The chief requirements of a French edition would be, a collation of the editions of 1713 and 1746--the rectification of the names of persons {5} and places--a revision of the punctuation--and a strict conformity, as to general orthography and accentuation, with the _Dictionnaire de l'Academie francaise_, as edited in 1835. The substance of the _avis_ of 1713 might be stated in a preface; and the _avertissement_ of 1746, a clever composition, would serve as an introduction and memoir of the author. Those who doubt its value may consult the _Grand dictionnaire historique_, and the _Biographie universelle_. As one hundred and sixty persons are noticed in the work, brevity of annotation is very desirable. It would require much research. The manuscript notes of sir William Musgrave would, however, be very serviceable--more so, I conceive, than the printed notes of M. Horace Walpole. As the indications of a projected re-impression may be fallacious, I shall conclude with a word of advice to inexperienced collectors. Avoid the _jolie edition_ printed at Paris by F. A. Didot, _par ordre de monseigneur le comte d'Artois_, in 1781. It is the very worst specimen of editorship. Avoid also the London edition of 1792. The preface is a piratical pasticcio; the verbose notes are from the most accessible books; the portraits, very unequal in point of execution, I believe to be chiefly copies of prints--not _d'apres des tableaux originaux_. The most desirable editions are, 1. The edition of 1760; 2. That of 1772, as a _curiosity_; 3. That edited by M. Renouard, Paris, 1812, 18^o. 2 vols.; 4. That edited by M. Renouard in 1812, 8^o. with eight portraits. The latter edition forms part of the _Oeuvres du comte Antoine Hamilton_ in 3 vols. It seldom occurs for sale. BOLTON CORNEY. * * * * * THE "ANCREN RIWLE."