side by a stream called Chub-brook, which formerly flowed into the old Hockley Pool. This pasture ground shows the evident traces of a moat, and the foundations of several walls of a large building. I apprehend this is the spot referred to in Hutton's History of Birmingham, p. 254., fourth edition:

"The lord Clinton and his lady seem to have occupied the Manor-house, and Sir Thomas (de Birmingham), unwilling to quit the place of his affections and of his nativity, erected a castle for himself at Worstone; where, though the building is totally gone, the vestiges of its liquid security are yet complete."

As the field will probably be built on in a short time, I wish to identify the spot referred to by Hutton.

C. M. I.

Buchanan and Voltaire.

—Voltaire has obtained credit for a very smart epigram, and one which the Edinburgh Review (vol. xxi. p. 271.) calls "one of his happiest repartees." It was, however, stolen by him, either designedly or unwittingly, from the celebrated Buchanan. Here are the two versions, and the point will be observed to be the same in both:

"An Englishman visiting Voltaire in his retreat at Ferney, happened to mention Haller, in whose praise the philosopher enlarged with great warmth. The other observed that this was very handsome on the part of M. de Voltaire, as Haller was by no means so liberal to M. de Voltaire. 'Alas!' said the patriarch, 'I dare say we are both of us very much mistaken!'"

Is not this the same as Buchanan's epigram (Ep., lib. 1. ed. Wets.)?