_Byron and Tacitus_ (No. 20. p. 390.).--To your young friend, who honestly signs himself "A SCHOOLBOY," let an older correspondent say, that he will do more wisely to let the rules of his teachers keep him from perusing an author who makes a mock of all moral and all honourable feelings. But if he wishes to know whether the introduction of the sentence from Tacitus into a poetical tale should be called "cabbaging," the reply will properly be, No. The poet expected that the well-known figure, which he had thus thrown into verse, would be immediately recognised by every literary reader, and that the recognition would give pleasure. He was trying his hand at a task of which it has been affirmed by a master, that _Difficile est proprie communia dicere_. The Schoolboy knows where to find these words; and I hope that he also knows where to find the words of one who speaks with greater authority, and has said most kindly, "Cease, my son, to hear [read] the instruction that causeth to err." H.W. _Aboriginal Chambers near Tilbury._--It is proposed to descend some of the aboriginal chambers alluded to by Camden, near Tilbury in Essex. In consequence, however, of Camden having named a wrong parish, later antiquaries have been puzzled to ascertain their precise whereabouts. Mr. Crafter, in 1848, after many days' labour, found them out; and a brief notice of them was given {463} in an article upon "Primæval Britain" in the _West Kent Almanack for_ 1849. Hasted mentions similar pits in Crayford Parish, Kent. In Dartford parish is another called "the Sound Hole," from the echoes, &c., made upon a stone being thrown down. Mr. S. Laudale intends an examination of it this summer. Tradition reports that there are three enormous caverns, which communicate with the central shaft. How, or what, is the best way of driving the foul air out of those chambers which are aloof from the central shaft? [Greek: Delta] _Sir R. Haigh's Letter-Book._--A few days ago, Messrs. Puttick and Simpson sold a very important manuscript, the original letter-book of Sir R. Haigh, of Lancashire, of the time of Charles II. It fetched 51l., being bought by a collector whose name has not transpired; but perhaps this notice, if you kindly insert it, may induce the purchaser to edit it for the Chetham Society, to whose publications it would for a most valuable addition. R. _A Phonetic Peculiarity._--I venture to note as a very curious phonetic peculiarity, that we have in the English language a large number of monosyllabic words ending is _sh_, all of which are expressive of some violet action or emotion. I quote a few which have occurred without search, in alphabetical order. "Brush, brash, crash, crush, dash, gash, gush, hash, gnash, lash, mash, pash, push, quash, rush, slash, smash, squash, thrash." J.M.B. * * * * * MISCELLANEOUS. NOTES ON BOOKS, CATALOGUES, SALES, ETC.