to thee?
What whether high, or low, my pedigree?
Perhaps I far surpassed all other men:
Perhaps I fell behind them all--what then?
Suffice it, stranger, that thou see'st a tomb,
Thou know'st its use; it hides--no matter whom."

W. W.

Malta.

* * * * *

Queries.

LAURIE (?) ON CURRENCY, ETC.

I have before me a bulky volume, apparently unpublished, treating of
currency and of many other politico-economical affairs; the authorship of
which I am desirous of tracing. If any reader of "N. & Q." can assist my
search I shall feel greatly obliged to him.

This volume extends to 936 closely printed pages, and is altogether without
divisions either of book, chapter, or section. It has neither title-page,
conclusion, imprint, or date; and my copy seems to consist of revises or
"clean sheets" as they came from the press. The main gist of the work is
thus described, apparently by the author himself, in a MS. note which
occupies the place of the title-page:

"It is here meant to show that in civilised nations money is an
emanating circulable wealth and power, {492} without which individuals
cannot go on in improvement on independent principles. It resolves
wealth into the forms most conducive to this object, and prepares for
the highest services both individuals and communities."

The book, however, is extremely discursive, and no small portion of it is
devoted to foreign politics. Thus, of the "Eastern Question," the author
disposes in this fashion:

"Austria, to answer its destination, ought to comprise Wallachia,
Bessarabia, Moldavia, and, following the line of demarcation drawn by
the Danube, the whole territory at its debouchment.... Turkey cannot
regard the sacrifices proposed as of much importance, when such
security as that now in contemplation could be obtained. The whole
strength of her immense empire is at present drained to support her
contest on this very barrier with Russia. But that barrier, it is
evident, would this way be effectually secured: for Austria has too
many points of importance to protect, to dream of creating new ones on
this feeble yet extended confine of her domains."--Pp. 835, 836.

From internal evidence, the book appears to have been written between 1812
and 1815. It is printed in half-sheets, from sig. A to sig. 6 B, and three
half-sheets are wanting, viz. E, 5 Q, and 5 R. In place o