I was under the impression that Chatterton's forgery of the Rowley poems, Macpherson's of the Ossianic rhapsodies, and Count de Surville's of the poems of Madame de Surville, were "the most celebrated literary frauds of modern times." In what respect are those alluded to by Dr. Wiseman entitled to the unenviable distinction which he claims for them? HENRY H. BREEN. St. Lucia. * * * * * Minor Queries with Answers. "_Very like a Whale._"--What is the origin of this expression? It occurs in the following doggerel verses, supposed to be spoken by the driver of a cart laden with fish: "This salmon has got a tail; _It's very like a whale_; It's a fish that's very merry; They say its catch'd at Derry. It's a fish that's got a heart; It's catch'd and put in Dugdale's cart." HENRY H. BREEN. St. Lucia. [This expression occurs in _Hamlet_, Act III. Sc. _2._: "_Hamlet._ Do you see yonder cloud, that is almost in shape of a camel? _Polonius._ By the mass, and 'tis like a camel, indeed. _Hamlet._ Methinks it is like a weasel. _Polonius._ It is backed like a weasel. _Hamlet._ Or like a whale? _Polonius._ Very like a whale." Since Shakspeare's time, it has been used as a proverb in reply to any remark partaking of the marvellous.] _Wednesday a Litany Day._--Why is Wednesday made a Litany day by the Church? We all know why Friday was made a fast; but why should Wednesday be sacred? ANON. [Wednesdays and Fridays were kept as fasts in the primitive Church: because on the one our Lord was betrayed, on the other crucified. See Mant and Wheatley.] _"Thy Spirit, Independence," &c._--Could you, or any of your readers, inform me where are the following lines?-- "Thy spirit, Independence, let me share, Lord of the lion heart and eagle eye! Thy steps I'll follow with my bosom bare, Nor heed the storm that howls along the sky." I quote from memory. H. [In Smollett's _Ode to Independence_.] _"Hob and nob," Meaning of._--What is the origin of these words as verbs, in the phrase "Hob or nob," which means, as I need not inform your readers, to spend an evening tippling with a jolly companion? What is the origin of "nob?" And is either of these two words ever used alone? C. H. HOWARD. Edinburgh.