"I should like to know how I am to lay the landscape straight before me, and put my oiled paper on the top of it, and trace its outlines in true perspective? I should like also to know, since Mr. A. B. C. recommends a portrait for the first attempt, how I am to lay the transparent paper over my wife's face, without her nose making a hole in the middle of it? It is all very well for Mr. A. B. C. to say that he 'continues to receive very satisfactory testimonials respecting the RESULT of his instructions, which are remarkable for simplicity (I allow that), and invaluable for correctness' (I deny that). But, although he prints 'result' in capital letters, all the testimonial that I can give him will be to testify to the (on his part) satisfactory result attending his 'art of drawing' twelve postage-stamps out of my pocket."

Thus, can I imagine, would the gentle reader soliloquise, on finding he had received two worthless bits of paper in return for his investment of postage-stamps. My thoughts were somewhat the same; for I, alas! sent "twelve postage-stamps," which are now lost to view in the dim perspective, and I shall only be too happy to sell Mr. A. B. C. his instructions, &c. at half-price. In the mean time, however, I forward them for Mr. Editor's inspection.

Cuthbert Bede, B.A.

Minor Notes.

Cremona Violins.—As many of your readers are no doubt curious about the prices given, in former times, for musical instruments, I transcribe an order of the time of Charles II. for the purchase of two Cremona violins.

"[Audit Office Enrolments, vi. 359.]

"These are to pray and require you to pay, or cause to be paid, to John Bannester, one of his Maties Musicians in Ordinary, the some of fourty pounds for two Cremona Violins by him bought and delivered for his Mats Service, as may appeare by the Bill annexed, and also tenn pounds for stringes for two yeares ending June 24, 1662. And this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand, this 24th day of October, 1662, in the fourteenth year of his Majesty's reign.

"E. Manchester.

"To Sr Edward Griffin, Knt,