LITHOGRAPHY.--Some years ago, letters and papers of William Combe, the well known author of "Dr. Syntax," came into my possession, and with them a paper, of which the following is a copy:-- "_I have been told of one Who being ask'd for bread, In its stead Returned a stone._ _But here we manage better. The Stone we ask To do its task, And it returns us every letter._ _Wm. Combe, January 23, 1817._" "_This is the first impression of Ackermann's Lithographic press._" Combe was so intimately connected with Ackermann's establishment, that there can be no doubt of the fact that the paper I have, was truly the very _first_ impression in Lithography in England. The poetic scrap was no doubt Combe's own, and the facsimile shews that it was in Combe's writing. ROBT. COLE. 52, Upper Norton Street. STERNE'S AUTOGRAPH.--As mentioned by A. C. K. in "Current Notes" for January, p. 2, as _occurring on the title page_[2] of his "Tristram Shandy," is not I believe often met with, but I doubt much its having been written for the gratification of particular friends, to whom copies of the work were presented. I have two (the title pages only) in my possession. ROBERT COLE. 52, Upper Norton Street. [2] G. W.'s respected Correspondent A. C. K. said "_at the head of the first chapter in some or one of the volumes_" of a few of the first editions. MIDDLE AGES.--MEDIÆVAL. These terms are now so frequently used in reference to periods and works of art, that it would be useful to your readers if some competent person would define precisely what period is comprehended in the term _mediæval_. In a recent Exhibition many works of a comparatively late date were classed as mediæval. Mr. James, speaking of _Charlemagne_, says--"the precise birth-place of the greatest man of the middle ages is unknown." Here he refers to the year 742. Some of the correspondents will, perhaps, through your "Notes Current," define the limits of this term. S. E. ARCHÆOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS.