_Charade attributed to Sheridan_ (Vol. vii., p. 379.).--Several years ago, I think in 1818 or 1819, a friend gave me some verses nearly similar to those communicated by your correspondent BALLIOLENSIS, and requested me to ascertain if they were Mrs. Piozzi's, as my friend had been told that they were written by that lady. Soon afterwards I asked Mrs. Piozzi if she ever wrote a riddle on a gaming-table. She replied, "Yes, a very long time ago." She immediately repeated a line or two, and, after some consideration, recited the following, which, she assured me, were her original composition. These lines, it will be observed, differ somewhat from those attributed to Sheridan, but they were probably the basis of those, and also of other versions of the riddle, which, I believe, are in existence. This statement so thoroughly removes all uncertainty about the {464} author of the original, that I trust you will deem it worthy of insertion in your journal. "A place I here describe, how gay the scene! Fresh, bright, and vivid with perpetual green, Verdure attractive to the ravish'd sight, } Perennial joys, and ever new delight, } Charming at noon, more charming still at night. } Fair pools where fish in forms pellucid play; Smooth lies the lawn, swift glide the hours away. No mean dependence here on summer skies, This spot rough winter's roughest blast defies. Yet here the government is curs'd with change, Knaves openly on either party range, Assault their monarch, and avow the deed, While honour fails, and tricks alone succeed; For bold decemvirs here usurp the sway; } Now all some single demagogue obey, } False lights prefer, and hate the intruding day. } Oh, shun the tempting shore, the dangerous coast, Youth, fame, and fortune, stranded here, are lost!" J. S. S. Bath. _Gesmas and Desmas_ (Vol. vii., pp. 238. 342.).--The names of the two thieves crucified with our blessed Saviour are variously written. In the verses quoted by A. B. R. (p. 238.) they are written _Gesmas and Desmas_. In the edition of the Gospel of Nicodemus, quoted by W. C. H. (p. 342.), _i.e._ the edition of "William Hone, Ludgate Hill, 1820," the names are written _Gestas and Dimas_. He also gives an authority for the spelling "_Dismas and Gestas_." I find them written in the edition I have of the Gospel of Nicodemus, _i. e._ "Hutman's, London, 1818," _Dismas and Gesmas_ (pp. 87, 88.). Elsewhere I have met with them written as in the following verse, _Gistas and Dismas_: "Gistas damnatur, Dismas ad astra levatur," which I have ventured to translate: "Gistas to hell--with Dismas all goes well;" or perhaps better thus: "Gistas goes down, Dismas receives a crown." The names of these two men in early life is said to have been _Titus_ and _Dumachus_: see the _Evangelium Infantiae_, quoted by Hutman (p. 13.). CEYREP.