Thus, in the opening scene of the _Midsummer Night's Dream_, Lysander appoints to meet Hermia "in the wood, a _league_ without the town," but, in the next scene, Quince appoints the same place for the rehearsal, calling it "the palace wood, a _mile_ without the town." Again, in the _Two Gentlemen of Verona_, when Silvia escapes with Eglamour, the latter reassures her by reminding her that they will be safe if they can "gain the forest, not three leagues off," which would be but poor comfort if by three leagues the lady was to understand nine miles. By the way, this forest is described in all the "stage directions," upon what authority I cannot guess, as "a forest near Mantua;" whereas all the circumstances concur to place it in the immediate vicinity of Milan. There is nothing to warrant the supposition that any of the characters had journeyed far from Milan when they were seized upon by the outlaws; and it is to the Duke of Milan that the outlaws apply for pardon for misdeeds done in his territories. A. E. B. Leeds. DONIZETTI. The following very curious account of the ancestry of this very talented individual is copied from the _Berwick Advertiser_--a paper confined to the provinces, and not likely to reach the metropolis. It appeared somewhere about four years ago; but in cutting the scrap from the paper I incautiously omitted inserting the date. "NEW FACTS CONCERNING DONIZETTI THE COMPOSER.--We have learned from authority not to be questioned, that the late Donizetti, whose great talents as a composer are now beginning to be appreciated, was of Scotch origin. His grandfather was a native of Perthshire, of the name of Izett (or rather, I should think, Izatt). He was a farmer under the Earl of Breadalbane, and his son Donald was born at the farm. When very young the sprightly Donald left his paternal home, having been enticed by the fascinating address of a recruiting serjeant to enlist in the united services of Mars and his Majesty, to the great grief of his mother, who did not survive his departure many months. Young Donald soon got discontented with his military duties; and having been taken prisoner by General La Hoche during his invasion of Ireland, was quite delighted with the easy mode which presented itself of liberation from the unpleasant thraldom which he had been suffering, and quickly embraced an offer made to him to enter the General's service. With him he remained as private secretary till his untimely death. Subsequently he married an Italian lady of some fortune, and his name of _Donald Izett_ was easily metamorphosed into _Donizetti_. The composer was the offspring of this marriage; and it is remarkable that evidence of his Scottish origin may be traced in many of his beautiful melodies. Thus, for instance, in 'Don Pasquale,' the exquisite air of 'O Summer Night' reminds us of some Highland strains sung to the bagpipe; and the