_Character of the Song of the Nightingale_ (Vol. vii., p. 397.; Vol. viii., p. 112.).--Although Milton seems to have generally used the epithet _solemn_ in its classical sense (as cleverly pointed out by MR. SYDNEY GEDGE), and meant to represent the nightingale as the _customary_ attendant of night, yet there is at least one passage where the epithet appears to me not to have this meaning; but to express that the song of the nightingale caused "a holy joy," and was heard not only in the day-time, but all through the night. For although Milton calls the nightingale "the night-warbling bird," and so makes it "the customary attendant of the night," yet he also elsewhere as truly speaks of it as a _day_ singer. The passage I referred to is in _Paradise Lost_, book vii., and seems to me to bear the meaning above spoken of; though MR. GEDGE may perhaps make "solemn" refer back to the last noun "even." And I confess that the meaning seems dubious: "From branch to branch, the smaller birds with song Solac'd the woods, and spread their painted wings Till even; nor then the solemn nightingale Ceas'd warbling, but all night tun'd her soft lays." I can add one other epithet to the one hundred and nine which I have already given of the nightingale's song: _Wond'ring._ Dryden ("Palamon and Arcite"). I may add, that Otway and Grainger (erroneously printed Graingle) appear to have used "solemn" in the ordinary meaning of the word. CUTHBERT BEDE, B.A. _Adamson's "Lusitania Illustrata"_ (Vol. viii., p. 104.).--Your correspondent W. M. M. may consult the following works with great advantage: "Résumé de l'Histoire Littéraire du Portugal, suivi du Résumé de l'Histoire Littéraire du Brésil, 12mo.: Paris, 1826." "Parnaso Lusitano, ou Poesias selectas dos auctores Portuguezos antigos e modernos, illustrados cum notas, percedido de una Historia abreviada da lingua e poesia Portugueza, tom. v., 18mo. Paris, 1826." The destruction by fire of Mr. Adamson's library, which was so rich in Portuguese literature, has, with other circumstances, hitherto prevented the continuation of the _Lusitania Illustrata_; but the appearance of future parts, in furtherance of the original plan, is by no means abandoned. E. H. A. _Adamsoniana_ (Vol. vii., p. 500.; Vol. viii., p. 135.).--I was aware of the way in which the famous naturalist spelt his name, but supposed that Michel Ada_n_son and Michael Ada_m_son were the same, the former being merely the French mode of writing according to their pronunciation. I was also aware of the leading events in the naturalist's own career, but was desirous if possible of identifying his father: "the gentleman who, after firmly attaching himself to the Stuarts, left Scotland, and entered the service of the Archbishop of Aix."