[The Editor inserts this letter because he is sure that it comes from a
friendly quarter, and he knows that something like what it suggests is
very much wanted. He would feel great diffidence as to his powers of
fulfilling all that might be expected if he were simply to reply in the
affirmative: but he is quite willing to make the trial, and he thinks
that (though sometimes perhaps with a little delay) he could in general
obtain any information of this kind which could be reasonably sought.]

* * * * *

LINES IN THE STYLE OF SUCKLING.

Mr. Editor,--The following lines are written in pencil on sheet 61. of
the _Notes of the Debates in the Long Parliament_, taken down in the
House of Commons by Sir Ralph Verney. The _Notes of Debates_, but not
these lines, were published by the Camden Society in 1845. For any thing
that appears to the contrary, these lines may have been written in the
House as well as the _Notes of Debates_. The sheet 61. refers to debates
which took place in March 1641-2. I am not aware that the lines have
been published, nor can I assign them to their author. If any of your
readers can tell me anything about them, I shall esteem it a favour.

Wert thou yet fairer than thou art,
Which lies not in the power of art;
Or hadst thou, in thine eyes, more darts
Than Cupid ever shot at hearts;
Yet, if they were not thrown at me,
I could not cast one thought at thee. {21}

I'd rather marry a disease