J. BT.


"_Imprest_" (Vol. ii., p. 40).--D.V.S. will find an illustration of the
early application of this word to advances made by the Treasury in the
"Rotulus de _Prestito_" of 12 John, printed by the Record Commission
under the careful editorship of Mr. T. Duffus Hardy, whose preface
contains a clear definition of its object, and an account of other
existing rolls of the same character.

EDWARD FOSS.


_Derivation of News._--P.C.S.S. has read with great interest the various
observations on the derivation of the word "News" which have appeared in
the "NOTES AND QUERIES," and especially those of the learned and
ingenious Mr. Hickson. He ventures, however, with all respect, to differ
from the opinion expressed by that gentleman in Vol. i., p. 81., to the
effect that--

"In English, there is no process known by which a noun plural
can be formed from an adjective, without the previous formation
of the singular in the same sense."

P.C.S.S. would take the liberty of reminding Mr. H. of the following
passage in the _Tempest_:--

"When that is gone,
He shall drink nought but brine, for I'll not show him
Where the quick freshes lie."