"A catalogue of the valuable Library of Books of the late
learned Samuel Johnson, Esq., LL.D., deceased, which will be
sold by auction (by Order of the Executors) by Mr. Christie,
at his Great Room in Pall Mall, on Wednesday, February 16.
1785. and three following Days. To be viewed on Monday and
Tuesday preceding the Sale, which will begin each Day at 12
o'Clock. Catalogues may be had as above."

It is a Catalogue of 28 pages and 662 lots, of which 650 are books.
The twelve last are prints, chiefly "framed and glazed." The Catalogue
is very rare; there is not a copy in the British Museum, and Messrs.
Christie and Manson are without one. I may add, as your correspondent
is curious about Johnson's Library, that I have the presentation copy
to the Doctor of Twiss's _Travels in Spain_, with "the gift of the
Author" in Johnson's handwriting, immediately beneath Twiss's MS.
presentation. The Twiss was in Lot 284.

PETER CUNNINGHAM.

* * * * *


MISCELLANIES.

_Etymology of "News_."--The word "news" is not derived, as many
suppose, from the adjective new, but from a practice that obtained
in newspapers of an early date, of prefixing to the title the letters
expressive of the cardinal points, thus:--