_American Degrees._--Several members of the Brougham Institute here, and constant readers of "N. & Q.," would feel obliged if some of your learned correspondents would give them some information about the obtaining of American degrees, as recently a large cargo of diplomas had arrived in this quarter, such as D.D. and LL.D., and conferred on men of third-rate talent. What we want is, to be informed how such degrees are obtained; if it is the president, or president and professors, of the American academies who confer them. This subject is so frequently agitated here, that you would greatly oblige many inquirers by making a question of it in "N. & Q.," so that we may obtain full reply explanatory of how these degrees are obtained, and of the bestowers of them. J. W. Liverpool. _Derivation of News._--It is just two years since the word _News_ was stated to be derived from the initial letters of the cardinal points of the compass, as prefixed to early newspapers. I well remember the impression which the statement made on me: if written seriously, as a mark of credulity; if sportively, as rather out of place. Moreover, it was both stated as a _fact_, and as an _ingenious etymology_--a manifest inconsistency. In the fierce and tiresome discussion which arose out of that announcement, the main points in support of the asserted derivation were never once introduced. Do such early newspapers exist? Is the derivation itself of early date? As to the first question, I must declare that no such newspapers ever came under _my_ observation; but as to the second, it must be admitted that the derivation has been in print, with all the weight of evidence which belongs to it, above two centuries. I shall assume, if not better informed, that it has no other authority than the subjoined epigram in _Wits recreations_, first published in 1640, and said to contain the _finest fancies_ of the muses of those times. In default of the original edition of that rare work, I transcribe from the re-publication of it in 1817. "_News._ "When news doth come, if any would discusse The letter of the word, resolve it thus: News is convey'd by letter, word, or mouth, And comes to us from _North_, _East_, _West_, and _South_." BOLTON CORNEY. _Passage in Troilus and Cressida._--Would MR. J. PAYNE COLLIER, whose name I have often seen among your contributors, have the kindness to inform me whether any light is thrown, in the emendations inserted in his folio edition of _Shakspeare_, 1628, on a line which has always puzzled me in Ulysses' speech in council, in Scene 3. of Act I. of _Troilus and Cressida_? The passage runs thus: "How could communities, Degrees in schools, and brotherhood in cities, _Peaceful commérce from dividable shores_, The primogenitive and due of birth, Prerogative of age, crowns, sceptres, laurels, But by degree, stand in authentic place?"