* * * * *{253} MISCELLANIES. _Pursuits of Literature._--The lines upon the pursuits of literature, quoted by you at p. 212., remind me of some others, which I have heard ascribed to Mr. Grattan, and are as follows:-- "'Tis well, Pursuits of Literature! But who, and what is the pursuer, A Jesuit cursing Popery: A railer preaching charity; A reptile, nameless and unknown, Sprung from the slime of Warburton, Whose mingled learning, pride, and blundering, Make wise men stare, and set fools wondering." X. _Doctor Dobbs and his Horse Nobbs_.--I remember having read somewhere of "Doctor Dobbs and his horse Nobbs," but where I cannot now recall. I only remember one anecdote. The horse Nobbs was left, one cold night, outside a cottage, whilst the Doctor was within officiating as accoucheur (I believe); when he was ready to start, and came out, he found the horse apparently dead. The Doctor was miles from home, and, as the horse was dead, and the night dark, in place of walking home, he, with his host, dragged the horse into the kitchen, and skinned him, by way of passing the time profitably. But, lo! when the skinning was finished, the horse gave signs of returning animation. What was to be done? Doctor Dobbs, fertile in resources, got sheepskins and sewed them on Nobbs, and completely clothed him therein; and--mirabile dictu!--the skins became attached to the flesh, Nobbs recovered, and from thenceforward carried a _woolly_ coat, duly shorn every summer, to the profit of Doctor Dobbs, and to the wonder and admiration of the neighbourhood. I have also read somewhere that Coleridge told the story of "Doctor Dobbs and his horse Nobbs" to Southey at Oxford. J.M.B. _Dr. Dobbs and his Horse Nobbs_.--Although of small moment, it is, perhaps, worth recording, that a Doctor Daniel Dove, of Doncaster, and his horse Nobbs, form the subjects of a paper in "The Nonpareil, or the Quintessence of Wit and Humour," published in 1757, and which, there can be little doubt, was the source whence Southey adopted, _without alteration_, the names so well known to all readers of the _Doctor_. JNO. SUDLOW. Manchester. Seeing the communication of "P.C.S.S." (p. 73.), reminds me of a note taken from our Parish Register:-- "1723. Feb. 10. 'Dorothy Dove, gentlewoman, bur.'" I have never seen the name in connection with Doncaster before or since the above date. J.S. Doncaster, Jan. 15. --SI PROPIUS STES, TE CAPIET MINUS. _(From the Latin of Vincent Bourne.)_ Glide down the Thames by London Bridge, what time St. Saviour's bells strike out their evening chime; Forth leaps the ompetuous cataract of sound, Dash'd into noise by countless echoes round. Pass on--it follows--all the jarring notes Blend in celestial harmony, that floats Above, below, around: the ravish'd ear Finds all the fault its own--it was TOO NEAR. RUFUS.