communicated the Oxford translation, which is as likely to err, perhaps, as any other. Jerome's Latin, like the Vulgate, though the words are not precisely the same, gives a literal version of the Greek, without supplying any verb at all, either _est_ or _sit_, and, since the Latin has not that expressive power in cases like this which the article gives to the Greek, leaves the passage obscure and undecided. THEOPHYLACT. Replies to Minor Queries. _"Crowns have their Compass," &c._ (Vol. iv., p. 294.).--The lines alluded to by your correspondent MR. ABSALON form a inscription on a portrait of King James I. in the Cracherode Collection. (Vide Beloe's _Anecdotes_, vol. i. p. 210.) "Crownes have their compasse, length of dayes their date, Triumphes their tombes, felicitie her fate; Of more than earth can earth make none partaker, But knowledge makes the king most like his Maker." I am aware that this reference does not go to the "root of the matter," if MR. ABSALON wishes to ascertain the author's name; but it may serve as a clue to further discovery. MARGARET GATTY. Ecclesfield. It is quite obvious what lines your correspondent alludes to, though the above quotation which he gives as the commencement of them is not quite correct, nor were they written with the object he supposes. I send a correct copy of them below, taken from Mr. Payne Collier's very interesting _Life of Shakspeare_, to whom they have always been attributed; and, it is said, with every show of reason. It is supposed they were written by him in the shape of a complimentary allusion to King James I., in grateful acknowledgment of the patronage bestowed by that monarch upon the stage. The subject is fully discussed at pp. 202, 203. of Mr. Knight's volume, whence, indeed, the above information is derived; and he publishes the lines, as follows, stating then to be copied from a coeval manuscript in his possession:-- "SHAKSPEARE ON THE KING. "Crowns have their compass--length of days their date-- Triumphs their tomb--felicity, her fate-- Of nought but earth can earth make us partaker, But knowledge makes a king most like his Maker." Some one, to make the allusion more complete, that is, to over-do it, changed "_a_ king" into "_the_ king" in a subsequent publication of the lines. But this, as Mr. Payne Collier very justly feels, completely spoils the whole complexion of the epigram, and perverts a fine allusion into a raw personality. J. J. A. _The Rev. Richard Farmer_ (Vol. iv., pp. 379.[4] 407.).--The observations of BOLTON CORNEY upon my incidental mention of Dr. Farmer, are, I think, wholly unwarranted, both in substance and manner, especially as he himself furnishes ample confirmation of its truth. [Footnote 4: At page 379., second column, fifth line from bottom, for "thrice" read "twice."] Taking his quotations in due order--