Whence did Mr. Teale get these lines? Either _The Good Old Cause_ is here used in a peculiar sense, or Mr. Teale makes an unhappy use of the quotation. JARLTZBERG. _Saying of Pascal_ (Vol. vii., p. 596.).--In reply to the question of W. FRASER, I would refer him to Pascal's _sixteenth_ Provincial Letter, where, in the last paragraph but one, we read,-- "Mes reverends peres, mes lettres n'avaient pas accoutume de se suivre de si pres, ni d'etre si etendues. _Le peu de temps que j'ai eu a ete cause de l'un et de l'autre. Je n'ai fait celle-ci plus longue que parceque je {45} n'ai pas eu le loisir de la faire plus courte._ La raison qui m'a oblige de hater vous est mieux connue qu'a moi." R. E. T. _Paint taken off of old Oak_ (Vol. vii., p. 620.).--About twenty-six years ago, by the adoption of a very simple process recommended by Dr. Wollaston, the paint was entirely removed from the screen of carved oak which fills the north end of the great hall at Audley End, and the wood reassumed its original colour and brilliancy. The result was brought about by the application of soft-soap, laid on of the thickness of a shilling over the whole surface of the oak, and allowed to remain there two or three days; at the end of which it was washed off with plenty of cold water. I am aware that potash has been often tried with success for the same purpose; but, in many instances, unless it is used with due caution, the wood becomes of a darker hue, and has the appearance of having been charred. It is worthy of remark, that Dr. Wollaston made the suggestion with great diffidence, not having, as he said, had any practical experience of the effect of such an application. BRAYBROOKE. _Passage in the "Tempest"_ (Vol. ii., pp. 259. 299. 337. 429.).--As a parallel to the expression "most busy least" (meaning "least busy" emphatically), I would suggest the common expression of the Northumbrians, "Far over near" (signifying "much too near"). H. T. RILEY. * * * * * Miscellaneous. NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC.