_Who were the Writers in the North Briton?_--The _Athenaeum_ of Saturday, May 17, contains a very interesting article on the recently published _Correspondence of Horace Walpole with Mason_, in which certain very palpable hits are made as to the identity of Mason and Junius. In the course of the article the following Query occurs: "In the second Part of the folio edition of the _North Briton_ published by Bingley, in the British Museum, are inserted two folio pages of manuscript thus headed:-- 'The Extraordinary NORTH BRITON. By W. M.' This manuscript is professedly a copy from a publication issued June 3rd, 1768, by Staples Steare, 93. Fleet Street, price three-pence. It is a letter addressed to Lord Mansfield, and an appeal in favour of Wilkes, on whom, the writer says, judgment is this day to be pronounced. It is written somewhat in the style of Junius. The satire is so refined that the reader does not at first suspect that it is satire,--as in Junius's _Letters_, wherein the satirical compliments to the King have been mistaken for praise, and quoted in proof of inconsistency. "Who was this 'W. M.'? Who were the writers in the _North Briton?_--not only 'The Extraordinary' _North Briton_, published by Steare, but the genuine _North Briton_, published by Bingley. These questions may perhaps be very simple, and easily answered by persons better informed than ourselves." As the inquiries of your correspondent W. M. S. (Vol. iii., p. 241.) as to the Wilkes MSS. and the writers of the _North Briton_ have not yet been replied to, and this subject is one of great importance, will you allow me to recall attention to them? F. S. A. * * * * * Minor Queries Answered. "_Many a Word_."--Your correspondent's observations are perfectly correct: we daily use quotations we know not where to find. Perhaps some of your friends may be able to reply whence "Many a word, at random spoke Will rend a heart that's well-nigh broke." S. P. [The lines will be found in Walter Scott's _Lord of the Isles_, Canto V. St. 18. "O! many a shaft, at random sent Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word, at random spoken May soothe or wound a heart's that broken!"] _Roman Catholic Church_ (Vol. iii., p. 168.).--Many thanks for your reference to the _Almanach du Clerge de France_; but as I have failed to obtain the requisite information through my booksellers, might I beg the additional favour of knowing what is the cost of the book, and where it can be procured? E. H. A. [The _Almanach_ to which our correspondent refers is or was published by _Gaume freres a Paris_, and sold also by Grand, rue du Petit-Bourbon, 6, in the same city. Its price, judging from the size of the book, is about a couple of francs.]