“ It is so seldom that the productions of the Customer and the Tradesman form part of the same Periodical, that it is no wonder if the Publisher of the "Current Notes" feels a little elated by seeing his humble efforts for the entertainment of the Public in such good company. ”

“ Johnson may be adopted as a justification, that "the man who removes the smallest obstacle in the pathway of Literature becomes its benefactor." History is built up of fragments as the pyramid is formed of single stones ”

“ It is a mournful task to record the death of the gifted—to follow Genius to its grave. Our Obituary of the past year chronicles the death of many who were giants in the realms of thought, and whom the world of science and learning could ill afford to lose. ”

“ The thirst for knowledge must be considerably influenced by the means we have at hand to supply and satisfy its craving. Long before Lord Campbell pronounced his judgment, the publisher was impressed with the truth of these views, and had steadily adhered to them as the basis of his business. ”

“ It will be necessary also to explain to the Literary Inquirers that the time of the various officers and other persons employed in the Public Record Office is so wholly engrossed by the performance of their present duties, that it will not be possible for the officers to assist any Literary Inquirers beyond the production of the documents, and giving a general explanation, if needed, of their character and nature. ”

“ G. Willis gratefully acknowledges the various interesting documents and letters he has received. He is anxious that it should be perfectly understood that he is not the author of any statement, representation, or opinion, that may appear in his "Current Notes," which are merely selections from communications made to him in the course of his business, and which appear to him to merit attention. ”

“ But this patronage, so far from dulling his exertions in his legitimate pursuit—that of promoting the diffusion of Books in their widest extent—will only stimulate him to fresh efforts, and while he continues to place before his Customers the best Books, he trusts that they will be as liberal as hitherto in their contributions of Current Notes. ”

“ Holding himself aloof from the bias of all personal interest or party feeling, the publisher can make due allowance for difference of opinion, and like heralds in the tournament, after proclaiming the titles of the respective champions, quietly retires and awaits the issue of the fray. ”

“ G. W. is informed that the reading Public are indebted to John Bruce, Esq., the Treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries, for this important concession on the part of the Master of the Rolls; and it has been suggested that a suitable testimonial should be presented to Mr. Bruce by those historical inquirers who are likely to derive such valuable aid from his exertions.
F. S. A.
Literary Auctions.—That there is no lack of enthusiasm among amateurs for the possession of rare and curious works, is evidenced by the prices which some books of this class brought at a sale just concluded by Messrs. ”

“ No applicant ought to present himself who is not sufficiently acquainted with the hand-writing, abbreviations, and language of ancient documents, so as to be able to read and decipher their contents.
The Literary Inquirer will have free access to the documents, but, this being done, he will have to conduct the inquiry from these documents in such manner as his own knowledge and capacity may best enable him to do. ”

“ If there have been any communications from Correspondents which have not met with due regard and consideration, it must be pleaded in apology that this miscellany of curious information necessarily embraces so wide a field, that in gathering in the harvest it is not surprising if a few ears of corn escape the gleaner's hand. ”

“ Sir,—As it appears from the public Prints that the late eminent artist, J. M. W. Turner, never sat for his Portrait;—and the only likenesses of him were taken by stealth, I send you a rude sketch which I took of him in the same way, about the year 1805 or 6. He was then on a visit at Mr. Fawkes's, of Farnley, where a number of grouse shooters had assembled,—and Turner had adopted the garb of a sportsman. ”

“ Of this singular Ascetical Romance, M. Van Praet states that six copies are known as being printed on vellum: of these three are in the National Library at Paris, all of which are more or less adorned with miniatures, two of them, like the present, having the summary of the chapters (left blank for the insertion of the miniatures) written in a contemporary hand on the margins. ”

“ Every statement therefore is open to correction or discussion, and the writers of the several paragraphs should be considered as alone responsible for their assertions. Although many notes have hitherto appeared anonymously, or with initial letters, yet wherever a serious contradiction is involved, G. Willis trusts that his Correspondents will feel the necessity of allowing him to make use of their names when properly required. ”

“ The R. I. A.—T. C. D. and the Dublin Society, however, cannot in the slightest degree influence the conduct of G. W.'s "Current Notes."
If these learned bodies regard their own situation, they will not object to "any slang, coarseness, or Americanisms." They should rather reflect how much America has and probably will teach young Ireland—BUT NOT through their agency, as publishers.
[Pg 8]
The Holy Grahl, Δ. as confessedly "made up of quotations," is an article not suited to G. W.'s "Current Notes."
Admission of Literary Inquirers to the Public Records. ”

“ This mode of proceeding, which is equally required for the security of the Records, and for the protection of the business searchers, will in fact be beneficial to Literary Inquirers; for the more fully they explain their objects, the better will the Deputy Keeper and the other officers be able to direct them to the documents which may be useful to them. ”

“ The publisher thinks it not inappropriate to reprint in this place the following Notice to Correspondents.
G. Willis begs to express his acknowledgments for the numerous interesting communications which have been forwarded to him, and will feel obliged by the receipt of any original articles on subjects, either of a literary or an antiquarian nature. Woodcuts, illustrative of subjects requiring them, will be executed at his expense. ”

“ That a book be kept at each branch office, in which the Assistant Keeper shall enter a note or particular of the Rolls, Records, Books, or Documents, called for, inspected, or used by the applicant, nearly in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is practised with respect to Manuscripts in the British Museum. ”

“ The sale being the largest that ever took place in America, of any private library, the books brought fair prices. A volume of Tracts, containing the American Whig, &c. sold for 22 dollars 75 cents, to Bancroft, the historian. Byzantinæ Historiæ Scriptores, a unique set, containing a beautiful MS. translation of the third volume of Nicephorus Gregoras, sold for 475 dollars, to Prof. Ticknor, of Boston. Biblia Sacra Polyglotta, being the celebrated Complutensian Polyglott, 130 dollars, to the Rochester University. The Paris Polyglott, 100 dollars, to Geo. Livermore, Esq. Boston. ”

“ The Christian Advocate and Journal has a circulation of from 25 to 29,000 copies. The Missionary Advocate circulates 20,000 copies, and the Sunday School Advocate no less than 65,000 copies, with a yearly sale of Sunday School Books amounting to upwards of £1000, or 5000 dollars. ”

“ In answer to W. B.'s communications, G. W. conceives that the best mode of making a local work of this nature known, would be by a circular letter addressed to the resident Nobility, Clergy, and Gentry of Yorkshire, soliciting their countenance and support.
The information desired respecting the publications of the Archæological Societies named, may be obtained by W. B. addressing himself to their respective Secretaries, viz.
M. A. Lower, Esq., Lewes. Rev. Dr. Hume, Liverpool. William Ayrton, Esq., Chester. Samuel Tymms, Esq., Bury St. Edmunds, and Henry Harrod, Esq., Norwich. ”

“ Willis.
Sketch of the Gear of an Old Bell Clapper.
A. Crown Staple.
B. Bawdrick or Baldrock of old Churchwarden's books, viz. stout white leather straps, shewing how fitted with intervening piece of hard wood and pin.
C. Clapper, with stirrup top.
D. "Busk Board" which at the lower end is tied round the stem of the clapper, and by the pin above keeps the wood and leather all steady together, and the clapper works or swings on the crown staple, having leather on the upper side, and hard wood under.
H. T. E.
Turnbuckle and Latch.—The figure you have engraved on p. ”

“ That in the paper which contained the four-and-twenty halfpence he found another filled with farthings, the exact amount of which when calculated, proved to be that of compound interest upon the shilling for five-and-twenty years one month and thirteen days."
Mr. Rogers has never since told the story.
Robert Hoblyn.
Sir,—Through the medium of your publication, can you tell me anything about "Robt. Hoblyn;" and what works he has published? I believe they were of a classical nature; and he was living in 1825.
Yours truly,
A. K.
Jan. ”