"That if anie Knight, or other persone entituled to weare spurs, enter the chappell in that guise, he shall pay to y'e quiristers the accustomed fine; but if he command y'e youngest quirister to repeate his _Gamut_, and he faile in y'e so doing, the said Knight, or other, shall not pay y'e fine." This curious extract I copied from the ancient cheque-book of the Chapel Royal. Within my recollection, His Grace the Duke of Wellington (who, by the way, is an excellent musician) entered the Royal Chapel "booted and spurred," and was, of course, called upon for the fine. But His Grace calling upon the youngest chorister to repeat his GAMUT, and the "little urchin" failing, the impost was not demanded. EDWARD F. RIMBAULT. * * * * * MISCELLANEOUS. NOTES ON BOOKS, CATALOGUES, SALES, ETC. Mr. W.S.W. Vaux, of the department of Antiquities, British Museum, has just published a very interesting little volume under the title of _Nineveh and Persepolis: an Historical Sketch of Ancient Assyria and Persia, with an Account of the recent Researches in those Countries_. The work is illustrated with numerous woodcuts; and the two points which Mr. Vaux has proposed to elucidate,--viz., 1. The history of Assyria and Persia, and, as connected with it, that of the Medes, the Jews, and the Chaldees, so far as it can be ascertained from the Bible, and the works of classical authors: and 2. The results of those inquiries which have been carried on for nearly three centuries by European travellers,--he has successfully accomplished, in a way to make his book a most useful introduction to the study of the larger works which have been written upon this important subject; and a valuable substitute to those who have neither the means to purchase them, nor time to devote to their perusal. The Rev. Dr. Maitland has just published a second edition of his _Eruvin, or Miscellaneous Essays on Subjects connected with the Nature, History, and Destiny of Man_. The Essays are ten in number, and treat: I. On the Nature and Objects of Revelation. II. On the Impediments to the Right Understanding of Scripture. III. Man before the Fall. IV. Satan. V. The Consequences of the Fall. VI. The Fallen Angels. VII. The Millenium. VIII. The Kingdom of Messiah. IX. The Regeneration. X. The Modern Doctrine of Miracles. We mention the subjects of these papers because, although they are of a nature not to be discussed in our columns, we are sure many of our readers will be glad to know the points on which they treat.