is the opinion of Lord
Mansfield, when Attorney-General, upon Dr. Johnson's
explanation of the word Excise:--

_CASE._

Mr. Samuel Johnson has lately published a book, entitled "A
Dictionary of the English Language, in which the words are
deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their
different significations by examples from the best writers.
To which are prefixed a History of the Language and an
English Grammar."

Under the title "Excise" are the following words:--

EXCISE, n.s. (_accijs_, Dutch; _excisum_, Latin,) a hateful
tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common
judges of property, but _wretches_ hired by those to whom
"_Excise_" is paid.

The people should pay a rateable tax for their
sheep, and an _Excise_ for every thing which they
should eat.--HAYWARD.

"Ambitious now to take _excise_
Of a more fragrant paradise."--CLEVELAND.

_EXCISE._

"With hundred rows of teeth the shark exceeds,
And on all trades, like Cassawar, she feeds."
MARVEL.

"Can hire large houses and oppress the poor
By farm'd Excise."--DRYDEN'S Juvenal, Sat. 3.

The Author's definition being observed by the Commissioners
of Excise, they desire the favour of your opinion:

_Qu._--Whether it will not be considered as a libel; and if
so, whether it is not proper to proceed against the author,
printers and publishers thereof, or any and which of them,
by information or how otherwise?

_OPINION._

"I am of opinion that it is a libel; but under all the
circumstances, I should think it better to give him an
opportunity of altering his definition; and in case he
don't, threaten him with an information.

"(Signed) W. MURRAY.

"29th Nov, 1755."

* * * * *

Samuel Sewall, whose remarkable "Diary" has within a few years been
printed by the Massachusetts Historical Society, appears to have been
the successor of John Foster, who printed the first book ever issued
from the press in Boston,--namely, "Hubbard's Election Sermon,"--in
1676. All previous printing in the colony had been executed at
Cambridge. Mr. Hubbard was the minister of Ipswich.

SAMUEL SEWALL.

Whe