Notes and Queries, Number 190, June 18, 1853 | Page 9

the collection and arrangement in the present form of the alphabet, either English, Latin, Greek, or Hebrew? or what is the earliest instance of their being used to represent numerals?
A. H. C.
Saying of Pascal.--In which of his works is Pascal's saying, "I have not time to write more briefly," to be found; and what are the words in the original?
W. FRASER.
Tor-Mohun.
Irish Characters on the Stage.--Would any of the contributors to "N. & Q." oblige me with this information? Who, or how many, of the old English dramatists introduced Irishmen into their dramatis person?? Did Ben Jonson? Shadwell did. What others?
PHILOBIBLION.
Family of Milton's Widow.--Your correspondent CRANMORE, in his article on the "Rev. John Paget" ("N. & Q.," Vol. v., p. 327.), writes thus: "Dr. Nathan Paget was an intimate friend of Milton and cousin to the poet's fourth (no doubt meaning his third) wife, Elizabeth Minshall, of whose family descent, which appears to be rather obscure, I may at another time communicate some particulars."
Now, as more than a year has elapsed since the article referred to appeared in your valuable columns, without the subject of Elizabeth Minshall's descent having been farther noticed, I hope your correspondent will pardon my soliciting him to supply the information he possesses relative thereto, which cannot fail proving interesting to every admirer of our great poet.
V. M.
Table-moving.--Was not Bacon acquainted with this phenomenon? I find in his Sylva Sylvarum, art. MOTION:
"Whenever a solid is pressed, there is an inward tumult of the parts thereof, tending to deliver themselves from the compression: and this is the cause of all violent motion. It is very strange that this motion has never been observed and inquired into; as being the most common and chief origin of all mechanical operations.
"This motion operates first in a round by way of proof and trial, which way to deliver itself, and then in progression where it finds the deliverance easiest."
C. K. P.
Newport, Essex.
* * * * *
Minor Queries with Answers.
Form of Petition, &c.--May I request the insertion of a Query, requesting some of your readers to supply the ellipsis in the form with which petitions to Parliament are required to be closed, viz.: "And your petitioners will ever pray, &c." To me, I confess, there appears to be something like impiety in its use in its present unmeaning state. Would a petition be rendered informal by any addition which would make it more comprehensible?
C. W. B.
[The ellipsis appears to have varied according to circumstances: hence we find, in an original petition addressed to the Privy Council (apparently temp. Jac. I.), the concluding formula given at length thus:--"And yo^r sup^{lt}, as in all dutie bounden, shall daylie pray for your good L^{ps}." Another petition, presented to Charles I. at Newark, A.D. 1641, closes thus: "And your petitioners will ever pray for your Majesty's long and happy reign over us." Another, from the Mayor and Aldermen of London, in the same year: "And the petitioners, as in all duty bound, shall pray for your Majesty's most long and happy reign." Again, in the same year, the petition of the Lay-Catholic Recusants of England to the Commons closes thus: "And for so great a charity your humble petitioners {597} shall ever (as in duty bound) pray for your continual prosperity and eternal happiness." We do not believe that any petition would be rendered informal by such addition as would make it more comprehensible.]
Bibliography.--I am about to publish a brochure entitled Notes on Books: with Hints to Readers, Authors, and Publishers; and as I intend to give a list of the most useful bibliographical works, I shall feel much obliged to any one who will furnish me with a list of the various Printers' Grammars, and of such works as the following: The Author's Printing and Publishing Assistant; comprising Explanations of the Process of Printing, Preparation and Calculation of MSS., Paper, Type, Binding, Typographical Marks, &c. 12mo., Lond. 1840. I have met with Stower's Printers' Grammar, London, 1808.
MARICONDA.
[The following Printers' Grammars may be advantageously consulted; 1. Hansard's Typographia; an Historical Sketch of the Origin and Progress of the Art of Printing, royal 8vo. 1825. 2. Johnson's Typographia; or the Printers' Instructor, 2 vols. 8vo. 1824. 3. Savage's Dictionary of the Art of Printing, 8vo. 1841, the most useful of this class of works. 4. Timperley's Dictionary of Printers and Printing, royal 8vo. 1839. Stower also published The Compositors' and Pressmen's Guide to the Art of Printing, royal 12mo. 1808; and The Printer's Price Book, 8vo. 1814.]
Peter Francius and De Wilde.--In a little work on my shelf, with the following title,
"Petri Francii specimen eloquenti? exterioris ad orationem M. T. Ciceronis pro A. Licin. Archia accommodatum. Amstel?dami, apud Henr. Wetstenium M DC XCVII.],"
occurs the following brief MS. note, after the text of the speech for Archias:
"Orationem hanc pro Archia