Can you or any of your correspondents inform me what is the derivation of the word _silo_? For many years after the colony of New South Wales was founded, it was almost wholly dependent upon the mother country for such supplies of grain, &c. as were necessary for the life and health of its inhabitants; and, consequently, store ships were regularly despatched from our shores to Sydney. It happened however that, in consequence of wrecks and other disasters, the colonists were, on more than one occasion, reduced to the greatest distress, and starvation almost began to stare them in the face. Under these circumstances, one of the early governors of Sydney, to prevent the recurrence of famine, gathered a large supply of corn and deposited it in granaries which he had excavated out of the solid rock at the head of the bay, near the mouth of the Paramatta River. These were termed _silos_ or _siloes_: they were hermetically sealed up, and from time to time the old corn was exchanged for new. The supply of corn in these remarkable storehouses is still kept up; nor as late as the time of my departure from those colonies last year, did I hear of any intention of discontinuing this old custom. Now the termination of this word in _o_ marks it as Spanish; and accordingly, on reference to Baretti's dictionary of that language, I find the word "SILO, a subterraneous granary." But, Sir, this discovery only raises another question, and one which I wish much to see solved. A Spanish substantive must be for the most part the name of something existing at some time or other in Spain. _When_, therefore, did such granaries exist in Spain, _in what part_ of the country, and _under what circumstances_? AUGUSTUS STRONG. Walcot Rectory, Bath. * * * * * Minor Queries. _Handwriting._--I should be much obliged if any of your correspondents could inform me (and that soon) whether there be published, in English, French, German, or Spanish (though it is most desired in English), a manual giving a standard alphabet for the various kinds of writing now in use, viz. English hand, engrossing, Italian, German text, &c., with directions for teaching the same; in fact, a sort of writing-master's key: and if so, what is its title, and where it can be procured. A friend believes to have seen such a work advertised in _The Athenæum_ (probably three or four years ago), but has no recollection of the name. E. B. _Rev. Joshua Brooks_.--Can any of your numerous readers inform me as to the early history of the late Rev. Joshua Brooks, who was for many years chaplain of the Collegiate Church, Manchester, and who died in 1821? C. (1.) "_New Universal Magazine._"--I wish to know the time of the commencement and termination of the _The New Universal Magazine, or Lady's Polite Instructor_. A few volumes are in the British Museum. Vol. vi. is for July 1754 to January 1755. D.