_R. S. Townshend of Manchester._--I know that you have several intelligent correspondents in the neighbourhood of Manchester, and it is probable that they may be able to give me some information respecting a Mr. R. S. Townshend, a person of literary taste and pursuits, who resided in that town about the year 1730. His Common-place Book, or Diary, which has fallen into my hands, contains numerous allusions to the leading gentry and clergy of the neighbourhood; and more than once it mentions the well-known Dr. Byrom, under the title of "Il Gran Maestro de Tachigraphia." Dr. Deacon, a distinguished person among the Nonjurors, is also mentioned. The acting of Cato by the scholars of the grammar-school on Dec. 20, 1732, is also mentioned, with some critiques upon the performers. The elections at the collegiate church are constantly referred to as subjects of all-absorbing interest; there being a strong party, {180} as well in the town as in the church, of Jacobites, and these elections being regarded as a trial of party strength. O. G. "_Mala malæ malo._"--Will any of your correspondents be good enough to complete the distich of which the following is the first line?-- "Mala malæ malo mala pertulit omnia in orbem," or something like it. And, as a further favour, finish the hexameter in this epigram? "Roma amor è retro perlecto nomine.... Tendit enim retro Roma in amore Dei." This is in the style of Audoenus. The former I have heard attributed to Porson. BALLIOLENSIS. "_Dimidium Scientiæ._"--I should be glad if some one of your Baconian annotators would direct me to that famous maxim which Coleridge ascribes to the great philosopher, "Dimidium scientiæ, prudens quæstio," in the original. B. B. WOODWARD. _Portrait Painters._--I am in possession of some good paintings, portraits, &c., which were taken at the end of the last, and early in the present century. Some were painted at Bath, and others at Derby: and I should feel obliged if, in your Notes, I could obtain information as to what artists of celebrity were known in those places from fifty to seventy years ago. I have heard that White of Derby was an artist of high repute. J. KNIGHT. Aylestone. _"An Impartial Inquiry," &c._--Who was author of-- "An Impartial Inquiry into the true Nature of the Faith which is required in the Gospel as necessary to Salvation. In which is briefly shown upon how righteous Terms Unbelievers may become true Christians: and the case of the Deists is reduced to a short Issue, by Philalethes Cestriensis. 8vo., Lond. 1746." Y. B. N. J. "_As poor as Job's Turkey._"--This proverbial expression is used in the United States, sometimes with an addition showing how poor he was, thus: "As poor as Job's turkey, that had but one feather in his tail;" "As poor as Job's turkey, that had to lean against a fence to gobble." UNEDA. _Fuss._--Perhaps some of your correspondents can favour the public with the etymology and date of the word _fuss_.