"The sense of flying in our sleep might, he thought, probably be the anticipation or forefeeling of an unevolved power, like an Aurelia's dream of butterfly motion." In Spicer's _Sights and Sounds_ (1853), p. 140., is to be found a poem professing to have been "dictated by the spirit of Robert Southey," on March 25, 1851, the fourth stanza of which runs as follows: "The soul, like some sweet flower-bud yet unblown, Lay tranced in beauty in its silent cell: The spirit slept, but dreamed of worlds unknown, _As dreams the chrysalis within its shell_, Ere summer breathes its spell." What inference should be drawn from this coincidence for or against the reality of the "spiritual dictation?" HARRY LEROY TEMPLE. * * * * * {466} SHAKSPEARE CORRESPONDENCE. _Shakspeare's Works with a Digest of all the Readings_ (Vol. viii., pp. 74. 170. 362.).--I am exceedingly obliged to your correspondent ESTE for his suggestions, and need not say that any sincere advice will be most respectfully considered. In the second volume of my folio edition of Shakspeare, I am partially endeavouring to carry out the design to which he alludes, by giving a digest of all the readings up to the year 1684. How is it possible to carry out his wish farther with any advantage? I should feel particularly thankful for a satisfactory reply to the following questions in relation to this important subject:--1. As many copies of the first and other folio editions, as well as nearly all the copies of the same quarto editions, differ from each other, how are these differences to be treated? What copies are to be taken for texts, and how many copies of each are to be collated? 2. Are such books as Beckett, Jackson and others, to be examined? If not, are _any_ conjectural emendations of the last and present centuries to be given? Where is the line to be drawn? A mere selection is valueless, or next to valueless; because, setting aside the differences in opinion in such matters, we want to know what conjectures are new, and which are old? 3. Are the various readings suggested in periodicals to be given? 4. Can any positive and practical rules be furnished, likely to render such an undertaking useful and successful? J. O. HALLIWELL. * * * * * Minor Notes. _Local Rhymes, Kent._-- "Between Wickham and Welling There's not an honest man dwelling; And I'll tell you the reason why, Because Shooters' Hill's so nigh." Unless this is preserved in "N. & Q." it will probably be forgotten with the highwaymen, whose proceedings at Shooters' Hill, no doubt, originated it. G. W. SKYRING.