Handwriting.—I should be much obliged if any of your correspondents could inform me (and that soon) whether there be published, in English, French, German, or Spanish (though it is most desired in English), a manual giving a standard alphabet for the various kinds of writing now in use, viz. English hand, engrossing, Italian, German text, &c., with directions for teaching the same; in fact, a sort of writing-master's key: and if so, what is its title, and where it can be procured.

A friend believes to have seen such a work advertised in The AthenÆum (probably three or four years ago), but has no recollection of the name.

E. B.

Rev. Joshua Brooks.—Can any of your numerous readers inform me as to the early history of the late Rev. Joshua Brooks, who was for many years chaplain of the Collegiate Church, Manchester, and who died in 1821?

C. (1.)

"New Universal Magazine."—I wish to know the time of the commencement and termination of the The New Universal Magazine, or Lady's Polite Instructor.

A few volumes are in the British Museum. Vol. vi. is for July 1754 to January 1755.

D.

Francis Browne.—Anthony Browne, first Viscount Montague, married, secondly, Magdalen, daughter of Lord Dacre of Gillesland, from whom descended (amongst others) Sir Henry Browne of Kiddington. This Sir Henry married twice: his second wife was Mary Anne, daughter of Sir P. Hungate; by her he had issue Sir Peter Browne, who died of wounds at Naseby. Sir Peter married Margaret, daughter of Sir Henry Knollys, and had two sons, Henry and Francis. Did this Francis Browne ever marry? and if so, whom, and when, and where?

Newburiensis.

Advent Hymn.—Why is this hymn not included amongst those at the end of the Book of Common Prayer?

Might it not be added to those already given for the other festivals of the Church, &c.? It would be an advantage in those churches where the Prayer Book Psalms are used, and might avoid the necessity of having separate Psalm and Hymn Books; a custom much to be objected to, differing as they do in different churches, as well as preventing strangers from taking part in them.

Willo.

Milton's Correspondence.—Has any English translation of Milton's Latin familiar Correspondence been published; and if so, when and by whom?

Cranston.

"Begging the Question."—Will any correspondent explain this phrase, and give its origin?

Carnatic.

Passage of Cicero.—I lately met with a writer of some deep learning and research, who, amongst other topics, entered into the subject of musical inflection by orators, &c. Now, unfortunately, the title and preface of the book is absent without leave, nor is there any heading to it, so I can do no more than say, the author refers to a passage in these words:

"Cicero declares that only three tones or variations of sound, or interval, were used in speaking in his time; whereas now our preachers, orators, and elocutionists take in a range of eight at least."

Will some indulgent reader of "N. & Q." tell me where such a passage occurs?

Semi-Tone.