.  Mr. Miller, of 43.  Chandos Street, has just issued No. 3. for 1850 of his Catalogue of Books, Old and New:  and Mr. Quarritch (of 16.  Castle Street, Leicester Square) No. 14.  Catalogue of Oriental and Foreign Books:  and, though not least deserving of mention (by us, at all events, as he has the good taste to announce on his Catalogue “Notes and Queries SOLD"), Mr. Nield, of 46.  Burlington Arcade has just issued No. 2. for 1850, in which are some Marprelate and Magical Books worth looking after.