hope of eliciting information, whether the papers in Mr. Foster's
possession, which he has abstained from publishing, contain any notices
of the first Earl of Shaftesbury; and I am particularly anxious to know
whether they contain any references to the Life of Lord Shaftesbury
which Locke meditated, or throw any light upon the mode in which Locke
would have become possessed of some suppressed passages of Edmund
Ludlow's memoirs.

C.


_Theses._--Many German works introduced into Catalogues, are _theses_
defended at the universities. The name of the _President_ is generally
first, and in larger letters than that of the propounder, who is usually
the author. Hence, it often happens, that the _Thesis_ is entered as a
work written by the _Præses_. But is not unfrequently happened, that
this Præses was _really_ the author; and that, as an easy way of
publishing his thought, he entrusted an essay to a candidate for a
degree, to be defended by him. The seventh rule of the Museum Catalogue
runs thus:--

"The respondent or defender in a thesis to be considered its
author, except when it unequivocally appears to be the work of
the Præses."

Now, I would ask, what are the usual signs of the authorship? Are there
any catalogues of Theses? Any bibliographical works which contain hints
for guidance in this matter? Any correspondents who can advise generally
on the whole matter?