_"There's ne'er a villain," &c._ (Vol. v., p. 242.).--In support of A. E. B., with whose view I entirely concur, it may be added that _villain_ and _knave_ do not make the proposition such a truism as Horatio (who is not intended for a conjuror, much less a verbal critic) admits it to be. Alexander the Great has been called a _villain_ and a _robber_, but never a _knave_ or a _thief_. By the Rule of Three, villain: robber:: knave: thief. As a truism, intended by Hamlet before the first line was spoken, it is not good enough for Hamlet's wit. But, supposing the second line invented, _pro re natâ_, to cover the retreat of the disclosure which was advancing in the first line, it is just what might have suggested itself--for Hamlet's uncle was both villain and knave. M. Miscellaneous. NOTES ON BOOKS, ETC. Those who judge of a book's importance by its size will be most egregiously taken in by _Regal Rome: an Introduction to Roman History by Francis W. Newman, Professor of Latin in University College, London_. In this small volume of less than two hundred pages the learned professor--who holds that _wisely to disbelieve_ is our first grand requisite in dealing with materials of mixed worth--has followed, but not slavishly, the direction which Niebuhr's erudition and untiring energy have so appropriated, that by many it has been supposed to be exclusively Niebuhr's own; and the result is, that he has reconstructed a picture of ancient Rome, to which we refer our classical readers, in the full confidence that they will thank us for doing so; and that, if they do not, on perusal, agree with all Mr. Newman's views, they will at least concede to him the credit due to great learning and perspicuity. When we consider the great influence which the Crusades exercised on the civilisation of Europe--how prominent is the position they occupy in the social and political history of their era--and how fertile a source of wealth they have proved to the poets and novelists of all succeeding ages, and of all countries--it is certainly a matter of surprise that amid the rage for translation which has of late years manifested itself among us, no one should have undertaken to lay before the English reader a translation of Michaud's able and interesting narrative of this great chapter in the history of the Middle Ages. Michaud's work acquired for its author, and very deservedly, an European reputation; and in issuing a well-executed version of it at a moderate price, the publisher of _Michaud's History of the Crusades, Translated from the French_ by W. Robson, is rendering good service, not only to those who cannot peruse the work in the original, but to all classes of historical readers. This (the first volume) has prefixed to it a very interesting memoir of Michaud.