The use of the word "awful" in this passage may be right, but, as in the preceding case, I think, had _lawful banks_ stood in any old printed copy, or had it even been found in MR. COLLIER'S volume, the fitness would have been acknowledged. Shakspeare used the word "lawful" in many instances where, no doubt, it may with reason, strong as any given here, be changed to _awful_. In the historical plays, _lawful_ king, _lawful_ progeny, _lawful_ heir, _lawful_ magistrate, _lawful_ earth, _lawful_ sword, &c., may be found. These suggestions, like the pinch of sand thrown on the old woman's cow, if they do no good, will, I trust, do no harm. ROBERT RAWLINSON. _Shakspeare._--A German writer, Professor Hilgers, of Aix-la-Chapelle, published in 1852 a pamphlet, in which he endeavoured to prove that many passages in Shakspeare, which were originally written in verse, have been "degraded" into prose, and quotes several passages from the plays {53} in support of his thesis. Professor Hilgers says that emendation of the text, by means of such a mode of correction as would restore the corrupted verses to their original form, has hitherto been almost entirely neglected by commentators, or else employed by them with very little ability and success. I have not seen the Professor's Treatise, and only write from a short notice which I have just perused of it in a German review; but, if what Professor H. states be correct, the subject appears to deserve more particular attention from the writers in the "N. & Q.," who have devoted their ingenuity and research to the illustration of Shakspeare. In the hope of attracting them to "fresh fields and pastures new," in which to recreate themselves, and to instruct and delight the world-wide readers of the great dramatist, I venture to solicit attention to Professor Hilger's pamphlet and its subject. In this I only echo the German reviewer's language, who most highly praises the Professor's acuteness, and the value of his strictures, and promises to return to them at greater length in a future number of the periodical in which he writes. JOHN MACRAY. Oxford. * * * * * UNPUBLISHED LETTER. I have thought that the following old letter, from a retired lawyer of the seventeenth century to his future son-in-law, might not be altogether uninteresting to your readers, as referring to the value of land and money at the period when it was written. C. W. B. July y^e 16^{th}, (16)95. S^r,