ADVICE TO THE EDITOR

A contributor sending a Note or a Query,

Considers what signature's better;

And lest his full name too oft should prove weary,

He sometimes subscribes with a letter.

This letter in English or Greek thus selected,

As his personal mark he engages;

From piracy, therefore, it should be protected,

Throughout all the rest of your pages.

By a contrary practice confusion is sown,

And annoyance to writers of spirit,

Who wish not to claim any Notes but their own,

Or of less or superior merit.

I submit in such cases no writer would grumble,

But give you his hearty permission,

When two correspondents on one mark should stumble,

To make to the last an addition.

You are bound to avoid ev'ry point that distresses,

And prevent all collision that vexes,

Preserving the right of each collar of SS,

And warding the blows of cross XX.

* * * * *

Notes and Queries, Number 52, October 26, 1850 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. · 第 36 / 107 题