That _nagge_ is a misprint for _hagge_, will be evident from the circumstance, that in the first folio we have a similar error in the _Merry Wives of Windsor_, Act IV. Sc. 2., where instead of "you witch, you _hagge_," it is misprinted "you witch, you _ragge_." It is observable that _hagge_ is the form in which the word is most frequently found in the folios, and it is the epithet the poet applies to a witch or enchantress. I cannot, therefore, but consider the alteration of the text by Steevens as one of the most violent and uncalled-for innovations of which he has been guilty; and he himself seems to have had his misgivings, for his observation that Shakspeare "is not always very nice about his versification" was meant as an apology for marring its harmony by the substitution of _ribald-rid_ for the poet's own _ribaudred_. It is to me a matter of surprise that Mr. Collier and Mr. Knight, in their laudable zeal for adherence as closely as possible to the old copies, should not have perceived the injury done both to the sense and harmony of the passage by this unwarrantable substitution. S. W. SINGER. * * * * * BROWNE'S BRITANNIA'S PASTORALS. I have lately been amusing myself by reading the small volume with this title published in Clarke's _Cabinet Series_, 1845. Among the many pleasing passages that I met with in its pages, _two_ in particular struck me as being remarkable for their beauty; but I find that neither of them is cited by either Ellis or Campbell. (See Ellis, _Specimens of the Early English Poets_, 4th edition, corrected, 1811; and the Campbell, _Specimens of the British Poets_, 1819.) Indeed Campbell says of Browne: "His poetry is not without beauty; but it is the beauty of mere landscape and allegory, without the manners and passions that constitute human interest."--Vol. iii. p. 323. Qualified by some such expression as--_too often--generally--in almost every instance_,--the last clause might have passed,--standing as it does, it appears to me to give anything but a fair idea of the poetry of the _Pastorals_. My two favourites are the "Description of Night"-- "Now great Hyperion left his golden throne," &c., (consisting of twenty-six lines)--book ii. song 1. (Clarke, p. 186.) and the "Lament of the Little Shepherd for his friend Philocel"-- "With that the little shepherd left his task," &c., (forty-four lines)--book ii. song 4. (Clarke, p. 278.) If you will allow me to quote a short extract from each passage, it may enable the reader to see how far I am justified in protesting against Campbell's criticism; and I will then try to support the pretensions of the last, by showing that much of the very same imagery that it contains is to be found in other writings of acknowledged merit:-- I. FROM THE "DESCRIPTION OF NIGHT."