Auspice Teucro. (18th March) cannot, according to his request be inserted, as received too late.
S. S. will find in the Piazza upon enquiry a communication and facsimile most politely forwarded by Mr. Cole, in reply to a note headed "Autographic Biography," in C. N. for Feb. p. 15.
G. S. B. Gainsborough. Thanked: his communication will probably appear next month.
Newspaper paragraphs of the nature referred to (about Shakspere) seldom require contradiction; but G. W.'s correspondent, as he has kindly mentioned the name of an accomplished Prelate, will perhaps name that of the stupid Newspaper in which the paragraph originally appeared, or the more stupid Newspapers into which such a paragraph could have been copied?
X.'s "extraordinary" communication about "a most extraordinary Story" was duly received. It reminds G. W. of an Old Bailey piece of evidence in the case of a man who stole—not a joke, but a pair of boots that were hanging outside of a shop in Holborn; when followed and apprehended he attempted to excuse himself by saying he had taken them as a joke. The question in consequence by the Counsel was, "And pray how far did he carry the joke?" "About forty yards"—the reply. Now G. W.'s correspondent admits upon X.'s statement having currently carried the joke from Lincoln's Inn Fields to Covent Garden, and he only wishes that X. would take it back again, without the interest, with some of Rogers's lost Notes.
Mr. Foss, Surgeon, &c., Stockton-on-Tees, 9th March. Thanked. In "Current Notes" for last month no such assertion was made as the discovery of a "City of Pigmies," although it was stated that two dwarfs had been brought from Central America, and were exhibiting in New York. However, for the information of those who are curious upon this subject, G. W.'s correspondent C. F. D. has most kindly forwarded "more about those Aztic Bipeds," an extract from the New York Herald, which will be forwarded in the proper quarter.
To G. W.'s American Correspondents what can he say? beyond sincerely acknowledging his gratitude for the favour of their communications, and at once declaring his belief in the Great Sea Serpent, so voluminous, so overwhelming and really so important has been his Catch from the U. S.
It would literally occupy the space that he will have it in his power to devote to Current Monthly Notes for the current year; and he scarcely knows how to proceed in the task of American Selection.
G. W. however cannot deny himself the pleasure of acknowledging these Catches—respecting Niebuhr and Daniel Webster—"Lord Mahon versus Franklin" is important—but must stand over. So must the Sermon of Dr. Adams of Boston upon the death of Professor Stuart (see "Current Notes" for Feb. p. 16)—"Dickens' American Notes," with Laura Bridgman and Longfellow's Evangeline, appears to be a twaddlish puff. Smarter American verses than Saxe's tribute to Jenny Lind Goldschmidt have come into G. W.'s possession. With Lady Byron's "sayings and doings" at Southampton, on board the American Frigate, G. W. is quite as well informed as any American Newspaper paragraph writer from the "Oriental Hotel" there, can be. The Memory of James Fennimore Cooper is as dear to the Literature of both countries as that of Thomas Moore must be. But alas, their names can only be recorded in the "Literary and Scientific Obituary" of G. W.'s "Current Notes," almost, it is sad to think, in juxta position. Morris's "Yankee Doodle" G. W. must take in hand next month.
Acta Sanctorum received after going to press.
