_The Duke's first Victory._--Perhaps it may interest the future author of the life of the Duke of Wellington to be informed of his _first victory_. It was not in India, as commonly supposed, but on Donnybrook Road, near Dublin, that his first laurels were won. This appears from the _Freeman's Journal_, September 18th, 1789, where we learn that in consequence of a wager between him and Mr. Whaley of 150 guineas, the Hon. Arthur Wesley walked from the five-mile stone on Donnybrook Road to the corner of the circular road in Leeson Street, in fifty-five minutes, and that a number of gentlemen rode with the walker, whose horses he kept in a tolerable smart trot. When it is recollected that those were Irish miles, even deducting the distance from Leeson Street to the Castle, whence the original measurements were made, this walk must be computed at nearly six English miles. OMICRON. _Straw Paper._--Various papers manufactured of straw are now in the market. The pen moves so easily over any and all of them, that literary men should give them a trial. As there seems considerable likelihood of this manufacture being extensively introduced, on account of the dearness of rags, &c., it is to be hoped that it will not be _improved_ into the resemblance of ordinary paper. Time was when ordinary paper could be written on in comfort, but that which adulterated Falstaff's sack spoiled it for the purpose, and converted it into limed twigs to catch the winged pen. M. _American Epitaph_ (Vol. viii., p. 273.).--The following lines are to be seen on a tombstone in Virginia: "My name, my country, what are they to thee? What whether high, or low, my pedigree? Perhaps I far surpassed all other men: Perhaps I fell behind them all--what then? Suffice it, stranger, that thou see'st a tomb, Thou know'st its use; it hides--no matter whom." W. W. Malta. * * * * * Queries. LAURIE (?) ON CURRENCY, ETC. I have before me a bulky volume, apparently unpublished, treating of currency and of many other politico-economical affairs; the authorship of which I am desirous of tracing. If any reader of "N. & Q." can assist my search I shall feel greatly obliged to him. This volume extends to 936 closely printed pages, and is altogether without divisions either of book, chapter, or section. It has neither title-page, conclusion, imprint, or date; and my copy seems to consist of revises or "clean sheets" as they came from the press. The main gist of the work is thus described, apparently by the author himself, in a MS. note which occupies the place of the title-page: "It is here meant to show that in civilised nations money is an emanating circulable wealth and power, {492} without which individuals cannot go on in improvement on independent principles. It resolves wealth into the forms most conducive to this object, and prepares for the highest services both individuals and communities."