"A middling poet, whose verses introduced a species of composition which has been called after his name, _Namby-Pamby_." D. W. S. _The Word "Miser"_ (Vol. ix., p. 12.).--Cf. the use of the word _miserable_ in the sense of miserly, mentioned amongst other Devonianisms at Vol. vii., p. 544. And see Trench's remarks on this word (_Study of Words_, p. 38. of 2nd edit.). H. T. G. Hull. _The Forlorn Hope_ (Vol. viii, p. 569.), _i.e._ the advanced guard.--This explains what has always been to me a puzzling expression in Gurnall's _Christian in Complete Armour_ (p. 8. of Tegg's 8vo. edit., 1845): "The fearful are _in the forlorn_ of those that march for hell." See Rev. xxi. 8., where "the fearful and unbelieving" stand at the head of the list of those who "shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." H. T. G. Hull. The true origin and meaning of _forlorn hope_ has no doubt been fully explained in "N & Q.," Vol. viii., p. 569. Richardson's _Dictionary_ does not countenance this view, but his example proves it conclusively. He only gives one quotation, from North's _Plutarch_; and as it stands in the dictionary, it is not easy to comprehend the passage entirely. On comparing it, however, with the corresponding passage in Langhorne (Valpy's edition, vol. iii. p. 97.), and again with Pompei's Italian version (vol. iii. p. 49.), I have no doubt that, by the term _forlorn hope_, North implied merely an advanced party; for as he is describing a pitched battle and not a siege, a modern forlorn hope would be strangely out of place. Is _enfans perdus_ the idiomatic French equivalent, or is it only dictionary-French? And what is the German or the Italian expression? R. CARY BARNARD. Malta. _Thornton Abbey_ (Vol. viii., p. 469.).--In the _Archæological Journal_, vol. ii. p. 357., may be found not only an historical and architectural account of this building, but several views; with architectural details of mouldings, &c. H. T. G. Hull. _"Quid facies," &c._ (Vol. viii., p. 539. Vol. ix., p. 18.).--In a curious work written by the Rev. John Warner, D.D., called _Metronariston_, these lines (as printed in Vol. ix., p. 18.) are quoted, and stated to be-- "A punning Epigram on _Scylla as a type of Lust_, cited by Barnes." {162} I have not the _Metronariston_ with me, and therefore cannot refer to the page. D. W. S. _Christ-Cross-Row_ (Vol. iii., pp. 330. 465.; Vol. viii., p. 18.).--Quarles (_Embl._ ii. 12.) gives a passage from St. Augustine commencing,--"Christ's cross is the Christ-cross of all our happiness," but he gives no exact reference. Wordsworth speaks of "A look or motion of intelligence From infant conning of the Christ-cross-row." _Excurs._ viii. p. 305. These lines suggest the Query, Is this term for the alphabet still in use? and, if so, in what parts of the country? EIRIONNACH.