_Early Reaping-machines._--Have the former Numbers of "N. & Q." contained an account of the invention of a reaping-machine in the last century, similar in design and construction to the one lately invented in America? A friend of mine has in his possession a work, entitled _The Complete Farmer, or a General Dictionary of Husbandry_; containing the various methods of improving the land, &c., together with great variety of new discoveries and improvements, the 4th edition, by a society of gentlemen. There is no date on the title-page; but from internal evidence, I am led to think that the work was not published before 1780. If it be thought desirable, I shall be happy to send an extract from the work, giving an account of the machine, or, if drawings be admitted into the pages of "N. & Q.," the work might be sent to the Editor. H. D. W. * * * * * Minor Queries with Answers. "_Diary of a Self-Observer._"-- "Augustine's _Confessions_ may be in some degree compared with the _Private Diary of a Self-Observer_ (_Geheimes Tagebuch von einem Beobachter seiner selbst_) which has in our own days been read with so great eagerness and sympathy. Not as if the celebrated author of the latter work did not in many ways deserve a preference above the African bishop," &c.--Schroeckh's _Kirchengeschichte_, xv. 376.: Leipzig, 1790. What is the book here meant, and by whom was it written? J. C. R. [This _Diary_ is by the celebrated John Caspar Lavater, author of _Essays on Physiognomy_. In 1769 he commenced it under the title of _Secret Journal of a Self-Observer_. In the following year it fell into the hands of a stranger, and from him it was transmitted to Zollikofer, with such alterations, however, as to conceal the real author. Zollikofer, thinking that it contained much useful matter, had it printed; and among others, sent a copy of it to his friend Lavater, who was beyond measure astonished at the sight. However, as it was now before the world in a somewhat disfigured state, Lavater edited it with the necessary alterations, and with an additional volume: Leipsic, 1771 and 1773. In 1795, the German original was translated into English by the Rev. Peter Will, of the Reformed German Chapel in the Savoy, in two vols. 8vo. Prefixed to the second volume is a letter from Lavater to the editor, with the editor's reply. See Chalmers's _Biographical Dictionary, s. v._, and Heisch's _Memoirs of John Caspar Lavater_, pp. 58-60.] _Jockey._--Mr. Borrow, in his Introduction to _The Gypsies of Spain_, says: