"BERKELEY LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OP CALIFORNIA FREDERICK HALL. M R.C.S EX BIBLIOTHECA CAR. I. TABORI S. bo 6 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM, OR, PORTFOLIO OF ORIGINS AND INVENTIONS ; RELATING TO LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, AND j NAMES, TRADES, PROFESSIONS; GOVERNMENT; ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE; DRAMA, MUSIC, PAINTING, AND SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES ; ARTICLES OF DRESS, &c. TITLES, DIGNITIES, &c. ; PARLIAMENT, LAWS, &c. ; UNIVERSITIES AND RELIGIOUS SECTS? EPITHETS AND PHRASES; REMARKABLE CUSTOMS; GAMES, FIELD SPORTS; SEASONS, MONTHS, AND DAYS OF THE WEEK; REMARKABLE LOCALITIES, &c. &c. BY WILLIAM PULLEYN, THE THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND IMPROVED, BY MERTON A. THOMS. LONDON : WILLIAM TEGG AND CO., 85, QUEEN STKEET, CHEAPSIDE. 1853. M'CORQUODALE A.VD CO., PRINTERS, LOXDO> WORKS, NEWTOX. P SI- MS 3 INIBODUCTION, To collect into a focus a series of Origins and Etymologies that lay scattered through various publications, ancient and modern, to place within the reach of all what hitherto could only be pro- cured by the few, to instruct the rising generation, to amuse the curious of all ages, and to save trouble to the antiquary, a mass of interesting and instructive matter has been concen- trated within the small compass of this volume ; and which the Compiler unhesitatingly submits to the public, with the convic- tion, that should it be found below their praise, it will, never- theless, remain undeserving of their censure. 233 PEEFACE TO THE TfflED EDITION. THE title-page of this volume explains with sufficient distinct- ness the object with which it was originally undertaken. This was to collect into one body notices of the most remarkable Origins, Inventions, Localities, Titles, Dignities, Etymologies, Epithets, and Colloquial Phrases, &c. ; and to give such accounts of them as were to be found in the best writers on these different subjects. That such a Compendium of Amusing Knowledge was wanted, has been proved by the sale of two large editions. A Third being now called for, advantage has been taken of that circum- stance to correct those numerous trifling errors which were scarcely to be avoided in the first impressions of a work consisting of so vast a number of minute facts and dates ; and although it cannot be hoped that the present edition is entirely free from such small blemishes, it is believed that, by the correction of many of them, and by the addition of much new and interesting matter, it appears with increased claims to the favourable con- sideration of the Public. VI PREFACE. In my endeavours to give the work this improved character, I have been greatly assisted by my Father, Mr. WILLIAM J. THOMS, and by Mr. YEOWELL ; and among the most pleasant parts of my task is making this public acknowledgment of their kind and valuable assistance. MEETON A. THOMS. 25, HOLTWELL STREET, MILLBAXK, 1853. TABLE OF CONTENTS TO THE CHAPTEES, PACK Origin and Progress of Language, Literature, Architecture, Painting, Sculp- ture, Music, Engraving, Government, &c 1 Commerce, use of Money, Coins, Banking System, Internal Navigation, &c. 45 Discoveries and Inventions 55 Rise and Progress of the Stage, Origin of various Popular Plays, Songs, &c. 84 Universities, Colleges, Schools, Public Libraries, Religious Sects, Nicene Creed, Inquisition, &c 97 Parliaments, Magna Charta, Trial by Jury, Feudal Laws, Public Courts of the Kingdom, Origin of Tithes, &c 110 Titles, Dignities, Orders and Insignia, Heralds, and Origin of various Royal and Noble Families 132 Literal Signification of the Principal Male and Female Christian Names... 161 Ancient and Modern Games, Field Sports, and other Amusements 165 Remarkable Customs, Popular Observances 177 Time and its Divisions Era, Months, Weeks, Days, &c 217 Agriculture, Horticulture, Vegetables, Fruits, Plants, Flowers, Beverages, &c. 234 Luxuries, Articles of Dress, Trades, Professions and Companies, Public- house Signs, &c 25S Public Buildings, Inns of Court, Wards, Churches, Streets, and Localities of London and Westminster 278 Etymons of various Countries, Islands, Seas, Towns, Provinces, Remarkable Places,&c 328 Epithets and Popular Phrases 361 Witchcraft, Superstition, Surgery, Craniology, &c 405 Etymons of various Peculiar Words and Terms 417 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page Abchurch Lane 299 Ablutions of the Romans on the first of April 205 Abyssinia 329 Acantha 239 Actors, making a trade of their profession 90 Actress, First English c 92 Acts of Parliament 123 Addle Street 299 Adelphi 299 Adermanbury 299 Adieu 417 Admirable Crichton ... ... 376 Admiral... 138 Adore 417 Affirmation of the Quakers ... 123 Agriculture, its progress ... 234 Air Balloons 64 Alban's (St.) Family 159 Alderman 146 Aldermanbury 299 Aldersgate Street 299 Aldersgate Ward ... ... 288 Aldgate Ward 287 Ale 248 Alehouse Licences 123 Algebra 51 Algernon 157 Alkali 417 All Hallows Barking 294 AU Hallows Staining 294 All Saints' Day 225 All Souls 226 All the Russias 329 Alligator 418 Allodial 417 Almanacs 48 Alnwick, Freedom of 189 Alphabet 7 Alphage (Saint) 295 Alum 73 Amazon ... ... ... ... 417 Ambassador 142 Amen Corner 300 America... ... ... ... 328 American War 130 Anatomical Wax Figures ... 414 Page Anatomy, Law of ... ... 414 Anchors ... ... ... ... 59 Andrew (Saint) Hubbard ... 294 Andrew (Saint, Order of) ... 150 Andrew (Saint) Undershaft ... 299 Andrew (Saint) Wardrobe ... 294 Angel 418 Another for Hector 381 Anthony Pig 364 Apothecary 263 April ..: 218 April Fool 372 Apron 418 Arab 418 Archery ... ... ... ... 167 Arches Court ... 127 Architecture ... ... ... 19 Architecture, Five Orders of ... 20 Arithmetical Figures ... ... 51 Army, English standing ... 120 Arrow-Root 244 Artichoke 418 Arundel 329 Arundelian Tables, Oxford ... 101 Ascension Day, Perambulating Parishes on 193 Ash Wednesday 234 Ass 362 Assassin 362 Asses, Feast of 197 Astley's Prize Wherry ... 209 Athens 328 Atlantic Ocean 328 Attorney 262 Auctions 123 Augean Stable 415 August 220 " Auld Robin Gray" 96 Authors 19 Azores, or Western Islands ... 328 Bachelor 419 Backgammon ... ... ... 167 Bag of Nails 273 Bailiff 363 Bakewell, or Blackwell Hall ... 285 Balliol College 98 Balloons... 64 Vlll CONTENTS. Page 332 286 54 53 55 368 Baltimore Bancroft's Almshouses Bank of England Banking System, origin of Banks, Savings' Bankrupt Banshee 407 Bantams 419 Banyan Day 400 Baptism 181 Barber 266 Barber's Pole 266 Barbican 300 Barge Yard, Bucklersbury ... 302 Barley, Beer, Barme 248 Barn esbury Park 331 Barometer ... ... ... 62 Baron 137 Baronet 138 Baronets of Ireland 138 Baronets of Nova-Scotia ... 138 Barrows, or Cairns 356 Bartholomew Fair 206 Bartlett's Buildings 300 Baskets '.. 66 Bassishaw Ward 290 Bastinado 69 Bath ... 330 Bath, Order of the 150 Battle Bridge 330 Battle Stairs 301 Bayonet 420 Bear and Ragged Staff ... 272 Bear-baiting .'.. 170 Bear Gardens ... ... ... 87 Bears and Bulls 371 Beds 255 Beef-eater 365 Beer, or Barme 248 Beever 419 Beggars' Opera ... ... 91 Bell, Book, and Candle, Swear- ing by 201 Bellerophon 419 Bellman 148 Bells 71 Bell Savage ... 275 Bell System of Education ... 107 Benedict (St.) vulgarly called Bennet Fink 296 Benefit of Clergy 114 Benevolence ... ... ... 420 Bennet (St.) Sherehog ... 296 Bennet's (St.) Grass church ... 296 Bermondsey Street 302 Bermudas 332 Berwick upon Tweed 331 Page Beverage 419 Bevis Marks 301 Bible, and its History 13 Bible and Missionary Societies 106 Bible, History of the 13 Bible, Origin of the Translation of, into English 14 Bibles 13 Biddenden Cakes Bigot Billingsgate Ward Bills of Mortality Birdcage Walk Bird in the Hand's worth Two in the Bush Bishop of Osnaburg ... Bishop's Crosier Bishopsgate Ward Biter's Bit Black Bartholomew ... Black Doll at Rag-Shops Blackfriars Blackman Street, Borough Black Prince Blankets Bleaching Blenheim 182 366 288 217 302 393 146 108 288 392 232 275 301 300 145 256 72 330 Blood 420 410 301 277 128 51 101 261 420 276 68 159 300 197 286 18 11 7 Blood, circulation of the Bloomsbury Blossoms Inn ... Board of Green Cloth Board Wages Bodleian Library Bog- Yew of Ireland ... Boh! Bolt in Tun Bombs ... Bonaparte and Napoleon Bond Street Bone-fires Bonner's Fields... Bookbinding Book, The first Books, Dedications to ... Books, origin of, and various matters connected with them Boots and Shoes Boroughs 5 253 114 Bother 420 Bouquets Judges' 217 Bourbon, Family of 158 Bourbons as kings of Spain ... 141 Bow Lane 300 Bog Yew (Irish) 261 Brace, King's Bench ... ... -72 Bramber, Rape of 347 CONTENTS. IX Brazen Nose Brazils Page 100 332 Bread and Butter Bread Street Ward Bride Cakes Bridewell Bridge and Tower Wards Bridge House Estates 253 289 184 301 290 282 66 Brighton Britain, Christianity in Broad Street Ward Broad Wall Broker 330 109 290 300 367 Brook Market Brother Jonathan Brownies Buckingham House Bucklersbury Budget 301 367 408 302 300 132 Bugg-a-bo! Buildings, ancient Bull and Mouth Bull and Tun ... Bull-baiting in England Bull, The Pope's Bumper Burlesque Butchers, exempted from serv- ing on Juries Butler 372 22 276 276 170 13 421 4 113 265 Cabal Council Cabbages Cabs, or Cabriolets Caesar, or Czar ... Cairns or'Barrows Caius and Gonvile College ... Calico Printing Calligraphy, or the Art of Writing Camarill Cambrics Cambridge Canals 119 243 259 143 356 99 72 83 373 74 332 66 Candidate Candlemas Day Candles Candlewick Ward Cannons Cannon Street ... Canonbury Canterbury Capability Brown Caps 423 226 83 289 68 306 333 332 376 256 Capuchin Caravan 423 421 Page Cardinal, the title 142 Cards, playing ... ... ... 165 Carling Sunday 233 Carlton House 304 Carnaby Market 304 Carol 426 Cartoons 37 Carving at Table by Ladies ... 195 Castle-Baynard Ward ... 289 "Castle of Otranto" 96 Catherine and Petruehio ... 95 Catherine Wheel 277 Catholic Church 103 Cats 171 Cat's Paw 368 Cecil 158 Celery 244 Chancery, Court of ... ... 126 Chain Shot 68 Chancellor 139 Chandos Portrait of Shak- speare, origin and progress of 38 Chanting in Cathedrals ... 202 Charing Cross 305 Charity Schools 107 Charles Martel 158 Charles the First's Statue ... 305 Charter House 284 Cheapside 303 Cheap Ward 287 Chequers at Public Houses ... 275 Cherries 236 Chess 1C6 Chester, Principality of ... 128 Chicory 251 Chiltern Hundreds 122 Chimes 194 Chimneys & Chimneysweepers 78 Christ-Crosse A 398 Christianity in Britain ... 109 Christian names explained ... 161 Christmas 421 Christmas Boxes 183 Chronological Table of Ancient and Modern Structures ... 22 Churching of Women ... 179 Churchyards and Interments... 216 Cinque Ports, Lord Warden of the 148 Circulating Libraries 9 Citron 409 Civilisation 421 Clare Hall 99 Clare Market 304 Clarence, Duke of 144 Clement's Inn 201 Clergy, benefit of 114 CONTENTS. Pag Clergy, Charity for the relief of Poor Widows and Sons of the 326 Clerkenwell 30 Clifford's Inn 29L Cloacina 42 Clocks, Electrical 7( Clocks, Watches, &c 7( Coach 422 Coaches 258 Coaches, Sailing .. ... 62 Coal Harbour Lane .. ... 305 Coal Hole Tavern 276 Coal, origin of .. ... 8] Coals in London .. ... 82 Cobblers of Flanders, Arms of the 204 Cock and Bull story 395 Cockfighting 174 Coffee and Coffee-houses ... 251 Coin 48 Coin Factors 267 Coin of Dort 203 Coins of Edward VI 49 Coldstream Guards ... ... 422 Coleman Street 304 Coleman Street Ward ... 290 Collar of S. S 151 Colombia 333 Commerce, origin of 45 Common Pleas 126 Commons, House of ... ... 110 Compass, Mariner's 66 Concerts ... ... ... 41 Conduit Street 303 Confining Juries from Meat and Drink 113 Confirmation ... ... ... 179 Congreve Rockets 68 Constantinople 333 Constellation 423 Coram Street 303 Cordwainer 265 Cordwainers' Ward 290 Cornfactors 267 Cornhill 303 Cornwall, Duke of 146 Coronations in England, origin of, with an account of their Customs 153 Corporations ... ... ... 115 Corps 423 Corpus Christi College ... 99 Corsica 333 Cossack 422 Costermonger ... ... . . 265 Cottonian Library 101 Counsellors' Fees Courting on Saturday Night ... Court of Chancery Covent Garden ... Coventry Street Coward ... Cowslip ... Coxcomb Cranbourne Alley Craniology ... ... ... Crescent as a symbol Crests Crighton, (Admirable) Cripplegate Cripplegate Ward Crispin's Day Critic Crocus ... Crosby Square Cross and Pile, or Head and Tail Cross |x* as a mark Cross Buns Cross, invention of the Crown pieces ... Crowns, origin and history of Crutched Friars Currants Curse of Scotland Curtain Road Curtain theatre Cutpurse Daisy Damask Rose ... Damask Weaving Dancing... Dauphin of France )avis' Straits )ays of Week )ead Sea )eath Watch )ecember )e Courcy Privilege ... dedication to Books ... )efensor Fidei v . Delf, or Delft Denis (Saint) Patron Saint of France 135 Dennet 260 )entist 265 Deodand 424 )evonshire Square 307 )iamond cut Diamond ... 395 Mamonds ... ... ... 52 >ieu et mon Droit 142 Dignities and Titles 135 CONTENTS. XI Dining with Duke Humphrey Dinners, original Dionis (Saint) Back Church ... Diorama Page 380 190 297 64 Dissection 410 217 Doctors Commons Dog and Duck Tavern Dog-days Doggett's Coat and Badge ... Dogs 127 276 229 209 171 Domesday Book Domestic Telegraph ... Dominant, origin of in music... Dort, Coin of Dowgate Ward Downs .. . 15 60 40 203 289 334 D'Oyleys Drama in England, its rise ... Dramatic Censorship Drawing for King and Queen Drinking healths Druid 261 86 89 184 180 424 Drunk as David's Sow DruryLane Dryden's celebrated Ode Duchy of Lancaster Court ... Duck and Drake Duelling Duke 397 307 95 128 176 177 136 Duke's Place Dulwich College Dun, demanding payment Durham, Palatinate of Earl 307 101 363 344 137 Earl Marshal Earthenware and Porcelain, origin of East-Cheap Easter East India Company ... Eastward Hoe Echo 137 26 307 202 55 97 424 Edge Tools, manufacture of . . Edinburgh Edmund's Bury Edward VI., Coins of Election Ribbons Electrical Clocks Electricity Electric Printing Telegraph .. Electric Telegraphs ... Ember Week ... Emperor England England and St George 55 335 335 49 193 70 81 60 59 229 140 334 388 Page English Language 2 English Language in Courts of Law, and Legislative pro- ceedings ... ... ... 122 Engraving, origin and progress of 32 Epithets 361 Epochs and Eras 414 Epping Hunt 196 Escurial of Spain 336 Esculapius, Sons of 416 Esquire ... ... ... ... 138 Eton Montem 201 Etruscan Vases ... ... ... 29 Europe ... 335 Evergreens and Mistletoe at Christmas 179 Exchequer Bills 124 Exchequer Court 126 Excise Duty 120 Exeter Change 307 Exeter College 98 Exeter Hall, Strand 308 Fairs, origin of 206 Families, noble, origin of ... 160 Fandango 169 Fans 257 Farringdon Wards 288 February 218 Fenchurch Street 309 Fetter Lane 308 Feudal Laws < 115 Figures in Arithmetic ... 51 Filberts 236 Finsbury Square 308 Finis 425 Fish and Ring, Stepney Church- yard 185 Fishing with Nets in England 67 Fish Street Hill 309 Fitz-Roy 156 Fives and Fives' Courts ... 168 Flamstead House 336 Flannel Shirts 255 Fleet Street 309 Fleur-de-Lis on the Mariner's Compass ... ... ... 66 Fludyer Street 308 Flying Horse 272 Forest and Game Laws ... 115 Forks 57 Fools 93 Foster Lane 308 Foot-ball 175 Fore Street 309 Foundling Hospital 286 Xll CONTENTS. Fountains France, War with Franking Letters ... .. t Freedom of Aln wick French Revolutionary Calendar Fret-work, derivation of the term in Architecture Friendly Islands Fruits Native . ... Page 69 129 131 189 221 25 336 235 Goose on Michaelmas Day ... Gordian Knot Government and Society, ori- gin of Gowk and Cuckoo Grace at Meat ... Gracechurch Street Grampian Hills Grapes Mi 415 4 370 191 310 336 238 Fruits in England Furnival's Inn Galvanism Gal way (Tribes of) Game Laws Gaming Gammon of Bacon at Easter ... Gardening, Ornamental, in England Garlic Hill Garrick's first Playbill Garter Order of the ... 237 292 79 378 115 173 196 238 311 91 150 Grasshopper, Royal Exchange Grave Morris ... Gray's Inn Great Wardrobe Street Green Cloth, Board of Green Park Greenwich Grenadier Gresham College Grey Hair Grinning like a Cheshire Cat Grocer Gro<>- 284 272 291 310 128 310 337 426 284 413 396 264 250 Gas 80 Guildhall 125 Gazette 426 426 Geho' 426 Guineas when first coined ... 49 Gentleman George (St.) as Patron Saint of England George's (St.) Fields .,. Gerard's Hall Gerard Street ... Germany Giltspur Street Gin 425 135 327 285 310 337 310 250 Gule of August Guillotine Gunpowder Gunpowder Plot Gutta Percha Guy's Head Guy's Hospital Haberdashers 230 68 67 118 77 274 286 269 Gins 426 Hackney ... ... ... 312 Gipsy 426 Hackney Coaches 259 Give him a Bone to pick Give us a Toast 399 397 Hag-bush Lane Uao'O'is 337 427 Giving Quarter Giving the Lie Glass, origin of making Glass Windows Globe Theatre Gloves 188 178 27 28 88 254 Hair-powder Hammer-cloth .. Hammock .. Hand-festing .. Hang on Jerry .. Harlequin 257 262 428 181 384 93 Goat and Compasses ... God bless you, to the Sneezer God save the King Goes of Liquor Gold Coin in England, origin of Golden Age Golden Fleece Golden Square Goldsmiths' Year Marks Goodman's Fields Good old Times Good Wine needs no Bush ... Goodwin Sands 273 380 94 198 49 414 278 310 268 309 378 379 336 Harmony Settlement, North America Harvest Moon ... Hastings Hat and Tun Hats and Caps Hatton Garden Haversack Hawking Healths, on drinking .. Hearses Hector's Cloak ... Hellespont 339 415 338 272 256 311 427 171 180 216 382 339 CONTENTS. Xlll He is gone to Pot He may pay too Dear for his Whistle Heraldry Heralds Heralds' College Hermaphrodite Herne's Oak Hicks' Hall Highbury Barn Hindostan Hoaxing ... Hob and Nob Hob-nails, Counting of Hobson's Choice Hock Hocus-pocus Holborn ... Holland's (Lady) Mob Holly Hollyhock Holy Alliance Holy Island Holy rood House Holywell Street Honesty ... Honeymoon Honour ... Hook or by Crook Hoop, game of the Hopping Hops Horatii and Curiatii ... Horn Fair Horse Power Horsleydown Horoscope Host Houndsditch House Leek House of Commons Howling at Irish Funerals ... Humbug Hummums Hungerford Stairs Market ... Hurly-burly Husting Huxter ... Hyde Park Page 396 385 132 133 133 428 338 285 337 339 197 428 197 379 250 427 311 207 242 241 119 311 427 178 427 379 175 176 248 141 207 63 312 61 427 311 409 110 191 391 271 311 429 428 266 311 145 Ich Dien, " I Serve" I'll set vou down in my Black Book 399 Innocents' Day 228 Inns of Court 290 Inquisition ... ... ... 109 Insurance on Ships 51 Interest on Money Interments and Churchyards Internal Navigation in England I Pledge you Irish Society of the Corporation of London Iron first discovered ... Isle of Dogs Isle of Man Islington Italian Opera It is a dirty Bird that befouls its own Nest It's an ill Wind that blows no one any Good Ivory (Vegetable) Jack Ketch Jack of Newbury James's (St.) Palace James's (St.) Park Janizary Page 50 216 52 382 324 56 312 340 312 43 385 390 245 368 378 322 320 429 January 218 Jennies, spinning ... ... 64 Jesuits 102 Jewin Street 312 Joan, Pope 166 Jonathan 367 John Audley ... .. ... 375 John Doe and Richard Roe ... 374 John of Gaunt 158 John o'Groat's House 273 John's (St.) Gate 320 John (St.) the Evangelist's Day 226 Journeyman 371 Judges' Bouquets 217 Julian, the Apostate 148 July 219 June 219 Juries, Exemption of Surgeons and Butchers from serving on 113 Jurors, confining from meat and drink 113 Jury, Trial by 112 Justice 429 Juvenile Amusements, Origin and Antiquity of various ... 175 Kaleidoscope ... 65 Katherine's, St. Collegiate Col- lege of 293 Katherine (St.) Cree 297 Keel 430 Kent 340 King 136 King and Queen, drawing for 184 Kings and Queens of England 444 XIV CONTENTS. King's Bench 126 King of the Romans 141 King's College, London ... 100 King's Cock-crower ... ... 148 King's Speech ... Ill Kingston 340 Kissing the Pope's Foot ... 182 Klocke, i. e., Clock, or Bell ... 430 Knighthood 148 Knights Hospitallers 149 Knight-rider Street 313 Knights Templars 149 Knives ... ... . ... 57 Labour and Money in early times ... ... .-. 50 Lack-a-Daisy ... ... ... 430 Lac of Rupees 52 Ladies appearing at Court ... 191 Lady 430 Lady Day 226 Lady in the Straw 398 Lambeth 314 Lamb's Conduit Street 313 Lamb's Wool 431 Lammas Day 228 Lamp Black 79 Lancasterian System of Educa- tion ... ' 108 Land Tax in England 121 Langbourne Ward 289 Language, English ... ... 2 Language, origin of 1 Lanthorns 64 Lark-hall Tavern 278 Lass of Richmond Hill . . 96 Lawns, Cambrics, Starching . . 74 Law of Shipwreck 198 Lawrence Poultney Lane . . 314 Law Sunday 231 Lawyers' Patron ... . . 394 Leadenhall Street 313 Leeds, Duke of 159 Libraries, Circulating ... . . 9 Library 431 Lie, giving the 178 Light-houses 80 Lily 241 Limehouse 314 Lime Street Ward 290 Lincoln College 99 Lincoln's Inn ... ... 291 Lion Sermon 199 Lion's Head Fountains .. 69 Literary Degrees, origin of ... 416 Literati 431 Little Britain . . 313 Page Liver Complaints in India ... 413 Liveries 255 Liverymen 431 Lloyds' Coffee-house 284 Lollard 105 Lombard Street 314 London 278 London Arms . 205 London Bridge . 279 London Cries . ... ... 189 London Wall 313 Long Acre . 313 Lord Mayor . ... ... 147 Lord Mayor of London, pre- sented to the Chancellor ... 197 Lord Mayor's Day 188 Dord Mayor's Show 188 Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports 148 Loriner ... ... ... ... 271 Lothbury 314 Lotteries 130 Low Sunday 231 Ludgate Street 313 Lullaby 432 Lunatic 366 Luncheon 432 Magellan, Straits of 351 Magna Charta Ill Mahometan 105 Mahogany, its use in England 260 Maidstone 342 Mail Coaches 117 Mameluke 432 Man 433 Man of Straw 365 Mantua-maker ... ... ... 265 Maps and Sea Charts ... ... 77 Marbles 176 March . 218 Margaret, (St.) Pattens ... 297 Mariner's Compass 66 Mark Lane ... 315 Marquis ... ... ... ... 137 Marriage by Proxy 187 Marseilles 341 Marshalsea Court 127 Martel, Charles 158 Martin's (St.) Little Summer... 225 Martin (St.) Orgar 296 Martin's (St.) Outwich 297 Mary-le-bone 315 Mary (St.) Aldermary 297 Mary (St.) at Hill 298 Mary (St.) Axe 315 Mary (St.) Bothaw 298 CONTENTS. Mary (St.) Cole Church Mary (St.) Le Bow Mary (St.) Matfellon .. Mary (St.) Mounthaunt Mary (St.) Overie Mary (St.) Somerset .. Mary (St.) Woolnooth,. Masquerades Massachusetts Matrimony Maundy Thursday Mauritius Mausoleum May May Day May Fair May-poles Maze Pond, South wark Meal Tub Plot Measures, liquid and dry Mediatised Princes Mediterranean ... Men Milliners ... Men of Kent Mercers' Company Merchant Tailors' Company ... Mermaid Merryandrew Merrvandrew ... Merry as a Greek Merry in the Hall when Beards wag all Merry Wakefield Merton College Methodism Mews Michaelmas Day, &c Michael (St.) Bassishaw Michael's (St.) Querne Middlesex Military Uniforms Milk Street Millbank Milliner ... Milton's Paradise Lost Mince Pies Mind your P's and Q's... Minories Minster ... Mint, Borough ... Mirrors Miser Missionary Societies ... Mistletoe, Use of, at Christmas Money, interest on Money, placed in the Mouths of the Dead .. Page 298 293 295 298 296 298 293 190 341 432 226 341 432 218 222 208 200 315 119 47 155 342 264 374 270 270 407 94 395 395 389 399 98 106 316 224 298 299 342 255 315 316 265 10 184 397 314 433 316 256 362 106 179 50 185 Page Money, origin of Use of ... 45 Monk well Street 314 Monmouth Street 314 Month 218 Montmartre 341 Moornelds 315 Moravians ... ... ... 106 Morris Dance 167 Most Christian King 143 Mourning 215 Munchausen (Baron) 376 Marseilles 341 Mushroom 433 Music 39 Music, Letters in 40 Music, origin of dividing into Bars 40 Music, origin of the Dominant 40 My Lord 369 Myrmidon 362 Names, Literal Signification of the Principal Male and Fe- male Christian 161 Names of Places or Persons ... 357 Names, Roman ... ... 156 Nantz, Edict of 108 Napoleon, origin of the name 159 Narcissus 239 National Debt 131 Native Fruits in England ... 235 Native Oysters 252 Naval Salute to the English Flag 123 Navigation, Internal,in England 52 Needles 58 Negus 251 Nero Fiddled while Rome was burning 383 Ne sutor ultra crepidam ... 391 Never look a gift horse in the Mouth Newcastle Salmon Newgate Newinerton Butts New River Newspapers New- Year's Gifts Nicene Creed ... Nickname Nicolas (Saint) Cole Abbey .. Nicolas (Saint) Olaves Nightcaps Nightly Watch Nine Tailors make a Man Noble Families, origin of Va- rious 160 399 252 316 316 281 12 186 107 433 293 295 254 196 XVI CONTENTS. Page No Great Shakes 400 None Such House 276 Northumberland ... ... 342 Notation 40 Not fit to hold a Candle to him 389 Nova Scotia Baronets ... 138 November ... 220 October Old and New Style Old Bailey Old Jewry Old Rowley Old Sarum Olympian Games derivation of 220 122 317 317 375 348 177 259 43 84 41 98 190 Omnibus Opera, Italian Oratorios Organs Oriel College .. Original Dinners Ornamental Gardening in Eng- land 238 Osnaburg, Bishop of 146 Ostler * 265 Ottoman Empire 343 Outlawry 195 Oxford 343 O Yes! O Yes! O Yes! ... 388 Pacific Ocean 345 Painter (Boat's) 262 Painting, the Schools of ... 34 Painting, origin and progress of 31 Palatinate of Durham 344 Palestine 345 Palladium 415 Pall Mall 318 Palm Sunday 232 Pamphlets and Tracts, origin of 8 Pancakes 184 Pancake day 233 Pancras (Saint) 295 Panic 434 Panorama 64 Pantaloon 94 Pantaloons ... ... ... 255 Pantomime ... ... ... 93 Paper 15 Paradise Lost (Milton's) ... 10 Parapet Walls to Houses ... 25 Parchment ... ... ... 77 Paris Garden playhouse ... 88 Parliament 110 Parliament, Acts of 123 Parliamentary Speeches, Re- porting of 132 Page Parnassian Spring 416 Parson 434 Passing Bell 194 Passion Flower ... ... 241 Paternoster Row .., ... 317 Paul's (St.) Cathedral, &c., ... 292 Pauper 266 Paving of London ... ... 279 Pawnbrokers' Balls 53 Pay a Ship's side 392 Peckham Fair 208 Pedlar 266 Pedlar's Acre 317 Peeping Tom of Coventry ... 377 Peerdom 134 Peerless Pool 344 Peg too low, a 383 Pembroke College, Cambridge 99 Pembroke College, Oxford ... 99 Pennsylvania 343 Penny Post 117 Perambulating Parishes on Ascension Day 193 Percv 157 Perela Chaise 343 Perjury 434 Persia 343 Peter Pence 196 Peter (Saint) ad Vincula ... 294 Peter (Saint) Le Poor 294 Petersburgh 343 Petty France 317 Philpot Lane 318 Piano-fortes ... ... ... 42 Piccadilly 318 Pickett Street 317 Pic-nick 434 Pie Poudre, Court of 129 Pin Money 186 Pins 57 Plantagenet 156 Playing Cards 165 Playhouses in London ... 87 Plays, religious ... ... 85 Pledging in drinking ... 382 Ploughing 235 Plough Monday 227 Poet Laureate 148 Poetry, origin of ... ... 10 Poland 345 Poltroon 3G6 Poor Laws and Poor Houses ... 125 Pope, alias Bishop of Rome ... 141 Pope Joan 166 Pope's Bull 13 Pope's Foot, kissing the ... 182 Pope's Name, changing of the 108 CONTENTS. XV11 Page Popish Plot 118 Poplar 319 Porcelain ... ... ... 435 Porcelain, origin of 26 Porter, or Carrier 266 Porter and Entire 249 Portland Vase 28 Portpool Lane 318 Portsoken Ward 289 Port Wine 250 Post Offices 117 Posts 121 Potatoes 242 Pot- waller 435 Poultry 318 Prerogative Court 127 Pressing for the Navy 121 Prince of Wales 136 Principality of Chester ... 128 Printing ... ... ... 16 Promethean Fire ... ... 414 Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating 394 Property Tax 121 Protestants 104 Proxv, Marriage by ... ... 187 Prussia 343 Prussian Blue 79 Public-house Signs ... ... 271 Public Theatres in Rome ... 86 Punch 92 Punch liquor 250 Puritan 435 Put a Beggar on Horseback and he'll ride to the Devil ... 396 Pye Corner 318 Quakers 106 Quakers, Affirmation of the ... 123 Quarter Day 227 Queenhithe Ward 287 Quoits 175 Eace 435 Rackets, Game of 168 Radcliffe Library 101 Radical 436 Radishes 244 Raisins 237 Rape of Bramber 347 Razors ... ... ... ... 57 Receipts, stamp duty on ... 117 Rathbone Place 319 Reculvers 345 Red and White Cross Streets 319 Red Bull playhouse 87 Red Herrings 253 Page Red Sea 347 Regent's Park 319 Religious Plays 85 Rent 51 Reporting of Parliamentary Speeches 132 Restaurateur 267 Restoration Day 232 Revolutionary Calendar ... 221 Ribald 364 Ribston Pippin 236 Richmond 347 Riding Stang 210 Riding the Black Lad ... 209 Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire ... 346 Rights and Lefts 254 Ringleader 436 Roast Pig 211 Rob Peter to Pay Paul ... 400 Rogation Sunday ... ... 231 Roman Names 156 Romans, King of the 141 Rome 347 Rome, Public Theatres in ... 86 Rosary 436 Rosemary 241 Roundhead 361 Rowland for an Oliver ... 387 Royal Academy 325 Royal Exchange 282 Royal Society 326 Royal Titles 145 Rule Britannia... 95 Rump Parliament 123 Rupees, Lac of ... ... ... 52 Rye-house Plot 118 Sadler's Wells 350 Saffron Hill 320 Sailing Coaches 62 Saints, Translation of 233 Salads 242 Sal ique Law in France ... 203 Salters' Hall 285 Savings' Bank ... ... ... 55 Savoy 321 Saws 58 Sceptic 438 Sceptre ... ,.. ... ... 153 Sclavonia 350 Scotland (Curse of) 378 Scots Corporation 326 Sculpture, origin & progress of 29 Sea charts 77 Secretary of State 147 Sedan Chairs 260 See-saw 177 XV111 CONTENTS. Page Selkirk Arms ... 205 Semper Eadem ... ... 146 Senator ... ... ... ... 438 Send him to Coventry .. 390 September .. 220 Sepulchre (Saint) 295 Sergeants' Coif 255 Servites, Order of 103 Seven Oaks 349 Sevendroog Castle 349 Shad well 322 Shakspeare, Chandos portrait of 38 Shamming Abraham ... ... 383 Shamrock, the Irish Badge of Honour 192 Shaving Brushes 267 She is in her Willows 398 Sherborne Lane 320 Sheriff 147 Sherry 250 Ships of War 65 Shillings first coined 49 Ships, insurance of .. ... 51 Shipwreck, law of .. ... 198 Shoes and Boots * 253 Shooters' Hill 349 Shoreditch ... 319 Shrove or Pancake Tuesday ... 233 Shuttlecock 176 Sicilian Vespers 232 Side Saddles 260 Sign Painting 37 Signs of public-houses ... 271 Silk Trade 74 Simon, the Tanner of Joppa ... 272 Singing-bread 438 Si Quis 438 Sir 139 Skaiting 170 Skinflint 375 Skinner Street 319 Skipping 176 Slave Trade 120 Sleep on it 388 Sloane Street 319 Smallpox 412 Smithfield 320 Smoking and taking Snuff ... 191 Soap ... 73 Society, origin of 4 Soho Square 319 Soldiers doing duty at the The- atres Royal ..." 89 Somerset House 321 Sorbonne College ... ... 98 Sots' Hole 349 Sound as a Roach . 382 Page South Sea Bubble 120 South wark 350 Sovereigns, a coin 49 Spectacles 61 Spencean System of Education 108 Spencers ... ... ... 257 Spinning Jennies 64 Spinster 361 Spitalfields 321 Spital Sermon 109 Spitting 409 Spread Eagle 276 S. S., Collar of 151 Stages, Original, in England... 90 Stalking Horse 370 Stamp Duty on Receipts ... 117 Standing Army in England ... 120 Stanhope 260 Staple's Inn 291 Star Chamber 128 Starching 74 Stathe 439 Stationers 263 Statuary 31 Statues, Royal Exchange ... 283 Stays 257 St. Cloud 349 Steam-engine ... ... ... 63 Steel Yard 320 Stentorian Lungs 415 Stephen's (St.) Day 229 Stepney 322 Stereotyping 18 Sterling 51 Steyne at Brighton 351 St. Helena 340 Stilton Cheese 252 Stockings, Weaving 76 Stone, origin of Building with, in England 25 Stonehenge ... , 348 Stourbridge Fair 209 Straits of Magellan 351 Strand 321 Structures, Chronological Table of Ancient and Modern ... 22 St. Swithin's Day 386 Stuart ... 157 Stupid as a Goose 380 Style, old and new 122 Sugar 245 Summer ... ... ... ... 217 Sunday Schools 107 Sun-dial 69 Surgeon 267 Surgeons, exempted from serv- ing on Juries 113 CONTENTS. XIX Page 439 Page ... 373 437 Tortoise Shell ... 261 Swan theatre 88 173 Tottenham Court Road Tourniquet ... 323 ... 59 Swan with two Necks Swearing on the Gospel ... Swithin's Day Sydney Sussex College Tailor . . 272 123 386 99 262 Tower, Royal ... Tracts, origin of Tragedy Translation of Saints ... Transportation Tread Mill ... 322 8 ... 84 ... 233 ... 123 ... 69 260 Trial bv Jury ... 112 Tansev puddings on Easter Day Tarpeian Rock Tarrin o< and Featherin" 1 202 353 198 Troubadours Trumpets Tulips ... 44 ... 41 ... 240 440 277 Tea Telegraph, Electric Telegraph, domestic Telegraph, printing ... Telegraphs Telescopes Teller of the Exchequer 246 59 60 60 59 61 147 Tunbridge Tunbridge Wells Turn-coat Turnnikes Twelfth Cakes Twelfth Day ... 357 ... 352 ... 366 ... 129 ... 184 ... 227 323 Temple Bar Term ... . . 322 440 Type-founding ... ... 17 Tetter-totter or See-saw Thaivie's Inn ... Thames 177 291 280 Universities University College, London University of London ... 97 ... 100 100 Theatres in London Theatres in Rome Theatrical Benefits Theatrical stages Theobald's Road They are sworn Brothers Thistle, Order of the Thistle, the Scottish Thomas' (St.) Day Those who live in Glass Houses 88 86 97 90 323 380 150 192 229 Under the Rose Vaccination Valentine and Orson ... Vase, the Etruscan Vase, the Portland Vegetable Fungi Vegetable Ivory Veluti in Speculum ... Venice ... 388 ... 413 ... 274 ... 29 ... 28 ... 244 ... 245 ... 97 353 should be careful how they throw Stones ... ... ... 391 Vicar of Bray ... Villain ... 372 ... 371 Threadneedle Street Three Legs 323 277 Vintry Ward Violet ... 288 ... 240 Throgmorton Street .. 323 Virginia 353 Throwing a Tub to the Whale Time Measure Barometer Times newspaper 394 62 17 Viscount Vitus's (St.) Dance Volume ... 137 ... 412 441 Tinker 264 Tin-plate, Manufacture of ... Tithes, origin of Titles and Dignities ... 71 124 135 Wadham College Wages, board Waits ... 100 ... 51 441 Toady ... 440 Walbrook 324 Tobacco Tokenhouse Yard Tomb-stone Tooley Street 247 323 440 323 Wales, Prince of Walking-sticks Waller's Plot Walloon ... 136 ... 260 ... 118 ... 441 Tools, manufacturing of Top 55 176 Wai worth Wapentake ... 324 443 Topographical Rhymes 400 Wardmote ... 442 CONTENTS. Page Wardrobe (Great) Street ... 310 Wards 287 While the Grass gro Steed starves Whipping of Apple-trc Whispering Gallery Whist, Game of White Whitechapel .. Whoohe! Wife Wigs Wilkes and Fortv-nve Wills ... Wilsonian Fund Windfall Wine Page ws the ... 384 es ... 201 ... 293 ... 165 ... 442 ... 324 ... 441 ... 442 ... 257 ... 387 ... 214 ... 326 ... 443 442 War, Ships of ... Warwick Lane Watches 65 324 70 Watchmen, origin of Water Carriage Water Ordeal . Water Pipes Watling Street . Weald of Kent . Weaving Weaving Stockings Wedding Finger emb of matrimonial unio Week 196 65 ... 409 282 324 353 75 76 lematical n ... 186 91S Winnowing Machines Winter ... ... 64 ... 218 Weeping Willows 241 Weights and Measures in Eng- land, origin of ... ... 47 Wellington, or Wellesley Fa- mily . 160 Witch 4-4.9 Witches and Witchcraft ... 405 Women's Blacks 258 Woodstock 353 Woollen Manufacture 76 Woolsacks in the House of Lords 119 Writing, the art of 83 Yankee! 366 We'll not carry Coals 390 Welsh Leek as a Badge of Honour 192 Westminster ... 354 What's the difference between a Horse Chestnut and a Chestnut Horse 381 When Rogues fall out Honest Men come by their own ... 392 When the Steed's stolen shut the Stable Door 384 Whiffler 441 Yeoman . ... .. 263 York 355 Yorkshire Bite Your humble Servant . Zuider Sea ... 371 ... 383 ... 356 Whigs and Tories 373 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, ARCHITECTURE, PAINTING, SCULPTURE, MUSIC, ENGRAYING, GOVERNMENT, &c. ORIGIN OF LANGUAGE. IF we suppose, says BLAIR, a period before any words were in- vented or known, it is clear that men could have no other method of communicating to others what they felt, than by the cries of passion, accompanied with such motions and gestures as were further expressive of passion ; for these are the only signs which Nature teaches to all men, and which are understood by all. One who saw another going into a place where he himself had been frightened, or exposed to danger, and who sought to warn his neighbour of that danger, could contrive no other way of doing so, than by uttering those cries, and making those gestures, which are the signs of fear ; just as two men at this day, would endeavour to make themselves understood by each other, who should be thrown together on a desolate island, ignorant of each other's language. Those exclamations, therefore, which by gram- marians are called interjections, uttered in a strong and impas- sioned manner, were beyond doubt the first elements or beginning of speech. Interjections would be followed by names of objects, or noun*; these by names of actions, or verbs; these by qualities of nouns and actions, as adjectives and adverbs; and these would be suc- cessively followed by prepositions, pronouns, articles, and con- junctions. When more enlarged communication became necessary, and names began to be assigned to objects, in what manner can we suppose men to have proceeded in this assignation of names, or invention of words 1 Undoubtedly, by imitating as much as they could the nature of the object which they named, by the B 2 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. sound of the name which they gave to it. "Whenever objects were to be named, in which sound, noise, or motion, were con- cerned, the imitation by words was abundantly obvious. Nothing was more natural than to imitate by the sound of the voice, the quality of the sound or noise which any external object made, and to form its name accordingly. Thus in all language we find a multitude of words that are evidently constructed upon this principle. A certain bird is termed a cuckoo, from the sound which it emits; when one sort of wind is said to whistle, and another to roar ; when a serpent is said to hiss, &fly to buzz, and falling timber to crash; when a stream is said to flow, and hail to rattle; the analogy between the word and the thing signified is plainly discernible. ENGLISH LANGUAGE. The English language, or rather, the ancient language of Britain, says the Encyclopedist, or Circle of the Sciences, is gene- rally allowed to have been the same with the Gaulic, or French, (this island, in all probability, having been first peopled from Gallia,) as both Caesar and Tacitus affirm, and prove by many strong and conclusive arguments, as by their religion, manners, customs, and the nearness of their situation. But now we have very small remains of the ancient British tongue, except in "Wales, the Islands and Highlands of Scotland, part of Ireland, and some provinces of France ; which will not appear strange, when the following historical events, elucidating the rise and progress of the English language, are taken into consideration. Julius Caesar, some time before the birth of our Saviour, made a descent upon Britain, though he may be said rather to have discovered than conquered it;* but about the year of Christ forty-five, in the time of Claudius, Aulus Plautius was sent over with some Roman forces, by whom two kings of the Britons, Codigunus and Caractacus, were both overcome in battle ; where- upon a Roman colony was planted at Maiden, in Essex, and the southern parts of the island were reduced to the form of a Roman province ; after that, the island was conquered as far North as the Firths of Dumbarton and Edinburgh, by Agricola, in the time of Domitian ; whereupon a great number of the Britons, in the conquered part of the island, retired to the "West part, called Wales, carrying their language with them. The greatest part of Britain being thus become a Roman province, the Roman legions, who resided in Britain for above 200 years, undoubtedly disseminated the Latin tongue ; and the * It has been proved by astronomical demonstration, that Caesar arrived for the first time in front of the cliffs of Dover, on the 23rd of August, B.C. 55, at ten in the morning, and finally effected his landing at three o'clock of the same day, in the Downs, eight miles from Dover, between the South Foreland and Deal. THE ETTMOLOG1CAL COMPENDIUM. 3 people being afterwards governed by laws written in Latin, must necessarily make a mixture of languages. This seems to have been the first mutation the language of Britain suffered. Thus the British tongue continued, for some time, mixed with the provincial Latin, till the Eoman legions being called home, the Scots and Picts took the opportunity to attack and harass England ; upon which, King Vortigern, about the year 440, called the Saxons to his assistance, who came over with several of their neighbours, and having repulsed the Scots and Picts, were rewarded for their services with the Isle of Thanet, and the whole county of Kent ; but growing too powerful, and not being contented with their allotment, .dispossessed the inhabitants of all the country on this side of the Severn; thus the British tongue was in a great measure destroyed, and the Saxon intro- duced in its stead. What the Saxon tongue was, long before the conquest, about the year 700, we may observe in the most ancient manuscripts of that language, which is a gloss on the Evangelists, by Bishop Edfrid, in which the three first articles on the Lord's Prayer run thus : . " Uren Fader thic arth in heofnas, sic gehalgud thin noma, so cymeth thin ric. Sic thin willa sue is heofnas, and in eortho," &c. In the beginning of the ninth century the Danes invaded England, and getting a footing in the eastern and northern parts of the country, their power gradually increased, and they became sole masters of it in 200 years. By this means, the ancient British gained a tincture of the Danish language ; but their government, being of no long continuance, did not make so great an alteration in the Anglo-Saxon as the next revolution, when the whole land, A.D. 1067, was subdued by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, in France ; for the Normans, as a monument of their conquest, endeavoured to make their language as generally received as their commands, and thereby rendered the British language an entire medley. About the year 900, the Lord's Prayer in the ancient Anglo- Saxon ran thus : " Thu ure Fader the eart on heofenum, si thin nama gehalgod ; cume thin rice si thin willa on eorthon swa, swa on heofenum," &c. It will now clearly be seen, that the English Language had its origin in a compound of others. " Great, verily," says Camden, " was the glory of our tongue before the Norman Conquest, in this, that the old English could express, most aptly, all the conceptions of the mind in their own tongue, without borrowing from any." That the English language, although of an heterogeneous origin, possesses more poetical capabilities than any other at the present day, there can be no question. Dr. Johnson says, in speaking of languages, " the Spanish for love, the French for gallantry, the Italian for music, and the English for poetry" 4 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. BURLESQUE. F. Vavassor mentions, in his book De Ludicra Dictione, that burlesque was altogether unknown to the ancients ; but others are of a different opinion. We even find that one Raintovious, in the time of Ptolemy Lagus, turned the serious subject of tragedy into ridicule, which is, perhaps, a better plea for the antiquity of farce than of burlesque. The Italians seem to have the justest claim to the invention of burlesque ; the first of this kind was Bernid, who was followed by Lalli, Caporali, &c. From Italy it passed into France, and became there so much the mode, that in 1649, there appeared a book under the title of " The Passion of our Saviour," in burlesque verse. From thence it passed into England, where some have excelled therein, especially Butler in his Hudibras. ON THE ORIGIN OF GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY. The distinction between the origin of Government and the origin of Political Society, is thus defined in Cooper's Letters on the Irish Nation, 1799 : ' From the writings of Aristotle, w^e are taught to consider the origin of Government not as a work of art, or of intellect, much less as the result of contract ; but as the consequence of a natural instinctive impulse towards comfort, convenience, and security. Government was not made, created, or covenanted; but arose out of human nature. Laws, indeed, which were afterwards added, are artificial aids and contrivances to prop and support government. They thwart, control, and subject the passions of individuals, in order to prevent their injuring society. But the origin of political society is totally distinct. It was dictated by nature, and cherished by a conviction and sensation of its utility. The same principle of general convenience, which for the well- being of mankind necessarily gave rise to government, still holds it together, and must ever continue to do so. Utility is thus the moral principle upon which the obedience of citizens and the protection of magistrates rests. It was Nature which established the subordination of servant and master, of family to father, and of wife to husband. These three branches of domestic economy are the germ of all government. Principium Urbis et quasi Seminarium Reipublicce. " The British Government," says Montesquieu, " is one of the wisest in Europe, because there is a body which examines it perpetually, and which is perpetually examining itself ; and its errors are of such a nature as never to be lasting, and are frequently useful, by rousing the attention. In a word (he adds), a free government, that is to say, one for ever in motion, cannot support itself, unless its own laws are capable of correcting the abuses of it." The benevolent Hanway THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 5 says, " Government originates from the love of order. Watered by police it grows up to maturity, and, in the course of time, spreads a luxuriant comfort and security. Cut oif its branches, and the mere trunk, however strong it may appear, can afford no shelter." Police, being one of the means by which an improved state of society is produced and preserved, is defined by Mr. Colquhoun to be, " a new science ; the properties of which consist not in the judicial powers which lead to punishment, and which belong to magistrates alone ; but in the prevention and detection of crimes, and in those other functions which relate to internal regulations for the well ordering and comfort of civil society." " Again," says he, " to effect this purpose, inestimable in a national point of view, and benevolent . and humane to all whose vices and enormities it tends to restrain; a police must be resorted to upon the broad scale of general prevention, mild in its operations, effective in its results ; having justice and humanity for its basis, and the general security of the state and individuals for its ultimate object." ORIGIN OF BOOKS, AND VARIOUS OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THEM. Several sorts of materials were used formerly in making records ; plates of lead and copper, tlie barks of trees, bricks, stone, and wood, were the first materials employed to engrave such things upon as men were willing to have transmitted to posterity. Josephus speaks of two columns, the one of stone, the other of brick, on which the children of Seth wrote their inven- tions and astronomical discoveries. Perphyrius makes mention of some pillars, preserved in Crete, on which the ceremonies, practised by the Corybantes in their sacrifices, were recorded. Hesio&s Works \fere originally written upon tables of lead, and deposited in the temple of the muses, in Bceotia. The Ten Commandments delivered to Moses were written upon stone ; and Solon's Laws upon wooden planks. Tables of wood, box, and ivory, were common among the ancients ; when of wood, they were frequently covered with wax, that people might write upon them with more ease, or blot out what they had written. The leaves of the palm-tree were afterwards used instead of wooden planks, and the finest and thinnest part of the bark of such trees as the lime, the ash, the maple, and the elm ; hence is derived the word liber, which signifies the inner bark of the trees ; and as these barks were rolled up, in order to be removed with greater ease, these rolls were called volumen, a volume ; a name afterwards given to the like rolls of paper or parchment.* * The name is derived from the Latin volvo, to roll up, the ancient manner of making up books, as we find in Cicero's time the libraries con- sisted wholly of such rolls. 6 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Thus we find books were first written on stones, witness the Decalogue given to Moses ; then on the parts of plants, as leaves chiefly of the palm-tree ; the rind and barks, especially the tilia, or phylleria, and the Egyptian papyrus. By degrees wax, then leather, were introduced, especially the skins of goats and sheep, of which at length parchment was prepared ; then lead came into use ; also linen, silk, horn, and lastly, paper itself. The first books were in the form of blocks and tables; but as flexible matter came to be wrote on, they found it more convenient to make their books in the form of rolls ; these were composed of several sheets, fastened to each other, and rolled upon a stick, or umbilicus, the whole making a kind of column or cylinder, which was to be managed by the umbilicus as a handle, it being reputed a crime (as we are told) to take hold of the roll itself. The outside of the volume w T as called frons; the ends of the umbilicus, cornua (horns,) which were usually carved, and adorned with silver, ivory, or even gold and precious stones ; the title was struck on the outside, and the whole volume, when extended, might make a yard and a half wide, and fifty long. The form, or internal arrangement of books, has also undergone many varie- ties; at first the letters were only divided into lines, then into separate words, which by degrees were noted with accents, into periods, paragraphs, chapters, and other divisions. In some countries, as among the Orientals, the lines began from the right and ran leftward ; in others, as the northern and western nations, from left to right ; others, as the Greeks, followed both directions, alternately going in the one, and returning in the other, called Boustrophedon ; in most countries the lines run from one side to the other ; in some, particularly the Chinese, from top to bottom. Again, in some the page is entire and uniform ; in others, divided into columns ; in others, distinguished into texfs and notes, either marginal or at the bottom ; usually it is furnished with signa- tures and catch-words ; sometimes also with a register, to dis- cover whether the book is complete. To these are added summaries, or side-notes, and the embellishments, as in old books, of red, gold, or initial letters; they had likewise, as with the moderns, their head-pieces, tail-pieces, effigies, schemes, maps, and the like. There were also certain formulas at the beginnings and endings of books ; the one to exhort the reader to be coura- geous, and proceed to the following books ; the others were con- clusions, often guarded with imprecations against such as should falsify them. Of the earlier books we have nothing that is clear on that subject. The Books of Moses are doubtless the oldest books now extant. Of profane books, the oldest extant are Homer's Poems, which were so even in the time of Sextus Em- piricus ; though we find mention in Greek writers of seventy others prior to Homer, as Hermes, Orpheus, Daphne, Horus, Linus, Musaeus, Palamedes, Zoroaster, &c., but of the greater THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 7 part of these there is not the least fragment remaining ; and of others, the pieces which go under their names are generally held by the learned to be supposititious. Hardouin goes farther, charging all the ancient books, beth Greek and Latin, except Cicero, Pliny, Virgil's Georgics, Horace's Satires and Epistles, Herodotus, and Homer, to be spurious, and forged in the 13th century by a club of persons, under the direction of one Severus Archontius. Among the Greeks it is to be observed, the oldest books were in verse, which was prior to prose. Herodotus's His- tory is the oldest book extant of the prosaic kind. To books we are indebted, as one of the chief instruments of acquiring knowledge ; they are the repositories of the law, and vehicles of learning of every kind ; our religion itself is founded in books, and without them, says Bartholin, " God is silent, Jus- tice dormant, Physic at a stand, Philosophy lame, Letters dumb, and all things involved in Cimmerian darkness." The eulogia which have been bestowed upon books are infinite ; they are represented as the refuge of truth, which is banished out of conversation; as standing counsellors or preachers, always at hand, and always disinterested ; having this advantage over all instructions, that they are ready to repeat their lesson as often as we please. Books supply the want of masters, and even, in some measure, the want of genius and invention, and can raise the dullest persons who have memory above the level of the greatest geniuses, if destitute of their help. Perhaps their highest glory is the affection borne them by the greatest men of all ages. Cato, the elder Pliny, the Emperor Julian, and others, are oil record for their great devotion to books ; the last has perpe- tuated his passion by some Greek Epigrams in their praise. THE ALPHABET. Alphabet is the name given to the series of letters used in dif- ferent countries at different times. The term is borrowed from the Greek language, in which Alpha, Beta, are the first two let- ters ; or, if we go a step fatther back, we should derive the words from the Hebrew, which gives to the corresponding letters the names Aleph, Beth. Thus, the formation of the word is pre- cisely analogous to that of our familiar expression, the A, B, C. DEDICATIONS TO BOOKS. Dedications to Books were first introduced in the time of Mae- cenas, A.D. 1 7 ; practised for the purpose of obtaining money in 16 JO.* * A very curious chapter on dedications is to be found in D'Israeli's Curiosities of Literature, p. 122. 8 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. ON THE ORIGIN OF PAMPHLETS AND TRACTS, How many subjects owe their birth to a Pamphlet, which, but for the temptation it affords to the expression of temporary feel- ings, and trivial discussion (to which local or personal prejudices may have given importance,) would have died a natural death, or have been smothered in the attempt to perpetuate them, under the more repulsive garb of even the most tiny volume 1 Pamphlets are like essences, combining in a narrow compass all the pungency of the subject of which they treat; where the declamation and violence of the writer are admired while sparingly used, but would be tedious, if not disagreeable, if spread over a wider field. They may be called a species of missile weapons, easily discharged against an adversary ; not the less dangerous because they are light, and generally bearing a portion of that fire and spirit to which they owed their existence. Every controversy is preceded by them ; like the skirmishers of modern warfare, they are the irregular auxiliaries of literature, which, though not formally enlisted in its service, may, like wandering guerillas, yet do fear- ful execution. " From pamphlets," says the Icon Libellorum, " may be learned the genius of the age, the debates of the learned, the follies of the ignorant, the views of government, the over- eights of the statesman. They furnish beaux with their airs, coquets with their charms ; pamphlets are as modish ornaments to a gentleman's toilet, or to gentlemen's pockets ; they are chat to the talkative, stories for nurses, toys for children, fans for misses, poverty to their authors, gain to the lucky, fatal to the unlucky." There have been many conjectures respecting the origin of the word Pamphlet; but of all the words that have been suggested, those which express a small book consisting of a few leaves of paper secured together and not bound, are probably the most plausibly ingenious, as well as the nearest to the sense and sound of the word itself. For example : Par un filet, held by a thread (Dr. Johnson ;) Palme feuittet, a leaf to be held in the hand (Dr. Pegge ;) Papelon, Spanish, from papel; papaleta, signifying both a bill and a pamphlet (Dr. Webster.) , It occurs in a Latinised form so early as to be familiarly mentioned in a work entitled Philobiblon; or a treatise concerning the love of Books, written in the fourteenth century by Richard de Bury, bishop of Durham. " If, indeed," says the author of that curious work, " we formerly desired to possess vessels of gold and silver, or stately horses, or to collect together no small sums of money; we now revere books and not pounds, and volumes more than florins, and we prefer little panflets before noble palfreys." Most books were originally published in the pamphlet form. The Scriptures were supposed to have been written in this manner at first, in distinct sheets, or rolls, as they were affixed by the command of Heaven to the doors of the Temple, or Tabernacle. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. The same may probably be asserted of the mode of divulging the warnings of the minor prophets, from the different occasions which were the subjects of their predictions, and the smallness of their contents. The Heathen writings were generally published the same way, and for that reason were called Centores, and were frequently recited separately. Amongst all fabulous writers the Jewish Rabbins occupy the first place ; and the pamphlets, or small treatises, preserving their traditions, collected in their Talmud, and originally published at Venice, amounted to no less than fourteen volumes in folio. Next to them in the rank of fiction, and of magnitude, may be classed the " Legends of the Saints," published by the Jesuits in 1673, and amounting, in the beginning of the last century, to fifty folio volumes, all of which were originally of pamphlet sizes. Political pamphlets were little known in England till the reign of Philip and Mary, Caxton having, in the reign of Henry VI. introduced the " Mysterie of Prynting." In 1649, it was ordained, " That the author of every seditious pamphlet, or libel, shall be fined Ten Pounds, or suffer forty days' imprisonment. The printer Five Pounds, and his printing-press broken," as being the head and front of his offending. " No printing-presses to be allowed except in London, or the two Universities ; no books to be landed in any other port than London ; and to be viewed by the Master and Warden of the Company of Stationers !" and such was the origin of the incalculably prolific case of Pamphlets. The terms Tract and Pamphlet, though differing considerably as to age, have always possessed nearly the same signification, namely, that of a short composition. The term Tract is even still conventionally understood to imply a work somewhat larger and on a more serious subject than the Pamphlet; since it was fre- quently connected with divinity or religious controversy, in which the meaning of the original word is decidedly to be traced. The Latin ^racta^'whence it is derived, is a treatise on any subject drawn out and methodised. Hence, says Hoffman, the discussions and discourses delivered by the ancient philosophers, sophists, and rhetoricians, juri-consults, and others of similar classes, were called by the word tractare; and hence also the Christian Fathers are every where designated Tractatores, as being those who ex- plained the word of God by speech or writing. Sermons were thus entitled Tractatus with singular propriety. Hence, too, in modem times, we have Tracts for the Times, or short theological treatises, and the writers of them curiously enough nicknamed Tractarians or Tractatores. CIRCULATING LIBRARIES. These valuable repositories of literature are not of modern invention. The first collections consisted of religious works alone, and were lent out gratuitously. 10 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Pamphilus was a Presbyter of Caesarea, and lived A.D. 294 In this distinguished person were united the philosopher and the Christian. Born of a* very eminent family, and large fortune, he might have aspired to the highest honours of this world ; but, on the contrary, he withdrew himself from those nattering pro- spects, and spent his whole life in acts of the most disinterested benevolence. His unfeigned regard and veneration for the Scriptures were as remarkable as his unwearied application in whatever he under- took. Being a great encourager of learning and piety, he not only lent books to read (especially copies of the Scriptures,) but when he found persons well disposed, made them presents of his manuscripts, some of which were transcribed with the greatest accuracy by his own hand. He founded a library at Csesarea, which, according to Isidore of Seville, contained 30,000 volumes. This collection seems to have been formed merely for the good and use of the church. Another author also authenticates the existence of this library ; and St. Jerome particularly mentions his collecting books for the purpose of lending them to read ; and Dr. A, Clarke remarks, " this is, if I mistake not, the first notice we have of a circulating library." The benefits to be derived from a good circulating library are too numerous, as well as obvious, to need any comment. ORIGIN OF POETRY IN GENERAL. History informs us Poetry began with shepherds, whose god was Pan; having from their many leisure and abstracted hours (while tending their flocks) a fit opportunity for such a pursuit. Hence, they first composed couplets, next verses, and these they perfected themselves in, and sung, while following their daily occupations. Thence came the Bacchanalian rites, and their sacrifice to their gods of a He Goat, which took their rise, we are told, from Bacchus, who one day, whilst entering his vineyard, discovered an animal of that species in the act of destroying a favourite vine, which in his rage he instantly killed. In these ceremonies, the hinds of that day smeared their faces with the lees of wine, and acted and sung various verses expressly com- posed for the occasion. These were the first actors and song-smiths, and their successors have done honour and credit to the invention. " JEschylus and Thespis taught the age What good, what profit, did commend commend the stage.' MILTON'S PARADISE LOST. John Milton, son of John and Sarah Milton, was born December 9th, 1608, in Bread Street, London. He was educated at Saint Paul's School, under Alexander Gill. He entered at Christ's THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 11 College, Cambridge, in 1624. Milton possessed a fine figure, and, when a young man, was extremely handsome. In one of his wanderings when in Italy, being of a very pensive cast, he sat himself down under a tree, and commenced reading, but soon fell asleep. During his slumber two females, who were observed at a distance by two of his companions, stopped on coming near to him ; and one of them wrote on a slip of paper the following lines, which she laid on his breast, and with her companion im- mediately disappeared : " Occhi, Stelle mortali, Ministri de miei mali, Se chiusi irfuccedite, Apperti che farete?" which may be translated " Beautiful eyes, mortal stars, authors of my misfortunes! if you wound me being closed, what would ye do if open 1 " It is said that Milton was so sensitive on the subject, that he roamed over half of Europe in search of the fair charmer, but in vain; and which induced him to write that sublime poem, and from the circumstance that had occurred to him, entitled it " Paradise Lost." It has been proved by Dr. Einibault, in a recent number of Notes and Queries, that this piece of Eomance first appeared in a newspaper, the General Evening Post, of 1769. The scene, however, is there laid in Eng- land. The story is given by the Eev. H. J. Todd, in Some Account of the Life and Writings of John Milton, 1826, p. 30, who adds the following note : " This narrative is not singular : an exact and older counterpart may be found, as the late J. C. "Walker pointed out to me, in the Preface to Poesies de Marguerite Eleanore Clotilde depuis Madame de Surville, Poete Fransois du XV. Siecle : Paris, 1803. The Anecdote has been elegantly versified in the original Sonnets, &c., of Anna Seward." Milton died November the 8th, 1674. and was buried in the Chancel of St. Giles' Church, Cripplegate. He was Latin Secretary to Cromwell. THE FIRST BOOK. According to chronologists, the First Book is supposed to have been written in Job's time. Thirty thousand books were burnt by order of Leo, in 761. A very large estate was given for one book on Cosmography, by king Alfred.* Books were sold from 10 to ,30 each in 1400. The first printed book was the vul- gate edition of the Bible, in 1462 ; the second was Cicero de Officiis, 1466 ; Cornelius Nepos, published at Mioscow, was the first classical book printed in Eussia, April 29, 1762. In the * This statement, which is founded on Robertson, is not to be depended on. See, on the subject of the price of Books, Dr. Maitland's "Dark Ayes" chap. v. 12 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. year 1471, when Louis XI. borrowed the works of Rasis, the Arabian physician, from the Faculty of Medicine in Paris, he not only deposited in pledge a quantity of plate, but was obliged to give the surety of a nobleman for their restoration. When any person made a present of a book to a church or monastery, the only libraries during several ages, it was deemed a donative of such value that he offered it at the altar, pro remedio anima suce, in order to obtain forgiveness of sins. NEWSPAPERS. Before Newspapers were introduced, such as were desirous of procuring information on political subjects, engaged writers ot News Letters, who forwarded the occurrences of the day to their employers. Periodical Newspapers first came into general use in England during the wars of the usurper Cromwell ; they were used to disseminate among the people sentiments of loyalty or rebellion, according as their authors were disposed. We seem to have been obliged to the Italians for the idea ; and perhaps it was their gazettas, from gazerra, a magpie, or chatterer, which have given a name to these papers. Honest Peter Heylin, in the preface to his Cosmography, mentions, that " the affairs of each town, or war, were better presented to the reader in the Weekly News Books?'' It was long supposed that the origin of periodical Literature in this country, was to be traced to the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when England being threatened with a formidable invasion from Spain, the wise and prudent Burleigh projected " The English Mercuric," printed in the year 1588, with the design of conveying correct information to the people during the con- tinuance of the boasted Spanish Armada in the Channel. It has however been shown by Mr. Watts, of the British Museum, that the copy of the " English Mercuric," dated July 28th, 1588, in that Library, owes its existence to the ingenuity of the noble author of The Athenian Letters. The first weekly paper was published by Nathaniel Butler, in August, 1622, entitled, " The certain news of this present week," and within a few years other journals were started, but they did not become numerous until the time of the civil wars. In a Leicester journal for 1750, about which time the paper was established, so great was the dearth of News matter at that period, that the editor was compelled to have recourse to the Bible to " help him out ;" and actually extracted the First Chapter of Genesis, and so continued the extracts in the succeeding numbers as far as the Tenth Chapter of Exodus ! The journal above alluded to was then printed in London, and sent down to Leicester for publication ! Newspapers were first stamped in 1713. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 13 THE POPE'S BULL. This name, which is now applied exclusively to instruments issuing out of the Roman Chancery, is derived from the seala which were appended to them being formerly of gold Bullion. Bulls were not originally confined to the popes alone, but were also issued by emperors, princes, bishops, and great men, who, till the thirteenth century, sometimes affixed seals of metal, as well as of wax, to edicts, charters, and other instruments, though they were equally called Bulls, whether they were sealed with one or the other. The popes continue to the present day to affix metal or lead seals to their bulls, and only when they wish to bestow any peculiar marks of grace and favour on sovereigas or princes, are seals of Bullion or gold affixed. The bull of pope Clement VII., conferring the title of Defender of the Faith on Henry the Eighth, had a seal of gold affixed to it. Bulls con- taining matter of grace and favour, were suspended by strings of red and yellow silk ; but denunciatory and punitive bulls were hung by hempen cords. BIBLES. In the reign of Edward the First, the price of a fairly written Bible was twenty-seven pounds. The hire of a labourer was but three-halfpence a day. The purchase of a copy would, of course, have taken such a person the earning of fifteen years and three months of constant labour. It will be seen from a preceding article, that the first printed book was a vulgate edition of the Bible, in 1462. The British and Foreign Bible Society contri- buted to the Great Exhibition specimens of 165 books, in different languages, from the 170 versions of the Holy Scriptures, either in whole or in part, which have been published directly or indirectly by the Society, and of which 118 are from translations never before printed ; and of which more than twenty-four millions of copies have been circulated since its institution in 1804. THE BIBLE AND ITS HISTORY. The Bible history commenced 430 years B. c. The Septuagint version was made in 284 ; .first divided into chapters, 1253. The first English edition was in 1536 ; the first authorized edition in England was in 1539 ; the second translation was ordered to be read in churches, 1549; the present translation finished, Septem- ber, 1611 ; permitted by the pope to be translated into all the languages of the Catholic states, February 28th, 1759; the fol- lowing is a dissection of the Old and New Testament : 14 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM, In the Old Testament. In the New. Total. Books - - - - 39 27 66 Chapters - - - 920 260 1,189 Verses - - - 23,214 7,959 31,173 Words - - - 592,493 181,253 773,746 Letters - - - 2,728,100 838,380 3,566,480 The Apocrypha has 183 chapters, 6,081 verses, and 125,185 words. The middle chapter, and the least in the Bible, is the 117th Psalm; the middle verse is the 8th of 118th Psalm; the middle line is the 2nd Book of the Chronicles, 4th chapter, and 16th verse; the word and occurs in the Old Testament 35,535 times ; the same word in the New Testament occurs 10,684 times ; the word Jehovah occurs 6,855 times. Old Testament. The middle Book is Proverbs; the middle chapter, the 29th of Job ; the middle verse is the 2nd Book of Chronicles, 20th chapter, and 18th verse ; the least verse is the 1st Book of Chronicles, 1st chapter, and 1st verse. New Testament. The middle is the Thessalonians 2nd; the mid- dle chapter is between the 13th and 14th of the Romans ; the middle verse is the 17th of the 17th chapter of the Acts; the least verse is the 35th of the llth chapter of the Gospel by Saint John. The 21st verse of the 7th chapter of Ezra has all the letters of the alphabet in it. The 19th chapter of the 2nd Book of Kings, and the 37th chapter of Isaiah, are alike. The Book of Esther has 10 chapters, but neither ihe words Lord nor God in it. The 26th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, is generally con- sidered as the finest piece of reading extant. Chronology, or Historians Companion. ORIGIN OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE INTO ENGLISH. Wickliffe, who exercised the right of private judgment in Eng- land a century and a half before Luther taught it as a principle in Germany, may be said to have been the first dissenter from the church of Rome. After a life wonderfully preserved from the unsparing cruelty of ecclesiastical power, by the protection of Edward III., his me- mory was affectionately revered, and, as printing had not been discovered, his writings were scarce, and earnestly sought. He may be said to have been the first who translated the New Tes- tament into English ; and a splendid edition of the translation made by Wickliffe and his followers, has just been published by the University of Oxford, in four quarto volumes, under the editorship of Sir Frederick Madden and the Rev. J. Forshall. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM, 15 DOMESDAY BOOK. How many read of Domesday Book without knowing what it is, or inquiring into what it means; let us then inform them that it is a valuable record of antiquity, in which the estates of this kingdom are registered, begun in 1080, by order of William the Conqueror, and compiled in less than six years, written on 380 double pages of vellum, in one hand; and it is, without doubt, the most important and interesting document possessed by any nation in Europe ; it is also remarkable, that on searching this book, we find such a similarity in the orthography of names of towns upwards of seven centuries ago, and the present period : for instance, the following towns in Sussex. Bristelmetune ----- Brighthelmstone "Wordinges _____ Worthing 1 Prestetune ----- Preston It was called Domesday Book, because it was intended to carry down to the latest posterity, circumstances and events of former times. That it has thus far given an earnest of its deserving the title, all historians agree. Such, reader, is the celebrated Domes- day Book, one of those records so peculiar to the land of the venerable Bede and the immortal Newton. Domesday Book has been printed by the government, in four folio volumes; and a most valuable introduction to it by Sir Henry Ellis, has been separately printed in 2 vols. octavo. PAPER. This useful article was invented in China, when the art of mak- ing sheets of paper from the bark of trees, from bamboo, old rags, silk, hemp, or cotton, reduced to pulp, dates from the commence- ment of the second century of the Christian era. Before the invention of paper, the papyrus was in general use among EUJ-O- pean nations ; the use of this, however, ceased about the ninth century, and was supplanted by the cotton paper, made in the east. The introduction of paper-making in France, dates from the fourteenth eentury ; in England, its manufacture was much later. From some verses printed in a book by Wynkyn de Worde, in 1496, entitled Bartholomceus de Proprietatibus rerum, it appears that the paper had been made for it by John Tate, jun., at his mill in Steveuage, Hertfordshire. In 1558, Queen Elizabeth granted to her jeweller, John Speilman, the right to erect a paper-mill at Dartford. So late as the middle of the last century, only common wrapping-paper was manufactured in Great Britain. It was not until 1770, that the celebrated J. Whatman, established fine paper-making at Maidstone, in Kent, after his return from the continent, where he had worked as a 16 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. journeyman. In 1803, Mr. Bryan Donkin produced a self-acting machine for continuous paper, which he erected at Frogmore, in Hertfordshire; and in 1804, he put up the second machine at Two Waters. In 1809, Mr. Dickinson invented another method of making endless paper; since which time various patents have been taken out for improvements in parts of the machinery, or for other machinery to be applied in various stages of the process. Wire marks, or water marks, as they are called, were formerly applied to paper to distinguish it. On the paper used by Caxton and the other early printers, these marks consisted of an ox head and star, a collared dog's head, a crown, a shield, a jug, &c. A head with a fool's-cap and bell, gave name to the paper called foolscap ; and post paper seems to have derived its name from the mark of a horn, which was formerly carried by the postman, and blown to announce his arrival. The annual value of paper manufac- tured in this country is said to be two millions sterling. PRINTING. The press is the most important instrument of civilisation. It is by the aid of printing that different nations have imparted to each other their thoughts and their feelings, and have thus received a combined existence. In every age, and in all countries, printing denotes the state of civilization, of which books are the reflex, and the history of the human mind is written in bibliography. The origin of the art is involved in obscurity, there being no clue by which it can be clearly traced, yet it is doubtless of very early date : some authors maintain that printing was practised during the building of Babylon. Some have supposed that the know- ledge of the art was originally obtained from the Chinese. Hence we find that Abdalla's Chinese History notices the wooden tablets engraven to print entire pages on one side of the leaf, and after- wards practised by Coster and other block-printers in the Low Countries. Four names have appeared in the controversy respecting the invention of printing : John Gutenberg of Stras- burg ; John Fust (or Faust) of Mayence ; Peter Schoeffer of Gernsheim ; and Lawrence Coster of Haarlem. It is supposed that Caxton brought the art of printing into England in 1474, and that this date is indicated in the centre of his device. Stow says, that he first exercised his business in an old chapel near the entrance of the Abbey; but a very curious placard in Mr. Douce's library at Oxford, shows that he printed in the Almonry. The two largest collections from Caxton's press, are those in the British Museum, and in Earl Spencer's library at Althorpe. Soon after the first origin of movable types, the art of printing had attained a great degree of perfection, and it was not till the second half of the last century, that owing to the efforts of Ibarra in Spain ; of Baskerville and of Bulmer in England ; of the THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 17 Foulises and the Kuddimans in Scotland ; of Bodini in Italy ; and of the Didot family in Paris, any real progress can be pointed out. As a striking proof of the present improved state of the typographic art, we need only point to THE TIMES newspaper, which prints 35,000 copies every day ; but on the day following the Duke of Wellington's funeral (viz. Nov. 19, 1852) 70,000 copies were printed, being 15,000 more than had ever been printed of any one number before. The 70,OJO copies were printed off in six hours and a quarter by their wonderful machine. In London, the centre of the printing and book business, there were in 1851, 3000 men and 1500 boys employed as Compositors, besides 800 men and 350 boys at press. Nearly 3000 works (including new editions) are published yearly, of the value of ,450,000 : 230 monthly and quarterly magazines produce .500,000 yearly. The stamp-duty on newspapers in 1845, was .327,682 ; in 1850, sixty-five millions and three-quarters of penny stamps, and eleven millions and three-quarters of halfpenny stamps, were used by 159 London and 222 English provincial newspapers. Seven millions and three-quarters of penny stamps, and half a million of halfpenny stamps, by 110 Scottish papers. Six millions and three quarters of penny, and half a million of halfpenny stamps, by 102 Irish papers. TYPE-FOUNDING. Type-founding was an improvement upon the Chinese engraved blocks. With these forms, or blocks, they could print nothing else, because the letters could not be transposed. Guttenberg, however, assisted by John Fust, or Faust, discovered the means of cutting the forms of all the letters of the alphabet, which they called matrices, from which again they cast characters in copper or tin, of sufficient hardness to resist the required pressure. Faust's son-in-law, Schoeffer, adopted the more easy method of casting the types, which, with various improvements, has been continued to the present time. At the commencement of the eighteenth century, native talent was at so low an ebb, that nearly all the types used in London were imported from Holland. Wil- liam Caslon, however, has the honour of removing this stigma upon English ingenuity, and of establishing the first foundery for British types. The most important operation of a type-foundery is the forma- tion of the punches, which are well-tempered pieces of steel. The face of the punch exactly resembles that of the finished type : the letter being reversed, and in high relief. The punch being hardened, it is then struck into a piece of copper, which receives the impression from the end of the punch, and forms a mould (called the matrix) for the face of the type, by which an expert workman will cast 500 letters in an hour. At the close of the last century, the Younger Fourmier, a punch-cutter and type- c 18 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. founder, caused some improvements to be made in this art ; and M. Fermin Didot of Paris, who engraved the types used by his father for his beautiful publications, exerted himself for the pur- pose of imparting to types of all descriptions the highest degree of elegance. Mr. Whittingham of Chiswick first re-introduced the old letters of Garamond and Jenson, and has been followed by many of the London printers, so true it is " there is nothing new in this world except that which is old." STEREOTYPING. This is one of the means for making fac-similes in type-metal of pages of types, woodcuts, &c., about the eighth of an inch thick, and, to keep the plates of a volume of one uniform thickness, each plate is turned in a lathe. The process is as follows : When the form of type is ready, the face of it is oiled with a brush, then burnt plaster of Paris (gypsum), mixed with water to the consis- tence of cream, is poured upon it ; this matrix is then dried in an oven, and afterwards secured in a frame, and immersed in a caldron of melted metal. The plate thus produced, is then passed to the picker, who remoVes any superfluous metal. The first attempt at stereotyping was made by Samuel Luchtmans, who obtained plates by a process of clichage. About 1700, Yalleyre printed in Paris some almanacs which he had obtained by casting. In 1 725, Mr. William Ged, a goldsmith in Edinburgh, printed an edition of Sallust from plates ; and in 1784, M. Hoff- man, of Alsace, France, succeeded in obtaining stereotype plates from moulds of clay mixed with gelatine. But all the previous methods were superseded by the present process, invented by Lord Stanhope in 1800. Numerous attempts have since been made to substitute for plaster moulds the employment of sheets of paper with whiting placed between them ; but the results appear inferior to the plaster moulds. For vignettes, casts of bitumen answer very well, and stereotype plates of bitumen give good results. BOOKBINDING. Splendour in the binding of books is a taste which dates back from remote times. These magnificent covers with their rich bindings were executed for the greater part by jewellers, who enriched them with reliefs in gold, silver, steel, and ivory ; with precious stones, enamels, and other decorations. The ancient rolls were fastened together, either in the centre or from the end, by means of a boss, upon which the most cunning and curious art was frequently lavished. Velvet seems to have been the favourite covering for books at an early period. Calf leather came into use about the same time as vellum, during the fifteenth century. At the beginning of the next century, all the skill of the work- THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 19 man was lavished in ornamenting the sides, the backs being plain, and even without a lettering. From that period till the com- mencement of the present, very little improvement was made in bookbinding ; but of late years the production of books has so greatly exceeded that of any former period, and caused the appli- cation of so much machinery, that bookbinding may fairly be said to have become a manufacturing business. Books, hand- somely bound, gilt, lettered, embossed, and otherwise ornamented, no longer depend upon individual skill ; but are produced, with extraordinary rapidity, by the aid of machinery. Thus, many of the principal London houses can put 1000 volumes in cloth, gilt, in six hours, provided the covers be previously got ready, and this can be done in less than two days ! AUTHORS. " Hard is the task a letter'd fame to raise, And poor, alas ! the recompense it pays." La Bruydre, many years ago, observed, that " 'tis as much a trade to make a book as a clock ;" Jest un metier que defaire un livre, comme defaire une pendide. But, since his day, many vast improvements have been made. Solomon said, that " of making many books there is no end ;" and Seneca complained, that, "as the Romans had more than enough of other things, so they had also of books and book-making. But Solomon and Seneca lived in an age when books were considered as a luxury, and not a necessary of life. The case is now altered ; and though, perhaps, - as Doctor Johnson observed, " no man gets a bellyful of know- ledge," every one has a mouthful. ARCHITECTURE. When mankind had no other shelter from the dews of night, or the burning sun of noon-day, but what could be derived from the trees of the forest, how anxious must they have been to im- prove their condition, and how solicitous to discover some mode of fortifying their miserable huts against the vicissitudes of the season ! It is therefore not unlikely, that baked clay, in the form of bricks, was made use of for this important purpose, in an early state of society. This application of clay is, indeed, known to have been very ancient. The Tower of Babel, 2247 years before Christ, was built with bricks ; and when the Children of Israel sojourned in Egypt, 600 years afterwards, their taskmasters employed them chiefly in this kind of manufactory. Exodus i. 13, 14 ; v. 6, 19. Architecture may be said, however, to be in a measure coeval with the creation, that is, in its rude state. In the Sacred Scrip- tures we are told, that Cain, the second man, and the first born of human beings, " builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch." Whether this city con*. 20 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. sisted of a series of huts, constructed of branches and twigs of trees, like the wigwams of the American Indians, or of tents made by covering a pole with the skins of animals, we know not. Vitruvius, a celebrated architect in the age of Augustus, who wrote more than eighteen centuries ago, considered that men took their idea of huts from bird-nests, and constructed them of a conic figure ; but finding this form inconvenient, on account of its inclined sides, gave them afterwards a cubical form. Four large upright beams, on which were placed four horizontally, he considers the ground-work of the building, the intervals being filled with branches interwoven, and covered with clay. The Egyptians, who, according to Scripture, were the first makers of bricks, gave an impetus to the improvement of architecture ; next the Romans, and then the Greeks ; then " Palaces and lofty domes arose, These for devotion, and for pleasure those." In the Grecian style, less wealth, but more taste prevailed, and where, indeed, architecture may be said to have been cradled, since it is to the Greeks that we owe its true proportions, as ex- emplified in the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian Orders, which we derive from them. The Greek term for architect is p;c' TEXTa "' which we find employed by Herodotus in the same sense as the word. architect now is ; he informs us that Khcecus a Samian was the architecton or architect of the great Temple of Samos. We thus learn from positive testimony, that before the great buildings of Athens were erected, the term Architect, and the profession of an Architect, were distinctly, recognised among the Greeks. FIVE ORDERS OF ARCHITECTURE. The Greeks are entitled to the honour of having first com- bined elegance and symmetry with utility and convenience in building ; and by them and the Komans were the Five Orders, into which architecture is generally divided, carried to perfec- tion. These orders, as Mr. Alison, in his " Principles of Taste," well observes, "have different characters from several causes, and chiefly from the different quantity of matter in their entabla- tures. The Tuscan is distinguished by its severity ; the Doric by its simplicity ; the Ionic by its elegance ; the Corinthian and Composite by their lightness and gaiety. To these characters their several ornaments are suited with consummate taste. Change these ornaments; give to the Tuscan the Corinthian Capital, or to the Corinthian the Tuscan, and every person would feel not only a disappointment from this unexpected composition, but a sentiment also of impropriety, from the appropriation of a grave or sober ornament to a subject of splendour, and of a rich or gaudy ornament to a subject of severity." THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 21 The Tuscan Order had its name and origin in Tuscany, first inhabited by n colony from Lydia, whence it is likely the order is but the simplified Doric. On account of its strong and mas- sive proportions, it is called the Eustic Order, and is chiefly used in edifices of that character, composed of few parts, devoid of ornament, and capable of supporting the heaviest weights. The Tuscan Order will always live where strength and solidity are required. The Etruscan architecture is nearly allied to the Grecian, but possesses an inferior degree of elegance. The Trajan Column at Eome, of this order, is less remarkable for the beauty of its proportions, than the admirable pillar with which it is de- corated. DORIC. The Doric Order, so called from Dorus, who built a magnificent temple in the city of Argos, and dedicated it to Juno, is grave, robust, and of masculine appearance, whence it is figuratively termed the Herculean Order. The Doric possesses nearly the character for strength as the Tuscan, but is enlivened with orna- ments in the frize and capital. In various ancient remains of this order, the proportions of the columns are different. Ion, who built a temple to Apollo in Asia, taking his idea from the structure of man, gave six times the diameter of the base for the height of the column. Of this order is the Temple of The- seus, at Athens, built ten years after the battle of Marathon, and at this day almost entire. IONIC. The Ionic Order derived its origin from the people of Ionia. The column is more slender than the Doric, but more graceful. Its ornaments are elegant, and in a style between the richness of the Corinthian and the plainness of the Tuscan, simple, graceful, and majestic ; whence it has been compared to a female, rather decently than richly decorated. When Hermogenes built the Temple of Bacchus at Teos, he rejected the Doric after the mar- bles had been prepared, and in its stead adopted the Ionic. The Temple of Diana at Ephesus, of Apollo at Miletus, and of the Delphic Oracle, were of this order. CORIXTHIAX. This is the finest of all the orders, and was first adopted at Corinth, from whence it derives its name. Scamozzi calls it the Virginal Order, expressive of the delicacy, tenderness, and beauty of the whole composition. The most perfect model of the Corin- thian Order, is generally allowed to be in the three columns in the Campo Vacciuo at Eome, the remains of the Temple of Ju- pitor Stator. The leaves of a species of Acanthus, (says an ingenious caterer of the literary world,) accidentally growing round a basket covered 22 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. with a tile, gave occasion to the capital of this beautiful order in architecture : an Athenian old woman happened to place a basket, with a tile laid over it, which covered the root of an Acanthus ; that plant shooting up the following spring, encompassed the Basket all around, till, meeting with the tile, it curled back in a kind of scroll. Caliimachus, an ingenious sculptor, passing by, took the hint, and instantly executed a capital on this plan, re- presenting the tile by the Abacus, the leaves by the Volutes, and the basket by the vase or body of the capital. Abacus is the up- permost member of a column, serving as a kind of crowning both to the capital and the whole column. Vitruvius, and others after him, who gave the history of the orders, tells us, the Abacus was originally intended to represent a square tile over an urn, or rather, over a basket. COMPOSITE. The Composite Order was invented by the Eomans, and par- takes of the Ionic and Corinthian Orders, but principally of the latter, particularly in the leaves of the capitals. This order shows, that the Greeks had in the four original orders exhausted all the principles of grandeur, and that, to frame a fifth, they must necessarily combine the former. GOTHIC. The Gothic style of architecture is that in which the pointed arch applied in various ways, becomes a leading characteristic of the edifice. England, France, and Germany, respectively claim, the invention of the Gothic ; but all that can be safely asserted is, that it sprang up about the close of the twelfth century through- out the principal part of Europe. Gothic architecture has of late years excited much attention. The best work on the subject is Parker's Glossary. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF ANCIENT AND MODERN STRUCTURES, &c. B. Christ 2247. The Tower of Babel, built by Noah's Posterity in the Plains of Shinar. 1718. Sparta built. 1575. Pyramids of Egypt built. 1556. Cecrops founds Athens. 1546. Scamander, from Crete, founds Troy, which was burned by the Greeks on the llth of June, 1184. 1252. The city of Tyre built. 1233. Carthage founded by a colony of Tyrians. 1176. Salamis, in Cyprus, built by Teucer. 1152. Ascanius builds the City of Alba Longa. 1141. The Temple of Ephesus destroyed by the Amazons. 1124. Thebes built by the Bosotians. 1012. Solomon begins the Temple of Jerusalem ; 974, plundered by Sesac, king of Egypt; 586, destroyed by fire; 515, rebuilt; 170, plun- dered by Antiochus; 19, rebuilt by Herod. A. D. 70, Jerusalem destroyed; 130, rebuilt, and a temple dedicated to Jupiter; 1023,' THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM, 23 B. Christ. the temple plundered by the Caliph of Egypt ; 1031, began to b rebuilt by Romanus; 1187, Jerusalem finally destroyed by Saladin. 902. Solomon's Palace finished. 986. Samas and Utica built. 974. Jerusalem taken, and the temple plundered by Sesac, king of Egypt. 869. The City of Carthage supposed to be built by Dido ; destroyed by P. Scipio, 146; rebuilt by order of the Roman seuate, 123. 801. Capua, in Campania, built. 753. Rome built ; plundered by Alaric, A. D. 410. 732. Syracuse supposed to be built about this time by a Colony of Corin- thians, under Archias. 708. Ecbatana built by Dejoces. 707. The Parthians, on being expelled from Sparta, build Tarentum. 703. Corcyra built by the Corinthians. 6-58. Byzantium built about this time by a Colony of Argives. 630. Cyrene built by Battus, who begins that kingdom. 549. The Temple of Apollo, at Delphos, destroyed by Pisistratidse. 539. Marseilles built by the Phocaeans. 493. The Athenians built the Port of Piraeus. 450. Temple of Minerva at Athens built. 434. Apollo's Temple at Delphos built ; burnt down 362. 351. The Sidonians, being besieged by the Persian army, burn their city. The monument of Mausolus erected. 315. Cassander rebuilds Thebes, and founds Cassandria. 312. Appian way to Rome made. 304. Antioch, Edessa, Laodicea, &c., founded by Seleucus. Antioch destroyed by the king of Persia, A. D. 540; rebuilt, 542. The City of Antioch destroyed by an earthquake, 580. 291. Seleucus builds and peoples about forty new cities in Asia. 283. The college and library of Alexandria founded. 267. A canal made by Ptolemy from the Nile to the Red Sea. 83. Sylla destroys tne Roman capital; 69 B. c. rebuilt; A. D. 80, destroyed by fire; it was again rebuilt, and destroyed by lightning, A. D. 188.: 55. Pompey builds a stone theatre for public amusements ; destroyed by fire, A. D. 21. 50. Dover Castle built. 27.- The Pantheon at Rome built ; destroyed by fire, A. D. 80. 19. The aqueducts at Rome constructed by Agrippa. 10. The city of Caesarea built by Herod; destroyed by an earthquake, A. D. 128. A. D. 18. Tiberius built by Herod. 50. London built about -this time by the Romans. 56. Rotterdam built about this time. 70. Jerusalem destroyed by Titus. 79. Herculaneum and Pompeii destroyed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 80. Titus builds the hot baths and amphitheatre at Rome. 114. Trajan erects his column at Rome. 121. A wall built by Adrian between Carlisle and Newcastle. 130. Adrian rebuilds Jerusalem, and erects a temple to Jupiter. 134. TJrbicus's wall built between Edinburgh and the Firth of Clyde. 209. Severus builds his wall across Britain. 260. The Temple of Diana burnt. 274. The Temple of the Sun built at Rome. 306. London Wall built 24 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. A. D. 452. The city of Venice founded about this time. 575. The first monastery founded in Bavaria. 604. St. Paul's church founded by Ethelbert, king of Kent. 611. Westminster Abbey founded by Sibert, king of the East Saxons. Henry the Seventh's Chapel built in 1504; complete repair of, begun 1818. 644. Cambridge University, or rather an academic institution, founded by Sigebert, king of East Anglia; the present University appears to have been founded in 915. 692. Carisbrook Castle built ; rebuilt, 1G10. 744. Monastery of Fulda, in Germany, founded. 762. Bagdad built by Almansor. 829. St. Mark's at Venice built. 886. Alfred founds the University of Oxford. 895. The monastery of Clune founded. 950. Edinburgh Castle built. 1078. Tower of London built. 1120. Kenilworth Castle built. i 1132. Fountain's Abbey built. 1156. The City of Moscow founded. 1176. London Bridge begun; finished 1209. 1369. Bastile at Paris begun ; finished 1383 ; destroyed July 14, 1789. 1588. The Rialto at Venice begun ; finished 1591. 1662. The Royal Society established. 1675. St. Paul's Cathedral begun ; finished 1710. 1732. Bank of Englatid built; enlarged 1771, 1783, 1789; part of the front rebuilt, 1824-5. 17389. Westminster Bridge begun; finished 1746. 1760. Blackfriars' Bridge begun ; finished 1770. 1811. Waterloo Bridge begun; finished and opened June 18, 1817. 1814. Southwark (iron) Bridge begun ; finished 1819. 1824. New London Bridge begun ; opened August 1st, 1831. 1824. New Post-Office begun; opened Sept. 3, 1829. 1824. National Gallery first opened on May 10th. 1825. Buckingham Palace commenced: completed July 13, 1837. 1825. Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park, opened. 1825. First stone laid of New London Bridge: opened August 1, 1831. 1825. Thames Tunnel commenced: opened March 25, 1843. 1826. Last lottery on October 18th. 1827. Hammersmith Suspension Bridge opened on October 6th. 1827. London University commenced; opened October 1, 1828. 1827. Carlton House demolished. 1828. New Corn Exchange opened on June 24th. 1828. St. Katherine's Docks opened. 1829. Colosseum, Regent's Park, opened. 1829. King's College, Strand, commenced; completed 1831. 1829. New Police commenced duty on Sept. 29th. 1830. Omnibuses, by Shillibeer, first ran between Paddington and the Bank. 1831. Exeter Hall opened. 1832. Kensal Green, the first cemetery, opened. 1833. Hungerford Market re-opened. 1834. House of Parliament burnt, Oct. 16th. 1835. First stone of the City of London School laid. 1836. Greenwich Railway opened, Dec. 14th. 1837. Accession of Queen Victoria, June 20th. 1838. Royal Exchange burnt down. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 25 A.D. 1841. The Tower of London on fire, Oct. 30th. 1842. First stone of the New Royal Exchange laid; opened by the Queen on Sept. 28, 1844. 1843. Nelson's statue placed on the Column in Trafalgar Square. 1844. King William IV's statue erected in the City. 1845. Hungerford Suspension Bridge opened. 1846. Wyatt's Wellington Statue erected in Hyde Park corner. 1847. New House of Lords opened. 1849. Olympic Theatre burnt down. 1849. New Coal Exchange opened. 1849. Portland Breakwater commenced. 1850. New House of Commons completed. 1851. Palace of Glass for the Great Exhibition. 1851. Battersea Suspension Bridge commenced. 1852. New Crystal Palace at Sydenham commenced, August 5th. PARAPET WALLS TO HOUSES. Parapet walls, it would appear, have a scriptural origin. In support of which, the following text in Deuteronomy may be quoted : " When thou buildest a new house, then shalt thou make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thy house, if any man fall from thence." ORIGIN OF BUILDING WITH STONE IN ENGLAND. Building with stone was first introduced by one Bennet, a monk, in 670 ; building with brick was first introduced by the Romans into their provinces, and introduced by the Earl of Arundel in 1600, at which time the houses of London were chiefly built of wood. DERIVATION OF THE TERM FRET-WORK IN ARCHITECTURE. The compound word fret-work, as applied to architecture, is de- rived from the Saxon word /rattan, signifying fishes' teeth. But its most distinguishing characteristics are small clustered pillars and pointed arches, formed by the segments of two intersecting circles. This style was of Arabian origin, introduced into Europe by the Crusaders, or those who made pilgrimages to the Holy Land. In the reign of Henry III. many of the old buildings were pulled down, to give place to new ones of this model. The Cathedral of Salisbury was begun early in this reign, and finished in 1258. It is one of the finest productions of ancient architecture in this island, and is completely and truly Gothic. Gothic is a general term for that kind of architecture formerly used iii England and on the Continent, but the ancient buildings in this country are divided into Saxon, Norman, and Saracenic. 26 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. ORIGIN OF EARTHENWARE AND PORCELAIN. The origin of Earthenware and Porcelain may probably be ascribed to accident. It is very possible that the peculiar changes which clay experiences on being burnt in the fire, may have afforded to some of the early inhabitants of the world, the first hints for applying the earth to a variety of useful purposes. The making of bricks was one, as noticed in a preceding article. It was probably not long after the employment of clay in making bricks, that mankind learnt the art of using it in various other ways, and acquired methods of moulding it into vessels of capacity, and utensils for culinary purposes. Accordingly, the most ancient writers we have mention earthen vessels,* and they speak of them as if they had been in use from time immemorial. It appears also, that considerable pains were taken in tempering the clay for these purposes, for we read that this process was performed by treading it with the naked feet.t From a passage in Juvenal, who wrote in the first century of the Christian era, it seems that earthenware was then made in great plenty in Egypt. " Hac ssevit rabie imbelle et inutile vulgus, P&rv\i\a,fictilibus solitum dare vela phaselis, Et brevibus picta3 remis incumbere testae." f In China and Japan, common earthenware, and porcelain of excellent quality, was made long before the commencement of the Christian sera. " First China's sons with early art elate, Formed the gay Teapot, and the pictured Plate, Saw with illumined brow and dazzled eyes In the red stove vitrescent colours rise ; |j Speck'd her tall beakers with enamell'd stars, Her monster-josses and gigantic jars; . * " But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken." Levit. vi. 28." And the priest shall take water in an earthen vessel." Numb. v.. 17. " Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Psalm ii. 9. f And he shall come upon princes as upon mortar, and as a potter treadeth clay. Isaiah xli. 25. I Juven. Sat. xv. ver. 126128. " who drive with little sail Their earthen boat before the summer gale, Or through the tranquil water's easy swell Work Ijhe short paddles of their painted shell." HODSON'S Juv. 4to. London, 1807, p. 288. |1 " No colour is distinguishable in the redhot kiln of the potter but the red itself, till the workman introduces a small piece of dry wood ; which, bv producing a light flame, renders all the other colours visible in a moment." Darwin. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM/ 27 Smear'd her huge dragons with metallic hues, "With golden purples, and cobaltic blues ; Bade on wide hills her Porcelain castles glare, And glazed pagodas tremble in the air." That Earthenware and Porcelain were not uncommon in Europe during the first century of the Christian sera, is evident from the discoveries that were made in the excavations of those cities which were destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius, in the first year of the reign of the emperor Titus. The Romans introduced it into Britain ; and in the locality where the Staffordshire Pot- teries are established, were found, on sinking pits, very evident remains of Roman Potteries, and at a considerable depth below the present surface of the land. It is supposed also, that one of the principal Roman Potteries was on a small island (now sunk) at the mouth of the Thames, from the numerous fragments of Roman earthen utensils which the fishermen often find entangled in their nets. Holland has long been famous for the common yellow earthen- ware, called Del/, which name it originally received from the place: of its manufacture, viz., the town of Delft. In closing this article it may be observed, that England is now pre-eminent in the manufacture of an article, which doubtless, from the commence- ment of the world, must have engaged the attention of its inha- bitants, from its utility for all the general purposes of household economy, as well as for the medium of conveying down to poste- rity the progress of the arts and sciences. ORIGIN OF MAKING GLASS. Among the various productions of art, there is, perhaps, none so truly surprising, when we consider the materials from which it is formed, as that of glass. It is the only instance, says Parkes, in his Chemical Essays, that I recollect of a substance perfectly transparent, being pro- duced by the union of two dissimilar and entirely opake bodies. Many of the ancients who wrote on glass, seem, however, to have known nothing of its real nature. Agricola, lib. xii. de metattis, calls it a concrete juice ; Vincent Belluascensis, lib. xi., calls it a stone ; and Fallopius classes it with the middle minerals. Different opinions have been held respecting the etymology of the word glass. Some have derived the word from its resemblance to ice (glades), while others suppose it to be derived from glastum, the English woad, a vegetable which is employed in dying blue ; glass having generally a tinge of blue in its appearance.* The date of this elegant and useful invention is involved in great obscurity. According to Pliny, the first vessels of glass were made in the city of Sidon ; but Loysel asserts that the * "Art of Glass," by H. Blancourt. 28 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. glass-works of the Phoenicians were in high renown more than 3,000 years ago, and that they had merely depots for the sale of their glass at Sidon and at Tyre. The Egyptians, however, lay claim to having first made it, and say that they were instructed in the art by the great Hermes. Pliny attributes the invention of glass entirely to chance, and relates that it was first made in Syria by some mariners who were driven on shore on the banks of the river Belus ; and who, having occasion to make large fires on the sands, burnt the kali which abounded on that shore ; and that the alkali of the plant, uniting with a portion of the sand on which the fire stood, produced the first stream of melted glass that had ever been observed.* It is said that glass-houses were erected in Britain before it was visited by the Romans. This may have been the case, as the Phoenicians had traded with the island long before the Romans took possession of it : it was to the latter, however, we were indebted for that progress which gave the impetus to that supe- riority in the art which we possess above all other nations. GLASS WINDOWS. It is very uncertain when glass was first employed for the transmission of light and other optical purposes, or how long any of the nations of Europe have enjoyed the benefit of glass win- dows. Parkes says, the best buildings in Herculaueum had windows made with a sort of transparent talc. Our oldest English historian, Bede, says, that in the seventh century it was not known how to make window glass in England ; and that in the year 674, the abbot Benedict sent for artists from abroad to glaze the church and monastery of Wearmouth, in the county of Durham. These men probably came from Venice ; for the first glass that was manufactured in Europe was made there. We learn also from Bede, that the agents of the abbot brought seve- ral glass-makers with them when they returned, who not only performed the work required by Benedict, but instructed the English in the art of making window glass for themselves, also glass for lamps, and other uses. THE PORTLAND VASE. The famed Portland Vase, which we read and hear spoken of as a beautiful piece of antiquity, was discovered about the middle of the sixteenth century, inclosed in a marble Sarcophagus within a sepulchral chamber, under the eminence called the Monte del Grano, about two miles and a half from Rome, on the road to Frascati. This sepulchral chamber appears to have been the * Pliny, lib. v. cap. 19. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 29 tomb of the Emperor Alexander Severus, and of his mother Julia Mammgea, and the vase was no doubt a cinerary urn belonging to the sepulchre. It remained in the Palace of the Barbarini family for more than two centuries, after which it became the property of Sir William Hamilton, from whom it passed to the Duchess of Portland. In 1810, it was deposited in the British Museum by the Duke of Portland. In February, 1845, a young man, a visiter at the museum, wilfully broke the vase into several pieces by throwing a stone at it. The fragments of the vase were afterwards joined together, and the work restored far more successfully than could have been anticipated. The vase is formed of dark blue glass, relieved by figures and devices in white enamel. It is about ten inches in height. THE ETRUSCAN VASES. " Etruria ! next beneath thy magic hands Glides the quick wheel, the plastic clay expands ; Nerved with fine touch, thy fingers (as it turns) Mark the nice bounds of vases, ewers, and urns ; Hound each fair form in lines immortal trace Uncopied beauty, and ideal grace." The Etruscans, who were probably a colony from Phoenicia, are noted by the early writers for their excellence in the manufacture of porcelain. The art of painting vases in the manner of the Etruscans has been lost for ages, and this is supposed, by the author of the Dissertations on Sir William Hamilton's Museum, to have happened in the time of Pliny. The honour of the recovery of this long lost art has been given to the late Mr. Wedgwood, and the term Etruscan Vase has thus been con- tinued to the present day. ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF SCULPTURE. Although no remains of Hebrew sculpture are known, they had attained to a considerable proficiency in some of the most difficult processes of the art, as early as the time of Moses. The setting up of the molten calf, and the making of the brazen serpent, are evidences of this. The earliest recorded names of sculptors are in the Old Testament. Bezaleel the son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah ; and Aholiab the son of Ahasimach, of the tribe of Dan. (Exod. xxxv.) They were the artists appointed to make the ornaments of the tabernacle, and their date is therefore about fifteen hundred years before the Christian era. Sculpture derived its lustre and perfection from Greece, where Pericles and a mul- titude of other excellent sculptors laboured, in emulation of each other, to render sculpture honourable, by an infinite number of works, which have been, and will be, the admiration of all ages. 30 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. The most eminent sculptors were Phidias, Lysippus, Praxiteles^ Myron, Seopas, and Polycletes. The Egyptians were famous for their colossal statues, by whom they are generally supposed to have been invented. Their first monuments recorded of this nature were erected in honour of Mreris, king of Egypt, another in honour of his queen, and both were placed upon two thrones, supported by two pyramids, which were raised 300 feet high, in the middle of the lake Mreris ; so that, notwithstanding the pro- digious circumference of this lake, these two statues were con- spicuous from its banks. The most eminent of this kind was the Colossus of Ehodes, made in honour of Apollo by Chares,, the .disciple of Lysippus, who spent twelve years in making it ; and after it had stood 1300 years, it was thrown down by an earth- quake. The dimensions of this statue are differently stated ; but all accounts admit of the fact, that one of its feet stood on one side of the mouth of the harbour, and the other on the opposite side, so that ships under sail passed between its legs. Some of the moderns have doubted whether there was such a statue at Rhodes as the Colossus above described, and, indeed, the extravagant dimensions ascribed to it would tempt one to doubt the truth of the relation ; but being mentioned by so many writers of reputa- tion, it is most probable that there was at Rhodes an image of a prodigious size, dedicated to the Sun, though the hyperbolical or figurative expressions used by some writers concerning it may have given occasion to others to magnify its dimensions consider- ably beyond the truth. The Chinese were also famous in this respect. The monstrous Colossus at Maco is reckoned among the rarities of that country. It is one of their principal idols or deities, is all of gilt copper, and is seated in a chair 70 feet high. No less than fifteen men, they say, can stand conveniently on its head ; and its other parts being proportionable, one may from thence form a judgment of its enormous bulk. What Diodorns says of the tomb of Osymandes is remarkable. It was built, says he, of stones, various coloured, and divided into many large apartments ; the greater part filled with colossal statues of men and beasts. In one part, the history and exploits of Osymandes was engraved on the walls ; in another part was seen an infinite number of statues representing an audience attentive to the decisions of a full Senate ; in the midst stood the judge ; at his feet was placed the volume containing the laws of Egypt, and round his neck was suspended, by a string, the Image of Truth with its eyes shut. TURNING, which is a branch of sculpture, seems to have been of very ancient invention. Some, indeed, to do honour to the age, will have it brought to perfection by the moderns ; but if wh.it Pliny, and some other ancient authors relate, be true, that the ancients turned these precious vases, enriched with figures and ornaments in relievo, which we still see in the cabinets of the .curious, it must be owned (however great the excellence of our THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 31 own sculptures) that all that has been added in these ages makes but poor amends for what we lost of the manner of turning of the ancients. STATUARY is likewise a branch of sculpture, and is one of those arts wherein the ancients have surpassed the moderns ; insomuch, that it was much more popular, and more cultivated among the former than the latter. .Phidias, we are told, was the greatest statuary among the ancients, and Michael Angelo undoubtedly among the moderns. ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF PAINTING. The invention of painting, is generally attributed to the Egyp- tians, at least as far as the four principal colours. The knowledge they had of chemistry seems to make this opinion certain ; besides, the paintings still to be seen among the old remains of the Egyptian buildings, which have so long resisted the injuries of time, and which still retain a fresh and lively colouring, seem to put the matter beyond dispute. Painting, although the accurate virtuoso cannot trace it so high, was (according to Andrews) much used in the eleventh and twelfth centuries to decorate churches by the Anglo-Normans. The monk Gervese celebrates the beautiful paintings in the cathedral of Canterbury, built by Archbishop Lanfranc in the eleventh century ; and Stubbs praises the pictured ornaments in the church of St. John, at Beverley, which were of a still earlier date. Peter of Blois satirically lashes the barons of his age (that of Henry II.) for causing both their shields and saddles to be painted with beautiful representations of combats, that they might satiate their eyes with the prospect of what they were too das- tardly to engage in. The illumination of books was a branch of miniature painting much followed by the monks, and with great success. The materials which these holy artists employed were so durable, that their missals still dazzle our eyes with the bright- ness of their colours and the splendour of their gilding. Dr. Heylin says, the art of painting in oil was, till lately, universally attributed to John Van Eyk, a native of Maeseyk, who first mixed colours With linseed and walnut oil, in 1410; butHessing, a Ger- man writer, has found in Theophilus, who lived in the eleventh century, a passage plainly mentioning the mixture of all kinds of colours with oil, for the purpose of painting wood-work. One author, however, contends, that Theophilus had no other idea than that of colouring over in oil, doors, windows, and other objects exposed to the weather, in order to make the colour durable. It is certain, says he, that Cimabue, the restorer of painting in Italy in the thirteenth century, knew nothing of the art. Apollo- dorus, a native of Athens, carried painting to great perfection, and discovered the secret of representing to the life, and in their greatest beauty, the various objects of nature, not only by the 32 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. correctness of his design, but principally by the perfection of the colours, and the proper distribution of shades and lights. Zeuxis, the pupil of Apollodorus, carried the art much further than his master. Parrhasius, a native of Ephesus, was the rival of Zeuxis ; and to them succeeded Apelles of Cos ; Aristides, the Theban ; and Protogenes, the Rhodian ; who carried the art of painting to the greatest perfection it ever arrived. These and others, are mentioned by Pliny as the most celebrated painters of antiquity. To them succeeded the modern school, among whom may be named a Guido, a Titian, a Rubens, a Raphael, a Rembrandt, an II Spagnoletto Ribera,* an Albert Durer, an Holbein, &c., and a long list of others, down to the period of a Reynolds, a David, a Lawrence, and a West. ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF ENGRAVING. It was about the year 1460 that engraving and etching on cop- per was invented. Sir Robert Strange is so interesting on this most secure depositary for after ages of whatever is truly great, elegant, or beautiful, as to deserve ample notice : " No sooner had this art appeared," observes our author, " than it attracted general attention. All the great painters adopted it, with a view of multiplying their works, and of transmitting them with greater certainty to posterity. Albert Durer and Andrea Mantegna, two of the greatest painters of that age, practised the art of engraving, and have left us a variety of elegant composi- tions. These early productions of the art drew, by their novelty and excellence, the admiration of all Italy. Raphael himself, that prince of painters, was particularly charmed with the works of Albert Durer, and, in return for some prints he had received from him, sent him a present of his own portrait, painted by himself. " Marc Antonio, who, by studying Albert Durer's works, had improved the art of engraving, was among the first who carried it to Rome, when the genius of the divine Raphael presided over the Roman school. Those who are conversant in the fine arts, know how much this painter encouraged engraving in Marc Antonio, his ingenious pupil ; examine that engraver's works and you will find evident proofs of it, so much does he breathe, in his finest prints, the spirit of his sublime author. Other painters of the Roman school, as well as Parmegiano, Salvator Rosa, &c., have transmitted to us many fine compositions in this art. " The Bolognese school furnishes more recent examples. Anni- bale, and Agostino, although two of the greatest painters Italy ever produced, exercised the art of engraving in preference to that of painting, and have thereby established to themselves, and secured to others, a reputation to the latest posterity. Guido, Guercino, Simon Cantarini da Pesaro, the Siranis, &c., have all of them left * See " Origin of Sign-painting in England." THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 33 us many elegant prints, which are so many striking proofs of their having cultivated the art of engraving. " To see it still in a higher degree of perfection, let us examine it when the school of Rubens presided in Flanders. Here we shall find that this great painter was no less intent upon cul- tivating this art than that of painting, conscious that by this means he not only diffused his reputation, but secured it to suc- ceeding generations. Bolswert, Pontius, "Vosterman, &c., were the companions of his and Vandyck's leisure hours. They esteemed one another, they lived together as friends and equals, and, to use the words of a late ingenious writer Sous leurs heureuses mains le cuivre dement or; ' Under their hands copper became gold.' The works of those engravers, which are now sold at the price of pictures, are evident proofs of the state of the arts in those days. " What numberless examples, too, have not Rembrandt, Berg- ham, Ostade, and others of the Dutch masters, left us of their desire to cultivate engravings 1 Have not the works of the former, which are now sold at most amazing prices, transmitted a reputa- tion both to himself and to his country, which time can never obliterate ? The Bloemarts. the Vischers, and others, were cer- tainly ornaments to the age in which they lived. " During the reign of Lewis the Fourteenth, what a number of great artists appeared in this profession, and did honour to France! The names of Gerard, Andran, Edelink, Poilly, &c., will be lasting ornaments to that kingdom. That magnificent prince frequently amused himself in this way; and so charmed was he with the works of the ingenious Edelink, that he conferred upon him the honour of knighthood. It has been owing solely to the honourable rank given to this art by the Royal Academy of Painting at Paris, that it has been cherished and cultivated to such a degree of excellence, that for a century past Paris has been the depositary of the finest productions in this way ; and these have been the source of incredible riches to France. " Let us, in the last place, follow thia art into Great Britain : Queen Anne, whose reign has been generally called the Augustan age of this country, was desirous of transmitting to posterity the Cartoons * of Raphael, which had been purchased by her grand- father, Charles the First. "With this view she sent for Dorigny, the engraver, as this art was then but little cultivated in Bri- tain. " The reception he met with from the queen is well known. She honoured him with an apartment in the royal palace of Hampton Court, visited him from time to time, countenanced him on all occasions, and was the patroness of his undertaking. After her death, king George the First imitated .the example of Anne ; and upon Dorigny having completed his engravings, not only made him a very considerable present, but conferred upon * See derivation of Cartoon. 34 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. him the honour of knighthood. From the departure of this artist, who executed a work which will reflect lasting honour on Bri- tain, the art of engraving again relapsed into its former obscurity, till towards the middle of this (18th) century, when it was revived afresh by the introduction of other foreigners, together with the successful endeavours of several ingenious natives of these king- doms," THE SCHOOLS OF PAINTING. A School, in the fine arts, denominates a certain class of artists, who have made it their particular study to imitate the produc- tions of some great master. The school of Florence is remarkable for greatness, and a gran- deur of design, bordering on the gigantic. The art of painting was revived in Florence about the year 1240, by Cimabue, who transplanted the few remaining vestiges of the art from a Greek artist to his own country. The works of Cimabue, though in the ordinary style, received the applause of his fellow-citizens, and in a short time the art of painting became so considerable in Florence, that the academy of St. Luke was founded, in which, however, no painters wer5 educated until the year 1350. Andrew Castagna was the first Florentine artist who painted in oil. Michael Angelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, contemporary painters, were esteemed the glory of the Florentine school. M. Angelo surpassed Leonardo in grandeur, while Leonardo was superior to him in the finer parts of the art. Leonardo, full of sensibility, was fond of expressing the sweet affections of the soul ; but M. Angelo, not born to experience the softer passions, sought only to strike the imagination with terror, by the boldness and force of his conceptions. Michael Angelo was placed at the head of the school to which lie belonged, and died in the year 1563, aged 89. The school of Rome was formed by Grecian artists, who came from their own country to settle with the Romans. By them the art was handed down to the moderns, who derived all their knowledge from studying the Greek models. This school is celebrated for grandeur of style, exquisite form, and beautiful expression. In the year 1483, Raphael Sanzio di Urbino was at the head of the Roman school. He excelled in representing philosophers, saints, virgins, and apostles. Although he had studied the works of Michael Angelo and Leonardo da "Vinci, he avoided servilely imitating them. He adopted a me- dium between the exquisite pathos of Leonardo, and the fire of Angelo, and never advanced a step beyond the modesty of nature. This painter died at the early age of thirty-seven years. It is a very remarkable coincidence, that Raphael was born on a Good Friday, and died on a Good Friday ! The celebrated Cartoons would alone immortalize him. They will be noticed by and bye. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 35 The "Venetian school was founded by Giorgione and Titian, scholars of Giovanni Bellini, who had studied the works of Do- nienichino. A beautiful mixture of colours was the grand object of the Venetians in their painting. Titian, or Tiziano Vecelli, having never studied the ancients, supplied the deficiencies in his education by servilely copying the objects of nature, by which practice he obtained a perfect knowledge of colouring a knowledge never acquired by the artists of the Florentine and Roman schools. This painter was born in the year 1480, and died in 1576. The Lombard school was founded by Antonio Allegri, more generally known by the name of Corregio. The characteristics of this school are a beautiful combination of colours, an elegant taste for design, and a charming mellowness of pencil. The Caracci, Lodovico, Augustin, and Annibale, formed what is usually termed the second Lombard school. They established an academy at Bologna, called VAcademia deglia Desiderosi, in which was taught drawing, perspective, and anatomy. Lectures were also given in the various branches of the art, which were regularly delivered, until Annibale received an invitation from Cardinal Farnese to paint at Rome. The paintings of the Ca- racci, from the resemblance of their manner, are very often con- founded together; it ought, however, to be mentioned, that competent judges of painting may easily discover the different styles adopted by the three painters. The French school has been so fluctuating, that it is almost difficult to ascertain who was its principal founder. Miniature painting was nourished in France at a very remote period, and the French artists in this branch of the art, were held in high estimation by the Italians. Painting languished in France after the death of Francis I., until the reign of Louis XIIL, at which time it was revived by James Blanchard, who had been educated in the Venetian school. But Blanchard, though a good painter, had no hand in forming the French school. Poussin was a careful and correct imitator of nature; but he educated no pupils, and consequently did not found the French school. To the abilities of Vouet, perhaps, the French are indebted for the first formation of their school ; but afterwards were still more indebted to the brilliant talents of Le Brun, who was the fashion- able painter of the age in which he lived. Excepting Le Brun, Eustace la Sueur, Poussin, and Claude Lorraine, the French artists possessed little to recommend their works, in which inele- gance and a certain stiffness of expression might invariably be found. The Count de Caylus reformed the bad taste of his coun- trymen, by directing their attention to the models of Greece and Rome. It is needless to inform the intelligent reader, that the French capital is adorned with those invaluable works of art, which for- 36 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. merly created so much emulation at Florence, Borne, Turin, and Naples. A similar collection is now formed in this country, The National Gallery^ which will in time, we hope, eclipse even that of our French neighbours. Germany has not had the honour of forming a regular school of painting. Mengs, Deitrich, Albert Durer, and Holbein, were Germans, and the most celebrated artists that country has pro- duced. A few solitary artists, however, will not form a school. The Flemish school is remarkable for great brilliancy of colour- ing, a nobleness of conception, and the magic of the c/iiaro obscuro. Oil painting was discovered, or at least practised, first in Flan- ders, by John Van Eyck, who died in 1441, aged seventy-one. Peter Paul Rubens was unquestionably the founder of the Flemish school. This person was not only an admirable painter ; he was endowed with many excellent qualities, and esteemed a skilful politician. He was ambassador from the Spanish king to Charles I., from whom he received the honour of knighthood. Rubens equally excelled in painting historical subjects, portraits, fruit, flowers, landscapes, and animals. The historical pictures of this master do not possess that sweetness of expression so pre- valent in the works of Eaphael ; his principal merit lay in colour- ing, though he never equalled the productions of Titian. Sir P. P. Rubens was born at Antwerp in the year 1577, and died in 1640. The Dutch school may be considered as distinct from all others. The divine expression of Raphael, and the fire of Michael Angelo, are entirely disregarded by the Dutch, who have adopted a man- ner of painting practised alone within the precincts of their own country. Their favourite subjects are the vulgar games of the rudest peasantry, boors drinking and smoking, faithful repre- sentations of smiths' workshops, with all the minutice to be found therein, and the depredations of banditti. If we view one of these subjects, painted by Teniers the younger, we may be sure to find it a perfect chef dSceuvre. This artist possessed very pro- lific talents, and was beyond doubt the best painter of the man- ners of the peasantry in the Low Countries. Lucas de Leydeu, who lived in the fifteenth century, is generally considered as the patriarch of the Dutch school. Van Been, Vander Hilst, Cor- nelius Poelemburg, Rembrandt, John de Laer, Van Ostade, Gerard Douw, Metzu, Meris, Cuyp, Wouvermans, Berghem, Vandervelde, and Van Huysum, were educated in the Dutch school, and have produced most admirable specimens of the art of painting. The English school did not exist until the Royal Academy in London was established in 1766. We had, however, many excel- lent painters long before that period, whose productions rank with those of the great Italian masters. Holbein, though a Ger- man, executed mosfc of his celebrated works in this country. He was much encouraged by Henry VIII., and painted portraits of THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 37 most of the English nobility. He died at his house in Whitehall, in the year 1554, and was buried with much solemnity. In the reign of James I., Cornelius Jansens arrived in England from Holland, and painted the king and nobility ; but his talents being soon after eclipsed by Vandyke, he returned to his own country. Sir Anthony Vandyke received the first rudiments of the art from Vanbalen of Antwerp ; but afterwards became the pupil of Kubens, under whose excellent guidance he made such rapid progress in the art, that a portrait he painted of his master's wife, even at that period, is ranked among the best of his pro- ductions. Leaving Eubens, he made the tour of Italy, and at his return to Antwerp, was invited to England by Charles I., by whom he was knighted. He married the beautiful daughter of Lord Kuthven, Earl of Gowrie. Sir Joshua Eeynolds, the great founder of the English school, was born at Plymton, near Ply- mouth, on the 16th of July, 1723, and was the pupil of Hudson. In the year 1750, he went to Kome, where he remained two years prosecuting his studies. At his return to his own country, he received that patronage which was due to his extraordinary talents. Sir Joshua died in London, at the age of sixty-nine, and was buried in St. Paul's cathedral with great funeral pomp. THE CARTOONS. These celebrated paintings are so called from the Italian word cartone, a kind of pasteboard on which they are painted. "While Kaphael was in the employ of Leo the Tenth, his holiness em- ployed this distinguished painter to make designs of the Acts of the Apostles, for the purpose of having them copied on tapestry. As soon as these tapestries were completed, the Cartoons remained neglected at Brussels, till they were purchased by Eubens for Charles the First of England, and in a dilapidated state (for they had been cut to pieces to facilitate the work of the weavers) they were brought to England. In the reign of William the Third, the pieces were put together in a most careful manner, and a gallery was built at Hampton Court for their reception, where, after one or two removes, they are now finally deposited. SIGN PAINTING. Sign Painting is of very ancient date, and, by some, is supposed to have its origin prior to any other painting. Many of the first masters were sign painters, for instance Ribera, or II Spa- gnoletto,* was a sign painter, and in Cumberland's life of him we are told, that a Cardinal, one day passing in his coach, observed a tattered figure employed in painting a board, affixed to the outside of one of the ordinary houses in the streets of Home. * The little Spaniard. 38 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. The youth and wretchedness of the spectacle engaged his pity, and the singular attention with which he pursued his work at- tracted his curiosity. It was II Spagnoletto, in the act of earning his bread, of which his appearance made it evident he was abso- lutely in want. He then proceeds to state, that the Cardinal, after some pre- liminary conversation, took him home in his coach, and ordered him apartments in his palace, where he pursued those studies that rendered him afterwards so eminent. Signs and sign painting were first introduced into England in the reign of Edward the Third, from France. London afterwards became famous for its signs, every shopkeeper or dealer having one ; indeed, extravagant sums were laid out on this then requi- site decoration. They were not then affixed to the house, but were placed on posts, or hung thereon on hinges, on the edge of the footpath. " Old London's signs did creek, creek, creek, For every gust of wind did make them speake." We are told, that in the reign of Richard the Second, a lord mayor of London imported not "cashmeres and laces," but women, from Flanders, and kept stew-houses, where the dainty and squeamish were to deal in. this kind of merchandise ; and further, that Henry the Seventh also granted his licence to twelve bor- dillos or stews, having signs painted on their walls, .to distinguish them and invite the passenger. ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE CHANDOS PORTRAIT OF SHAKSPEARE. It was first in the possession of Sir "William Davenant, who died insolvent, and afterwards of John Owen, his principal creditor. After his death, Betterton, the actor, bought it. Betterton made no will, and died very indigent ; he had a large collection of portraits of actors, which were bought at the sale of his goods by Bullfinch the printseller, who sold them to one Mr. Sykes. The portrait of Shakspeare was purchased by Mrs. Barry, the actress, who sold it afterwards, for forty guineas, to Mr. B. Kech. Mr. Nicol of Colney Hatch, Middlesex, marrying the heiress of the Kech family, this picture devolved to him. By the marriage of the Duke of Chandos with the daughter of Mr. Nicol, it became his Grace's property, and by the marriage of the Duke of Buckingham into the Chandos family, for some time it adorned the collection at Stowe. And at the sale of the Stowe collection it was purchased by the Earl of Ellesmere, who kindly permitted it to be engraved by Mr. Cousens for the Shakspeare Society. A History of this interesting Picture is in course of preparation by that able and indefatigable Shakspearian scholar, Mr. J. Payne Collier. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 39 MUSIC. " All Nature's full of thee : the summer bower Respondeth to the songster's morning lay; The bee his concert keeps from flower to flower, As forth'he sallies on his honied way; Brook calls to brook, as down the hills they stray; The isles resound with song, from shore to shore ; Whilst ' viewless minstrels' on the wings that play, Consorted strains in liquid measures, pour To thunder's deep-toned voice, or ocean's sullen roar." The River Derwent. The origin of music is lost in the mazes of antiquity ; and all hypotheses on the subject are very little better than mere con- jecture. The practice of this science being universal in all ages and countries, it is absurd to attribute its invention to any one man, or any particular nation ; yet, as no people can carry back their researches into antiquity to so early a period as the Egyptians, modern writers seldom attempt to trace the history of music beyond their era. Apollodorus gives us an account of the origin of music in that country, which we must, perhaps, 'only regard as a fanciful idea of the writer, though it is not altogether improbable. He ascribes the origin of the art, and the invention of the lyre, to the Hermes, or Mercury of the Egyptians, surnamed Trismegistus, or Thrice Illustrious ; and who was, according to Newton, the secretary of Osiris. The Nile having overflowed its banks at the periodical period for the rise of that wonderful river, on its subsidence to its usual level, several dead animals were left on the shores, and among the rest a tortoise ; the flesh of which being dried and wasted in the sun, nothing remained in the shell but nerves and cartilages, and their being tightened and contracted by the drying heat, became sonorous. Mercury, walking along the banks of the river, happened to strike his foot against this shell, and was so pleased with the sound produced, that the idea of the lyre suggested itself to his imagination. The first instrument he constructed was in the form of a tortoise, and was strung with the sinews of dried animals. It is probable that vocal music was practised, or at least that the ancients were acquainted with the difference in the tones of the human voice, and its capabilities for harmony, before instru- ments were thought of; and the latter, without doubt, owed their origin to the observation of effects flowing from natural causes. Thus Dioclorus, Lucretius, and other authors, attribute the invention of wind instruments to observations made of the whistling of the wind in reeds, and in the pipes of other plants. The different tones of sounding strings must have been observed Very early, and thus have given birth to stringed instruments : 40 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. whilst instruments of percussion, such as tabors or drums, probably originated from the sonorous ringing of hollow bodies when struck. In the first conception all these instruments were rude and im- perfect, and would afford little pleasure to the musician of the present day. Indeed, in the first effort, we can fancy the inventors themselves amazed at the effect produced, and starting with surprise or fright, " E'en at the sound themselves had made." The progress of improvement, however, was soon visible : and there cannot be a doubt, but that the music of the ancients was of a very high order. NOTATION. The invention of Notation, and of musical characters, is ol ancient date, being generally ascribed to Terpander, a celebrated poet and musician of Greece, who nourished about the 27th Olympiad, or 671 years before Christ. Previously, music being entirely traditional, must t have depended much on the memory and taste of the performer. LETTERS IN MUSIC. Gregory the Great (as he is commonly called), about the year 600, substituted the Eoman letters ABC, &c., as the names of notes, in lieu of the more complicated Greek ones ; by which the study of the science was greatly simplified. See Dr. Burney's History of Music. ORIGIN OF DIVIDING MUSIC INTO BARS. In the 16th century, music began to be considered part of a polite education. In a collection called Queen Elizabeth's Virginal Book, some very difficult pieces of that era are pre- served, several of which are by Tallis and Bird, two eminent composers of English sacred music. The English musicians of this period were equal to any of those on the continent ; and it is difficult to say whether the Italian, German, or French schools, deserve the preference. At the beginning of this century, the mode of dividing music into bars appears to have been first used. ORIGIN OF THE DOMINANT IN MUSIC. The 16th century is remarkable for many improvements in the theory and practice of music, which have led to the present high state of the art. In 1590, a schoolmaster of Lombardy (Charles Monte verde) invented the harmony of the dominant; he was also the first who ventured to use the seventh and the ninth of the dominant, openly and without preparation ; he likewise em- THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 41 ployed the minor fifth as a consonance, which had always before been used as a dissonance. The same professor introduced the double dissonances, and diminished and altered chords. About the same time L'Viadana de Lodi conceived the idea of giving to the instrumental bass a different, melody from that of the vocal, to which it had previously strictly adhered. He also invented the figured or thorough bass. CONCERTS. The first regular series of Concerts in England was instituted in the year 1710, under the title of " The Academy of Ancient Music," and continued to exist upwards of eighty years. In 1776, the Concert of Ancient Music was established in London, chiefly at the suggestion of the Earl of Sandwich. An institu- tion intended to preserve the solid and valuable productions of the old masters from oblivion, and of which Mr. Joah Bates was for many years the sole conductor. In the year 1813, the " Philharmonic Society" was established in London, with a view chiefly to the cultivation of instrumental music. In 1834, a Concert was founded under the name of " The Society of British Musicians;" and another in 1833, called a " Vocal Society," consisting of thirty professional members, who gave six Concerts at the Hanover Square Eooms, consisting almost entirely of vocal music, ancient and modern, of every school. TRUMPETS. The invention of the Trumpet has been ascribed to the Tyrrhe- nians ; but others, with greater probability, to the Egyptians, from whom it might have been transmitted to the Israelites. It is usually made of brass, sometimes of silver, iron, tin, and even wood. Moses made two of silver, to be used by the priests (Numb, x.) ; and Solomon made two hundred like those of Moses (Josephus, lib. viii.), which shows the antiquity of this instru- ment. Among the Eomans, there were various instruments of the Trumpet kind, as the tuba, cornua, buccina, and lituus. The tuba, or long trumpet, called by the Hebrews "The Trumpet of the Jubilee," may be seen in several pieces of ancient sculpture at Eome, particularly on the arch of Titus, or Trajan's pillar, and in a basso-relievo at the Capitol, representing the triumph of Marcus Aurelius. In England, they were sounded before Offa, king of Mercia, A.D. 790. ORGANS. The origin of the Organ is obscure. We read of ancient hy- draulic and pneumatic Organs, but the water must have been the moving power only, to impel the wind into the pipes. Of 42 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. this kind is the representation of a tree, with birds upon it, de- scribed by Gerbert, (De Cantu et Musica Sacra, vol. ii. plate xxviii.) The Chronicle of Albericus adds to the singing of the birds be- fore Constantine, " the roaring of enormous gilded artificial lions," (See Gerbert, vol. ii. p. 151.) That such birds can be made, is certain, from Maillardet's beautiful little artificial bird, which started up out of a gold snuff-box, fluttered its wings, and sang with a pipe so clear and loud, as to fill a large room. In later times, the term Organ, in a musical sense, came to signify only the instrument now known under that name. Before the tenth century, Organs were common in England. St. Dunstan gave one to the abbey of Malmesbury in the reign of Edgar. Elfeg, bishop of Winchester, obtained one for his cathedral in 951, which was the largest then known. This is alluded to by Mason the poet : " Twelve pair of bellows, ranged in stated row, Are join'd above, and fourteen more below. Those the full force of seventy men require, Who ceaseless toil, and plenteously perspire: Each aiding each,, till all the wind be prest In the close confines of th' incumbent chest, On which four hundred pipes in order rise, To bellow forth that blast the chest supplies." PIANO-FORTES. About three centuries back, there were in use two kinds of instruments with key-boards, namely, the Clavitkerium, of a square shape, having strings of cat-gut, which were vibrated by bits of hard leather, operated on by the- inner end of the key; and the Clavecin, resembling the grand piano, having strings vibrated by plectrums of quill or hard leather. These instru- ments continued in use till Marius, in 1716, presented to the Academy of Sciences at Paris a Clavecin, whose strings were vibrated with hammers, instead of pleetrums. Two years after, Christoforo, at Florence, introduced some further improvements. In 1772, Sebastian Erard made the first Piano in France; arid in the following year Stodart patented in London a combination of the harpsichord and grand piano. In 1786, Gieb took out a patent for what is called the grasshopper action, which is still used for square pianos, in the dampers of which improvements were patented in 1794 and 1798, by Southwell. In 1809, Thorn and Allen patented compensation metallic tubes, which were adopted by Stodart in the grand piano. Broadwood, Collard, Kirkman, Stewart, and Wornuni, have contributed to the im- provement of this instrument. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 43 ITALIAN OPERA. To the close of the 16th, and the beginning of the 17th centu- ries, the invention of the recitative, or recited music, which gave to the lyric drama a peculiar language and construction, is ascribed. Mr. Burgh, in \\isAnecdotes of Music, gives the following account of the origin of this species of composition : " Persons of taste and letters in Tuscany, being dissatisfied with every former at- tempt at perfecting dramatic poetry and exhibitions, determined to unite the best Lyric Poet with the best Musician of their time. Three Florentine noblemen, therefore, Giovanni Bardi, Count of "Vernio, Petro Strozzi, and Jacobi Corsi, all enlightened lovers of the fine arts, selected Ottavio Einuccini and Jacobo Peri, their countrymen, to write and set to music the drama of Dafne, which was performed in the house of Signior Corsi, in 1597, with great applause ; and this seems the true era, whence we may date the Opera, or Drama, wholly set to music, and in which the dialogue was neither sung in measure, nor declaimed without music, but recited in simple musical notes, which amounted not to singing, and yet was different from the usual mode of speaking." After this successful experiment, Rinuceini wrote Eurydice and Ariana, two other similar dramas. In the same year, Emilio del Cavaliere composed the music to an opera called Ariadne, at Rome ; and the friends of this com- poser, and of Peri, respectively lay claim to the honour of the invention of recitative for each of these artistes. The Eurydice of Peri was, however, the first piece of the kind performed in public; its representation taking place at the theatre, Florence, in 1600, on the occasion of the marriage of Henry IV. of France with Mary de Medicis ; and Pietro del Velle, a Eoman knight, an amateur musician, who, in 1640, published an able historical disquisition on the science, expressly says, the first dramatic action * ever represented at Rome, was performed at the Carnival of 1606, on his cart, or movable stage ; when five voices, or five instruments, the exact number an ambulent cart would contain, were employed. Thus, it seems the first secular drama in mo- dern Rome, like the first tragedy in ancient Greece, was exhibited in a cart ! The Italian Opera has undoubtedly given a great impulse to English dramatic music. The first of this species of composition which was performed in England, was Arsinoe, in 1705. An English version, set to music by Thomas Clayton, one of the royal band, in the reign of William and Mary, was then pre- sented. The translation was bad, and the music execrable ; yet this drama was performed twenty-four times in the first, and eleven in the second year. * Of course, the secular drama is here meant. 4 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. THE TROUBADOURS. " When the cloth was ta'en away, Minstrels straight began to play, And while Harps and Viols join, Raptured Bards, in strains divine, Loud the trembling arches rung With the noble deeds we sung." In the eleventh century, the Troubadours made their appear- ance in Provence. They were the founders of modern versifica- tion ; frequently singing their own songs to the melody of their own harps ; and when they were not able to do the latter, min- strels accompanied them, who recited the lays the Troubadour composed. Though in every country wherever there is a language, there is poetry, and wherever there is poetry, there is music ; and in our own in particular, singing to the harp appears to have been early and successfully cultivated, yet the melodies were purely traditional ; and the most ancient melodies extant, that have been set to a modern language, are those which are pre- served in the Vatican Library, to the songs of the Troubadours, written in the ancient dialect of Provence. In the 12th, 13th, and part of the 14th centuries, the minstrels, bards, or jongleurs, the descendants of the Troubadours, occupied a conspicuous station in society. In our own country there were king's min- strels and queen's minstrels, who enjoyed a high degree of favour and protection. Yet, in some of the satires of the times, we find them abused under the names of chantier, fableeir, jangleeirs, and menestre ; whilst their art is called janglerie, and they are said to be Anti- Christ perverting the age by their merry jangles. Piers Plough- man, an ancient satirist, also accuses the minstrels of debauching the minds of the people, and of being tutors of idleness and the devil's discourse ; and that they did imbibe some of the general licentiousness which, at the era of the Conquest, and for some time before, and some time after, overspread all England, is not unlikely. But for several reigns they were favoured by the noble and the fair, and protected by royal authority. In their baronial mansions, on all occasions of high and solemn feasts, the observances of chivalry and the charms of music were united. In the reign of Henry III. we find one Henry de Auranches, a Frenchman, dignified with the title of Master Henry, the versi- fier : which appellation, Mr. Warton observes, perhaps implies a character different from the royal minstrel, or joculator. In 1249, and in 1251, we find orders on the treasurer to pay this Master Henry one hundred shillings, probably a year's stipend ; and in the same reign, forty shillings and a pipe of wine were given to Richard, the king's harper, and a pipe of wine to Bea- trice, his wife. In time, a gross degeneracy appears to have characterised the once-famed order of minstrels : the sounder THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 45 part of society pursued them with prohibitions and invectives, till they were at last driven from the more respectable walks of life to the lower orders. Their irregularities became the more rude and offensive, till their order expired amid the general contempt of an improving nation. Turner's History of England, vol. i. p. 432. The history of the Troubadours and the Provencal Poets has formed the subjects of many valuable publications of late years. Jn France, M. Kaynouard has published not only a selection of their best writings under the title of Choix des Poesies des Trou- badours, but also a Glossary of the Language in which they are written. M. Fauriel has also published in three vols. 8vo, His- toire de la Poesie Provenqale. While in Germany, an accomplished M. Dier has given to the world both an Essay on their Poetry, and a volume on the lives and writings of the most distinguished Troubadours. Of the German Troubadours, or Minnesingers, the late Mr. Edgar Taylor published an interesting account in his Lays of the Minnesingers ; and in 1838, Professor von der Hagen of Berlin, published a collection of their writings under the title of Deutsche Liederdichter des 12, 13, and 14 Jahrhunderts. COMMERCE, USE OF MONET, COINS, BANKING SYSTEM, INTERNAL NAVIGATION, &c. ORIGIN OF COMMERCE, AND USE OF MONEY. The few wants of men in the first state of society, were supplied by barter in its rudest form. In barter the rational considera- tion is, what is wanted by the one, and what can be spared by the other. But savages are not always so clear-sighted. A sarage who wants a knife will give for it any thing that is less useful to him at the time, without considering his future wants. But mankind improve by degrees, attending to what is wanted on the one side, and to what can be spared on the other. Barter, in its original form, proved miserably deficient when men and their wants multiplied. That sort of commerce could not be carried on at a distance ; and even among neighbours it does not always happen, that the one can spare what the other wants ; it was necessary, therefore, that some commodity should be found in general estimation, that would be gladly accepted in exchange for every other, and which should be neither bulky, expensive in keeping, nor consumable by time. Gold and Silver 46 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. are metals that possess these properties in an eminent degree ; and are also divisible into small parts, convenient to be given for goods of small value. Gold and silver, when first introduced into commerce, were bartered like other commodities, by bulk merely; but shortly, instead of being given loosely by bulk, every portion was weighed in scales, but weight was no security against mixing base metals with gold and silver. To prevent that fraud pieces of gold and silver are impressed with a public stamp, vouching both the purity and the quantity ; and such pieces are called Coin. This was an improvement in commerce, and at first probably deemed complete. It was not foreseen, that these metals wear by much handling in the course of circulation, and consequently, that in time the public stamp is reduced to be a voucher of the purity only, not of the quantity. This embarrassment was remedied by the use of paper-money; and paper money is attended with another advantage, that of preventing the loss of much gold and silver by wearing. When gold or silver, in bull ion, was exchanged with other com- modities, such commerce .passed under the common name of barter, or permutation : when current coin was exchanged, such commerce was termed the buying and selling ; and the money exchanged was termed the price of goods. The Pho3iiicians were the earliest people who are recorded to have devoted themselves to commerce. It seems they performed long voyages, and established colonies in remote countries, like the moderns. The Greeks and Komans were not insensible of the value of commerce, and they pursued it at different periods with eagerness and success. The Venetians, from the year 900 to 1500, enjoyed a monopoly of the produce of the East, and thereby became a wealthy and powerful people. The Genoese proved their rivals ; but certain free towns of Germany, called Hanse Towns, afterwards disputed with the Italians the palm of com- merce. The Portuguese, on discovering a new route to India, by the Cape of Good Hope, became for a time a considerable com- mercial people; but the Dutch drove them from their India possessions, and for a century carried on half the trade of the world. The English, however, have taken the lead of all other nations ; and by means of their invincible fleets, their free con- stitution, their domestic agriculture and manufactures, and their valuable colonies in every sea, they have nearly engrossed the commerce of the world to themselves. Money as a medium of commerce is first mentioned in Genesis xxiii., when Abraham purchased a field as a sepulchre for Sarah, A.M. 2139. Money, which is sometimes said to have been first made at Argos, 894 years B.C., increased eighteen times in value from 1290 to 1789, and twelve times its value from 1530 to 1789. Silver has increased thirty times its value since the THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 47 Norman Conquest ; viz, a pound in that age was three times the quantity it is at present, and ten times its value in purchasing any commodity. ORIGIN OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES IN ENGLAND. The origin of all weights and measures in England, was derived from a corn of wheat, (vide Statutes of 51 Henry III., 31 Edward I., 12 Henry Vll.) which enacted, that 32 of them, well dried and gathered from the middle of the ear, were to make one penny- weight ; but it was subsequently thought better to divide the dwt, in 24 equal parts, called grains. All measures of capacity, both liquid and dry, were at first taken from Troy-weight, and several laws were passed in the reign of Henry III. enacting, that 8 Ibs. Troy of wheat, taken from the middle of the ear, and well dried, should make one gallon of "Wine measure. The standard "Wine Gallon, which was kept sealed at Guildhall, was generally reckoned to contain 231 cubic inches ; but Dr. Wybard, in his Tectometry, having asserted that it did not contain more than 224 or 225 cubic inches, an experiment was made, May 25th, 1688, to ascertain the fact. The Commissioners of Excise caused a vessel to be made in form of a parallelopipedon, each side of its base was 4 inches, and its depth 14 inches, so that its just content was 224. In presence of the Lord Mayor, the Commissioners of the Excise, the Rev. Mr. Flamstead (Astronomer-Eoyal), Mr. Halley, and several other eminent mathematicians, this vessel was very exactly filled with water, and being carefully emptied into the Standard Wine Gallon, did so accurately fill it, that all present were fully convinced it contained only 224 cubic inches. However, it was not thought convenient to alter the supposed content of 231, and accordingly the error continued until the recent introduction of the new Imperial Gallon. The old Beer or Ale Gallon of 282 cubic inches, was intended to bear the same proportion to Avoirdupois-weight as the Wine did to Troy ; for it was founded by several nice experiments, that the 1 Ib. Avoirdu- pois was equal to 14 oz. 11 dwts. 15^ grs. Troy; being very near 14 oz. and six tenths. Hence 12: 231 :: 14-6 to 281,05, and by a trial of the Standard Ale Quart, kept in the Exchequer, (12 Charles II.), it was found to contain just 70^ cubic inches, and consequently the gallon = 70^ X 4 = 282. The old Dry or Corn Gallon was originally meant to bear a mean (or nearly so) between the Wine and Beer Gallon; it was, previous to 1697, computed to hold 272^ cubic inches ; but a statute made in that year enacted, the Winchester Bushel should be round, with a plain and even bottom, 18 inches throughout, and 8 inches deep ; consequently, it contained 215,042 cubic inches for the old legal Corn Gallon. Weights and measures were invented 869 B.C. ; fixed to a standard in England, 1257 ; regulated, 1492 ; equalized, 1826. 48 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. ALMANACS. Almanacs are said to have originated with the Northern Nations, who formerly used to engrave, or cut upon square sticks about a foot in breadth, the courses of the moon of the whole year ; whereby they could tell when the new moons and changes should appear, as also their festival days ; and this they called an Al-mon-aght, that is to say, all must heed. The more correct etymology is, however, unquestionably from the Arabic al, the article, and mana or mana/i to count. They were first published by Martin Ilkus, at Ludain Poland, in 1470 ; compiled by Muller, in their present form, 1473 ; the Stationers' Company of London claimed an exclusive right to publish them till 1779 ; and a million annually at one time are said to have been sold. For some curious particulars of the contents of the earlier almanacs, see the Companion to the Almanac for 1829. COIN. At the Conquest, the little coined silver that we had, bore the same countenance with that which had been current in the days of our Saxon kings ; for the Conqueror's penny is of the same size as them, presenting his head full-faced, a cross in his right hand, and a sceptre in his left, inscribed Willem Rex Anglo. On the reverse, an arms fleiree, with four sceptres quarterly, the inscription Jesthn on Herefor. Stowe says, the conqueror, as he appeared on his coins, wanted a beard, and quotes William of Malmesbury to prove that the Normans never wore any ; he also mentions, that some of the conqueror's coins had Le Rey Wilam inscribed on them, though all that are now attributed to him have either the simple style of Rex, or with the addition of An or Angolo. It is presumed that the coinage of money in this fashion, was one of the improvements which the Norman court received from our Edward the Confessor, who by their own writers is acknowledged to have taught them a great many English customs. All great sums were paid at this time by weight ; thus, the monks of Ely paid the king 700 marks ; and Edgar Atheling's allowance was a pound of silver daily (1074). The purveyances were even changed into money, and the sheriff collected them in the following proportions. Instead of Bread for 100 men, one shilling 1 . One pasture-fed ox, one shilling. A ram, or sheep, four pence. Provender for 20 horses, four pence. But when these little contributions were thus gathered, the collectors still paid the gross sums into the exchequer by weight. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 49 ORIGIN OF GOLD COIN IN ENGLAND. The first gold coins on record were struck by Henry III., A.D. 1257, and were called gold pennies, weighing as much as two silver pence, and passing for twenty-pence. The next gold coinage was that of tlie florin (from Florence) in 1354. called also abroad the guelder, or golden piece. Of the old gold standard, the principal coins were nobles, of 6s. 8d. value ; half and quarter, or farthing nobles, as they were called ; marks, of 13s. 4d. value ; angels of 10s., and sovereigns of 20s. each. Guineas were first coined in the reign of Charles II., and were thus named, because the gold was brought from Guinea. Shillings were first coined in England, in the reign of Henry VII., in the year 1501. Crowns and Half Crowns in 1552. Tlie first legal copper coin was made in the reign of James I., in 1609, prior to which private leaden tokens were in general circulation. Penny pieces, and Twopenny, of copper, were 1 first coined in England, 1794. COINS OF EDWARD VI. The following is the description of the current money of that reign. King Edward's Silver Crown-piece, coined at York. It had the king's figure at full length, on horseback, in full armour, crowned, and holding a drawn sword at his heart. The horse is adorned with large embroidered trappings, with a plume of feathers on the head, and the date under him. The Mint mark is y, and it is circumscribed with these words : EDWARD vi. D.G. AGL., FRA. z. HIBR. REX. The reverse like that of the shilling. The Sovereign, struck in the sixth year of his reign, had the profile figure of his majesty in armour, crowned, holding a drawn sword in his right hand, and the orb in his left. The Mint marked a tun over the royal head, circumscribed with these words : EDWARD vi. E. G. AGL. FRAN. z. HIB. REX. The reverse had the arms crowned, and the like supporters as his father, with E. R. on the pedestal, and the following motto : JHS, AVTEM, TRANS1ENS PER, MEDIUM, ILLORY, IBAT. The base shilling of Edward VI., coined at York. The Mint mark y, the head in profile, crowned with the legend, EDWARD vi. D. G. AGL. FRA. z. HIB. REX. On the reverse, TIMOR, DOMINI, FONS VITE, M.D.XL1X. The Half-Sovereign, coined in his third year. It has the king's bust in armour, bareheaded, circumscribed SCUTUM FIDEI PROTEGIT EUM a rose between each word, and a rose the Mint mark. On the reverse the arms in a shield, crowned, between the initial letters E. R., with the title circumscribed as above. The fine Shilling of Edward VI. It bore the king's bust, full- faced, crowned, and in his parliamentary robes, with a chain of the order. On one side of the head is a large double rose, and 60 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. on the other the figures xn., denoting the value, with the title, as above, in old English characters. The Mint mark y, N. B. This is the first English coin on which we see the Collar of the Order of the Garter. The Sixpence of his third year, of the York Mint. The Mint mark y. On the obverse is the king's bust in armour, crowned,- and labelled with the regal title. On the reverse are the royal arms in an oval shield, garnished and crowned, with the motto, SCUTUM, FIDEI, PROTEGIT, BUM. The Noble was also in use in this reign, as an appropriate attendant on the Sovereign. INTEREST OF MONEY Was 2c?. per week for 20s. in 1260 ; 45 per cent., 1307 ; the first law in England for establishing interest of money at 10 per cent, was in 1546. The pious subjects of Edward VI. repealed this law as unlawful and most impious ; but it was restored in queen Elizabeth's time. In those days the monarchs could not borrow without the collateral security of the metropolis. Interest was reduced from 10 to 8 per cent., 1624 ; reduced.by the Rump parliament to 6 per cent., and confirmed at the Restoration ; to 5 per cent., 1714 ; from 4 to 3 per cent., 1750. Interest of the National Debt reduced, 1749, 1823. VALUE OF LABOUR AND MONEY IN EARLY TIMES. In the year 1352, in the 25th of Edward III., wages paid to haymakers was Id. per day ; a mower of meadows, '3d. or 5d. an acre ; reapers of corn, first week in August 2o?., in the second 3d. per day, and so on till the end of August, without meat, drink, or other allowance, finding their own tools. For thrashing a quarter of wheat or rye, 2^o?. ; a quarter of barley, beans, peas, or oats, \^d. A master carpenter, 3d. a day ; other masons 3d., and servants, l^d. Tilers 3d., and their knaves l^d. Thatchers, 3d. per day, and their knaves, l^d. Plasterers, and other workers of mud walls, and their knaves in like manner, without meat or drink, and this from Easter till Michaelmas ; and from that time less, according to the direction of the justices. About the year 900, king Alfred left to each of his daughters 100 in money. In 1221, Joan, eldest daughter to king John, upon her marriage with Alexander, king of Scotland, had a dowry of 1000. In 1278, Edward I. gave his daughter Joan, contracted to the son of the king of the Romans, 10,000 marks sterling, and this to be returned in case the prince died before her. In 1314, Elizabeth, wife of Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, being imprisoned in England, was allowed for herself and family, 20s. per week. In 1330, Joan of Oxford, nurse to the Black Prince, had a pension of 10 per annum; and Maud Plumpton, THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 51 a rocker, had 10 marks. In 1402, the salary of the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, was 40. In 1408, the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, had 55 marks per annum. In 1545, the former had an addition of 30 to his salary, and the other justices of .20. STERLING. Origin of the term as applied to money. In the time of Eichard I., money coined in the East part of Germany came in special request in England, on account of its purity, and was called Easterling Money, as all the inhabitants of those parts were called Easterlings ; and soon after some of these people, skilled in coining, were sent for to London, to bring the coin to perfection, which was soon called Sterling, from East- erling. King Edward I. established a certain standard for the silver coin of England ; but no gold was coined until the reign of Edward III., who in the year 1320 caused several pieces to be coined, called Florences, because they were coined by Florentines. Afterwards he coined Nobles, then Eose Nobles, current at 6s. 8d., Half Nobles at 3s. 4d., called Halfpennies of gold ; and Quarters at Is. 8d., called Farthings of gold. The succeeding kings coined Eose Nobles, and Double Eose Nobles, Great Sove- reigns, and Half Henry Nobles, Angels, and Shillings.-- James I. coined Unites, Double Crowns, and Britannia Coins, Shillings, and Sixpences. Charles II. converted most of the ancient gold coins into guineas. BOARD WAGES. Board Wages first commenced in England with king Charles I.'s servants, in 1629. INSURANCE OF SHIPS, &c. Insurance on ships and merchandise, Suetonius conjectures, was contrived by Claudius in 43. Insurance on shipping began in England, in 1560. Insurance offices in London, 1696. RENT "VYas first made payable in money, instead of kind, in 1136. FIGURES IN ARITHMETIC Were introduced into Europe from Arabia, 991, and into Eno-- land in 1253. ALGEBRA Was first introduced into Europe in 1300, and became in general use in 1590. Numerical algebra was invented in 950, and first known in Europe in 1494; letters were first used in algebra in 1590. 52 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. LAC OF RUPEES. A Rupee is an Indian coin of silver, of 2s. 3d. and 25. 6cf., and a lac signifies nothing more than a certain amount, say about 12,500 sterling. DIAMONDS. Diamonds were first cut and polished at Bruges, in 1489. Dia- mond mines discovered at Golconda, 1584; atCoulour, 1640; and at Brazil in 1730. The weight of diamonds is estimated in carats, 150 of which are equal to one ounce Troy. The average price of rough dia- monds is about 2 per carat. According to this estimate, a wrought diamond, three carats, is worth 72, and one of 100 carats, 80,000. The largest diamond probably ever heard of, is one mentioned by Tavernier, who saw it in the possession of the Great Mogul. It was about as big as a hen's egg, and weighed 900 carats in the rough. The largest diamond ever brought to Europe, is one now in the possession of the sovereign of Russia. It weighs 195 carats, and was long employed as the eye of. a Braminical idol. A French soldier discovered the value of the gem, and changed his religion, wor- shipping at the altar of the god, that he might deprive him of his splendid eye. At length he succeeded in substituting a piece of glass for the diamond, and again became a good Christian ! After passing through several hands, the empress Catherine at length fixed it in the possession of the Russian crown, giving for it 90,000, and a perpetual annuity of 1000. It is cut in the rose form, and is the size of a pigeon's egg. One of the most beautiful is the Pitt Diamond, which is a brilliant, and weighs rather more than 136 carats. It was brought from India by a gentleman of the name of Pitt, and purchased by the Duke of Orleans, who placed it in the Crown of France, where it still remains. The celebrated Pigot Diamond is in the possession of Rundell and Co. INTERNAL NAVIGATION IN ENGLAND. It was so late as the year 1720, when inland navigation com- menced in England, by the deepening of the rivers Mersey and Irwell. The carrying trade between Manchester and Liverpool, was then performed principally by gangs of pack-horses. The owners of these horses of course alleged, that their rights would be invaded, and their profits diminished, by the new navigation; though whether they presented petitions to parliament, complain- ing of the infringement, and praying that the proprietors might not be allowed to proceed (continues the Leeds Mercury), is more than we can say ; but supposing this had been done, and that parliament in ita wisdom had determined to protect the vested THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 53 interests of these ancient carriers from invasion ; and allowing further, that the intercourse between Manchester and Liverpool had continued to increase till it had obtained its present magni- tude of 1000 tons a day, the consequence would have been, that the inhabitants of Lancashire would have had to maintain upon the road alone Forty Thousand Pack-horses, which would, when in marching order, have formed a continuous line, in close array, of upwards of eighty miles. PAWNBROKERS' BALLS. The three balls, as a Pawnbroker's Sign, dates its origin from the Lombards, the great money-lenders, who came from Lom- bardy and settled here. The greatest of these traders in money were the celebrated, and eventually princely house of the Medici of Florence. They bore pills on their shield (and those pills, as usual then, were gilded,) in allusion to the professional origin from whence they had derived the name of Medici ; and their agents in England and other countries put their armorial bear- ings over their doors as their sign, and the reputation of tha,t house induced others to put up the same sign. It has been wittily remarked, that the Three Balls intimate, that it is two to one against your redeeming what you pledge ! ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE BANKING SYSTEM. The Trapezitse of the Greeks, and Argentarii or Nummularii of the Romans, were persons who lent money upon usury, kept the accounts of other usurers, and exchanged worn for new money, for a profit, but did not deal in cheques, drafts, &c. Beckmann, however, says, that they did pay money by a bill, which process, was termed prce-scribere and rescribere, and the assignment or draft attributia, and dealt besides in exchanges and discounts. Philip the Fair, in 1304, ordered a bank to be held upon the great bridge of Paris ; and they had booths and tables before church doors, &c., called mensce combiatorum (our Scriptural Tables of the Money Changers), stands at fairs for changing money, &c. They were obliged to give security in pro- perty, and were formed into guilds. * We had had a set of them called Caursini, from the family Caursini at Florence, it being agreed that, however divided, they should take the name of that family, penes quam summa mercatura erat. All the Italian mer- chants who practised usury, were called Lombards; hence our Lombard Street.-^ The draft of one banker upon another, and the cheque, occur in Eymer. The deposit of money to be let out at interest, is a practice of the Eoman Argentarii, who exercised their trade in * See article on Guild. f See article on Lombard Street. 54 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. the Forum, under the inspection of the town magistrate ; and when they ceased to show themselves, their bankruptcy was de- clared by these words,/oro cessit. Fosbroke's Encyclopaedia. Such is the ancient history of bankers ; with regard to modern times, Pennant says, regular banking by private people resulted in 1643, from the calamity of the time, when the seditious spirit was incited by the acts of the parliamentary leaders. The mer- chants and tradesmen, who before trusted their cash to their servants and apprentices, found that no longer safe, neither did they dare to leave it in the Mints at the Tower, by reason of the distresses of majesty itself, which before was a place of public de- posit. In the year 1645, they first placed their cash in the hands of goldsmiths, who began publicly to exercise both professions. Even in my days, continues Pennant, were several eminent bankers who kept the goldsmith's shop, but they were more fre- quently separated. The first regular banker was Mr. Francis Child, goldsmith, who began business soon after the Restoration. He was the father of the profession, a person of large fortune, and most respectable character. He married between the years 1665 and 1675, Martha,, only daughter of Robert Blanchard, citizen and goldsmith, by whom he had twelve children. Mr. Child was afterwards knighted. He lived in Fleet Street, where the shop still continues in a state of the highest respectability. Mr. Granger, in his Biographical History, mentions Mr. Child as successor to the shop of Alderman Backwel, a banker in the time of Charles II., noted for his integrity, abilities, and industry, who was ruined by the shutting up of the Exchequer, in 1672. His books were placed in the hands of Mr. Child, and still remain in the family. The next ancient shop was that possessed by Messrs. Snowe and Benne, a few doors to the west of Mr. Child's, who were goldsmiths of consequence in the latter part of the same reign. Mr. Gay celebrates the predecessor of these gentlemen, for his sagacity in escaping the ruins of the fatal year 1720. in his Epistle to Mr. Thomas Snow, goldsmith, near Temple Bar. To the west of Temple Bar, the only one was that of Messrs. Middletonand Campbell, goldsmiths, who flourished in 1622, and is now continued with great credit by Mr. Coutts. From thence to the extremity of the western end of the town, there was none till the year 1756, when the respectable name of Backwel rose again, conjoined to those of Darel, Hart, and Croft, who with great reputation opened their shop in Pall Mall. BANK OF ENGLAND. This national bank was first established in 1694, in the reign of William and Mary. It was projected by one Paterson, and its original capital was 1,200,000. The style of the firm is The Governor and Company of the Bank of England. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 65 SAVINGS' BANKS. The origin of these valuable institutions has been attributed to the Rev. Joseph Smith of Wendover, who, in 1799, circulated proposals to the inhabitants of his parish, to receive from Two- pence upwards, every Sunday evening during the summer months, and to repay at Christmas the amount of the deposit, with the addition of one-third as a bounty. The next institution was established in 1804, at Tottenham, in Middlesex, by Mrs. Priscilla Wakefield ; and from that period the system has gradually risen to its existing importance. EAST INDIA COMPANY. The East India Company of England was first established in 1600 ; their stock then consisting of 72,000, when they fitted out four ships ; and, meeting with success, they have continued ever since ; India Stock sold from 360 to 500 per cent., 1683 ; a new company was established, 1698 ; the old one re-established, and the two united, 1700; agreed to give government 400,000 per annum, for four years, on condition that they might continue unmolested, 1769; in great confusion, and applied to parliament for assistance, 1773; judges sent from England to administer the laws there, by the government, April 2nd, 1774; Board of Con- trol instituted, 1784; Charter renewed, 1813. Some alterations in the constitution and administration of the* Company were effected by the Act 3 and 4 William IV., c. 85, which passed 28th August, 1833. DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS. MANUFACTURE OF EDGE TOOLS. Parkes, in his Essay on Edge Tools, says the history of the invention of edge tools is involved in much obscurity. The mate- rials employed by the ancients for making them were various ; but the metal in general use in modern times, and among civilized nations, for the fabrication of such instruments, is iron, though this metal varies in its nature, and is differently prepared ac- cording to the purposes to which the instrument or weapon is applicable. Although iron was known before the deluge, yet there is reason to believe that the method of making it was afterwards lost. Tubal Cain, who lived nearly 4000 years before the commence- 56 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. ment of the Christian era, was "an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron;"* and we are told that Abraham took a knife to slay his son Isaac, t In these early times mention is also made of shears, and of shearing of sheep ; and yet many of the ancient nations knew nothing of iron, but used stones, flints, the horns and bones of various animals, the bones and shells of fish, reeds, and thorns, for every purpose in which the moderns now use edge tools of iron and steel. Hesiod, who probably lived a thousand years before the time of Christ, says plainly, that the ploughshare was made with a species of very hard oak ; and from his manner of describing the ploughs that were then employed, there is no reason to suppose that any iron was used in constructing them. The following is Elton's translation of the passage : " If hill or field supply an ilex bough, Of bending figure like the downward plough, Bear it away ; this durable remains, "While thy strong steers in ridges clear the plains ; If Avith firm nails thy artists join the whole, Affix the share-beam, and adapt the pole." Though the Britons had some iron when they were first invaded by the Romans, yet, as Caesar observes, " they had it only in small quantities, hardly sufficient for home consumption, and none to spare for exportation." But after the Romans had been some time settled in this island, this most useful metal became very plentiful, and made a part of the British exports. On the arrival of the Saxons in Great Britain, our ancestors were still in a low state of civilisation. One of their laws enacts, that no man should undertake to guide a plough who could not make one ; and that the cords with which it is drawn should be formed of twisted willows. || From this period edge tools gradually made their appearance, but centuries elapsed, even in Britain, or England as it is now called, before they were brought to any kind of perfection. We read but little of swords in the beginning of the 15th century, though no doubt they were then in use, since there is the evidence of Geoffrey Chaucer, who died only two years before the memo- rable battle of Hamilton was fought, that Sheffield was, even then, famous for its cutlery : " A dagger hanging at his belt he had, Made of an ancient sword's wellvtempered blade ; He wore a Sheffield whittle in his hose. " Chronology informs us, iron was first discovered by the burning of Mount Ida, 1406 B. c. In England by the Romans, soon after the landing of Julius Caesar. First discovered in America, in * Genesis iv. 22. f Ibid. xxii. 10. * Tbid. xxxviii. 12, 13. H Leges Wallicae, p. 283. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. T.IIE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 57 Virginia, 1715. First cast in England, at Blackstead, Sussex, 1544. KNIVES. It is difficult to ascertain the date of the introduction of every kind of cutting or pointed instruments ; but when the utility and convenience of these domestic implements were once experienced, there can be no doubt that the practice of using them quickly became very general, and that manufactories of knives and other edge tools were consequently soon established in various parts of the kingdom. Table knives were first made in London in the year 1563, by one Thomas Matthews of Fleet Bridge. They were probably not in use in the time of Chaucer. FORKS. Neither the Greeks nor the Romans have any name for forks ; they were not used by the ancients ; they used the ligula, similar to our spoons. Formerly, persons of rank kept in their houses a carver. The Chinese use no forks, but have small sticks of ivory, of very beautiful workmanship, inlaid with gold and silver. The use of forks was first known in Italy towards the end of the fifteenth century, but at that time they were not very common. In France, at the end of the sixteenth century, even at Court, they were entirely new. Coryate, the traveller, is said to be the first person who used forks in England, on which account, says Beckmann, he was called, by way of joke, furcifer. In many parts of Spain at present, forks are rarities. Among the Scotch Highlanders, knives have been introduced at table only since the revolution. Before that period every man had a knife of his own, as a companion to his dirk or dagger. The men cut the meat for the women into small morsels, who then put them into their mouths with their fingers. The use of forks at table, was at first considered as a superfluous luxury; and therefore they were forbidden to convents, as was the case in regard to the congregation of St. Maur. RAZORS. The term Eazor, as applied to the instrument that we shave with, is supposed to be derived from the word raze,to cut or pull down, to leave nothing standing. Razors are mentioned by Homer. Before English manufactures excelled in cutlery, Fos- broke says, razors were imported from Palermo in Italy, or rather Sicily. PIXS. The pin was not known in England till towards the middle or latter end of the reign of Henry VIII. j the ladies until then 58 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. using ribbons, loops, skewers made of wood, of brass, silver, or gold. At first the pin was so ill made, that in the 34th year of the king, parliament enacted that none should be sold unless they be " double-headed, and have the headdes soudered faste to the shanke of the pynne," &c. But this interference had such an influence on the manufacture, that the public could obtain no supply until the obnoxious act was repealed. On referring to the statute book, the act of repeal, which passed in the 37th year of the same reign, contains the following clauses, which tends to shew how cautious the legislature ought to be not to interfere with any manufactory which they do not perfectly understand. The act of repeal having recited the former act, it then goes on to say, " At which tyme the pynners playnly promised to serve the kynge's liege people wel and sufficiently, and at a reasonable price. And for as much sens the makyng of the saide act there hath ben scarcitee of pynnes within this realme that the kynge's liege people have not ben wel nor competetly served of such pynnes nor ar like to be served nor the pynners of this realme {as it doeth nowe manifestly appere) be hable to serve the people of this realme accordyng to their saied promise. In consideracion whereof it maie please the kyng, &c., that it maie be adjudged and demed from hensforth frustrated and nihilated and to be repealed for ever." Stat. Henrici Octavi, xxxvii. cap. 13. The consumption of the whole nation is now, 1831, estimated at six- teen millions of pins per day. NEEDLES. The Cambrian inhabitants of Britain sewed together for gar- ments the skins of animals, while they used as needles small bones offish or animals, rudely sharpened at one end ; and needles just of the same sort were used by the natives of the Sandwich islands when Captain Cook first visited them. Stowe says, that needles were first sold in Cheapside in the reign of Queen Mary, and then they were made by a Spanish negro, who refused to discover the secret of his art. It will be recollected, that many Spanish artisans came over to England on the marriage of Philip the Second with the said princess. So that we may fairly sup- pose the needle to be of Spanish origin. Needles were first manufactured in England 1566, by Elias Grouse, a German. SAWS, &c. The invention of this instrument is ascribed to the nephew of Daedalus, who, as they say, having accidentally met with the jaw of a serpent, which he used with success to divide a small piece of wood, thus acquired the first idea of such an implement, and soon afterwards formed a metallic instrument in imitation of it. It is also said, that from the saw originated the idea of the file. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 59 A saw-mill was first fitted up in London in 1633, but after- wards demolished, that it might not deprive the poor of employ. TOURNIQUET, This instrument, used by surgeons to benumb the limb prior to amputation, was invented by one Morell, at the siege of Besan9on, in 1674. Petit, of France, invented the Screw Tourniquet in 1718. ANCHORS. The data of the invention of the anchor is somewhat obscure. The first anchors, however, were not made of iron, but of stone, and sometimes of wood. These latter were loaded with lead. Several writers relate that the Phoenicians, in their first voyages into Spain, having amassed more silver than their ships could contain, took the lead from their anchors, and supplied its place with silver. Goguet's Origin of Laws, &c., vol. i. p. 292. TELEGRAPHS Were first invented, 1687 ; put into practice by the French in 1794; by the English, January 28, 1796. In 1816, it was deter- mined to change the Admiralty Telegraphs into Semaphores. They consisted of an upright post, with moveable arms. This kind of Telegraph continued to be used at the Government Stations till the introduction of the ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. The idea of applying electricity to the purposes of telegraphic communication, is said to have originated with Mr. James Bain, an ingenious mechanic, to whom, by a recent legal decision, a handsome remuneration is to be paid out of the funds of the Electric Telegraph Company. It is chiefly, however, to the joint labours of Messrs. W. F. Cooke and Professor Wheatstone, that Electric Telegraphs owe their practical application. The first was laid down upon the London and Black wall Railway ; the second from London to West Drayton ; the third (in 1849) from London to Gosport, and by means of this surprising agency, an instantaneous communication is now made between London and Paris. This invention was patented in 1837. When Faraday obtained the converse of elec- tro-magnetism, by induced electricity from magnets in motion, he originated magneto-electricity, and it is possible that its suc- cessful application to the purposes of the Electric Telegraph, will supersede the use of the present galvanic electricity. The Electric Telegraph is now marching apace over continental 60 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Europe, and so complete is the magic network of its intellectual nerves, that for all purposes of communication it may be said that there is no longer any British Channel. From the moun- tain cities of Transylvania, to the marshes of Pomerania, there is scarcely a town of any literary or commercial importance not connected by the metallic pulses terminating at Charing Cross. The Baltic, the Black Sea, the Bay of Biscay, are all now brought into immediate contact with each other. A word may be shot by lightning from the Gulf of Venice to the Irish Sea. Holland has now been brought, as it were, into the human family ; and Amsterdam, Haarlem, the Hague, Leyden, Kotterdain, and Breda, are but as links in the great chain of European confra- ternity. ELECTRIC PRINTING TELEGRAPH. Mr. J. Brett has invented an Electric Printing Telegraph, which consists of two parts, called the communicator, or key- board, and the printing machine ; the former is supposed to be at the station from which intelligence is to be transmitted, and the latter, the place to which it is to be sent. The machinery is propelled chiefly by the power of weights, or by ordinary clock- springs. The motion of the printing-machine is regulated by ths galvanic current, by means of an escapement, and which requires much less power than is necessary to impel the machinery ; thus both the advantage of the instantaneous action of the current, and the greater power of the weights, combine to accomplish the work for which this machine is designed. By the use of Mr. Brett's Telegraph, communications are made in any language, and printed upon paper with considerable rapidity and precision ; the paper and ink are self-supplying, and sufficient may be placed in the apparatus of both to last for some time. It is cal- culated that the letters may be printed at a greater speed than a well-practised person could write them, and that a clerk, after some experience, might manipulate upon the finger key-board upwards of 150 letters per minute. DOMESTIC TELEGRAPH. The mechanical Domestic Telegraph consists of an arrange- ment of tubes, formed of gutta percha, and supplied with metallic and other mouth pieces, to which a whistle is attached. By blow- ing into the tube, the whistle is sounded in a remote apartment, and the message can then be delivered with scarcely any elevation of the voice through the tube, which transmits sound in a remark- able manner. Mr. Whishaw of John Street, Adelphi, contribute. I a Telekouphonon, or Speaking Telegraph, to the Great Exhibi- tion. (See Official Descriptive Catalogue, vol. i. p. 454.) Mr. BurJett of Clapham, has also invented another Domestic Tele- THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM,' 61 graph, requiring only one bell for any number of rooms. All the rooms being numbered, wires are brought to corresponding num- bers on this machine, so that, when the wire of any room is agitated, the bell will ring, and the indicator will point out the number of the room on the dial where attention is required. TELESCOPES. The precise period of the invention of the Telescope is unkno^ Roger Bacon, before the end of the thirteenth century, had :nown. no doubt conceived the instrument, though there is no proof that his conception was carried into practice. About 1590, two Dutch opticians, Zachariah Jans (or Jansen,) and Hans Lapprey, con- structed Telescopes. The first on record, however, who appears to have carried his theoretical notions into effect, is Leonard Digges, as we learn from the second edition of his Pantometria, published by his son in 1591. It was while Galileo was living at Venice, A. D. 1609, that he heard of its discovery, and imme- diately applied himself to make such improvements, so as to render this instrument available for the purposes of astronomy. In 1655, Huygens, in conjunction with his brother Constantine, applied himself to the manufacture of this noble instrument. Since his time, improvements have been made in it by James Gregory, Sir Isaac Newton, Dr. Hooke, Herschel, and the Earl of Rosse. HOROSCOPE. This word, in astrology, is the degree or point of the heavens rising above the eastern point of the horizon at any given time, when a prediction is to be made of a future event, as, the fortune of a person then born, the success of a design then laid, the weather, and so on. The word is composed of i^a, hour, and CTXETT TOfA.a.1, I consider. Such was at one time the infatu- ation concerning horoscopes, that Albertus Magnus, Cardan, and others, are said to have had the temerity to draw that of Jesus Christ. HOROSCOPE is also used for a scheme or figure of the twelve houses or signs of the Zodiac, in which is marked the disposition of the heavens for any given time. Thus we say, to draw a horoscope, to construct a horoscope, and the like. Calculating a, nativity, is when the life and fortune of a person are the subject of the prediction. SPECTACLES. Dr. Johnson expressed his surprise that the inventor of spec- tacles was regarded with indifference, and had found no biogra- pher to celebrate his deeds. Most authorities give the latter 62 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. part of the thirteenth century as the period of their invention, popular opinion has pronounced in favour of Alexander de Spina, a native of Piaa, who died in the year 1313. In the Italian Dic- tionary, Delia Crusca, under the head of " Occhiale," or Spectacles, it is stated that Friar Jordan de Rivalto tells his audience, in a sermon published in 1305, that " it is not twenty years since the art of making spectacles was found out, and is indeed one of the best and most necessary inventions in the world." This would place the invention in the year 1 285. On the other hand, Dominic Maria Manni, an eminent Italian writer, attributes the invention to Sal vino Armati, who flourished about 1345 (See his Treatise, Degli Occhiali da JVaso, inventati da Salvino Armati, 4to. 1738.) On the authority of various passages in the writings of Friar Bacon, Mr. Molyneux is of opinion that he was acquainted with the use of spectacles ; and when Bacon (Opus Majus) says, that " this instrument (a plano-convex glass, or large segment of a sphere) is useful to old men, and to those who have weak eyes ; for they may see the smallest letters sufficiently magnified," we may conclude that the particular way of assisting decayed sight was known to him. It is quite certain that they were known and used about the time of liis death, A.D. 1292. TIME MEASURE BAROMETER Was introduced by Scipio Nasica, 159 ; King Alfred's time- keeper was six large wax tapers, each 12 inches long; as they burnt unequally, owing to the wind, he invented a lanthorn, made of wood, and then scraped plates of ox-horns, glass being a great rarity, (887.) The ancients had three sorts of time measures; hour glasses, sun dials, and a vessel full of water with a hole in its bottom. SAILING COACHES. We have heard much of propelling coaches by steam, but it appears from the following article, that sailing coaches, or coaches propelled along by the wind, were known to our neighbours long ago. They were invented by Simon Sterinius, a Fleming. " Purposing to visit Grotius (saith Gassendus,) Peireskius went to Scheveling, that he might satisfy himself of the carriage and swiftness of a coach, a few years before invented, and made up with that artifice, that with expanded sails it would fly upon the shore as a ship upon the sea. He had formerly heard that Count Maurice, a little after his victory at Newport, had put himself thereinto, together with Francis Mendoza, his prisoner, on pur- pose to make trial thereof; and that within two hours they arrived at Putten, which is distant from Scheveling fourteen leagues, or two and forty miles. He had, therefore, a mind to make the experiment of it himself, and he would often tell us THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 63 with what admiration he was seized, when he wns carried with a quick wind, and yet perceived it not, the coach's motion being equally quick." STEAM ENGINES. "We have often heard of the utility of steam being derived from its effect on the lid of the tea-kettle ; be that as it may, it was first employed to produce motion by Brancas, a philosopher at Eome, about the year 1628. But the first real steam engine for raising water, is described in a small pamphlet, published in the reign of Charles the Second, in the year 1663, entitled, " A Century of the Names and Scantlings of the Marquis of Wor- cester's Inventions, written in the year 1655." No use was made of this invaluable hint until Captain Savary, in 1698, obtained a patent for an engine which operated both by the expansive and condensive force of steam, to be employed in drawing mines, serving towns with water, and for working all sorts of mills. Thomas Newcomen, ironmonger, and John Cowley, glazier, of Dartmouth, obtained a patent in 1 705 for improvements made in the steam engine, and in which Captain Savary was admitted to participate. But it was reserved for James Watt, a mathematical instrument maker at Glasgow, to bring the steam engine to perfection. He obtained a patent for his great invention of per- forming condensation in a separate vessel from the cylinder. Many inventions have, since that time, been made by him for effecting a saving and better application of steam. Watt often acknowledged, that his first ideas on this subject were acquired by his attendance on Dr. Black's Chemical Lectures, and from his consideration of latent heat, and the expansibility of steam. The name of George Dodd deserves a prominent place in the history of steam engines, as being the first to undertake a con- siderable voyage by sea in a steam vessel. The boat was built on the Clyde by Messrs. Wood, and was launched in 1813, under the name of the Glasgow, but subsequently called the Thames. HORSE'S POWER. This term, used as the name of a measure of power, is an ex- pression which had its origin in convenience. In its first appli- cation no great nicety was necessary ; but as the value of mechanical power became better understood, an exact measure, nearly coinciding with the power of a horse, and uniformity in the practice of engineers, became desirable. Mr. Watt has fixed the elementary horse power at l,920,0001b. raised one foot per hour, or 32,0001b. raised one foot per minute, or 533 raised one foot per second. Mr. Watt further assigned a proportion for the low-pressure steam engine, equivalent to a horse's power, which is 55 times the square of the diameter of the cylinder, in inches, 64 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. multiplied by the velocity of the piston, six feet per minute, and the product divided by 32,000, the result is the number of horse's power. The advantage of steam power is apparent ; the horse can work at that rate only eight hours ; the engine may be kept at work as long as wanted. WINNOWING MACHINES. These very useful machines were a Chinese invention, brought to Europe by the Dutch, and first made in Scotland by Eodgers, near Hawick, in 1733, from whence they were soon after brought into Northumberland, where they were first used in England. SPINNING JENNIES. The Spinning Jenny, to which this country owes so much of its commercial greatness, was originally invented by Hargreaves in 1767, but ultimately improved by Richard Arkwright, a bar- ber, but who afterwards became an eminent manufacturer, and ultimately Sir Richard Arkwright, Bart. The term Jenny, was derived from his wife, whose name was Jane, but whom he used to address by the familiar name of Jenny ; thinking, no doubt, as the latter had been very prolific (which was the case), that his new invention would be equally so, under a similar appellation. The result justified such a con- clusion. AIR BALLOONS. As balloon ascensions seem quite the rage, it may not be amiss to state, that Mr. Lunardi accompanied by a cat, a dog, and a pigeon, ascended in one from the Artillery Ground, Moorfields (the first attempt of the kind in England), September 15, 1784. For some account of the recent improvements in aerial machines, see the Reports of the Juries of the Great Exhibition, p. 309. LANTHORNS "Were first used in England by king Alfred, in 890, as is noticed in Asser's Life of Alfred. See also John xviii. 3. DIORAMA., PANORAMA, &c. Diorama is from the Greek, and means to " see through," and is a mode of painting and scenic exhibition of recent invention by two French artists, Daguerre and Bouton. It possesses some advantages over the Panorama, in being equally suitable for architectural and interior views as for landscape. The Panorama is neither more nor less than a large picture, the Diorama is a transparency, and the Cosmorama and Poecilorama THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 65 a couple of galanta shows for grown up ladies and gentlemen. The Diorama in the Regent's Park, London, was first opened in 1823, and was erected after the plans of Messrs. Morgan and Pugin. The Diorama at Berlin, executed by Carl Gropius, an eminent scene painter, is somewhat on the same plan. KALEIDOSCOPE. This ever-varying optical instrument derives its name from xxo? beautiful, aiL? a form, and a-xoireto to see. The novelty was so enchanting, that opticians could not manufacture kaleidoscopes fast enough to meet the universal desire for seeing the delightful and ever-varying combinations presented by each turn of the magical cylinder. It was invented by Dr. Brewster, to whom, had its exclusive formation been ensured, it must have produced a handsome fortune in a single year. Unhappily, that gentleman was deprived of his just reward by fraudful anticipation. WATER CARRIAGE. Floats, or rafts, are believed by most authors to have been the first kind of water carriage. To these succeeded canoes, made of one large tree excavated, to secure its freight from being wetted or washed away. " Then first on seas the hollow alder swam." As uncultivated natives wanted proper tools for sawing large trees into planks, the most ancient vessels or boats in several countries were made of osiers, and the flexible branches of trees interwoven as close as possible, and covered with skins. The sea which flows between Britain and Ireland, says Csesar, is so unquiet and stormy, that it is only navigable in summer, when the people of these countries pass and repass it in small boats made of wattles, and covered carefully with the hides of oxen. SHIPS OF WAR. The art of ship-building was first invented by the Egyptians ; the first ship (probably a galley) being brought from Egypt by Darius, 1485 B.C. The first ship of 800 tons was built in Eng- land, 1509. The first double-decked one built in England was of 1000 tons burthen, by order of Henry VII. : she had three masts, carried 80 guns, measured 138 feet in length and 36 in breadth ; it cost 14,000, and was called the Grsat Harry. Down to the year 1545, the " Great Harry" was the only ship of that description in the British Fleet. She was accidentally burnt at Woolwich in her sixty-fifth year ; before this, 24 gun-ships were the largest in our navy. Port-holes, and other improvements, were first F 66 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. invented by Descharges, a French builder at Brest, in the reign BASKETS. Baskets were first made by the ancient Britons, who exported vast quantities of them. Julius Caesar particularly alludes to them in his Commentaries. MARINER'S COMPASS. The Mariner's Compass was invented by Flavio Gioia, or Goya, a Neapolitan, and from which period we may date the general intercourse among nations. It was discovered early in the fourteenth century. FLEUR-DE-LIS ON THE MARINER'S COMPASS. Those who have seen the mariner's compass, or indeed a drawing of it, must have observed the fleur-de-lis at the point of the needle. From this circumstance the French have laid claim to the discovery ; but it is much more probable that the figure is an ornamental cross, which originated in the devotion of an ignorant and superstitious age to the mere symbol. BRIDGES. Bridges were originally called Bows. Stow says, at Stratford by Bow is a bridge, the first that was built of stone in England. It was built by orders of queen Matilda, relict of Henry I., over the river Lea, and called Stratford Bow from its arch, which was a piece of architecture then probably new to the British nation. It was built in 1087. It is related that queen Matilda, being closely pursued by her enemies, forded the river Lea below Old Ford, on which occasion, the waters being much out, some of her faVourite attendants were drowned, and which afflicted her so much, that afterwards she caused the bridge above alluded to, to be built over the said place. The oldest bridge now existing in England, is the triangular bridge at Croyland in Lincolnshire, which is said to have been erected about A. D. 860. The oldest suspension bridge is believed to have been the Winch Chain Bridge, suspended over the Tees, supposed to have been erected about 1741. CANALS. The first canal in England, with locks and sluices, was made A.D. 1563, near the city of Exeter. The inventor was John Trew of Glamorgan. In 1755, an act was passed for constructing one eleven miles long from the mouth of Sankey Brook, in the river THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 67 Mersey, to Gerard's Bridge and St. Helens. The aggregate length of the navigable canals of England exceeds 2,200 miles. FISHING WITH NETS IN ENGLAND. The means of supplying life with necessaries, was but imper- fectly known and cultivated. The poor pagans of Sussex, though starving for want of food, knew not how to catch any fish except eels, until Bishop Wilfred (who in 678 took shelter in that dis- trict) instructed them in the use of nets. He took 300 at a draught, and thus, supplying the bodily wants of his catechumens, rendered their minds tractable to his doctrines, and easily accomplished their conversion. GUNPOWDER. Gunpowder was known in the Eastern world long before its discovery took place in Europe. It is a curious fact, that upon our discovery of China we found that nation possessed of gun- powder, a composition which could not have been made without a considerable knowledge of chemistry. Tt has been said that it was used in China as early as the year 85, and that the know- ledge of it was conveyed to us from the Arabs, on the return of the Crusaders to Europe ; that the Arabs made use of it at the siege of Mecca in 690 ; and that they derived it from the Indians. The discovery of the manufacture of this death-dealing combus- tible in Europe, is by some attributed to Berthold Schwartz, a German chemist and monk, who, happening to triturate some sulphur, nitre, and charcoal, in a mortar, was surprised and alarmed at an unexpected explosion, which blew off the head of his mor- tar to a considerable distance. The probability however is, that this was a second discovery of the same thing, for the first inti- mation that was given of it was considerably before, by that great philosopher, Eoger Bacon, in his posthumous treatise, entitled, De Nulliate Magice, published in 1316. " You may," says he, " raise thunder and lightning at pleasure, by only taking sulphur, nitre, and charcoal, which singly have no effect, but mixed together, and confined in a close place, cause a noise and explosion greater than a clap of thunder." Gunpowder was first made use of in warfare, in Europe, by the English at the battle of Cressy, in the year 1345, when, for the first time, three pieces of field ordnance, or cannon,* were fii-st used. It was afterwards used by the Venetians at the siege of Genoa, and from that period was adopted by every power in Europe. It consists of a very intimate mixture of nitre, or nitrate of potash, charcoal, and sulphur : the proportions are 75 nitre, 15 charcoal, and 10 sulphur. * The first cannons were made of trees bored, and bound with iron hoops, Stone balls were used till the reign of Henry VIII. 68 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Before the introduction of gunpowder, however, an highly in- flammable compound called Greek fire was in use; and this, having the property of burning under water, could not easily be extinguished ; consequently, it did surprising execution. In the 12th century, the emperors of Constantinople used to send quan- tities of this dreadful combustible to princes in friendship with them, as the most valuable present they could give them, and the greatest mark of their favour. It was considered so important an article of offence, that the use of it was continued long after the introduction of gunpowder. CANNONS. Cannons were first used at the battle of Cressy, in the year 1345 ; they were, however, of a small kind. Great guns were first used in England at the siege of Berwick, in 1405. Muskets were not invented till the year 1521. Cannons were first made of wood, bound with iron. The earliest cannon-balls were of stone. Brass cannons first cast in England by John Owen, 1535. Iron cannons first cast, 1543, in Sussex. BOMBS. Bombs were first invented in 1388, by a man at Yenlo. Some attribute them to Galen, bishop of Munster. They were first thrown upon the town of Watchtendonck, in Guelderland, in the year 1580. CHAIN SHOT. This destructive missile was invented by De Wit in the year 1666, and was first used by the Dutch on the 1st of June the same year, when the Dutch fleet engaged the Duke of Albemarle's squadron in the Downs ; it was a drawn battle. CONGREVE ROCKETS. The death-dealing rockets thus denominated, receive their name from General Sir W. Congreve, the inventor of them. GUILLOTINE. The guillotine takes its name from one Dr. Guillotin, who first introduced it into France, where it was adopted as an instrument for inflicting capital punishment by a Decree of the 20th of March, 1792. It is an instrument for beheading, constructed on the same principle as the guillotine that was anciently used in Scotland, and was called a MAIDEN ; it was introduced by the Regent, James Earl of Morton, who, it seems, had met with it in his travels, and who, by a singular coincidence, was the first person whose head it severed. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 69 " This mighty Earl (Morton), for the pleasure of the place, and the salubrity of the air, designed here a noble recess and retire- ment from worldly business, but was prevented by his unfortu- nate and inexorable death, three years after, anno 1581, being accused, condemned, and executed by the MAIDEN, at the Cross of Edinbro', as art and part of the murder of King Henry, Earl of Darnley, father of James VI., which fatal instrument, at least the pattern thereof, . the cruel Regent had brought from abroad to behead the Laird of Pennecuik of that ilk, who notwithstanding died in his bed, and the Earl was the first that handselled this unfortunate Maiden." Pennecuik Dusc. Tweedal. LION'S HEAD FOUNTAINS. Fountains are not so prevalent now as they were wont to be. Formerly almost every leading street in London, and almost every town in the country, had its conduit or fountain, from whence " the grateful fluid fell." They were generally adorned with the lion's head, which the ancients introduced, because the inundation of the Nile happened during the progress of the sun in Leo. BASTINADO. Tarquin the Proud invented, says St. Isidore, the bastinado and other punishments, and, adds he, he deserved exile. Bastinado, or more correctly, Bastouata, is derived from the Italian bastone, a stick, bastonare, to beat with a stick. It is called bamboo in China, and knout in Russia. THE TREAD MILL. A recent invention for giving useful employment to persons imprisoned for crime. Its usual form, is that of a cylindrical wheel, of about 5feet diameter and 16feet long. The circumference is furnished with 24 equidistant steps, on which the prisoners are made to work on the mill. All mounting the first step together, their weight sets the wheel in motion, bringing down the step trod upon, when they tread up to the next, which descends in the same manner, and so on producing a continuous rotatory motion, which may be applied as the moving force in turning any sort of machinery. SUN-DIAL. "Why has it, says Elia, almost every where vanished ? If its business use be superseded by more elaborate inventions, its moral uses, its beauty, might have pleaded for its continuance. It spoke 70 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. of moderate labours, of pleasures not protracted after, sunset, of temperance, and good hours. It was the primitive clock, the horologe of the first world. Adam could scarce have missed it in Paradise. It was the measure appropriate for sweet plants and flowers to spring by ; for the birds to apportion their silver warblings by ; for flocks to pasture and be led to fold by. The shepherd carved it out quaintly in the sun, and, turning philoso- pher by the very occupation, provided it with mottoes more touching than tombstones. The first sun-dial is said to have been set up at Rome by L. Papirius Cursor, A.U. 447 (B.C. 301), and the next near the rostra, by M. Valerius Mesela, the consul, who brought it from Catania in Sicily, in the first Punic war, A.U. 481. ScipioNasica first measured time at Rome by water, or clepsydrse, which served by night as well as by day, A.U. 595. CLOCKS, WATCHES, &c. Clock-making was brought into this country from the Nether- lands. About the year 1368, that patriotic and wise prince, Edward the Third, invited over to this country John Uninam, "William Uninam, and John Lutuyt, of Delft, and granted them his royal protection to exercise their trade of clock-making in any part of his kingdom, without molestation. Rymer's - Feeder a,^ vol. vi. p. 590. Pocket watches were first brought to England from Germany .in 1577 ; and the manufacture of them commenced a few years afterwards. According to Eginhard, secretary to Charlemagne, the first clock seen in Europe was sent to his master by Abdalla, king of Persia. A geographical clock, showing the difference "of mean time in all the capitals of Europe, from a design by B. di Ber- nardis, was contributed to the Great Exhibition ; see Official and Descriptive Catalogue, vol. iii. p. 1015. ELECTRICAL CLOCKS. A most successful experiment was made at the Great Exhi bi- tion in 1851, of workingthree large dials by electricity, not merely as a means of connection with one large clock driven by a weight in the usual way, but by using electricity as the motive power. The following extract from a letter from Mr. Finlaison, of Loughton Hall, appeared in the Polytechnic Review : " Mr. Bain has succeeded to admiration in working electric clocks by the currents of the earth. He set up a small clock in my drawing- room, the pendulum of which is in the hall, and both instruments in a voltaic circuit as follows : On the N.E. side of my house two zinc plates, a foot square, are sunk in a hole, and suspended THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 71 to a wire : this is passed through the house, to the pendulum first, and then to the clock. On the S.E. side of the house, at a distance of about forty yards, a hole was dug four feet deep, and two sacks of common coke buried in it : among the coke another wire was secured, and passed in at the drawing-room window and joined to the former wire at the clock. The ball of the pen- dulum weighs nine pounds, but it was moved energetically, and has ever since continued to do so with the self-same energy. The time is to perfection, and the cost of the motive power was only 7s. 6d. There are but three little wheels in the clock, and neither weights nor springs ; so there is nothing to be wound up." BELLS. Bells of a small size are undoubtedly very ancient. Small gold bells are mentioned in Exodus as ornaments worn upon the hem of the High Priest's robe. The large bells now used in Churches, are said to have been invented by Paulinus, bishop of Nola in Campania, about the year 400. They were probably in- troduced into England very soon after their invention, and are first mentioned by Bede about the close of the seventh century. Such bells were consecrated, and often received the names of persons. The great bell cast in 1845 for York Minster, the heaviest in the United Kingdom, weighs upwards of 12 tons, or about 27,000 Ibs. MANUFACTURE OF TIN-PLATE. Formerly, says Parkes in his Chemical Essays, none of the English workers in iron or tin had any knowledge whatever of the methods by which this useful article could be produced ; our ancestors, from time immemorial, having supplied themselves with it from Bohemia and Saxony. The establishment of this manufacture in those districts, was doubtless owing to their vicinity to the tin mines in the circle of Ersgebirge, which, next to those of Cornwall, are the largest in Europe. The ore which is found there is not the tin pyrites, but the mineral called tin stone. From the time of the invention of tin-plate to the end of the seventeenth century, not only England, but also the whole of Europe, depended upon the manufactures of Bohemia and Saxony for their supply. However, about the year 1665, Mr. Andrew Yarranton, encouraged by some persons of property, undertook to go over to Saxony to acquire a knowledge of the art : and on his return, several parcels of tin-plate were made of a superior quality to those which we had been accustomed to import from Saxony ; but owing to some unfortunate and unforeseen circum- stances, which are all detailed by Mr. Yarranton in his very valuable publication, the manufactory was not at that time 72 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. (although some few years after), established in any part of Great Britain. Such was the origin of the tin-plate manufactory in England, where, at this day, it is in greater perfection than in any other country in Europe. - BLEACHING. Flax and hemp were employed in the fabrication of cloth many years ago, and in those early times such cloth was highly es- teemed ; it must therefore, long before that period, have been discovered that these fabrics were improved in colour by ex- posure to the action of the atmosphere. The effect of hot water in whitening brown linen, would also soon arrest the attention of mankind ; and when it became a practice with the early inhabi- tants of Asia to employ certain earths and alkaline plants in the operations of washing and scouring their garments, the whitening, as well as the detersive properties of these vegetables, could not fail to be observed, and, by degrees, would naturally occasion the introduction of regular processes for bleaching ; and that this art was practised very early, is, I think, says Parkes, evident from the great progress which it had made in the beginning of the Christian era. That the ancients had learnt some method of rendering their linen extremely white, may be supposed from many remarks which are interspersed among their writings. Homer speaks of the garments of his countrywomen, in a way that leaves no doubt of their being clothed, occasionally at least, in white vest- ments. " Each gushing fount a marble cistern fills, Whose polish'd bed receives the falling rills, Where Trojan dames, ere yet alarm'd by Greece, Wash'd their fair garments in the days of peace." Modern bleaching, however, originated with the Dutch, whose linens were the most esteemed of any in Europe. CALICO PRINTING. The coat above alluded to was probably of cotton or linen ; at any rate, we are informed, that more than 3000 years ago, a shrewd matron tied a scarlet thread round the hand of one of Tamar's children ;* and Homer, who flourished 900 years B.C., speaks of the variegated cloths of Sidon as very magnificent pro- ductions, f An historian who wrote more than 400 years before the Chris- tian era, when describing the nations which inhabited Caucasus, a mountain extending throughout the regions of Georgia and Armenia, affirms, that by means of vegetables ground and diluted with water, these people adorned their cloth with the figures of * Genesis xxxviii. 8. t Iliad, lib. vi. line 289. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 73 various animals, and that the dyes were permanent which were thus obtained. Strabo, the Greek philosopher, who was contemporary with our Saviour, relates that the Indians wore flowered linens, and that India abounded with drugs, roots, and colouring substances, from which some very beautiful dyes were produced ; and we know that the inhabitants of India used a purple and scarlet dye, resembling cochineal in colour, and in the manner of its production. Tyre, and other parts of Syria, have long been famed also for using purple and scarlet dye. The Tyrian dye has been noticed in song, poetry, and prose ; and the late Lord Erskine wittily alludes to it in his epigram, on the Sergeants of the Common. Pleas : " Their purple garments come from Tyre, Their arguments go to it ! " Thus it will appear, that the origin of calico-printing may be traced to the earlier ages, but to whom the invention belongs is lost in the mazes of obscurity. It does not appear that calico-printing was introduced into this country earlier than the reign of Elizabeth, when an act was passed to restrain the use of logwood in dyeing, on account of the fugitive nature of its colour.* SOAP. The first notice we have of soap is by one of the Hebrew pro- phets " Though thou wash thee with nitre and take much sonp, yet thine iniquity is marked before me." Jeremiah ii. 22. The term soap occurs repeatedly in the Old Testament, but Beck- mann has proved, in his Treatise on Soap, that the Hebrew word Borith, which has been rendered soap, rather means alkali. ^Etius, who flourished about the end of the fifth century, and was the first Christian medical writer, speaks of a black soap ; and Paulus ^Egineta, a Greek physician, who lived in the early part of the seventh century, says he^made an extemporaneous soap from oil and the burned dregs of wine. It would be difficult to trace the onward progress of soap-making, step by step ; but it is certain that the boiling of soap flourished in the seventeenth century, from the directions of that date for its preparation. ALUM. The first alum manufactured in England was in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, at Gisborough in Yorkshire, by one Thomas Chaloner, an ancestor of Kobert Chaloner, Esq. * In the time of Elizabeth, the nature of logwood was not understood ; but now it has many important uses, and, when properly employed, is one of the most valuable articles used in dyeing. 74 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. LAWNS, CAMBRICS, AND STARCHING. Shortly after the introduction of coaches, the knowledge and wear of lawns and cambrics were introduced by the Dutch mer- chants, who retailed those articles in ells, yards, &c., for there was not one housekeeper among forty durst buy a whole piece ; and when the queen (Elizabeth) had ruffs made thereof, for her own princely wearing (for until then the kings and queens of England wore fine Holland in ruffs), there was none in England could tell how to starch them ; but the queen made special means for some women that could starch, and Guilham's wife was the first starcher the queen had, and himself was the first coachman. Soon after this, the art of starching was first publicly taught in London by a Flemish woman, called Mistress Dinghen Vander Place ; her usual price for teaching the art itself being four or five pounds, and twenty shillings additional for showing how to seethe the starch. At this period, the making of lawn ruffs was regarded by the populace as so strange and finical, that there- upon rose a general scoff and bywords, "that shortly they would make ruffs of spider'.s web." THE SILK TRADE. The ancients were but little acquainted with the use and manufacture of silk ; they took it for the work of a sort of spider or beetle, who spun it out of its entrails, and wound it with its feet about the little branches of trees. It was in the Isle of Cos that the art of manufacturing it was first invented ; and Pamphila, daughter of Platis, is honoured as the inveiitress. The discovery was not long unknown to the Romans. Silk was brought from Serica, where the worm was a native. They could not believe so fine a thread was the production of a worm it was a scarce commodity among them for many ages ; it was even sold weight for weight with gold, insomuch that Vopiscus tells us, the Em- peror Aurelian, who died A.D. 275, refused the Empress, his wife, a suit of silk, which she solicited of him with much earnestness, merely on account of its dearness ; but at the present period, through the industry and enterprise of man, the produce of this tender worm (which a thoughtless individual would crush beneath his feet), serves to decorate the humble individual as well as the mighty monarch. Heliogabulus is said to be the first person who wore holoseri- cum, i.e., a garment made all of silk. The Greeks of Alexander's army are said to have been the first who brought wrought silk from Persia into Greece, about 323 years before Christ : but its manufacture was confined to Berytus and Tyre, and from thence it was dispersed over the west. At length two monks, coming from the Indies to Constantinople in 555, brought with them great quantities of silkworms, with instructions for the hatching THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 75 of their eggs, rearing, and feeding the worms, &c. Upon this, manufactures were set up at Athens, Thebes, and Corinth. It was brought to France a little before the time of Francis I., who brought it to Touraine. It appears there was a company of silk women in England so early as the year 1455 ; but these were probably employed in needle works of silk and thread. Italy supplied England and all other parts with the broad manufactufe till 1489. In 1620, the broad silk manufacture was introduced into this country ; and in 1661, the company of silk- throwsters employed above 40,000 persons. The revocation of the edict of Nantes, in 1685, contributed in a great degree to promote the silk manufacture in this country, as did also the silk throwing machine, erected at Derby in 1719, which contained 26,586 wheels ; one waller-wheel moved the whole, and in a day and night it worked 318,504,960 yards of organized silk. Within about a century the secret has been found in France of procuring and preparing silk from the webs of spiders. The silk, however, from the spider is both inferior in strength and lustre. WEAVING. The vestments of the early inhabitants of the world discovered neither art nor industry. They made use of such as nature presented, and needed the least preparation. Some nations covered themselves with the bark of trees, others with leaves or bulrushes, rudely interwoven. The skins of animals were also universally used as garments, worn without preparation, and iu the same state as they came from the bodies of the animals.* In process of time recourse was had to the wool of animals,t and this led to the further discovery of the art of uniting the separate parts into one continued thread, by means of the spindle ; and this would consequently lead to the next step, the invention of weaving, which, according to Democritus, who flourished 400 years before Christ, arose from the art of the spider, who guides and manages the threads by the weight of her own body. That the invention of weaving was long prior to the time of Democritus, appears from the sacred writings. J This is evident also from the answer which Abraham gave to the king of Sodom : "I will not," said he, " take from a thread of the woof, even to a shoe latchet, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abraham rich." " Inventress of the woof, fair Lina flings The flying shuttle through the dancing strings, Inlays the broider'd weft with flowery dyes, Quick beat the reeds, the pedals fall and rise ; Slow from the beam the lengths of warp unwind, And dance and nod the massy weights behind." * Lucretius, lib. vi. verse 1011. f Genesis xxxi. 19, and xxxviii. 12, 14. J Ibid xiv. 23. 76 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Chronology informs us, linen was first made in England 1253. " Now began the luxurious to wear linen, but the generality woollen shirts." Table linen very scarce in England, in 1386. A company of linen weavers, however, came over from the Nether- lands in that year, after which it became more abundant. WOOLLEN MANUFACTURE. To the bigotry of Spain, may be attributed the chief cause of our manufacturing greatness. The persecuted artisans came hither in flocks, and set up their looms under Edward VI. The reign of Mary impeded their settlement, her government acting vmcler the influence of Philip II. of Spain, her husband, and the oppressor of the artisans. Elizabeth encouraged their return. But it was to the gibbets and wheels of the duke of Alva, that England is the most indebted. Scared by his inhumanity (his object being to make the authority of Philip as absolute in Flan- ders as in Spain, and to introduce the Inquisition), the Flemish manufacturers fled hither in shoals, and were received with hos- pitality. They repaid this polite kindness, by peopling the decayed streets of Canterbury, Norwich, Sandwich, Colchester, Maidstone, Spitalfields, and many other towns, with many active and industrious weavers, dyers, cloth-workers, linen-makers, silk- throwers, &c. They also taught the making of bays (baize), and other stuffs. It is worthy of remark, also, that from a herd of sheep, tran- sported from the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire, to Castile, in 1464, descended the sheep which produces the fine wool of Spain, so much in repute. The celebrated bishop Blaise invented the art of wool-combing, and thereby greatly improved the cloth manufacture. At Brad- ford, in Yorkshire, the wool-combers, &c., celebrate his nativity by processions with music, dancing, and festivity. WEAVING STOCKINGS. The stocking loom was first invented, about the year 1590, by the Eev. William Lee, of St. John's College, Cambridge. This gentleman being desirous of bringing the machine into general use, and unable to procure any remuneration from the govern- ment of his own country, he went over to Rouen, in Normandy, where some spirited individuals undertook to introduce him to the French minister, who gladly afforded him protection and patronage. He had previously applied to queen Elizabeth ; and it must appear not a little extraordinary, that this monarch should have refused him her support, when it is recollected what patron- age she afforded to Daniel Houghsetter, and to many other foreigners, whom she had invited from different places on the continent of Europe, to instruct her subjects in useful arts, and THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 77 in the establishment of new manufactures. He died, however, in France, before his loom was made there ; and the art was not long since in no part of the world but England. Oliver the Protector made an act, that it should be felony to transport the . engine. This information I took, says Aubrey, from a weaver in Pearpool Lane, in 1656. Elizabeth, in the third year of her reign, received a present of a pair of black silk knit stockings, and from that time never wore cloth hose. DAMASK WEAVING. The name which this art .bears shows the place of its origin, or at least the place where it has been practised in the greatest perfection, viz. the city of Damascus, in Syria ; though M. Feli- bien attributes the perfection of the art to his countryman, Cursinet, who wrought under the reign of king Henry IV. Damaskeening is partly Mosaic work, partly engraving, and partly carving : as Mosaic work, it consists of pieces inlaid ; as engraving, the metal is indented or cut in creux ; and as carving, gold and silver are wrought therein in relievo. PARCHMENT. This article, of so much utility, was invented by Eumenes II. king of Pergamus, B.C. 198, in consequence of the prohibition of the export of papyrus from Egypt, by Ptolemy Epiphanes. The name Pergamena has been thought to prove its invention at that place. It was anciently called membrana, which is the word used in the Greek Testament, 2 Tim. iv. 13. MAPS AND SEA CHARTS Were first brought into England by Bartholomew Columbus, to illustrate his brother's theory respecting a western continent, in 1489. GUTTA PERCHA. Gutta Percha (pronounced pertsha) possesses as great an in- destructibility by means of chemical agents as caoutchouc. It has an intermediate consistence between that of leather and wood ; it is capable of being softened by heat, and of regaining its primitive consistence on cooling. *The Isonandra gutta, belong- ing to the natural order Sapotaceos, is the only tree which yields gutta percha. It grows scarcely any where except in certain parts of the Malayan Archipelago, and up to the present time has been almost exclusively obtained from Singapore. It was first brought into England in the days of Tradescant, and was then call Mazer wood, and subsequently it was brought from China under the name of India rubber. In 1843, Doctors 78 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. D'Almeida and W. Montgomery drew particular attention to it, together with its singular properties, its easy manipulations, and the uses for which the Malays employed it. In 1845 the impor- tation was only 20,600 Ibs ; but in 1848 it had increased to above 3,000,000 Ibs. CHIMNEYS AND CHIMNEY-SWEEPERS. The oldest certain account of chimneys occurs in the year 1347 ; when at Venice a great number were thrown down by an earth- quake. De Gataris says, in his History of Padua, that Francesco de Carraro, Lord of Padua, came to Rome in 1368, and finding no chimneys in the inn where he lodged, because at that time fire used to be kindled in a hole in the middle of the floor, with an aperture in the roof for the escape of the smoke), he caused two chimneys, like those which had been long used at Padua, to be constructed and arched by masons and carpenters r whom he had brought with him. Over these chimneys, the first ever seen in Eome, he affixed his arms to record the event. It is uncertain at what period chimneys were first introduced into England , some have gone so far as to say, that they were known and nsed here as far back as 1300, but they do not sub- stantiate what they write. Holinshed, who wrote in the reign of queen Elizabeth, informs us there were few chimneys, even in capital towns : the fire was laid to the wall, and the smoke issued at the roof, or door, or window. As the general class of houses at that period did not exceed one story high, where the chimney did tower above the house, it was not a very difficult matter to cleanse it : very few chimneys however did, as they terminated with the roof or gable, consequently they were easily kept clean. A long broom, or brush, was first used for the purpose, such as we see in churches and other public buildings, and as the chimneys were built quite straight, it answered the purpose ex- ceedingly well. Of course the party mounted the roof and swept downwards. On the accession of James I. to the English crown, the Scotch fashion of building houses, three and four stories high, was first introduced ; and it was about this period that climbing boys were first employed for the cleansing of chimneys. The little sweepers, however, for the last half century have become objects of particular care with the legislature. Since the Act 4 and 5 Will. IV., no child who is under ten years of age can be apprenticed to a chimney-sweeper. Various methods, too. have recently been projected for cleansing chimneys by mechanical means, of which the most successful was that by Mr. George Smart. The principal parts of the machine are a brush, some hollow tubes which fasten into each other by means of brass sockets, and a cord for connecting the whole together. May Day, is commonly called Chimney-Sweepers' Day. It was THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 79 on this day that their late excellent friend, Mrs. Montague,* entertained them at her house in Portman Square ; she gave them roast beef and plum pudding, and a shilling each, and they danced after their dinner. In London, May Day still remains the great festival of the sweeps, who are frequently accompanied with Jack-in-the-Green, and his usual group of grotesque atten- dants. PRUSSIAN BLUE. This colour was accidentally discovered about the beginning of last century, by a chemist of Berlin, in 1740, who, having succes- sively thrown upon the ground several liquors from his labora- tory, was much surprised to see it suddenly stained with a beautiful blue colour. Recollecting what liquors he had thrown out, and observing the same effects from a similar mixture, he afterwards prepared it for the use of the painters. From the place (Berlin) where it was discovered, being the capital of Prussia, it received the name of Prussian Blue. LAMP BLACK. Lamp Black, or Lamb Black, as it is usually called, is the soot of oil ; it is made by burning a number of lamps in a confined place, from whence no part of the fumes can escape, and the soot formed against the top and sides of the room is swept together and collected. In England it is manufactured at the turpentine houses, from the dregs of the resinous matters prepared there, which are set on fire under a chimney, or other place made for the purpose, lined with sheep-skins,t &c., to receive the soot. GALVANISM. The discovery of the effects of electricity on animals, states the Eloge de Galvani, took place, at the time, from something like accident. The wife of Galvani, at that time Professor of Anatomy in the University of Bologna, being in a declining state of health, employed as a restorative, according to the custom of the country, a soup made of frogs. A number of these animals, ready skinned for the purpose of cooking, were lying, with that comfortable negligence common both to French and Italians (which allows them, without repugnance, to do every thing in every place that is at the moment most convenient), in the professor's laboratory, near an electric machine ; it being probably the intention of the lady to cook them there. While the machine was in action, an attendant happened to touch with the point of the scalpel the * A young Montague -was once kidnapped and sold to a sweep, but afterwards recovered. Ed. f Probably Zamfc-skins, from whence it may have been called lamb-black. 80 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. crural nerve of one of the frogs, that was not far from the prime conductor, when the limbs were thrown into strong con- vulsions. This experiment was performed in the absence of the professor, but it was noticed by the lady, who was much struck by the appearance, and communicated it to her husband. He repeated the experiment, varied it in different ways, and perceived that the convulsions only took place when a spark was drawn from the prime conductor, while the nerve was at the same time touched with a substance which was a conductor of electricity. GAS. The existence and inflammability of coal gas have been known for nearly 200 years. In 1659, Thomas Shirley correctly at- tributed the exhalations from the burning well of Wigan in Lancashire to the Coal beds which lie under that part of the country; and soon after Dr. Clayton, influenced by the rea- soning of Shirley, actually made Coal-gas, and detailed the result of his labours to the Hon. Robert Boyle, who died in 1691. In the year 1733, Sir James Lowther communicated to the Eoyal Society, a curious notice of a spontaneous evolution of gas at a colliery belonging to him near Whitehaven. But the application of gas to the purposes of economical illumina- tion is of much more recent date, and the merit of introducing it is principally due to Mr. Murdoch. In 1792, he first tried it in Cornwall; and in 1798, established an apparatus upon a more extended scale at Boulton and Watt's foundery at Bir- mingham ; and it was there that the first public display of gas- lights was made in 1802, upon the occasion of the rejoicing for peace. These, however, were but imperfect trials, when com- pared with that made in 1805 at Messrs Phillips and Lee's cotton mills at Manchester, and upon the results of which all subsequent procedures, with regard to gas-lighting, have been founded. LIGHT-HOUSES. The most celebrated Light-House of ancient times was that erected about B.C. 283, in the Reign of Ptolomseus Philadel- phus, on the Island of Pharos, opposite to Alexandria. The use of mirrors for reflecting light-houses in England, is of very re- cent date; and, although the idea was not suggested by the falling of an apple, nor the dissection of a frog, it owes its origin to a circumstance almost as trivial, which is as follows : At a meet- ing of a society of mathematicians at Liverpool, one of the members proposed to lay a wager, that he would read a para- graph of a newspaper at ten yards' distance with the light of a ikrthing candle. The wager was laid, and the proposer covered THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 81 ;he inside of a wooden dish with pieces of looking-glass, fastened in with glazier's putty, placed his reflector behind the candle, and won the wage^. One of the company marked this experiment with a philosophic eye. This was Captain Hutchinson, the iockmaster. With him originated those ^Reflecting Light-Houses it Liverpool, which were erected in 1763. ELECTRICITY. The first idea given of Electricity was by two globes of brim- stone, in 1467 ; electric stroke discovered at Leyden, 1746 ; first known it would fire spirits, 1756 ; that of the Aurora Borealis and of lightning, in 1769. ORIGIN OF COAL. Geologists have given great scope to their inventive faculties, in endeavouring to determine the sources and origin of coal ; but every thing tends to show its vegetable origin, and specimens of a regular succession of wood, little changed, and ending with coal, in which all organic traces are lost, have occurred. And even in the most perfect coal some relic is often found, some trace of vegetable texture, some fibrous remain, that clearly announced its ligneous origin. In the leaves that appear in bovey-coal, for instance, resin and extractive matter have been found, and also a substance uniting the properties of resin and bitumen ; and the same substance has been found in the principal coal-field of Staffordshire. Perhaps, therefore, antediluvian timber and peat- bog may have been the parents of our coal-strata ; but then, it will be asked, how has this mighty change been effected ? Is it merely by aqueous agency, a kind of decay and rotting-down of the wood; or has fire been called into action, torrefying the vegetable matter, and the pressure under which it has operated, preventing the escape of volatile matter, caused the formation of bitumen 1 And are those reservoirs of compressed carburetted hydrogen, from which blowers result, to be ascribed to such a mode of formation ! Panoramic Miscellany. On the authority of chronology, this useful and necessary mineral was first discovered near Newcastle, in the year 1234. Another writer says : Those invaluable black diamonds, called Coals, seem to have been known to the ancient Greeks. Theo- phrastus, the scholar of Aristotle, about two thousand years ago, in describing lithanthrax, or the stone coal, says : Those fossil sub- stances that are called coals, and are broken for use, are earthy ; they kindle, however, and burn like wood coals. The primeval Britons were indisputably acquainted with this fuel, which, according to Pennant, they called Glo. The Anglo- 82 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Saxons called it Col; the Dutch, Kole; the Danes, Kul; the Irish, Ougal; and the Cornish, Kolan. > COALS IN LONDON, Stowe says, coals were first used in London in the reign of Ed- ward I., and the smoke was supposed to corrupt the air so much, that he forbade the use of them by proclamation. These procla- mations are noticed in Prynne's Animadversions on the Fourth Part of Sir Edward Coke's Institutes, p. 182, where it is said, that " in the latter part of the reign of Edward I., when brewers, dyers, and other artificers using great fires, began to use sea-coals instead of dry wood and charcoal, in and near the city of London, the prelates, nobles, commons, and other people of the realm, resorting thither to parliaments, and upon other occasions, with the inhabitants of the city, Southwark, Wapping, and East Smithfield, complained thereof twice, one after another, to the king as a public nuisance, corrupting the air with its stink and smoke, to the great prejudice and detriment of their health. Whereupon the king first-prohibited the burning of sea-coal by his proclamation ; which being disobeyed by many for their private lucre, the king upon their second complaint issued a commission of Oyer and Terminer to inquire of all such who burned sea-coals against his proclamation within the city, or parts adjoining to it, and to punish them for their first offence by great fines and ransoms ; and for the second offence to demolish their furnaces, kilns wherein they burnt sea-coals, and to see his proclamation strictly observed for times to come, as the Record of 35 Edw. I. informs us." Charles II., son of Charles the Martyr, king of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, a most gracious prince, commiserating the deplorable state of things, whilst the ruins were yet smoking provided for the comfort of his citizens, and the ornament of his city ; remitted their taxes, and referred the petitions of the magistrates and inhabitants to the parlia- ment ; who immediately passed an act, that public works should be restored to greater beauty, with public money, to be raised by an imposition on coals; that churches, and the cathedral of St. Paul's, should be rebuilt from their foundations, with all magnificence ; that the bridges, gates, and prisons should be new made, the sewers eleansed, the streets made straight and regular, such as were steep levelled, and those too narrow made wider, and markets and shambles removed to separate places. They also enacted, that every house should be built with party walls, and all in front raised of an equal height, and those walls all of square stone, or brick ; and that no man should delay building beyond the space of seven years. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 83 CANDLES. The origin of candles is obscure. Frequent mention is made of them in the Scriptures ; but from the description of the candlestick of gold made by Moses, it is more than probable that the Hebrew expression translated " candle " really means lamp ; for in Leviticus xxiv. 4, the Lord directs that Aaron shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick, and in verse 2 of the same chapter, the fuel used in the lamps is shown to have been olive oil. Wax was employed by the classical ancients for candles, the wick being made of rope and leaves of the papyrus ; and such candles were carried by children at marriages, and were used at funerals. The Emperor Constantine, about the beginning of the fourth century, caused the whole city of Constantinople to be illuminated with lamps and wax-candles on Christmas Eve. That wax-candles were not made in the Saxon period by regular chandlers, as now, appears from the description of King Alfred's device for marking the hours of the day by the consumption of candles, six of which, lighted in succession, burned exactly twenty-four hours. There can be no doubt, however, that the occupation of the wax-chandler existed in England at a very early period, as w T ell for the manufacture of tapers for religious rites, as for the preserving of the bodies of important personages in waxed cloths, which was called cering them. CALLIGRAPHY, OR THE ART OF WRITING. Writing, or the art of Calligraphy, is of uncertain data. Hieroglyphics were the first characters used, and there is little doubt but that we are indebted to the ancient Greeks for those less doubtful characters which we now employ. The English, French, and Italians, are considered to have cultivated this art with more success than other nations. It has, however, been stupidly considered as incompatible with the character of a gentleman to write a good hand. Dr. Parr used to observe, that he unfortunately accustomed himself to write rapidly, but not well, and lamented the con- sequences, as his MSS. were often returned as unintelligible. He concludes his lamentation over his own bad writing, by remind- ing those who deemed Calligraphy an accomplishment unworthy of a scholar and a gentleman, that in the art of writing Mr. Fox was eminently distinguished by the clearness and firmness, Mr. Person by the correctness and elegance, and Sir Wm. Jones by the ease, beauty, and variety of the characters they respectively employed. 84 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE STAGE, ORIGIN OP VARIOUS POPULAR ANTHEMS, PLAYS, SONGS, &c., &c. TRAGEDY. Tragedy, like other arts, was rude and imperfect in its commencement. Among the Greeks, from whom our dramatic entertainments are derived, the origin of this art was no other than the song which was commonly sung at the festival of Bacchus. A goat was the sacrifice offered to that god. After the sacrifice, the priests, and all the company attending, sung hymns in honour of Bacchus ; and from the name of the victim rpayo?, a goat, joined with wSi, a song, undoubtedly arose the word tragedy '. " At first, the tragedy was void of art ; A song where each man danced and sung his part, And of god Bacchus roaring out the praise, Sought a good vintage for their jolly days; Then wine and joy were seen in each man's eyes, And a fat goat was the best singer's prize. Thespis was first, who, all besmear'd with lee, Began this pleasure for posterity ; And with his carted actors, and a song, Amused the people as he pass'd along. Next JEschylus the diff rent persons placed, And with a better mask his players graced ; Upon a theatre his verse express'd, And show'd his hero with a buskin dress'd. Then Sophocles, the genius of the age, Increased the pornp and beauty of the stage ; Engaged the chorus song in ev'ry part, And polish'd rugged verse by rules of art." Dryden. ORATORIOS. The oratorio commenced with the fathers of the Oratory. In order to draw youth to church, they had hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs, or cantatas, sung either in chorus, or by a single voice. These pieces were divided into two parts, the one per- formed before the sermon, and the other after it. Sacred stories, or events from Scripture, written in verse, and by way of dialogue, were set to music, and the first part being performed, the sermon succeeded, which the people were induced to stay and hear, that they might be present at the performance of the second part. The order has been recently revived in London under the auspices of Father Newman and Mr. Faber. The subjects in early times were the Good Samaritan, the Pro- THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 85 digal Son, Tobit with the Angel, his Father, and his "Wife, and similar histories, which by the excellence of the composition, the band of instruments, and the performance, brought the Oratory into great repute ; hence this species of musical drama obtained the general appellation of Oratorio, The Oratorio was intro- duced into England in 1720, when Handel set " Esther" for the Chapel of the Duke of Chaudos at Camions. This was, in the year 1732, performed by the children of the Chapel Royal at the King's Theatre. For a period of about a century, with few interruptions, Oratorios were performed at one or other of the London theatres on the Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent. Within the last few years they have been performed almost weekly at Exeter Hall. RELIGIOUS PLAYS. Apollinarius, who lived in the time of the emperor Julian, wrote religious odes, and turned particular histories, and portions of the Old and New Testament, into comedies and tragedies, after the manner of Meiiander, Euripides, and Pindar. These were called Mysteries, and were the first dramatic performances. The first dramatic representation in Italy was a spiritual comedy, performed at Padua, in 1243 ; and there was a company instituted at Rome, in 1264, whose chief employment was to represent the sufferings of Christ in Passion Week. The Rev. Mr. Croft, and the Hon. Topham Beauclerc, collected a great number of these Italian Plays or Mysteries ; and at the sale of their libraries, Dr. Burney purchased many of the most ancient, which he speaks of as being evidently much earlier than the discovery of printing, from the gross manner in which the subjects are treated, the coarseness of the dialogue, and the ridiculous situation into which most sacred persons and things are thrown. In 1313, Philip the Fair gave the most sumptuous entertain- ment at Paris ever remembered in that city. Edward II. and his queen Isabella crossed over from England with a large retinue of nobility, and partook of the magnificent festivities. The pomp and profusion of the banquetings, the variety of the amusements, and the splendour of the costume, were unsurpassed. On the occasion, Religious Plays were represented of the Glory of the Blessed, and at other times with the Torments of the Damned, and various other spectacles. The Religious Guild, or fraternity of Corpus Christi, at York, was obligeid annually to perform a Corpus Christi play. But the more eminent performers of mysteries were the Society of Parish Clerks of London. On the 18th, 19th, and 20th of July, 1390, they played Interludes at the Skinners' Well, as the usual place of their performance, before king Richard II., his queen, and their court ; and at the same place, in 1490, they played the Creation of the World. The first trace of theatrical perform- 86 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. ance, however, in this country, is recorded by Matthew Paris, who wrote about 1240, and relates that Geoffrey, a learned Norman, master of the school of the abbey of Dunstable, com- posed the play of St. Catherine, which was acted by his scholars. Geoffrey's performance took place in the year 1110, and he borrowed copes from the sacrist of St. Albans to dress his characters. In the reign of Henry "VII., 1487, that king, in his castle at "Winchester, was entertained on a Sunday, while at dinner, with the performance of Christ's Descent into Hell ; and on the Feast of St. Margaret, in 1511, the miracle play of the Holy Martyr St. George was acted on a stage, in an open field at Bassingborne, in Cambridgeshire, at which were a minstrel and three waits, hired from Cambridge, with a property-man and a painter. Thus, it appears that the earliest dramatic performances were of a religious nature, and that the present drama, as will be seen in another article, takes its data from the 16th century. PUBLIC THEATRES IN ROME. The first public theatre opened in Home, was in 1671 ; and in 1677, the Opera was established in Venice. In 1680, at Padua, the opera of Berenice was performed, in a style which makes all the processions and stage parapharnalia of modern times shrink into insignificance. RISE OF THE DRAMA IN ENGLAND. William Fitzstephen, a monk of Canterbury, who wrote in the reign of Henry II., and died in 1191, in speaking of the perform- ances of the stage, says, " London, instead of common Interludes belonging to the theatre, hath plays of a more holy subject ; re- presentations of those miracles which the holy confessors wrought, or of the sufferings wherein the glorious constancy of the martyrs did appear." In the reign of Edward III., it was ordained by the act of parliament, that the strollers should be whipt and banished out of London, on account of the scandalous masque- rades which they represented. By these masquerades we are to understand, a species of entertainment similar to the performances of the mummers ; of which some remains were to be met with, so late as on Christmas Eve, 1817, in an obscure village in Cum- berland, where there was a numerous party of them. Their drama related to some historical subject, and several of the speeches were in verse, and delivered in good emphasis. The whole concluded with a battle, in which one of the heroes was subdued; but the main character was a jester, who constantly interrupted the heroics with his buffoonery, like the clown in the tragedies of Calderon, the Spanish Shakspeare. The play of Hock THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 87 Tuesday, performed before queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth, was in dumb-show, the actors not having had time to get their parts. It represented, says Dr. Percy, in his Rdiques of Ancient Poetry, after Laneham, the outrage and insupportable insolency of the Danes, the grievous complaint of Huna, king Ethelred's chieftain in wars; his counselling and contriving the plot to dispatch them; concluding with conflicts (between Danish and English warriors), and their final suppression, expressed in actions and rhymes after their manner. One can hardly conceive a more regular model of a complete tragedy. The drama in England, undoubtedly arose much in the same way as it did in Greece. The strollers, or vagrants, with their theatres in the yards of inns, answer to the company and exhibitions of Thespis ; and the improvements were gradual, till at last, to use the words of Sir George Buck, who wrote in 1631, dramatic poesy is so lively expressed and represented upon the public stages and the theatres of this city (London), as Eorne, in the highest pitch of her pomp and glory, never saw it better performed. ANCIENT PLAYHOUSES AND BEAR-GARDENS, v, oxswv, Ai<, Ea>v, n. These words make a complete sentence, and are thus translated into French : "Napoleon, etant le lion des peuples, allait detruisant les cites." Notes and Queries, vol. vii. THE ST. ALBAN'S FAMILY. The first ancestor of the St. Alban's family was the eldest son of king Charles II. by Mrs. Eleanor Gwyn, better recollected under the familiar appellation of Nell Gwyn. He was first created Earl of Burford by his royal sire, and afterwards Duke of St. Alban's, and Grand Falconer of England. DUKE OF LEEDS. The ancestor, who laid the foundation of this noble family, was a young man named Osborne, who served his apprenticeship to Sir William Hewit, lord mayor of London in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Sir William lived on London Bridge, was a pinmaker, and his daughter, during Edward Osborne's apprenticeship, accidentally fell from her father's window into the Thames, and 160 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM.. Osborne plunged after the young lady, and saved her life at the risk of his own. This act much added to the favourable opinion which the master had for the apprentice, and as soon as the latter had served his time, Sir William Hewit said to him, " Osborne, you are a deserving youth, and have faithfully served me for seven years. I am under considerable obligations to you ; you have saved the life of my only daughter at the peril of your own. You have therefore the best claim to her; she is at your service if you choose to accept her in marriage, and the most considerable part of what I am possessed of shall hereafter be yours." Osborne gladly accepted the generous offer, and the eldest son of that marriage was Hewit Osborne, who was knighted by the Earl of Essex, under whom he served in Ireland, for his services in the field. The family soon after became ennobled. Thomas Osborne, the first duke of Leeds, was prouder of the circumstance of his ancestor having acquired wealth and station by his honesty and intrepid spirit, than he was of any of the subsequent services of the family, and once related the circumstance with conscious pride to Charle"s II. WELLINGTON, OR WELLESLEY FAMILY. The family of Wellesley, formerly Wesley, assumed their name from Wells-Leigh, a hamlet near Wells. The Duke of Wellington of Wellington, in the county of Somerset, is Baron Douro of Wells-Leigh; and the Marquess Wellesley sits as an English peer, as Baron Wellesley of " Wells-Leigh, in the county of Somer- set." The late Duke selected the title of Wellington because that town is near the little village of Wensley, which bears a close resemblance in its name to that of Wesley, the old family name, since altered to Wellesley. ORIGIN OF VARIOUS NOBLE FAMILIES. The Marquis Cornwallis is lineally descended from Thomas Cornwallis, merchant, who was sheriff of London, 1378. The house of Wentworth was founded by S. W. Fitzwilliam, who was an alderman of London, and sheriff in 1506; he was a retainer of Cardinal Wolsey, and knighted by Henry VIII. for his attachment to that prelate in misfortune. He built the greater part of the present church of Undershaft. The Earl of Coventry is descended from John Coventry, mercer and lord mayor in the year 1425 ; he was one of the executors of the celebrated Whittiugtou. Laurence de Bouveries married the daughter of a silk-mercer at Frankfort on the Maine, and, settling in England, laid the foundation of the house of Radnor. The ancestor of the Earl of Essex was Sir William Capel, lord mayor of London in 1503. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 161 The ancestor of the Earl of Dartmouth, Thomas Legge, or Legget, a skinner, was twice lord mayor, in 1347 and 1354, and lent King Edward III. no less a sum than 300 for his French war. Sir William Craven, merchant tailor and lord mayor of London, was ancestor to the present Earl Craven, The Earl of Warwick is lineally descended from William Greville, a citizen of London, and " flower of the woolstaplers." Thomas Bennet, mercer, sheriff in 1594, and lord mayor of London 1603, laid the foundation of the fortunes of the Earls of Tankerville, who are lineally descended from him. The ancestor of the Earls of Pomfret was E-ichard Fermour, who, having amassed a splendid fortune as a citizen in Calais, came to England, and suffered attaint under Henry VIII., and djd not recover his property till the 4th of Edward VI. The Earl of Darnley owes the first elevation of his family to John Bligh, a London citizen, who was employed as agent to the speculations in the Irish estates forfeited in the rebellion in 1641. John Cowper, an alderman of Bridge Ward, and sheriff in 1551, was ancestor of Earl Cowper. The Earl of Komney is descended from Thomas Marsham, alderman, who died 1624. Lord Dacres' ancestor, Sir Robert Dacres, was banker to Charles I., and although he lost 80,000 by. that monarch, left a princely fortune to his descendants. Lord Dormer is descended from Sir Michael Dormer, lord mayor in 1541. Viscount Dudley and Ward's ancestor was William Ward, a goldsmith in London, and jeweller to the consort of Charles I. Sir Rowland Hill, who was lord mayor in the reign of Edward VI., was ancestor of Lord Berwick, Lord Hill, and " all the Hills in Shropshire ! " LITERAL SIGNIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL MALE AND FEMALE CHRISTIAN NAMES; WITH THE LANGUAGES FROM WHICH THEY ARE DERIVED. Aaron, Hebrew, a mountain Abel, Heb. vanity Abraham, Heb. father of many Absalom, Heb. father's peace Achilles, Greek, a freer from pain Adam, Heb. red earth Adolphus, Saxon, happiness and help Adrian, Latin, helper Alfege, Sax. always merry Alan, British, swift like a greyhound Albert, Sax. all bright Aldred, Sax. dread" of all Alexander, Gr. a helper of men Alfred, Sax. all peace Alfric, German, all rich Alphonso, Gothic, our help Alwin, Sax. Manning all Ambrose, Gr. immortal Amos, Heb. a burden Andrew, Gr. courageous Andronicus, Gr. a conqueror of men Anselm, Ger. a defender Anthony, Lat. flourishing Apelles, Gr. not black at all Archibald, Ger. a bold observer 162 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM Arnold, Ger. a maintainer of honour Arthur, Brit, a strong man Augustus, or Augustin, Lai. vene- rable, grand Baldwin, Ger. a bold winner Bardulph, Ger. a famous helper Barnaby, Heb. a prophet's son Bartholomew, Heb. the son of him who made the waters to rise Basil, Gr. kindly Beaumont, French, a pretty mount Bede, Sax. prayer Beavis, Fr. fair to look upon Benjamin, Heb. the son of a right hand Bennet, Lai. blessed Bernard, Ger. bear's heart Bertram, Ger. fair, illustrious Blase, Gr. sprouting forth Bonaventure, Italian, good adven- ture Boniface, Lai. a well-doer Brian, Fr. having a thundering voice Cadwallader, Brit, valiant in war Caesar, Lai. adorned with hair Caleb, Heb. a dog Cecil, Lai. dim-sighted Charles, Ger. noble-spirited Christopher, Gr. bearing Christ Clement, Lai. mild-tempered Conrade, Ger. able counsel Constantino, Lai. resolute Crispin, Lai. having curled locks Cuthbert,, Sax. known famously Daniel, Heb. God is judge David, Heb. well beloved. Demetrius, Gr. sprung from the earth Denis, Gr. belonging to the god of wine Dunstan, Sax. most high Edgar, Sax. happy honour Edmund, Sax. happy peace Edward, Sax. happy keeper Edwin, Sax. happy conqueror Egbert, Sax. ever 'bright Eleazer, Heb. the God of help Eldred, Sax. terrible Elijah, Heb. God, the Lord Elisha, Heb. the salvation of God Emmanuel, Heb. God with us Enoch, Heb. instructed or dedicated Ephraim, Heb. fruitful Erasmus, Gr. lovely, worthy to be loved Ernest, Gr. earnest, serious Esau, Heb. completed Ethelbad, Sax. nobly bold Ethelbert, Sax. nobly bright Ethelfred, Sax. noble peace Ethelfred, Sax. noble in counsel Ethelstan, Sax. a noble jewel Ethelwald, Sax. a noble keeper Ethelwold, Sax. a noble governor Evan or Ivon, Brit.ihe same as John Everard, Ger. well reported Eugene, Gr. nobly descended Eusebius, Gr. religious Eustace, Gr. standing firm Ezekiel, Heb. the strength of God Ezra, Heb. a helper Felix, Lai. happy Ferdinand, Ger. pure peace Fortunatus, Lai. happy Francis, Ger. free Frederic, Ger. rich peace Gabriel, Heb. the strength of God Geoffrey, Ger. joyful George, Gr. a husbandman Gerard, Sax. all tovvardliness German, Lai. a near kinsman Gervase, all sure Gideon, Heb. a breaker Gilbert, Sax. bright as gold Giles, Gr. a little goat Godard, Ger. a godly disposition Godfrey, Ger. God's peace Godwin, Ger. victorious in God Griffith, Brit, having great faith Guy, Fr. the mistletoe shrub Hannibal, Punic, a gracious lord Harold, Sax. a champion Hector, Gr. a stout defender Henry, Ger. a rich lord Herbert, Ger. a bright lord Hercules, Gr. the glory of Hera of Juno Hezekiah, Heb. cleaving to the Lord Hilary, Lot. merry, cheerful Horatio, Hal. worthy to be beheld Howel, Brit, sound, or whole Hubert, Ger. a bright colour Hugh, Dutch, high, lofty Humphrey, Ger. domestic peace Jacob, Heb. a supplanter James or Jacques, beguiling Ingram, Ger. of angelic purity Joab, Heb. fatherhood. Job, Heb. sorrowing- Joel, Heb. acquiescing John, Heb. the grace of the Lord Jonah, Heb. a dove Jonathan, Heb. the gift of the Lord Joscelin, Ger. just THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 163 Joseph, Heb. addition Josias, Heb. the fire of the Lord Joshua, Heb. a Saviour Isaac, Heb. laughter Israel, Heb. prevailing with God Judah, Heb. confession Kenard, Sax. of a kind nature Kenelm, Sax. a defence of his kin- dred Lambert, Sax. a fair lamb Lancelot, Spanish, a little lance Laurence, Lot. crowned with laurel Lazarus, Heb. destitute of help Leonard, Ger. like a lion Leopold, Ger. defending the people Lewellin, Brit, like a lion Lewis, Fr. the defender of the people Lionel, Lot. a little lion Lodowic, Sax. the defence of the people Lucius, Lat. shining Luke, Gr. a wood or grove Malachi, Heb. my messenger Mark, Lat. a hammer Marmaduke, Ger. a mighty duke or lord Martin, Lat. martial Matthew, Heb. a gift or present Maurice, Lat. sprung of a Moor Meredith, Brit, the roaring of the sea Michael, Heb. who is like God? Morgan, Brit, a mariner Moses, Heb. drawn out Narcissus, Gr. a daffodil Nathaniel, Heb. the gift of God Neal, Fr. somewhat black Nicholas, Gr. victorious over the people Noel, Fr. belonging to one's nativity Norman, Fr. one born in Normandy Obadiah, Heb. the servant of the Lord Oliver, Lat. an olive Orlando, Ital. counsel for the land Osmund, Sax. house peace Oswald, Sax. ruler of a house Owen, Brit, well descended Patrick, Lat. a nobleman Paul, Lat. small, little Percival, Fr. a place in France Peregrine, Lat. outlandish Peter, Gr. a rock or stone Philemon, Gr. saluting Philip, Gr. a lover of horses Phineas, Heb. of bold countenance Ptolemy, Gr. mighty in war Quintin, Lat. belonging to five Ralph, contracted from Randolph, or Randal or Randulph, Sax. pure help Raymund, Ger. quiet peace Reuben, Heb. the son of vision Reynold, Ger. a lover of purity Richard, Sax. powerful Robert, Ger. famous in counsel Roger, Ger. strong counsel Rowland, Ger. counsel for the land Rufus, Lat. reddish Solomon, Heb. peaceable Samson, Heb. a little son Samuel, Heb. heard by God Saul, Heb. desired Sebastian, Gr. to be reverenced Simeon, Heb. hearing Simon, Heb. obedient Stephen, Gr. a crown or garland Swithin, Sax. very high Thaddeus, Syriac, a breast Theobald, Sax. bold over the people Theodore, Gr. the gift of God Theodosius, Gr. given of God Theophilus, Gr. a lover of God Thomas, Heb. a twin Thurstan, Ger. faithful Timothy, Gr. a fearer of God Toby or Tobias, Heb. the goodness of the Lord Tristram, Lat. sorrowful Valentine. Lat. powerful Vincent, Lat. conquering Vivian, Lat. living Urbane, Lat. courteous Walter, Ger. a wood master Walwin, Ger. a conqueror William, Ger defending many Zaccheus, Syr. innocent Zachary, Heb. remembering the Lord Zebedee, Syr. having an inheritance Zedekiah, Heb. the justice of the Lord. Abigail, Heb. the father's joy Adeline, Ger. a princess Agatha, Gr. good Agnes, Gr. chaste Alethea, Gr. the truth Althea, Gr. hunting Alice, Alicia, Ger. noble Amy, Amelia, Fr. a beloved Anna, Anne, Hannah, Heb. gracious Arabella, Lat. a fair altar 164 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Aureola, Lat. like gold Barbara, LaL foreign or strange Beatrice, Lat. making happy Benedicta, Lat. blessed Bernice, Gr. bringing victory Bertha, Gr. bright or famous Blanche, Fr. fair Bona, Lat. good Bridget, Irish, shining bright Cassandra, Gr. a reformer of men Catharine, Gr. pure or clean Charity, Gr. love, bounty Charlotte, Fr. all noble Caroline, feminine of Carolus, the Latin of Charles, noble-spirited Chloe, Gr. a green herb Christiana, Gr. belonging to Christ Cecilia, Lat. from Cecil Cicely, a corruption of Cecilia Clara, Lat. clear or bright Constance, Lat. constant Damans, Gr. a little wife Deborah, Heb. a bee Diana, Gr. Jupiter's daughter Dorcas, Gr. a wild roe Dorothy, Gr. the gift of God Drusilla, Gr. dewy eyes Dulsabella, Lat. sweet and fair Eadith, Sax. happiness Eleanor, Sax. all fruitful Eliza, Elizabeth, Heb. the oath of God Emily, corrupted from Amelia Emma, Ger. a nurse Esther, Hesther, Heb. secret Eve, Heb. causing life Eunice, Gr. fair victory Eudola, Gr. prospering in the way Frances, Ger. free Gertrude, Ger. all truth Grace, Lat. favour Hagar, Heb. a stranger Helena, Gr. alluring Jane, softened from Joan, or Janne, the feminine of John Janet, Jeannette, little Jane Joyce, Fr. pleasant Isabella, Span, fair Eliza Judith, Heb. praising Julia, Juliana, feminine of Julias Kunigunda, Ger. the king's favour Lettice or Letitia, Lat. joy or glad- ness Lois, Gr. better Lucretia, Lat. a chaste Roman lady Lucy, Lat. feminine of Lucius Lydia, Gr. descended from Lud Mabel, Lat. lovely Magdalene or Maudlin, Syr. mag- nificent Margaret, Ger. a pearl Martha, Heb. bitterness Mary, Heb. bitter Maud or Matilda, Gr. a lady of honour Melicent, Fr. sweet as honey Mercy, English, compassion Mildred, Sax. speaking mild Nest, Brit, the same as Agnes Nicola, Gr. feminine of Nicolas Olympia, Gr. heavenly Orabilis, Lat. to be entreated Parnel, or Petronilla, little Peter Patience, Lat. bearing patiently Paulina, Lat. feminine ofPaulinus Penelope, Gr. a turkey Persis, Gr. a destroying Philadelphia, Gr. brotherly love Philippa, Gr. feminine of Philip Phoebe, Gr. the light of life Phyllis, Gr. a green bough Priscilla, Lat. somewhat old Prudence, Lat. discretion Psyche, Gr. the soul Rachel, Heb. a lamp Rebecca, Heb. fat or plump Rhode, Gr. a rose Rosamund, Sax. rose of peace Rosa, Lat. a rose Rosecleer, Eng. a fair rose Rosabella, Itdl. a fair rose Ruth, Heb. trembling Sabina, Lat. sprung from the Sabinea Salome, Heb. perfect Sapphira, Gr. like a sapphire stone Sarah, Heb. a princess Sibylla, Gr. the counsel of God Sophia, Gr. wisdom Soppronia, Gr. of a sound mind Susan, Susanna, Heb. a lily Tabitha, Syr. a roe Temperance, Lat. moderation Theodosia, Gr. given by God Tryphosa, Gr. delicious Trvphena, Gr. delicate Vida, Erse, feminine of David Ursula, Lat. a female 'bear Walburg, Sax. gracious Winifred, Sax. winning peace Zenobia, Gr. the life of Jupiter THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 165 ANCIENT AND MODERN GAMES, "FIELD SPORTS, AND OTHER AMUSEMENTS. PLAYING CAEDS. Playing cards are said to have been invented in China in the reign of Leun-ho (1120), and were common in 1131. As early as 1463 there were card-makers in this country, the importation of playing cards having been prohibited by Act of Parliament in that year, as injurious to the interests of native manufacturers. Edward Darcy obtained a patent for the manufacture of them at the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who, as well as her sister Mary, was partial to card-playing. The importation of them was prohibited after the 20th July 1615, during the reign of James I., " as the art of making them was then brought to perfection in this country." The Company of Card-makers wss first incorporated by letters patent of Charles I. in 1629. From the Restoration to the reign of Queen Anne, card-playing attained its full tide of popularity throughout England. Ombre was the favourite game for the ladies, and piquet for gentlemen ; clergymen and country squires played whist, and the commoners played at all-fours, put, cribbage, and contraloo. At no othrr time, before or since, was card-playing so prevalent. The good old English landlord used to send a string of hogs' puddings and a pack of cards, as a Christmas gift, to every poor family in the parish. No person is allowed to manufacture playing cards in this country, except in the cities of London, Westminster, and in the city of Dublin in Ireland. Their manufacture is prohibited in Scotland. The duty is upwards of two hundred per cent, on the cost of manufacture, besides the duty on paper, which amounts to about 6d. on a dozen packs. The duty and export aces are printed at Somerset House on paper furnished by the card- makers, who have also to pay .30 for every ace plate. An officer is sent round to the different card-makers with seals, one of which is affixed to each pack required for immediate sale : the amount of duty of Is. per pack must be paid on the 1st of each month. GAME OF WHIST. Playing cards have been termed by the rigid moralist the Devil's Books ! No doubt the misuse of them has been creative of much misery and mischief. As an amusement, however, they have cheered the captive, enlivened the sick-roorn, and have given life and buoyancy to the domestic circle. The Christmas holidays nre plentifully supplied with round games for the diversion of the young, while the old grandmothers are deeply interested in 166 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. the pegs of a cribbage-board by a chimney corner. All-fours belong to the grocer's back parlour; cassino to the drawing- room ; while sober whist is the everyday and every other-body's amusement who understand, or even misunderstand it. This game is of Spanish origin, and was first introduced into this country at the marriage of Philip II. and Mary. The name car- ries with it its own derivation, being a game that requires a strict silence ; for, as its requisite is a nice calculation, and an undis- turbed memory, so the least talking or disturbance distracts the attention, and consequently produces bad play, and to those whose memories are the weakest, the loss of the game. Hence it has been termed whist ; i. e., POPE JOAN. The Pope Joan Board .makes its appearance on Christmas Eve, and continues for some time after to amuse the domestic circle, old and young. But what the origin of the term is, few it is presumed know ; it therefore is here given. Pope Joan was called John VIII. Platina saith, she was of English extraction, but born at Mentz ; who, having disguised herself like a man, travelled with her paramour to Athens, where she made such progress in learning, that coming to Rome, she met with few that could equal her, so that on the death of Pope Leo IV. she was chosen to succeed him ; but being got with child by one of her domestics, her travail came upon her between the Colossian Theatre and St. Clement's, as she was going to the Lateran church, and died upon the place, having sat two years, one month, and four days, and was buried there without any pomp. He owns, that for shame of this the popes decline going through this street to the Lateran ; and that to avoid the like error, when any pope is placed in the Porphyry chair, his genitals are felt by the youngest deacon, through a hole made for that purpose ; but he supposes the reason of that to be, to put him in mind that he is a man, and obnoxious to the necessi- ties of nature; and he calls the seat, Sedes Stercoraria. That Papissa Joanna, however, is merely a fictitious character is now universally acknowledged. Gibbon rejects her history as fabulous ; and she has been annihilated by two learned Pro- testants, Blondel and Bayle. Spanheim and'L'Eufant attempted to save this poor engine of controversy ; and even Mosheim con- descends to cherish some doubts and suspicion of her existence. GAME OF CHESS. The etymology of the word Chess, is, like the origin of the game, somewhat uncertain ; but its whole composition proves its Asiatic origin. In Sanscrit it is called 8chthraRtsh t a word which .THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 167 is believed to indicate the most important and component parts of an eastern army, elephants, infantry, horses, &c. But this name was supplanted by the Persian word Shah (king), which the game has retained, more or less corrupted in all languages. The Italians call it scacchi; the Germans, schachspie, and the French, eckecs, from some of which we may have taken our word check. The pawn, seems to have been evidently so called after the peon, while the rook, though more generally termed a castle, took its name from the Persian rukli, which is the corresponding piece ; and it is remarkable that, in all the languages here enu- merated, the word mat or mate is preserved, and a term is used corresponding with the schahmat of the Persians. BACKGAMMON. Of this game we have no clue to its origin ; at any rate, we can give our readers the derivation of the term. The word is of Welsh origin, from back, little, and cammawn, battle, from which comes Backgammon. ARCHERY. " And thou, peculiar weapon of our land, Graceful, yet sturdy bow." The use of the bow may be traced to the remotest antiquity. The first notice which we find of it is in Genesis (xxi. 20), where it is said that Ishmael became an archer. It was first introduced into England in the reign of Egbert the Saxon, but was not, how- ever, used as a martial weapon until the reign of Edward I. The period at which the long bow had attained its meridian fame, may be fixed in the reign of Henry V., whose archers destroyed the whole French cavalry, clothed in complete steel, with their yard long arrows. At the battle of Flodden-field, likewise, the English archers made sad havoc. As to the amusement, the bow was extremely fashionable in the reign of Henry VIII. ; and Holinshed reports, that the prince shot as well as any of his guard. After the siege of Devizes, in the civil wars, 1647, the bow, as a military weapon, was entirely laid aside. During the reigns of Charles II. and James II., the amusement was con- tinued, and the Artillery Company, originally the Finsbury Archers, then so celebrated, has survived to the present time ; but with the exception of this Company, till within these last fifty years the bow was scarcely known. It derived its name of archery from the bow being, when drawn, in the shape of an arch. MORRIS DANCE. The origin of the dance is uniformly given to the Moors. The fandango of Spain, danced to the present day, is the old Moorish 168 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. or Morris Dance. It is supposed to have been first brought to England in the time of Edward III., when John of Gaunt returned from Spain. FIVES AND FIVES' COURTS. " Tost and retost, the ball incessant flies." A game so called, because when first played, in the reign of Elizabeth, there were five competitors in it; and not, as generally supposed, from the hand, which strikes the ball, consisting of four fingers and a thumb, vulgarly called a " bunch of fives." The place so celebrated in the annals of pugilism, derives its name from the circumstance of its being once equally famed for the game of Fives. GAME OF RACKETS. The French palm-play,* consisted in receiving the ball, and driving it back again with the palm of the hand, similar to our game of Fives. Anciently they played Rackets with their naked hand, then with a glove, which in some instances was lined ; afterwards they bound cords and tendons round their hands, to make the ball rebound more forcibly ; and hence, says St. Foix, the Racket derived its origin. DANCING. " Hail, loveliest art ! thou canst all hearts in snare, And make the fairest still appear more fair, Hence with her sister arts shall dancing claim An equal right to universal fame ; And Isaac's rigadoon shall live as long As Raphael's painting, or as Virgil's song." Jenyns. Dancing, applied to harmonize the motions of the body, to teach an easy gesture, and a graceful attitude, is highly useful, and the poet's numbers have thus been attuned to its eulogy. To trace the origin of dancing would be a difficult task. That it was used by the Jews in their religious rites, there can be no question of ; for we are informed that " David danced before the Lord with all his might, until his linen ephod came off." It passed from the religious ceremonies of the Jews to the Egyptians, and afterwards to the Greeks and Romans, with whom it was a principal part of the worship of their gods. It was afterwards adopted in many Pagan nations ; and Christians ultimately, in Popish countries, celebrated certain festivals, particularly the Sacrament of the Passion of our Lord, with dancing. Socrates learned to dance at an advanced time of life ; it is no wonder, therefore, that such honourable mention is made of dancing by his disciples, Plato and Xenophon. The people of Sparta and Crete went to the attack dancing. On the other hand, Cicero reproaches THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 169 Galbinns, a consiilar man, with having danced. Tiberius expelled the dancers from Rome, and Domitian excluded several members from the senate for having danced ; but the acts of these imperial despots may be considered rather as the suggestions of caprice and folly, than as the dictates of wisdom and virtue. Our ancestors used to keep up the sport till midnight, and it was an indispensable accompaniment of weddings. The monks used to dance in their dormitories. Swords, called Dancing Rapiers, were worn in the dancing-schools ; which schools existed in the Universities in Evelyn's time. In the grand rebellion, a clergyman was charged with having taught, in the pulpit, that we ought to learn to dance, and that if we could not dance we were damned. The London servants in the twelfth century used to dance before their masters' doors. Hawkins notices dancing to a bag- pipe, played by a domestic ; and that no dance tunes are known so early as 1400 ; " Sellenger's Round," to be traced nearly to Henry VIIL, being the oldest. In the most ancient dances, a man and woman danced together, holding each other by the hand or arm ; and a kiss was the established fee of the lady's partner. In the time of Queen Elizabeth, at a solemn dancing, were first the grave measures (as now, minuets), then the corrantoes and golliards; at length to frenchmore, or trenchmore, and the cushion dance, alter which all the company danced, lord and groom, lady and kitchen-maid, without distinction ! Before the reign of Francis I., they danced in France to fife and drum. Coryat notices, that the brother to the Duke of Guise, and his gentle- men, danced corrantoes and lovaltoes in the court of an inn. FANDANGO. This far-famed dance, so peculiar to the South Americans, of which writers have said so much, and which has recently been imported into this country, is intended as a dumb representation of courtship. The music begins at first slow and monotonous, but gradually increases from andante to allegro. The gentleman commences by pursuing the lady quietly and gently, who retreats in the like manner, making short circles, and turning on her heel at each time that her partner approaches, quickening her step and evolutions as the tune of the music increases, until she perceives that he seems inclined to give up the pursuit; repent- ance follows, and the pursuer is in his turn pursued, making similar retreats, and the same circumvolutions that the lady so recently practised ; until at last relenting, he turns to meet her, and they approach each other more closely; and, being appa- rently reconciled, make three or four peculiar stamps with their feet, bow to each other, and retire to their seats literally ex- hausted, amidst the acclamations of the bystanders. 170 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. SKAITING. Skaiting was first introduced into this country from Holland, at an early period, and the Dutch introduced it from Lapland. Skate or Skait, in the German, signifies to glide along a smooth surface. The Dutch are allowed to be the first skaiters in Eu- rope ; the farmers' daughters frequently skaiting on the canals to the market towns with milk, eggs, butter, &c., in baskets on their heads. Fitzstephens, who wrote in the reign of Henry II., thus notices it : " When that great moor which washes Moor- fields at the north wall of the city is frozen over, great companies of young men go to sport upon the ice, and bind to their shoes, bones, as the legs of beasts, and hold stakes in their hands, headed with sharp iron, which sometimes they strike against the ice, and then these men go with speed, as doth a bird in the air, or darts shot from some warlike engine. Sometimes two men set themselves at a distance, and run one against another, as if it were at tilt, with these stakes, wherewith one or both parties are thrown down, not without some hurt to their bodies, and after their fall, by reason of their violent motion, are carried at a good distance one from another. Thus do the young men exercise themselves in counterfeit battles, that they may "bear the brunt more strongly when they come to it in good earnest." Some singular specimens of such bones, used as skaits by the citizens of London, are preserved in the curious museum of Lon- don Antiquities, collected by Mr. C. Roach Smith. BULL-BAITING IN ENGLAND. " In Lincolnshire, where virtuous worth Does raise the minstrelsy, not birth ; Where bulls do choose the boldest king And ruler, o'er the men of string." Hudibras. The first bull-bait held in this country was held at Stamford in Lincolnshire, about the year 1209, and was introduced from the following circumstances: "Earl Warrenare, lord of the town, standing upon the walls of the castle, observed two bulls fighting, until the butchers' dogs interposed and pursued one of them through the town, which sight so pleased his lordship, that he gave the meadow where the fray began to the butchers of the town, to be used as a common after the first grass was mown, on condition that they should find a mad bull the day six weeks be- fore Christmas-day, for the continuance of that sport for ever." BEAR-BAITING. This cruel and unmanly amusement is of African origin, and was introduced into Europe by the Romans. Long, however, as THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 171 "it disgraced the continent, the Romans, to their credit, did not introduce it here ; judging, it is presumed, that our ancestors were of themselves savage enough. The first we read of bear-baiting in England, was in the reign of king John, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, where " thys straynge passtime was introduced by some Italyans for his highness's amusement, wherewith he and his court were highly delyghted." CATS. " E'en now I see, descending from his throne, Thy venerable Cat, O Whittington ! " Cats were brought into England from the island of Cyprus, by some foreign merchants, who came hither for tin. In the old Welsh laws, a kitten from its birth till it could see, was valued at a penny ; when it began to mouse, twopence ; and after it had killed mice, at fourpence, which was the price of a calf ! Wild c:its were kept by our ancient kings for hunting. The officers who had the charge of these cats, seem to have had appointments of equal consequence with the masters of the king's hounds ; they were called catatores. DOGS. The bull-dog was originally from Italy ; the greyhound and the beagle, as well as the fox-hound, are peculiar to Britain. 'This country was once famous for the export of dogs ; they are thus described in a passage of Appian. " There is a kind of dogs of mighty fame For hunting, worthy of a fairer frame, By painted Britons brave in war they're bred, Are beagles call'd, and to the chase are led; Their bodies small, and of so mean a shape, You'd think them curs that under tables gape." The blood-hound was once peculiar to this country, but now is seldom met with save in the West India Islands, particularly St. Domingo and the island of St. Lucia. HAWKING. Hawking, according to Beckmann, was known to the Greeks and Romans ; its origin, in England, cannot be traced till the reign of king Ethelbert, the Saxon monarch, in the year 760, when he wrote to Germany for a brace of falcons. In the reign of James I., Sir James Monson is said to have given a thousand pounds for a cast of hawks. In the reign of Edward III., it was made felony to steal a hawk ; to take its eggs, even in a person's own ground, was punishable with imprisonment for a year and a day, together with a fine at the king's pleasure. In former times, the custom of carrying a hawk on the hand was confined to men of high dis- 172 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. tinction ;* so that it was a saying among the Welsh, " you may know a gentleman by his hawk,t horse, and greyhound." Ev n the ladies in those days were partakers of this gallant sport, and have been represented in sculpture with hawks on their hands. See Bewick's British Birds, vol. i. p. 26. It is recorded that a falcon belonging to a duke of Cleves, flew out of Westphalia into Prussia in one day; and in the county of Norfolk, a hawk has made a flight at a woodcock near thirty miles in an hour. Some of the larger kind have been taught to fly at the wild boar and the wolf. With this view, they should be accustomed to feed, when young, from out of the sockets of the eyes of a wolf or boar's head, the whole skin of the animal being stuffed, so as to make it appear alive. While the bird is feeding, the falconer begins to move the figure gradually, in consequence of which, the bird learns to fasten itself so as to stand firm, notwithstanding the precipitate motions which are gradually given to the stuffed ani- mal; he would lose his meat if he quitted his hold, and therefore he takes care to secure himself. When these first exercises are finished, the skin is placed on a cart, drawn by a horse at full speed ; the bird follows it, and is particularly eager in feeding ; and then, when they come to fly him in the field, he never fails to dart on the first beast of the kind he discovers, and begins to scoop out the eyes. This puts the animal to such distress,, that the hunters have time to approach and dispatch it with their spears. This species of inhuman education would be more honoured in the breach than the observance. The grand seignor usually keeps 6,000 falconers in his service. The French king had a grand falconer. The duke of St. Alban's is hereditary Grand Falconer of Eng- land. St. Alban's seems to have been a favourite place for hawk- ing. Shakspeare says, " Ride unto St. Alban's, Where the king and queen do mean to hawk." And at this place was printed, by Caxton, a Treatise on Hunt- ing, Hawking, and Heraldry. Strutt, in his Sports and Pastimes, mentions an historical fact, related by Hall, who informs us that Henry VIII., pursuing his hawk on foot, at Kitchen, in Hert- fordshire, attempted, with the assistance of his pole, to jump over a ditch that was half full of muddy water ; the pole broke, and the king fell with his head into the mud, where he would have been stifled, had not a footman, named John Moody, who was near at hand, and seeing the accident, leaped into the ditch, and released his majesty from his perilous situation ; " and so," says the honest historian, " God in hys goodnesse preserved him." * See Origin of St. Alban's family. f " It can be no more disgrace to a great lord to draw a fair picture, than to cut his hawk's meat." Peacham. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 173 SWANS. Swans were first brought into England by Richard I., from Cyprus. It is a bird that has ever been held in great esteem in England, and by an act of Edward IV., none except the son of a king was permitted to keep one, unless possessed of five marks a year ; and by a subsequent act, taking their eggs, in like manner as those of the hawk, was punished with imprisonment for a year and a day, and a fine at the king's will. In Coke's Reports, part 7th, in the case of swans, it is re- marked, " that he who stealeth a swan in an open and common river, lawfully marked, the same swan shall be hung in a house by the beak, and he who stole it shall, in recompence thereof, give to the owner so much wheat as may cover all the swan, by putting and turning the wheat upon the head of the swan, until the head of the swan be covered with wheat." Black swans, it is ascertained, are any thing but uncommon at the Cape of Good Hope, and indeed may now be met with in various parts of England ; so that the proverb, " a black swan is a rare bird on the earth," is no longer applicable. In the Thames at present, the greatest number of Swans belong to the Queen, and the Companies of Vintners and Dyers own the next largest proportion ; but the birds are far less numerous than they used to be. The swan marks are made upon the upper mandible with a knife or other sharp instrument. The swan- hopping or upping, that is, the catching and taking up the swana to mark the cygnets, and renew that on the old birds if obliterated, in the presence of the Royal swans' herdsman, is still continued by the Companies above mentioned. GAMING. This vice is coeval with amusement, for, however tAfling the stake, when the passions become excited, it has no bounds. Pernicious gambling may be said to have been introduced into England with cock-fighting, a notice of which follows this. To discharge their gambling debts, the Siamese sell their possessions, their families, and at length themselves. The Chinese play night and day, till they have lost all they are worth, and then they usually go and hang themselves. Such is the propensity of the Japanese for high play, that they were compelled to make a law, that whoever ventures his money at play shall be put to death. In the islands of the Pacific Ocean they venture even their hatchets, which they hold as invaluable acquisitions, on running matches. " We saw a man," as Cook writes in his last voyage, " beating his breast, and tearing his hair, in the violence of rage, for having lost three hatchets at one of these races, and which he 174 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. had purchased with nearly half his property." A strong spirit of play characterises a Malayan. After having resigned every thing to the good fortune of the winner, he is reduced to a horrid state of desperation ; he then loosens a certain lock of hair, which indicates war and destruction to all the raving gamester meets. He intoxicates himself Math opium, and, working himself up to a lit of frenzy, he bites and kills all that comes in his way. But, as soon as ever this lock is seen flowing, it is lawful to fire at the person, and to destroy him as fast as possible. It is this which our sailors call " to run a muck." Thus Dryden writes : *' Frontless, and satire-proof, he scours the streets, And runs an Indian Muck at all he meets." The ancient nations were not less addicted to gaming. To notice the more modern ones were a melancholy task : there is hardly a family in Europe who cannot record, from their own domestic annals, the dreadful prevalence of this unfortunate passion. Affection has felt the keenest lacerations, and genius been irrecoverably lost, by a wanton sport, which dooms to destruction the hope of families, and consumes the heart of the gamester with corrosive agony. " Accept this advice, you who sit down to play, The best throw of the dice, is to throw them away." COCK-FIGHTING. Cock-fighting, as a sport, was derived from the Athenians, on the following occasion. "When Themistocles was marching his army against the Persians, he, by the way, espying two cocks fighting, caused his army to stop, and addressed them as follows. " Behold, these do not fight for their household gods, for the monuments of their ancestors, nor for glory, nor for liberty, nor for the safety of their children, but only because the one will not give way to the other." This so encouraged the Grecians, that they fought strenuously, and obtained the victory over the Persians; upon which, cock-fighting was, by a particular law, ordained to be annually celebrated by the Athenians. Caesar mentions the English cocks in his Commentaries ; but the earliest notice of cock-fighting in England is by Fitzstephens, who died 1191. He mentions this as one of the amusements of the Londoners, together with the game of foot-ball. An ingenious writer says " Cock-fighting is a despicable amusement, and plainly open to all the objections against boxing, without having any thing to say for itself. Cruelty and cowardice notoriously go together. In cock-fighting they are both at their height. If any body means to be convinced, let him look at Hogarth's picture of it, and the faces concerned. Would the gambler in that picture, the most absorbed in the hope of THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 1 75 winning, ever forget his own bones, as he does those of the brave animals before him? Cock-fighting has been in use among nations of great valour, our own for one ; but it was the barbarous, and not the brave part of the national spirit that maintained it, and one that had not yet been led to think on the subject. Better knowledge puts an end to all excuses of that sort." QUOITS. This game, no doubt, is of great antiquity, and was known to the ancient Greeks; for we find in Homer's Jliad, at least in Pope's translation of, it, book xxiii. line 973, the following: " Then hurl'd the hero, thundering on the ground A mass of iron (an enormous round), Whose weight and size the circling Greeks admire, Rude from the furnace, and but shaped by fire. Let him whose might can hurl this bowl, arise, "Who further hurls it, take it as his prize." FOOT-BALL. Sir Frederick Morton Eden, in the Statistical Account of Scot- land, says, that at Scone, in the county of Perth, the game of foot-ball is a prominent amusement ; and that it is a proverb in this part of the country, "all is fair at the ball of Scone." Sir Frederick goes on to say, that this custom is supposed to have had its origin in the days of chivalry ; when an Italian is reported to have come into this part of the country, challenging all the parishes, under a certain penalty in case of declining his challenge. All the parishes declined this challenge excepting Scone, which beat the foreigner, and in commemoration of this gallant action the game was instituted. ORIGINS AND ANTIQUITY OF VARIOUS JUVENILE AMUSEMENTS. " Children and youth engage my pen, ! Tis labour lost to write for men." Trochus, in antiquity, denotes the exercise, or the game of the hoop. The hoop was of iron, five or six feet in diameter, set on the inside with a number of iron rings. The boys and young men used to whirl this along, as is now done at school with modern hoops, directing it with a rod of iron having a wooden handle, which the Romans called radius. The clattering of the rings served partly as a notice for persons to keep out of the way. Horace, in his Art of Poetry, mentions the hoop as one of the manly sports. Strutt says, the hoop is a pastime of uncertain origin, but much in practice at present, and especially in London, where the boys appear with their hoops in the public streets, and 176 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. are sometimes very troublesome to those who are passing through them. Addison says, I have seen at Eome an antique statue of time, with a wheel, or hoop, of marble in his hand. Skipping. This amusement is probably very ancient. It is performed by a rope held by both ends; that is, one in each hand, and thrown forwards or backwards over the head and under the feet alternately. In the hop season, a hop-stem stripped of its leaves, is used instead of a rope. Boys often contend for skill in the game, and he who passes the rope about most times without interruption is the conqueror. This, also, was an amusement practised by the Romans. The Top. The Top was used in ancient days by the Grecian boys : it was also well known at Rome in the days of Virgil, and with us as early, at least, as the fourteenth century. Duck and Drake. This is a very silly pastime, though inferior to few in point of antiquity. It is called, in Greek, epostrakismos y and was anciently played with flat shells, which the boys threw into the water, and he whose shell rebounded most frequently from the surface, before it finally sunk, was the conqueror. Marbles. Marbles seem tb have been used by the boys as sub- stitutes for bowls ; formerly nuts and round stones were used. It is said of Augustus, when young, that by way of amusement he spent many hours in playing with little Moorish boys, cum nucibus, with nuts. Hopping, and Sliding on One Leg. Hopping is derived from the Anglo-Saxon, hoppan, which signifies to leap, or dance. Hence, dancings are in the country called Hops. The word in its original meaning is preserved in Grasshopper. These are both very innocent amusements, and were practised by the Grecian youth ; one they called akmetinda, which was a struggle between the competitors who should stand longest motionless upon the sole of his foot; -the other, denominated ascoliasmos, was dancing or hopping upon one foot ; the conqueror being he who could hop the most frequently, and continue the performance longer than any of his comrades ; and this pastime is alluded to by an English author in an old comedy, wherein a boy, boasting of his proficiency in various school games, adds, " And I hop a good way upon my one legge," Shuttlecock. Shuttlecock is a boyish sport of long standing ; it appears to have been a fashionable pastime among grown per- sons in the reign of James the First, and is mentioned as such in an old comedy, " The Two Maids of Moretlacke," printed A.D. 1609, of that time, wherein it is said, " To play at Shuttle-cock, methinks, is the game now." And among the anecdotes of Prince Henry, son to James the First, is the following : " His Highness playing at shittle-cocke with one far taller than himself, and THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM, 177 hytting him by chance with the shittle-cocke upon the forehead, * 4 this is," quoth he, " the encounter of David with Goliath." Tetter-totter -, or See-saw. Tetter-totter, or see-saw, an amusing, but sometimes a dangerous game, so well known to rustic lads and lasses, and mentioned by Gay : " Across the fallen oak the plank I laid, And myself poised against the tottering maid ; High leap'd the plank, adown Buxoma fell." Cross and Pile, or Head or Tail. Cross and Pile, or, with us, u Head or Tail," was formerly played at court ; Edward the Second was partial to this, and such like frivolous diversions. In one of his wardrobe rolls we meet with the following entries : " Item, paid to Henry, the king's barber, for money which he lent to the king to play at Cross and Pile, five shillings. Item, paid to Pires Barnard, usher of the king's chamber, money which he lent the king, and which he lost at Cross and Pile ; to Mon- sieur Robert Watte ville, eightpence." Anciently the English coins were stamped with a Cross on one side. This game is evidently derived from a pastime called ostrachinda, known in ancient times to the Grecian boys, and practised by them on various occasions. Having procured a shell, it was seared over with pitch on one side for distinction sake, and the other side was left white ; a boy tossed up this shell, and his antagonist called white or black, and his success was deter- mined by the white or black part of the shell being uppermost. OLYMPIAN GAMES. The Olympian Games derive their names from the public games celebrated every fourth year at Olympia, in Peloponnesus. These games were instituted in honour of Jupiter, but at what time, or by whom, is not known. After they had been neglected and discontinued for some time, they were restored by Iphitus, king of Elis, in the year B.C. 884 ; and it is from this date that the Olympian periods are reckoned in chronology. REMARKABLE CUSTOMS, &c. f &c. DUELLING. Although frequent and bloody were the single combats of the age of chivalry, yet the present system of duelling by challenge takes its data from Francis the First of France, who, sensibly mortified by the repeated defeats his armies had met with from K 178 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. those of his imperial rival, Charles the Fifth, emperor of Ger- many, wrote the latter, challenging him to meet him in single combat, and thereby decide their differences, and put an end to the bloodshed and devastation which had ensued from their rivalship. Charles, however, was too much of a politician to accept the challenge. Another writer says : " Duelling is one of the most common among the few relics of barbarous usage. The introduction of pistols has brought with it no small share of burlesque and cowardice. In close fighting, a man entered the lists with a heart prepared either to conquer or perish ; and, therefore, only those who were characterised for courage ventured to the contest. But different, far different, it is with the pistols. Any recreant coward dares to challenge on the smallest offence to his honour and why? Because those handy factotums ; those reconcilers of nothings yclept seconds^ either omit to charge with ball, or recommend the principals, by a preconcerted arrangement between them, to fire wide of the mark. Now, this can be deemed nothing short of arrant knavery and cowardice ; for he who possesses true courage or bravery, will take care to exert them only when actually necessary, and when excited by some momentous circumstance. He will look over trifles with a becoming and dignified demeanour, and will never presume to speak of his high spirit in an egotistical manner." %. This is all well as far as it goes, and may be particularly appli- cable to gentlemen of the Stock Exchange ; but, let this writer remember, that the pistol puts the weak man on a par with the strong; the timid with the powerful; and the delicate, although brave man, on a footing with the cowardly bully. There is no doubt, however, that duelling in any sense, would be more honoured in the breach than the observance. GIVING THE LIE. The great affront of giving the lie, arose from the phrase, " thoti liest," in the oath taken by the defendant in judicial combats, before engaging, when charged with any crime by the plaintiff; and Francis the First of France, to make current his giving the lie to the emperor, Charles the Fifth, first stamped it with infamy, by saying in a solemn assembly, that he was no honest man that would bear the lie ! HONEY-MOON. It was the custom of the higher order of the Teutones, an ancient people who inhabited the northern parts of Germany, to drink Mead, or Metheglin, a beverage made with honey, for thirty days after every wedding. From this custom comes the expression, " to spend the honey-moon," when there is nothing but tenderness and pleasure. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 179 CHURCHING OF WOMEN. This practice, like many other Christian usages, undoubtedly took its rise from the Jewish rite of purification enjoined by the law of Moses. In the Greek church, the time of performing this office is limited to the fortieth day after delivery; but in the western parts of Europe, no certain time is observed. The usual time with us, is a month after delivery ; there being an office in the Book of Common Prayer, entitled " The thanksgiving after childbirth." The practice is universally observed in every other Christian country. CONFIRMATION. The antiquity of this ceremony is, by all ancient writers, car- ried so high as the apostles, and founded upon their example and practice. In the primitive church, it used to bs given to Chris- tians immediately after baptism, if the bishop happened to be present at the solemnity. Among the Greeks, and throughout the East, it still accompanies baptism ; but the Eomanists make it a distinct and independent sacrament. Seven years is the stated time for confirmation, although they are sometimes con- firmed before, and sometimes after that age. The order of con- firmation in the church of England, does not, however, determine the precise age of the persons to be confirmed. USE OF EVERGREENS AND MISTLETOE AT CHRISTMAS. " Christmas, the joyous period of the year! Now bright with Holly, all the temples strew, "With Laurel green, and sacred Mistletoe" The custom of decking our habitations with evergreens, has existed from the very establishment of Christianity, and was un- questionably derived from the like practice of our Pagan ancestors. " Trimming of the temples," says Polydore Virgil, " with hang- yngs, flowres, boughes, and garlendes, was taken of the heathen people, whiche decked their idols and houses with such array/' The Celts and Goths were alike distinguished for the respectful veneration which they entertained for the Mistletoe, and for the solemn rites with which they gathered it about that period of the year when the sun approached the winter solstice. The Druids were particularly famed for the distinguished regard they paid to the Mistletoe of the Oak; they attributed to it numerous virtues. At certain seasons of the year, especially at Yule Tide, or Christmas, they were accustomed to gather it with great solemnity and to sacrifice two white bullocks that had never been yoked (not till then), having their horns bound up. It was cut from the tree with a golden bill, or pruning-knife, by a priest habited in a white vestment, and was received in a white woollen ISO THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. cloth ; many orations were then said over it, and the ceremony- being deemed complete, the sacred plant was preserved for use with religious care. The Druids had an extraordinary veneration for the number three, and on this principle, says Vallances, in his Grammar of the Irish language, it was, that Mistletoe was held so sacred by them, since not only its berries, but its leaves also, grew in clusters of three, united 011 one stalk.* The inhabitants of Elgin, and the shire of Moray, in Scotland, according to the account written by the Rev. Mr. Shaw, are accustomed, at the full moon in March, to cut withes of the mistletoe, or ivy, and making circles of them, to keep all the year, pretending therewith to cure hectics and other troubles. As the ivy is dedicated to Bacchus, so should the mistletoe be to Love ; not, however, to the chaste Eros, but to the sportive Cupid. The sacred regard given to it in Pagan and Druidical rites has long* been terminated ; but it is still beheld with emotions of pleasurable interest, when hung up in our kitchens at Christmas ; it gives licence to seize the soft kiss from the ruby lips of whatever female can be enticed or caught beneath. So custom authorizes, and it enjoins also, that one of the berries of the mistletoe be plucked off after every salute. Though coy in appearance, the chariest maid, at this season of festivity, is seldom loth to submit to the established usage ; especially when the swain who tempts her is one whom she approves. DRINKING HEALTHS. " Health my Lord King, the sweet Rowena said, Health cried the Chieftain, to the Saxon maid; Then gaily rose, and midst the concourse wide, Kiss'd her hale lips, and placed her by his side. At the soft scene such gentle thoughts abound, That health and kisses 'mongst the guests went round; From this the social custom took its rise, We still retain, and must for ever prize." Different are the versions that relate to the antiquity of this custom. The ancient Greeks and Romans used at their meals to make libations, pour out andeven drink wine in honour of thegods. The first health which we hear of in history is, however, ascribed (in the words of the story) to the pertinent and sensible Rowena, a beautiful daughter of Hengist, general of the Saxons, who, having the Isle of Thanet given him by Vortigern for assisting him against the Picts and Scots, obtained as much ground as he could encompass with an ox's hide, to build a castle ; which, being completed, he invited Vortigern to supper. After the entertain- ment, Hengist called his daughter Rowena, who entered with great dignity and magnificence, carrying a golden bowl, full of wine, in her hand, out of which she drank, and in the Saxon * See Shamrock as Irish badge. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 181 language said, "Be of health, Lord King!" To this Yortigern replied, "Drink health!" The story adds, that Vortigern, ena- moured with Eowena's beauty, married her in a short time after, and gave her father the whole kingdom of Kent. Other origins have been given for this custom. See origin of the phrase, " I pledge you;" also origin of phrase, " A Peg too low!" The one just given, however, may plead seniority. BAPTISM. Grotius is of opinion, that baptism had its origin from the time of the deluge, after which, he thinks, it was instituted in memory of the world having been purged by water ; and some think, that it was added to circumcision, soon after the Samaritan schism, as a mark of distinction to the orthodox Jews. It is, however, generally agreed on, that the Jews practised this ceremony on their proselytes after circumcision, long before the coming of Jesus Christ. In the primitive times, the ceremony was per- formed by immersion, as it is to this day in the oriental churches, agreeably to the original signification of the word, which means dipping, or plunging. The practice of the western churches is to sprinkle the water upon the head or face of the person to be baptized, except the church of Milan, in whose ritual it is ordered, that the head of the infant be plunged three times into the water. A trine immersion was used first, and continued for a long time. This was either to signify the three clays our Saviour lay in the grave, or the three persons in the Trinity ; but it was afterwards laid aside, because the Ariaiis used it. There are abundance of ceremonies delivered by ecclesiastical writers, as used in baptism, which are now laid aside, though there are not wanting those who contend for their re-admission. It appears that, in the primitive times, none were baptized but adults, though several learned men contend that infants were admitted to this sacrament. Formerly there were great disputes whether baptism of here- tics was valid; the general opinion ran for the affirmative, provided it was conferred in the name of the Trinity ; and there- fore they allowed that given by laymen, or even by women, in cases of necessity. It was the doctrine of many of the fathers, that baptism washed away all previous sins, and that there was no atonement for sins committed after baptism. On this account many deferred that sacrament till they were arrived at the last stage of life, and were pretty safe from the danger of sinning any more. This they termed clinic, signifying deathbed baptism. HAND-FESTIXG. Hand-festing was an ancient custom, as a substitute for mar- riage, by joining hands, which lasted for a year; when, if the 182 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. parties were agreeable, it was renewed. The children, (if any) were kept by the inconstant. BIDDENDEN CAKES. Hasted, in his History of Kent, speaking of Biddenden, tells us that " twenty acres of land, called the Bread and Cheese land, lying in five pieces, were given by persons unknown, the yearly rents to be distributed among the poor of this parish. This is yearly done on Easter Sunday, in the afternoon, in 600 cakes, each of which have the figures of two women impressed upon them, and are given to all such as attend the church ; and 270 loaves, weighing three pounds and a half a piece, to which latter is added one pound and a half of cheese, are given to the parish- ioners only at the same time. There is a vulgar tradition in these parts, that the figures on the cakes represent the donors of this gift, being two women, twins, who were joined together in their bodies, and lived together so till they were between twenty and thirty years of age. But this seems without foundation. The truth seems to be, that it was the gift of two maidens of the name of Preston, and that the print of the women on the cakes has taken place only within these fifty years, and were made to represent two poor widows as the general objects of a charitable benefaction." KISSING THE POPE'S FOOT. This custom, and that of kneeling to sovereigns, was introduced by Dioclesian. Thence also the custom of a vassal kneeling to his lord in homage. Kissing the hands of great men was a Gre- cian custom. CROSS BUNS. While seasons keep rolling, and ages glide by, Like clouds in their circuit, beneath the blue sky, Shall the proud sons of ivealth bid the poor man begone, Whom the sunbeams of luxury never shone on ? Oh, no! nor the cry, howe'er simple it runs, The cry on Good Friday of " Suns, hot cross buns" The bun, like a relic of truth, brings to mind, How the mighty REDEEMER once died for mankind! Like a record portrays where the sceptic waves toss, How he bled, and for man, on the soul-saving cross ! Oh ! blame not the cry, then, though simple it runs, The cry on Good Friday of " Suns, hot cross buns." The infidel shudders that ne'er shook before, When death points the dart that proclaims he's no more, To that God prays for help he had dared to deny, And calls for forgiveness with life's latest sigh ! Oh ! blame not the cry, then, though simple it runs, The cry on Good Friday of " Suns, hot cross buns" THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 183 There's a balm in that voice which endearingly cries, " The soul shall exist when mortality dies !" There's a sweet in that thought like the rose's sweet breath, Which tells and makes certain a triumph o'er death ! Oh! blame not the cry, then, though simple it runs, The cry on Good Friday of " Buns, hot cross buns" UTOPIA. This custom was supposed to originate from the fast of Good Friday, but it is also in remembrance of the apostolic custom of breaking bread from house to house ; and it does not appear at all improbable, that buns or cakes, something like those in use at present, were employed in this manner in the early ages. It is to be observed also, that if four persons divide a bun among them, each taking a division, they will naturally stand in the form of a cross, and the bun will break at its partitions. Thus, both the position of the parties, and the figure to which the bun breaks, as well as the act of breaking, are emblematical of the crucifixion. Bryant says, that boun was the sacred bread anciently offered to the gods. The Jewish women ask, in allusion to this custom, " Did we make her cakes to worship her?" (Jer. chap. xiv. v. 18). Hutchinson says, we still retain the name and form of the boun, or bun; the sacred uses are no more. CHRISTMAS BOXES. The Athenian Oracle derives the origin of Christmas Boxes from this : the Romish priests had masses for almost every thing ; if a ship went to the Indies, a priest had a box in her, under the protection of some saint ; and for masses, as their cant was, to be said to that saint, &c., the poor people must put something into the priest's box, which was not opened till the ship's return. The mass at that time was called C%m;-mass; the box called Christ-mass-box, or money gathered against that time, that masses might be made by the priests to the saints, to forgive the people their sins of that time ; and from this, servants had the liberty to get box money, that they too might be enabled to pay the priest for his masses, well knowing the truth of the proverb, " No penny, no pater-noster." The practice of giving presents at Christmas, was undoubtedly founded on the pagan custom of New-year's gifts, with which in these times it is blended. Fos- broke says, the Roman Paganalia were instituted by Servius Tullius, and celebrated in the beginning of the year. An altar was erected in every village where persons gave money. The apprentices' boxes were formerly made of pottery ; and Aubrey mentions a pot, in which Roman denarii were found, resembling in appearance an apprentice's earthen Christmas-box. 184 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. PANCAKES. A kind of pancake feast preceding Lent, was used in the Greek church, from whence we may probably have borrowed it. Mr. Fosbroke is decisive in the opinion, that pancakes, such as is the custom to eat on Shrove Tuesday, were taken from the heathen Fornacalia, celebrated on the 18th of February, in memory of making bread before ovens were invented, by the goddess For- nax. BRIDE CAKE. The custom of having Bride Cakes at marriages among the Christians, derives its origin from the Jews. At the marriage ceremony of the latter, they scatter corn on and about the bride and bridegroom, repeating at the same time the Scripture phrase, crescite et multiplicamini* that is, increase and multiply. The custom is allegorical of an increase both in children and sub- stance. Its first origin was from the Roman custom called Con- farreation. * TWELFTH CAKES. The custom of making merry with Twelfth Cakes, is derived from the feasts of Saturn, called Saturnalia. It was a sacrifice to Janus, from whom the month of January takes its name. Our Roman conquerors brought it amongst us, and offered cakes to Cybele, called the Great Mother, because she procured men all the benefits of the earth. A vast quantity of cake is made, and consumed annually on the 6th of January, and all the juvenile branches of families are generally supposed to derive much pleasure and gratification, from the ceremony of choosing King and Queen ; but, indeed, persons of all ages join in the childish sport; for, as Dryden says, " Men are but children of a larger growth ; Our appetites as apt to change as theirs." DRAWING FOR KING AND QUEEN. This custom is derived from the Greeks and Romans, who, on the Tabernacle or Christmas festivals, drew lots for kings, by putting a piece of money in the middle of a cake, which, whoever found, was saluted as king. A custom similar to this is now common in this country, with this difference, that a ring is substituted for the piece of money. MINCE PIES. These pies were formerly made in the shape of a cradle, or a cratch, or a manger, and were first derived from the practice at THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 185 Home, of presenting the fathers of the Vatican with paste images and sweetmeats. In a tract printed in the time of Queen Elizabeth, or James I., they were called minched pies. PLACING MONEY IN THE MOUTHS OF THE DEAD. A Greek traveller going into Egypt, saw the inhabitants of a town bury their dead in tombs that lay on the other side of a lake, and on his return invented the story, and made his country- men believe it, that Charon ferried the souls of the dead across the river Styx to Hell. This word, Charon, is taken from the Egyptian language, which calls ferrymen, Charons, and the river Styx had its source in Pagan fiction. However, the invention answered better than many equally rational and principled speculations of the present day. Old Charon did the whole of the work, while all the simpletons of that day were anxious to pay to the fabricators, both of himself and the Styx, an ima- ginary debt due to him for ferrying the souls of their departed friends. FISH AND THE RING; STEPNEY CHURCHYARD. In the wall, just below the great eastern window of Stepney church, on an elegant white marble slab, which has been lately repaired and beautified, (adorned with a cherub, urns, volutes, palm branches, and these arms Paley 6 or, a bend, 3 mullets, Elton, impaling a fish and in the dexter chief point, annulet, between two bends wavy), is this inscription : Here lyeth interred, the body of Dame Eebecca Berry, the wife of Thomas Elton of Stratford-Bow, Gent., who departed this life, April 26th, 1696, aged 52. This monument, in all probability, from the circumstance of the arms, has given rise to a tradition, that Dame Berry was the heroine of a popular ballad, called " The Cruel Knight, or the Fortunate Farmer's Daughter;" the story of which is briefly as follows : A knight passing a cot, hears the cries of a woman in labour. His knowledge in the occult sciences informs him, that the child then born is destined to become his wife : he endeavours to evade the decrees of fate, and to avoid so ignoble an alliance, by various attempts to destroy the child, but which are defeated. At length, when grown to woman's estate, he takes her to the seaside, intending to drown her, but relents; at the same time, throwing a ring into the sea, he commands her never to see his face again on pain of death, unless she shall produce the ring. She after- wards becomes a cook in a gentleman's family, and finds the ring in a cod-fish, as she is dressing it for dinner. The marriage takes place, of course. This story is devoutly believed in the once suburban, but now crowded hamlet of Stepney. 186 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM, PIN MONEY. Pins were acceptable new year's gifts to the ladies, instead of the wooden skewers which they used till the end of the fifteenth century. Sometimes they received a composition in money ; and hence allowances for their separate use, is still denominated " Pin- money." Gloves were customary New-year's gifts. They were more expensive than in our times, and occasionally a money present was tendered instead ; this was called " Glove-money." NEW-YEAR'S GIFTS. Fosbroke, in his valuable Encyclopedia of Antiquities, adduces various authorities to show, that congratulations, presents, and visits, were made by the Romans on New-year's day. The origin, he says, is ascribed* to Romulus and Tatius, and that the usual presents were figs and dates, covered with leaf gold, and sent by clients to patrons, accompanied with a piece of money, which was expended to purchase statues of some deities. " The next to this is Newe Yeares day Whereon to every frende, They costly presents in do bring, And New Yeares Giftes do sende. These giftes the husband gives his wife, And father eke the childe, And maister on his men bestowes The like, with -favour milde." THE WEDDING FINGER, EMBLEMATICAL OF MATRIMONIAL UNION. There are few objects amongst the productions of art, contem- plated with such lively interest by ladies, after a certain age, as the simple and unadorned annular implement of Hymen, yclept the Wedding Ring ; this has been a theme v for poets of every calibre, for geniuses of every wing, from the dabbling duckling to the solar eagle. The mouldy antiquary can tell the origin of the custom with which it is connected, and perchance why a ring is round, and account for many circumstances concerning the ceremony of the circlet, on the most conclusive evidence, amounting to absolute conjectural demonstration. Of all that has been said and written in reference to the ring, I believe the more lovely part engaged in the mystic matter, the taper residence of this ornament, has been neglected ; now, this is rather curious, as there are facts belonging to the ring finger, which render it in a peculiar manner an appropriate emblem of matrimonial union ; it is the only finger where two principal nerves belong to two distinct trunks ; the thumb is supplied with its principal nerves from the radial nerve, as is also the fore-finger, the middle THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 187" finger, and the thumb side of the ring finger, whilst the ulnar nerve furnishes the little finger and the other side of the ring finger, at the point or extremity of which a real union takes place ; it seems as if it were intended by nature to be the matrimonial finger. That the side of the ring finger next the little finger is supplied by the ulnar nerve, is frequently proved by a common accident, that of striking the elbow against the edge of a chair, a door, or any narrow hard substance ; the ulnar nerve is then frequently struck, and a thrilling sensation is felt in the little finger, and on the same side of the ring finger, but not on the other side of it. Anatomicus Junior. MARRIAGE BY PROXY. In marriage by proxy, it was formerly the custom for the proxy to introduce his right leg up to the knee into the bed of the princess whom he married. Louis de Baviare, who married the Princess Marie de Bourgogne, daughter of Charles, Duke of Bourgogne, in the name of Archduke Maximilian of Austria, performed this ceremony. The object of the ceremony was to render the marriage more certain, it being supposed that the princess who had submitted to this kind of approach on the part of man, could not depart from her engagement and take another husband. It is said that the Emperor Maximilian was married by proxy to Anne de Bretagne, who, nevertheless, afterwards married Charles "VIII., of France, her marriage with Maximilian never having been consummated. But from a scruple of conscience, or some other cause, historians relate, that it was necessary to have recourse to the arguments of many theologians, and to examples drawn from holy writ, before the lady could be brought to listen to the proposition of her marriage with Charles VIII. If the early historians may be believed, the first marriage by proxy was that of Clovis of France with Clotilde ; Aurele having, it is said, married Clotilde at the court of Bourgogne, in the name of Clovis, his master, by giving her a ring and other pledges of a legitimate marriage. The ancient practice of placing the proxy's leg in the bed of the bride, is long since discontinued. It existed, however, in Poland in the time of Hierera, who, in speaking of the marriage of Cardinal Rndzivil with the Arch- duchess Ann of Austria, says, that the proxy of king Sigismund III. slept completely armed at the side of the new queen, in con- formity with the ceremony, que les Reyes de Polonia ental caso accastumbran. A king's proxy is usually a prince of his blood ; if he be not, he is not allowed to take the hand of the princess, but only to place his by the side of hers. 188 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. GIVING QUARTER. This custom, so well known in warfare, had its origin in an agreement between the Dutch and Spaniards, that the ransom of an officer or soldier should be the Quarter of his year's pay. Hence to beg quarter, was to offer a quarter of their pay for personal safety; and to refuse quarter, was not to accept the offered ransom. LORD MAYOR'S DAY. Lord Mayor's day in London was first made annual in the year 1214. Until that period, the chief magistrate was appointed for life. Before the alterations of the style in 1582, the Lord Mayors of London came into office on the 29th October, on which account it would seem that, ever since 1800, the Lord Mayor's day ought to have been on the 10th of November instead of the 9th; the differ- ence between the old and new style being 12 days. (Seepage 122.) LORD MAYOR'S SHOW. This show, says Hone in his " Ancient Mysteries," is the only state exhibition in the metropolis that remains as a memorial of the great doings in the time of the pageants. In a curious description of the show as it was managed in 1575, it is related, that " to make way in the streetes, certayne men were employed, apparalled like devells and wylde men, with skybbs and certain beadells." The number of persons who dined at Guildhall was 1000, all at the charge of the mayor and the two sheriffs. " This feast (the writer continues) costeth .400, whereof the mayor payeth .200 and each of the sheriffs ,100. Immediately after dyner they go to the church of St. Paule, the men bearynge staff-torches and targetts, which torches are lighted when it is late, before they come from evenynge prayer." In 1585, there were children in the procession, who personified the city, magnanimity, loyalty, science, the country, and the river Thames ; they also represented a soldier, a sailor, and nymphs with appropriate speeches. The show opened with a Moor on the back of a lynx. On Sir Thomas Middleton's mayoralty, in 1613, the solemnity is described as unparalleled for the cost, art, and magnificence of the shows, pageants, chariots, morning, noon, and night triumphs. In 1665, the city pageants, after a discontinuance of about fourteen years, were revived. Edmund Gayton, the author of the description for that year, says, that " our metropolis for these planetary pageants was as famous and renowned in foreign nations, as for their faith, wealth, and valour. In the sho\y of 1651), .111 European, an Egyptian, and a Persian, were personated. On THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 189 Lord Mayor's day, 1671, the king, queen, and duke of York, and most of the nobility, being present, there were sundry shows, shapes, scenes, speeches, and songs in parts; and the like in 1672 and 1673, when the king again graced the triumphs. In 1687, the pageants of Sir John Shorter, knt., as Lord Mayor, were very splendid. He was of the company of goldsmiths, and out of compliment to their patron saint, Dunstan, who was him- self a goldsmith, they had a pageant representing the miracle of Dunstan and the Devil. " St. Dunstan, as the story goes, Once pull'd the devil by the nose With red-hot tongs, which made him roar, That he was heard three miles or more." The last Lord Mayor who rode on horseback at his mayoralty was Sir Gilbert Heathcote, in the reign of queen Anne. The modern exhibitions, bettered as they are by the men in armour, have no pretensions to vie with the grandeur of the London triumphs. Even Gog and Magog, who were then only made of wicker-work and pasteboard, yearly graced the procession, and when that eminent annual service was over, remounted their old stations in Guildhall, till, by reason of their very great age, old time, with his auxiliaries, the city rats and mice, had eaten up all their entrails. The earliest Lord Mayor's Pageant on record is the one de- scribed by Matthew Paris as taking place in 1236, on the occasion of the passage of King Henry III., and Eleanor of Provence, through the city of Westminster. For further particulars, see Fairholt's Lord Mayor's Pageants, published by the Percy Society. FREEDOM OF ALXWICK. When a person takes up his freedom in the town of Alnwick, he is obliged, by a clause in the charter of that place, to jump into an adjacent bog, in which sometimes he must sink to his chin. This custom is said to have been imposed by King John, who travelling this way, and his horse sinking fast in this hole, took this method of punishing the people of this town for not keeping the road in better order. LONDON CRIES. In the time of Henry VI. an antiquary writes, that London cries consisted of fine felt hats and spectacles ; peas, strawberries, cherries, pepper, saffron, hot sheeps-feet, mackerel, green-peas, ribs beef, pie, &c. In the Pepysian library are two very ancient sets of cries, cut in wood, with inscriptions; among others are, " Buy my rope of onions, white St. Thomas's onions ; rosemary 190 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. and bays ; bread and meat for poor prisoners ; ends of gold and silver ; marking stones ; a mat for a bed ; maids hang out your lights ; marrowbones; ells or yards; hand-strings or hand-kercher buttons; small coal penny a peck ! I have skreens at your desire, to keep your butey from the fire," c. &c. Formerly it was a practice to set the London cries to music, retaining their peculiar musical notes. These cries, that have been so long famed in the annals of nursery literature, and with- out which, to the social part of society, London would lose one of its peculiar charms, have to the squeamish long been a source of complaint ; their tender nerves and susceptible ears would have every social sound put to silence, and every unlucky wight who presumed to earn his bread by the exercise of his lungs sent to the treadmill ! To please them " It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe A troop of horse with felt, I'll put it in proof." Shakspeare. MASQUERADES. This species of amusement had its origin in Italy, where, ac- cording to Hall's Chronicle, they had become fashionable as early as the beginning of the 1 6th century. Of its introduction into Eng- land, Hall thus speaks : " On the date of the Epiphanie at night (A.D. 1512-13), the king (Henry VIII.) with eleven others were disguised after the manner of Italic called a maske, a thing not seen afore in England ; they were appareled in garments long and brode, wroughte all with golde, with visers and cappes of golde ; and after the banket done, these maskers came in with the six gentlemen disguised in Silk" (in all probability the domino of more recent times), u barynge staffe torches, and desired the ladies to daunce ; some were content ; and some that knew the fashion of it refused, because it was not a thing commonly seen. And after thei danced and commoned together, as the fashion of the maskes is, thei took their leave and departed, and so did the queue and all the ladies." The invention of masquerades is ascribed to Granacci, who died in 1543. ORIGINAL DINNERS. In 1609, Christian, Elector of Saxony, defrayed for 1600 guests, who, at the sound of the trumpet, saw the table covered. The Elector himself remained at table six hours ; and that time no- thing was done but to contend which of the party should eat the most and drink the largest. The custom of feasting was not con- fined to the great ; all ranks participated in the sensual propensity, against which sumptuary laws proved wholly unavailing. In the town of Munden, in Brunswick, it was ordained that the THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 191 dinner should not last above three hours, and that even a wedding feast should not exceed twenty- four dishes, allowing ten persons to every dish. LADIES APPEARING AT COURT. Anne of Brittany, wife of Charles VIIL, and Louis XII., kings of France, was the first who introduced the fashion of ladies appearing publicly at court. This fashion was introduced much later in England, when, even down to the Revolution, women of rank never appeared in the streets without a mask. In Scotland the veil or plaid continued much longer in fashion, and with which every woman was covered. SMOKING AND TAKING SNUFF. Tobacco is said to have been first brought into England by Captain R Greenfield and Sir Francis Drake about the year 1586, during the reign of Elizabeth. Alehouses are at present licensed to deal in tobacco, but it was not so from the beginning ; for so great an incentive was it thought to drunkenness, that it was strictly forbidden to be taken in any alehouses in the reign of James I. A pamphlet on the Natural History of Tobacco, in the Harleian Miscellany, says, " The English are said to have had their pipes of clay from the Virginians," who were styled bar- barians ; and the origin of manufacturing tobacco into snuff is thus given to the sister kingdom. " The Irishmen do most com- monly powder their tobacco, and snuff it up their nostrils." HOWLING AT IRISH FUNERALS, The Irish howl at funerals originated from the Roman outcry at the decease of their friends, they hoping thus to awaken the soul, which they supposed might lie inactive. The condamatio over the Phoenician Dido, as described by Virgil, is similar to the Irish cry. From which it is clear the custom, is of Phoenician origin. GRACE AT MEAT. The table was considered by the ancient Greeks as the altar of friendship, and held sacred ; and they would not partake of any meat till they had offered part of it as the first-fruits to their gods. The ancient Jews offered up prayers always before meat, and from their example the primitive Christians did the same. GOOSE ON MICHAELMAS DAY. There is a current, but erroneous report, assigning to Queen Elizabeth the origin of this custom. 192 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. The joyful tidings of the defeat of the Spanish armada arrived on Michaelmas day, and were communicated to Queen Elizabeth whilst at dinner partaking of a goose ; but there is evidence to prove that this custom was practised long before the destruction of the Spanish armada. Brand, in his Popular Antiquities, traces it as far back as the tenth year of the reign of King Edward IV. WELSH LEEK AS A BADGE OF HONOUR. Upon the first of March King Cadwallo met a Saxon army in the field. In order to distinguish his men from their enemies, he, from an adjoining field of leeks, placed one in each of their hats ; and having gained a signal and decisive victory over the Saxons, the leek became the future badge of honour among the Welsh, and particularly worn on the 1st of March, or St. David's day. SHAMROCK, THE IRISH BADGE OF HONOUR. The wild trefoil was very highly regarded in the superstitions of the ancient Druids, and has still medicinal virtues of a parti- cular kind accredited to it by the more remote Highlanders of Scotland, where it is culled according to the ancient rites. " In the list of plants," says a Scotch statistical writer, " must be reckoned the seamrog, or the wild trefoil, in great estimation of old by the Druids. It is still considered as an anodyne in the diseases of cattle; from this circumstance it has derived its name, seimk, in the Gaelic, signifying pacific or soothing. When gathered, it is plucked with the left hand, The person thus em- ployed must be silent, and never look back till the business be finished." This is the seamrog, or shamrog, worn by Irishmen in their hats, as O'Brien says, " by way of a cross on St. Patrick's day, in memory of this great saint." It is said, that when St. Patrick landed near Wicklow to convert the Irish in 433, the Pagan in- habitants were ready to stone him ; he requested to be heard, and endeavoured to explain God to them as the Trinity in Unity, but they could not understand him; till plucking a trefoil, or shamrog, from the ground, he said, " Is it not as possible for the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as for these three leaves, to grow upon a single stalk ?" "Then," says Brand, "the Irish were im- mediately convinced, and became converts to Christianity; and, in memory of which event, the Irish have ever since worn the shamrog, or shamrock, as a badge of honour." THE SCOTTISH THISTLE. The origin of the national badge is thus handed down by tra- dition: When the Danes invaded Scotland, it was deemed THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 193 umvarlike to attack an enemy in the darkness of night, instead of a pitched battle by day ; but, on one occasion, the invaders resolved to avail themselves of stratagem, and, in order to pre- vent their tramp from being heard, they marched barefooted. They had thus neared the Scottish force unobserved, when a Dane unluckily stepped with his foot upon a superbly prickled thistle, and uttered a cry of pain, which discovered the assailants to the Scots, who ran to their arms, and defeated the foe with great slaughter. The thistle was immediately adopted as the insignia of Scotland. ELECTION RIBBONS. These party emblems were first introduced, March 14th, 1681. The Protestant Intelligencer states, after mentioning the par- liament that was held at Oxford this year, " on which occasion the representatives of the city of London assembled at Guildhall on the 17th of March, for the purpose of commencing their journey. Many of the citizens met them there, intending to accompany them part of their way, together with others who were deputed to go to Oxford as a sort of council to the city members. Some of our ingenious London weavers had against this day contrived a very fine fancy, that is, a blue satin ribbon, having these words plainly and legibly wrought upon it, ' No Popery,' * No Slavery,' which, being tied up in knots, were worn in the hats of the horsemen who accompanied our members." Such was the origin of wearing ribbons on electioneering occa- sions. PERAMBULATING PARISHES ON ASCENSION DAY. This custom is of considerable antiquity. Spelman thinks it was derived from the heathens, and that it is an imitation of the feast called Terminalia, which was observed in the month of February, in honour of the god Terminius, who was supposed to preside over bounds and limits, and to punish all unlawful usur- pations of land. In making the parochial perambulations in this country on Ascension day, the minister, accompanied by the churchwardens and parishioners, used to deprecate the vengeance of God, by a blessing on the fruits of the earth, and implore him to preserve the rights of the parish. This custom is thus noticed by Withers in his Emblems: " That every man might keep his own possessions, Our fathers used in reverent processions (With zealous prayers and many a praiseful cheer) To walk their parish limits once a year ; And well-known marks (which sacrilegious hands Now cut or break) so border'd out their lands, That every one distinctly knew his own, And many brawls, now rife, were then unknown." O 194 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. In Lysons' Environs of London, in the Churchwarden's Book r of Children, there is the following : 1670. Spent at perambulation dinner 3 10 Given to the boys that were whipt 040 Paid for poynts for the boys 020 THE PASSING BELL. The passing bell, so called, because the defunct has passed from one state to another, owes its origin to an idea of sanctity attached to bells by the early Romanists, who believed that the sound of these holy instruments of percussion, actually drove the devil away from the soul of the departing Christian. Durand, who flourished about the end of the twelfth century, tells us in his Rationale, " when any one is dying, bells must be tolled, that the people may put up their prayers ; twice for a woman, and thrice for a man ; if for a clergyman, as many times as he had orders ; and, at the conclusion, a peal on all the bells, to distinguish the quality of the person for whom the people are to put up their prayers. A bell too must be rung when the corpse is conducted to church, and during the bringing it out of the church to the grave." " Come list and hark, the bell doth toll For some but now departing soul, Whom even now those ominous fowle, The bat, the night-jar, or screech owl, Lament ; hark ! I hear the wilde wolfe howle In this black night that seems to scowle, All these my black book shall enscrole. For hark! still still the bell doth toll For some but now departing soul." Rape of Lucrece. CHIMES. " How sweet the tuneful bells responsive peal ! As when at opening morn, the fragrant breeze Breathes on the trembling sense of wan disease, So piercing to my heart their force I feel ! "And hark! with lessening cadence now they fall, And now, along the white and level tide, They fling their melancholy music wide; Bidding me many a tender thought recall " Of summer days, and those delightful years, When by my native streams, in life's' fair prime, The mournful magic of their mingling chime First waked my wondering childhood into tears! " But seeming now, when all those days are o'er, The sounds of joy once heard, and heard no more." * Besides the common way of tolling bells, there is also a ringing, which is a kind of chimes used on various occasions in token of * Written at Ostend, July 22, 1787, THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 195 This ringing prevails in no country so much as in England, e it is a kind of diversion, and, for a piece of money, any joy- where one may have a peal. On this account it is that England is called the " ringing island." Chimes are something very different, and much more musical ; there is not a town in all the Netherlands without them, being an invention of that country. The chimes at Copenhagen are one of the finest sets in all Europe ; but the inhabitants, from a per- tinacious fondness for old things, or the badness of their ear, do not like them so well as the old ones, which were destroyed by a conflagration. OUTLAWRY. Some may derive the antiquity of Outlawry from Cain, who for the murder of his brother, was, as it were, out of the protec- tion of the law ; or, as the ancient English would say, " a friendless man;" however, although we cannot ascend so high as Cain, certain it is, that this kind of punishment is very ancient, for Caesar, speaking of the Druids, saith thus " Whoever he is that obeys not their sentence, they forbid him their sacrifices, which is amongst them the most grievous of punishments ; for they who are thus interdicted, are accounted in the number of the most impious and wicked, all people shunning them, and refusing their conversation, lest they should receive damage by the infec- tion thereof; nor is justice to be afforded them at their desire, nor any honour allowed unto them." Bracton describes the nature of our English outlawry thus : "When any person is outlawed justly, and according to the law of the land, let us see what he suffers by this his outlawry, if after the first summons he doth not appear. First, therefore, be it known, he forfeits his country and the kingdom, and be- cometh a banished man, such an one as the English call utlaugh ; but anciently they had wont to call him 'a friendless man,' whereby it seemeth he forfeiteth his friends, so that if, after such outlawry and expulsion, any one shall willingly give him food, and enter- tain him, or knowingly converse with him in any sort whatever, or shall shelter him and hide him, he is to undergo the same punishment as the person outlawed ought to do, which is to lo^e all his goods, and also his life, unless it please the king to be more merciful to him," &c. CARVING AT TABLE BY LADIES. This custom, Verstegan says, originated among our Saxon ancestors, and the title of lady sprung from this office ; as laford, or loafgiver (now lord), was so called from his maintaining a number of dependants ; so leaf-dian or loaf-dian, i. e., loaf-server, is the origin of lady, she serving it to the guests. 196 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. GAMMON OF BACON AT EASTER. Drake, in his "Shakspeare and his Times," says, the custom of eating a gammon of bacon at Easter, still maintained in some parts of England, is founded on the abhorrence our forefathers thought proper to express, in that way, towards the Jews at the season of commemorating the resurrection. EPPING HUNT. Fitzstephen informs us, that the hunting at Epping and round London at Easter time, commenced in 1226, when King Henry III. confirmed to the citizens of London free warren, or liberty to hunt a circuit about their city, in the warren of Staines, Hain- hault* forest, &c. ; and hi ancient times the lord mayor, aldermen, and corporation, attended by a due number of their constituents, availed themselves of this right of chase in solemn guise. PETER PENCE. The popular name of an impost otherwise termed " the fee of Eome ;" originally a voluntary offer by the faithful to the see of Home, afterwards a due levied in various amounts from every house or family in a country. Peter pence were paid in France, Poland, and other countries. In England, this tax was recog- nised by the Norman laws of William the Conqueror. Edward III. discontinued the payment when the popes resided at Avi- gnon, but it was afterwards revived and finally ceased in the reign of Henry VIII. NIGHTLY WATCH. The curfew bell was commanded by Y/illiam the Conqueror to be nightly rung at eight o'clock, as a warning or command, that all people should then put out their fires and lights, and con- tinued throughout the realm till the time of Henry I., when Stow says, " that it followed, by reason of warres within the realme, that many men gave themselves up to robbery and mur- ders in the night." It appears that the city of London was subject to these disorders till 1253, when Henry III. commanded watches to be kept in. the cities and borough towns for the preservation of the peace ; and further, that if from that time any murder or robbery was committed, the town in which it was done should be liable to the damages thereof. Such was the origin of the Nightly Watch. * What is now called Epping Forest, was formerly a part of the Forest of Hainhault. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 197 PRESENTATION OF LORD MAYOR OF LONDON TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. King John granted to the citizens of London a charter, em- powering them to choose their own mayor, yet by the same power they were generally obliged to present him to the king for his approbation, or, in his absence, to his justiciary; this custom still remaining, he is yearly presented to the lord chancellor, which many of the citizens regard as a needless ceremony ; 'twill not be improper, says Maitland, to acquaint all who are of that mind, that this confirming power is so essential, that without it a mere stranger could act as well. COUNTING OF HOB-NAILS, rne of Lamb mass Day, and for the sake of a smooth THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 229 pronunciation, contracted as it now appears. Dr. Johnson sup- poses this term to be a corruption of Lattermath, which signifies a second mowing of grass. ST. STEPHEN'S DAY. It was an ancient custom to gallop horses on St. Stephen's day, December 26, until they perspired, and then bleed them, to prevent their having any disorders during the ensuing year. This practice is supposed to have been introduced by the Danes. Blessings were also implored upon pastures. ST. THOMAS' DAY. This day, the 21st day of December, is denominated the shortest day. At the village of Thornton, near Sherborne, an ancient custom exists among the tenants, of depositing 5s. in a hole, in a certain tombstone in the churchyard, which prevents the lord of the manor from taking tithe of hay during the year. This must invariably be done on St. Thomas' day, before twelve o'clock, or the privilege is lost. EMBER WEEK. EMBER. The Latin name, Quatuor Tempora, the Four Times, has remained in modern languages. In Spanish and Portuguese the term is Temporas. The German converts them into Quatember, and thence, by the easy corruption of dropping the first syllable, a corruption which also takes place in some German dialects, we get the English Ember. Thus, there is no occasion to seek after an etymology in embers ; or, with Nelson, to extravagate still further to the noun ymbren, a recurrence, as if all holy seasons did not equally recur. In Welsh, Ember week is Wythnos y cydgorian, the Week of the Processions. Ember Weeks are those in which the Ember days fall. They were appointed for imploring the blessings of the Almighty on the fruits of the earth, and upon the ordinations performed in the Church at these Seasons. The Ember days are the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the first Sunday in Lent, after Whitsunday, after the 14th of September, and after the 13th of December. DOG DAYS. In an ancient calendar preserved by Bede, the beginning of the dog-days was placed on the 14th of July. In one prefixed to the Common P.rayer. printed in the time of queen Elizabeth, they are said to begin on the 6th of July, and to end on the 5th pf September ; and this was continued from that time till tjie 230 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Restoration, when that book was revised, and the dog-days omitted. From that time to the correction of the British calen- dar, our almanacs had the beginning of the dog-days on the 19th of July, and the end on the 20th of August ; but since that correction, the times of the beginning and end have been altered, and the former was placed at the 30th of July, and the latter at the 7th of September. The dog-days have been commonly reckoned for about forty days, viz., twenty days before, and twenty days after the heliacal rising; and almanac-makers have usually set down the dog-days in their almanacs to the changing time of the star's rising ; and thus they had at length fallen considerably after the hottest season of the year ; till of late, a very proper alteration has been introduced into the almanacs, and they have^ been made to commence with the 3rd of July, and to terminate with the llth of August. The pro- priety of this alteration will be evident, if we consider that the ancients meant to express by the dog-days, the hottest time of the year, which is commonly during the month of July, about which month the dog-star rose heliacally in the time of the most ancient astronomers, whose observations have been transmitted to us. Ancient authors tell us that on the day the canicula, or dog- star, first rises in the morning, the sea boils, wine turns sour, dogs begin to grow mad, the bile increases and irritates, and all animals grow languid ; and that the diseases ordinarily occasioned in men by it, are burning fevers, dysenteries, and frenzies. The Romans sacrificed a brown dog every year to Canicula, at its rising, to appease its rage. The Egyptians carefully watched the rising of this star, and judging by it of the swelling of the Nile, called the star the sentinel and watch of the year. Hence, ac- cording to their mode of hieroglyphic writing, they represented it under the figure of a dog (that faithful animal having been, even in these times, distinguished for his peculiar qualities of watching over the affairs of man), or of a man with a dog's head, and worshipped him under the name of Amcbis, whose figure was hung up in all their temples, to give notice of the approach of the inundation of the Nile. GULE OF AUGUST. The first day of August is so called. According to Gebelin, as the month of August was the first in the Egyptian year, it was called Gule, which being latinized makes Cfida, a word in that language signifying throat. " Our legendaries," says Brand, "surprised at seeing this word at the head of the month of August, converted it to their own purpose." They made out of it the feast of the daughter of the tribune Quirinus, who they pretend was cured of a disorder in the throat (gula), by kissing THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. * 231 the chain of St. Peter on the day of its festival. Forcing the Gule of the Egyptians into the throat of the tribune's daughter, they instituted a festival to Gule upon the festival day of St. Peter ad Vincula. CRISPIN'S DAY. St. Crispin was a shoemaker, and consequently was chosen by the craft as their Patron Saint. The Eev. Alban Butler, in his " Lives of the Saints," says, u St. Crispin, and St. Crispinian, two glorious martyrs, came from Eome to preach at Soissons, in France, towards the middle of the third century, and, in imitation of St. Paul, worked with their hands in the night, making shoes, though they were said to be nobly born, and brothers." This day, in 1415, is famed in the annals of England, as the one on which the memorable battle of Agincourt was fought. LOW SUNDAY. The Sunday after Easter-day is called Low Sunday, because it is Easter-day repeated, with the church service somewhat abridged or lowered in the ceremony, from the pomp of the festival the Sunday before. Other writers have supposed that it was called Low Sunday because it is the lowest or latest day for satisfying of the Easter obligation, viz., the worthily receiving the blessed Sacrament. INVENTION OF THE CROSS. Mr. Audley says, the word Invention sometimes signifies the finding a thing that was hidden ; thence the name of this festival, which celebrates the alleged finding of the Cross of Christ by St. Helena, who is said to nave found three crosses on Mount Calvary, but the true one could not be distinguished, till a sick woman being placed on each, was healed by one, which was therefore pronounced the True Cross. Mr. Audley quotes, that the cus- tody of the cross was committed to the bishop of Jerusalem. Every Easter Sunday it was exposed to view, and pilgrims from all countries were indulged with little pieces of it enchased in gold or gems. What was most astonishing, the sacred wood was never lessened, although it was perpetually diminished, for it possessed a secret power of vegetation ! Eibadeneira says, " the Cross being a piece of wood without sense or feeling, yet it seemeth to have in it a living and everlasting virtue ; for although severed, parted, and divided, it still remains whole and entire for all that come to reverence and adore it." ROGATION SUNDAY. The fifth Sunday after Easter is called Eogation Sunday. The term Eogation signifies supplication, from the Latin rogare, to beseech. 232 * THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Rogation Sunday obtained its name from the succeeding Mon- day, Tuesday, and Wednesday, which are called Rogation Days, and were ordained by Mamertus, archbishop of Vienne, in Dau- phine ; abont the year 469, he caused the Litanies, or Supplica- tions, to be said upon them, for the deliverance from earthquakes, fires, wild beasts, and other public calamities, which are alleged to have happened in this city ; hence the whole week is called Rogation Week, to denote the continual praying.* RESTORATION DAY. This day (May 29th) is so called from its being the anniversary of the day whereon king Charles II. entered London, in 1660, and re-established royalty, which had been suspended from the death of his father. It is usual with the vulgar people to wear oak-leaves in their hats on this day, and dress their horses' heads with them. This is in commemoration of the shelter afforded to Charles by an Oak, while making his escape from. England, after his defeat at Worcester, by Cromwell, on the 3rd of September, 1651. This day is appointed in the liturgy of the English Church as an anniversary festival in commemoration of the restoration of the monarchical form of government in these realms. BLACK BARTHOLOMEW. Mr. Audley says, there is a shocking propriety in the epithet given to this day (August 24th) for the horrid massacres of Pro- testants, which commenced in the reign of Charles IX. In Paris only, ten thousand were butchered in a x fortnight, and ninety thousand in the provinces, making together one hundred thousand. This at least is the calculation of Pe.refixe, tutor to Louis XIV., aiid archbishop of Paris : others reduce the number much lower. SICILIAN VESPERS. This is another of those bloody massacres which so much dis- grace history. It occurred on the 30th of March, 1282, when the Sicilians rose on the French, and destroyed in cold blood eight thousand of them. The signal was the sounding of the vesper, or evening prayer bell ; and from whence came the term of the Sicilian Vespers. PALM SUNDAY. So called in commemoration of boughs, or branches of Palm Trees, being carried in procession before Christ when he rode into Jerusalem. * Butler. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 233 TRANSLATION OF SAINTS. Of the origin of the translation of Saints, a great deal has been written ; it is, however, generally supposed to take its data from the following : In the year 359, the emperor Constantius, out of a presumed, and perhaps not inconsistent, respect, caused the remains of St. Andrew and St. Luke to be removed from their ancient place of interment, to the Temple of the Twelve Apostles, at Constantinople ; and from that example, the practice of searching for the bodies of saints and martyrs increased so rapidly, that in the year 386, we find almost the whole of the devotees engaged in that pursuit. Relics, of course, speedily became of considerable value ; and as they were all alleged to possess peculiar virtues, no expense or labour were spared to provide such treasures for every public religious foundation. Am e ruth Peyral, in his manuscript Chronicle of the Popes, says, that England is remarkable for its number of saints, whose bodies it has preserved from corruption. He observes, there is no soil so adapted to preserve corpses from corruption, as the soil of this country. Upon this ground, it is supposed, popish writers might imagine relics more plentiful than otherwise. CABLING SUNDAY. Caiiing Sunday is so called by the lower orders in the north of England, because it is their custom to eat immense quantities of small peas, called cartings, fried in butter and pepper and salt, on the second Sunday before Easter. This is said, by an old author, to take its rise from the disciples plucking the ears of com, and rubbing them in their hands. SHROVE OR PANCAKE TUESDAY. Pancake Day is another name for Shrove Tuesday, from the custom of eating pancakes on this day, still generally observed. A writer in the Gentleman's Magazine, 1790, says, that Shrive is an old Saxon word, of which Shrove is a corruption, and signi- fies Confession. Hence Shrove Tuesday means Confession Tues- day, on w T hich day all the people in every parish through the kingdom were obliged to confess their sins, one by one, to their own parish priests, in their own parish churches ; and that this might be done the more regularly, the great bell in every parish was rung at ten o'clock, or perhaps sooner, that it might be heard by all. Since the Reformation the custom of ringing the great bell in our ancient parish churches, at least in some of them, still remains, and obtains in and about London the name of Pancake-Bell : the usage of dining on pancakes or fritters, and 234 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. suchlike provision, still continues. In Pasquin's Palinodia, 1634, 4to, it ia merrily observed, that on this day every stomach, till it can hold no more, Is fritter-filled, as well as heart can wish ; And every man and maide doe take their turne And tosse their pancakes up for feare they burne; And all the kitchen doth with laughter sound, To see the pancakes fall upon the ground." ASH WEDNESDAY. The name of Ash Wednesday proceeded from a custom in the ancient Church, when, on the first day of Lent, the penitents presented themselves before the Bishop clothed with sackcloth, and in the presence of th'e clergy, who were to be judges of the sincerity of their repentance. After the seven penitential psalms and prayers had been repeated, the penitents were conducted to the church-doors, the clergy following after, and repeating the curse upon Adam, " In the sweat of thy brows shalt thou eat thy bread." The English Church, in her service for this day, laments the disuse of this discipline, and has sup- plied the want of it by the office called Commination. AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, VEGETABLES, FRUITS, PLANTS, FLOWERS, BEVERAGES, &c. AGRICULTURE, AN ACCOUNT OF ITS PROGRESS. The Eomans were great agriculturists, and it is well known they took many of their great generals from the plough. The Egyptians ascribe the invention of agriculture to Osiris; the Greeks to Ceres and her son Triptolemus; and the Italians to Saturn, or Janus. But the Jews, with more reason, ascribe this honour to Noah, who, immediately after the flood, set about tilling the ground and planting vineyards. Agriculture has been the delight of the greatest men. We are told, that Cyrus the younger planted and cultivated his garden, in a great measure, with his own hands. Holinshed says, when Caesar invaded Britain, agriculture was unknown in the inner parts; the in- habitants fed upon milk and flesh, and were clothed with skins. Julius Csesar (says his history) was of opinion, that agriculture was first introduced into Britain by some of those colonies from Gaul, which had settled in the southern part about 100 years before the invasion. It appears they were not unacquainted with the use of manures, particularly Marie. Pliny tells us, THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 235 that it was peculiar to the people of Gaul and of Britain ; that its effects continued eighty years ; and that no man was known to marie his fields twice. The establishment of the Eomans in Britain produced great improvements in agriculture, insomuch that prodigious quantities of corn were annually exported from the island ; but when the Roman power began to decline, this, like all other arts, declined also ; and was almost totally destroyed by the departure of that people. Towards the 14th century agriculture revived, and received very great improvements ; and in the 15th it seems to have been cultivated as a science, being no less an honourable than a profitable art. The science of agriculture has received great improvements during the last 30 years, not only from the formation of Agricultural Societies and their Annual Exhibitions, but also from an improved method of husbandry, and the introduction of new and highly productive manures, of which Guano is the chief, which is now imported in large quantities from Peru. Guano does not appear to have been discovered till the end of the 16th century. The first mention that is made of it is in a work published at Seville in 1590. NATIVE FRUITS OF ENGLAND. It is a curious fact, and but very little known, that the only native fruits of England are, the Blackberry or Bramble, the parent of Raspberry, which is itself found wild in many parts of Scotland and Wales ; the strawberry ; the crab, the parent of the present immense variety of apples, all of which are of foreign origin, and mostly produced by grafting on crab stocks ; the sloe, the parent of the several kinds of plums ; the pear is found wild in Britain, and is in its native state a thorny tree ; all the varieties of pears, like apples, are of foreign origin. They are raised from seeds, which are afterwards used as stocks. The cloud-berry, a native of the mountains of Scotland, North of England, and Wales ; it is allied to the Bramble or Raspberry. The Gooseberry is found wild in many parts of Britain. It has several varieties, which have been produced by seed. It is cultivated with greater success in Lancashire than in any other county in England. Currants are found wild in the North of Eng- land and Scotland, but the fruit is small. PLOUGHING. Ploughing itself is certainly a singular instance of great skill, acquired by a body of men who scarcely receive the credit due to that skill. A good ploughman will set up a pole a quarter of a mile distant or more, and keeping this mark, almost invisible, steadily in his view, will, on land perfectly smooth, trace up to that goal, until his horses knock it down as they pass on each 236 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. side, a furrow so true that no eye can detect any divergence from absolute straightiiess. If one saw for the first time, a field of short green clover converted in a few hours into a surface of clean brown soil in regular ribs, it would be regarded as a triumph of art. This is important, because in speculative writing the plough is sometimes depreciated and the spade is extolled, though this very operation of preparing our wheat land could scarcely be executed at all by spade, since it is necessary that the existing sward should be perfectly buried. RIBSTON PIPPIN. The late Sir Harry Goodricke brought this apple from Italy, and as it was first grown in this country, at his residence, Eibstone Hall, in the county of York, where the original tree was still growing a few years since, it received the appellation of Eibston, or Eibstone Pippin. CURRANTS. Currants, or Corinthian Grapes, so called because they came from Corinth. They were first brought into England in 1534, from the Isle of Zant, belonging to Venice ; the musk rose, and several sorts of plums, came from Italy the same year; they were brought and planted by Lord Cromwell. The English name of Currant is evidently derived from the small Corinthian grape sold under that name by grocers. The English currant is, how- ever, a different plant, and bears no resemblance to the vine which produces the former. CHERRIES. Faulkner says that this fruit was introduced into Britain about the year 53. The Anglo-Saxons are said to have lost it, and Eichard Harris, fruiterer to king Henry VIII., to have re-im- ported it ; but good native cherries have been found in Norfolk, and they were known in the thirteenth century. It appears they were commonly sold in the streets of London, in the time of Lydgate, who mentions them in his poem, called "Lickpenny:" " Hot pescode own began to cry, Strawberys rype, and Cheryes in the ryse." The "Guardian" of July 2, 1713, mentions, that cherries were sold upon sticks above 100 years ago. FILBERTS. The nut, called Filbert, derives its name from Philipert, king of France, who was exceedingly fond of them. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 237 VARIOUS FRUITS, &c., IN ENGLAND. In the reign of Elizabeth, Edmund Grindall, afterwards arch- bishop of Canterbury, transplanted here the Tamarisk. Oranges were brought here by one of the Carew family. To Sir Walter Raleigh we are indebted for that useful root, the Potatoe. Sir Anthony Ashley first planted Cabbages in this country.* The Fig-trees planted by Cardinal Pole, in the reign of Henry VIII., are still standing in Lambeth. Sir Richard Weston first brought Clover-grass into England in 1645. The Mulberry-tree is a native of Persia, and is said to have been introduced in 1576. The Almond was introduced in 1570, and came from the east. The Chestnut is a native of the South of Europe. The Walnut is a native of Persia, but the time of its introduction is unknown. The Apricot came from America, about 1562. The Plum is a native of Asia, and was imported into Europe by the Crusaders ; and the Damascene takes its name from the city of Damascus. The Alpine Strawberry was first cultivated in the king's garden, in 1760. The Peach is a native of Persia. The Nectarine was first introduced about 1562. The Quince, called Cydonia, from Cydon, was cultivated in this country in Gerrard's time. The red Queen- apple was so called in compliment to queen Elizabeth. The cultivation of the Pear is of great antiquity, for Pliny mentions twenty different kinds. Most of our apples came originally from France. Miller mentions eighty-four species of Pear, whose names are all enumerated in his Gardener's Dictionary, a work of great celebrity, and may be said to have laid the foundation of all the horticultural taste and knowledge in England. To the afflictions and exiles of Charles we are indebted for many of our best vege- tables, which were introduced by his followers from the Continent : thus, by the industry of man, are the gifts of the earth trans- planted from clime to clime. " See how the rising fruits the gardens crown, Imbibe the Sun, and make his light their own." Blackmore. RAISINS. Raisins are made from grapes, by cutting the stalk of the bunch half through when the grapes are nearly ripe, and leaving them suspended on the vine till their watery part is evaporated ; and as the rays of the sun are necessary to effect this, they are called Raisins of the Sun. They are also prepared by gathering the fruit when fully ripe, and dipping it in the ley made of the ashes * In the early part of the reign of Henry VIII., there did not grow in England, cabbage, carrot, turnip, or any edible root; and even queen Katherine herself could not command a salad, till the king brought over a gardener from the Netherlands! 238 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. of burnt tendrils ; after which it is exposed to the heat of the sun, or to that of an oven, till dry ; the former are reckoned the finest, and are imported in boxes and jars, and the inferior in mats. GRAPES. Grapes were first brought to England in the year 1552, and planted at Black-hall, in Suifolk. They were cultivated in Flanders, 1276. The most extraordinary grape-vine in this country is that at Hampton Court, which came from Hamburgh. Jt is above 110 feet long; at three feet from the ground the stem is nearly thirty inches in circumference. It is of the black Ham- burgh grape, and the quantity it bears in some seasons exceeds 2500 bunches. ORNAMENTAL GARDENING IN ENGLAND. The plantation and management of gardens, which form so useful and important an appendage to the dwellings of all classes, especially to the nobility and gentry, where adequate space can be allowed for their proper adjustment and cultivation, appears to have been first an object of attention early in the sixteenth cen- tury, during the reign of Henry VIII., whose taste led him to encourage horticulture. But it was not till the seventeenth cen- tury that it received its chief impulse under the fostering hand of Charles I., when flowers and curious plants were generally cultivated under the auspices of Parkinson, who first filled the office of herbalist to that monarch; and Tradescant, a Dutch- man, who was his gardener, and established a botanic garden at Lambeth in 1629. The botanic garden at Oxford, the first public institution of the kind, was founded in 1632 by Jacob Bobart, a German, and from that time both botany and horticulture have been in a flourishing state. The Botanic Gardens at Kew and Cambridge followed in the middle of the eighteenth century; and the Horticultural Society of London was founded at the beginning of the present century. The style and arrangement of the ground in its several depart- ments, especially as regards the flower or pleasure garden, was not fixed on a permanent basis till about the reign of William and Mary, and was introduced by the Earl of Albemarle, who was a Dutchman, and has thence been called the Dutch style ; a good specimen of it may be seen at Hampton Court, a favourite residence of king William. This style of yew hedges and formal avenues was long the prevailing fashion. The culture of the yew has ever been promoted in England from the time of the con- quest ; and few old churchyards are to be found that cannot boast their yew-trees.* * At Bedfont, on the road to Windsor, in the churchyard, are two yews cut in topiary (clipped) work, among which are figures exhibiting the date of 1704. The tops of the trees are formed into ^the shape of peacocks. Lysons' Environs, Vol. v. p. 10. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 239 CROCUS. This flower derives its name from Crocus, a young man who, as Heathen mythology informs us, pined away into a flower, which has since bore his name. This flower, as affording saffron, is men- tioned in Scripture in Solomon's Song, iv. 14, which was much esteemed as a medicine and as an aromatic, and entered largely into the cookery of our forefathers. NARCISSUS. This flower derives its name from the following mythological circumstance. Narcissus, son of Cephisus and Liriope, was so hand- some that all the nymphs fell in love with him ; but he slighted them all. Echo, among the rest, could not influence him to regard her; returning, however, one day from the chase, he looked into a fountain, and was so enamoured of his own beauty, that he languished away, and was metamorphosed into a flower, which from that time bore his name. ACANTHA. Acantha, a young and beautiful nymph, who, for having given a favourable reception to Apollo, was changed into a plant of the same name. THE COWSLIP. " Cowslip, of all beloved, of all admired; Thee let me sing, the homely shepherd's pride; Fit emblem of the maid I love, a form Gladdening the sight of man ; a sweet perfume, Sending its balmy fragrance to the soul. Daughter of Spring, and Messenger of May, Which shall I first declare, which most extol, Thy sovereign beauties, or thy sovereign use?" The Cowslip derives its name from a very old and fanciful, but now exploded idea that this flower was generated from the saliva of the cow's lip ; to corroborate which, it has been stated, that it is only found in pastures where milch cows have grazed. It is, however, known as the Yellow-bell, and is classed with the blue and hare bell, and has made its appearance where the cow was never known to have been. Genial weather at the com- mencement of the year, dresses the meadows and pastures with this favourite of Flora. THE DAISY. Passing the eye from the hedgerow to the earth, it lights on the " wee-tipp'd" emblem of modesty the daisy, sung by poets 240 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. of every clime where it blows, and so sweetly by our own Mont- gomery, who has designated it the Companion of the Sun. " But this small flower, to nature dear, While Moon and Stars their courses run, "Wreath the whole circle of the year, Companion of the Sun." That modest little flower, the daisy, derives its name from day's eye, arising from the circumstance of unfolding its simple beauties at the " peep o' day," and earlier than any other of Flora's tribe. Flora's Guide. THE VIOLET. ; There is a flower So sweetly fair, In truelove's bower" It blossoms there; Its smile of gladness And azure ray, Bids gloomy sadness Haste far away. " At early morning How sweet to rove, "Where 'tis adorning The shady grove! There chastely blooming, It whispers, " be Thou unassuming, O man, like me!" J. E. Stablschmidt. Violet, violin, violoncello, are all derived from viol, signifying sweet, applicable to either sound or smell: the latter syllables being merely to distinguish, or harmonize. TULIPS. " So beauty fades, so fleets its showy life, As droops the tulip, clad in all its pride Of rich array." This beautiful but short-lived flower, was first introduced into this country by Lord Arlington, in the reign of Charles II. The tulip opens with the rising, and shuts with the setting sun. The bulb is termed by Linnaeus the hybernacle, or winter lodge of the young plant, and closes the infant in its folds, which " In some lone cave, secure pavilion, lies, And waits the courtship of serener skies." Darwin. Tulip-fancying has been carried to great excess. It is related that a connoisseur in the fancy, hearing of a person having in his possession a black tulip, instantly ordered his carriage, and, pro- ceeding to the possessor's residence, expressed a desire to see this rara avis, which was instantly shown him ; upon which he imme- diately oifered 100 guineas for the same ! This was refused : two hundred was offered, but refused also ; whereupon three hundred was bid, and the bargain struck. The virtuosi, on getting the tulip in his possession, immediately cut it in piecemeal before the astonished grower of it, exclaiming at the same time, " Now, I am the only possessor of a black tulip in the whole country!'' THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 241 It turned out that he had one in his own garden, but as he could not endure another to possess a similar freak of nature, he took this means to insure it. WEEPING WILLOWS. The first Weeping Willow supposed to have been planted in England, was by Pope, which for a long time was known as Pope's Weeping Willow. Martyn says, " The famous and admired weeping willow, planted by Pope, which has lately been felled to the ground (1801), came from Spain, enclosing a present for Lady Suffolk. Mr. Pope was in company when the covering was taken off; he observed, that the pieces of stick appeared as if they had some vegetation; and -added, perhaps they may produce some- thing we have not in England. Under this idea he "planted it in his garden, and it produced the Willow Tree that has given birth to so many others." PASSION FLOWER. This flower, says the elegant author of the " Flora Domestica," derives its name from an idea, that all the instruments of Christ's Passion are represented in it, viz., the five wounds, the column or pillar of scourging, besides the three nails, the crown of thorns, &c. Most of the Passion flowers are natives of the hottest parts of America. DAMASK ROSE. The Damask Eose was brought into England in the year 1522, from Italy, by Dr. Linacre, physician to Henry VIII. LILY, &c. The Lily came from the Levant, the Jessamine from the East Indies, the Tube-rose from Java and Ceylon, the Carnation and Pink from Italy, and the Auricula from Switzerland. Intro- duced in the reign of Charles II. HOLLYHOCK. This is merely a corruption from Holy-oak, a tree or flower held in much estimation by the Lady Abbesses and Nuns of old ; and which abounded in the gardens of convents, it being con- sidered by them as possessing sacred and protecting qualities. ROSEMARY. " Come, funeral flower ! who lovest to dwell, With the pale corse in lonely tomb, And throw across the desert gloom A sweet decaying smell. 242 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Come, press my lips, and lie with me Beneath the lowly alder-tree ; And we will sleep a pleasant sleep, And not a care shall dare intrude To break the marble solitude, So peaceful and so deep." Eosemary is a small, but very odoriferous shrub ; the principal use of it is to perfume chambers, and in decoctions for washing. Its botanical name is rosmarinus, so called from ros, dew, and marinus, alluding to its situation on the seashore. It is seen mantling the rocks of the Mediterranean in winter, with its grey flowers glittering with dew. It was used to stick around the coffin of the dead, probably not only from its fragrance and funereal character, but also for some antiseptic qualities it was supposed to possess. Shakspeare alludes to it in Borneo and Juliet, act iv. scene 5. " Dry up your tears, and stick your rosemary On this fair corse ; and, as the custom is, In all her best array bear her to church." HOLLY. " Fairest blossoms drop with every blast, But the brown beauty will like hollies last." Gay, The Holly, or Ilex, is supposed to derive its name from the season in which it particularly nourishes (Christmas), being kept as holy by all who profess the faith of Christ. Of this tree there are several species, some of which produce yellow berries and some white. SALADS. Oil for salads is mentioned in the Paston Letters in 1466, in which year Sir John Paston writes to his mother, that he has sent her " ij potts off oyl for saladys, whyche oyl was goode as myght be when he dely v'yd it, and schuld be good at the reseyving yf itt was not mishandled nor mycarryd." This indicates that vegetables for the table were still cultivated in England, although the common opinion is, that most of our fruits and garden pro- ductions were destroyed during the civil wars Between the houses of York and Lancaster. A good salad, however, had become so scarce some years afterwards, that Katherine, the queen of Henry VIII., is said, on a particular occasion, to have sent to the con- tinent to procure one. Salad herbs were common some years afterwards. POTATOES. The Board of Agricultural Eeport tells us (of this most useful and now universally well-known root), that it is a native of America, and was familiar to the Indians before the conquest of Mexico and Peru. It was called by them, amongst other names, THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 243 "openauk ;" and in the History of the New-round-land Virginia, by Heriot (a follower of Sir Walter Raleigh, and printed in 1588), is described as " a kinde of root of round form, some of the big- ness of wallnuts, some farre greater, which are found in moist and marish grounds, growing many together one with the other in ropes, as if they were fastened by a string. Being boyled," he says, " or sodden, they are verie good meate." Gerarde, in his " Herbal," is the first author who gives the figure of the potato plant. He calls it by the name of " Solanum tuberosum," which name has been followed by Linnaeus and his disciples. Sir Walter Raleigh, after returning from America in 1586, is said to have first given it to his gardener in Ireland, as a fine fruit from America, and which he desired him to plant in his kitchen gar- den in the spring. In August this plant flourished, and in Sep- tember produced a fruit, but so different from the gardener's expectation, that in an ill-humour he carried the potato-apple to his master. " Is this," said he, " the fine fruit from America you prized so highly ? " Sir Walter either was, or pretended to be ignorant of the matter, and told the gardener, since that was the case, to dig up the weed and throw it away. The gardener soon returned with a good parcel of potatoes. It was cultivated in the gardens of the nobility and gentry, early in the seventeenth century, as a curious exotic, and towards the close of it (1684) was planted out in the fields in small patches in Lancashire, from, whence it was gradually propagated all over the kingdom, as well as in France. In the year 1847, a formidable disease broke out both in England and in Ireland in this valuable plant. It appeared first in the leaves and stalk, about the end of the sum- mer, which looked as if struck by lightning, faded, dead, and emitted a nauseous smell. The attack was sudden, and the effects permanent ; as the disease in a few days affected the root, which became full of black specks, and quickly decayed, so as to render all storing impossible : a total famine in Ireland was the con- sequence, and great distress was experienced in England from the same cause. The disease is so inveterate, that it is still severely felt at the present time of writing, and though many theories have been broached as to its cause, and numerous methods adopted for its cure, it still resists all efforts for its removal. CABBAGES. According to Evelyn in his Sylva, even so ordinary but useful a legume as a cabbage, was in 1539 first imported from the Netherlands. Many years after this, it seems that England was still supplied with cabbages from Flanders. Bullein, in his Boke of Simples, written in 1562, observes on this vegetable, that "it is good to make pottage withall, and is a profitable herbe in the common wealthe, which the Fleminges sell deare, but we have it 244 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. growinge in our owne gardens, if we would preferre our owne commodityes," &c. He adds, " there be greate plenty growing between Albrought and Horthworth, in Suftblke, upon the sea- shore." Cauliflowers were as uncommon near the same time, and sold then and afterwards very high. As late as 1619, two cauliflowers cost 3s., and sixteen artichokes 3s. 4d., prices which would now be deemed extravagant, but they were at that time esteemed rarities, as they still are in remote parts of the king- dom. RADISHES, &c. Bullein, just quoted, says of this root, in 1562, u of radish rootes there be no small store growing about the famous citie of London, though they be more plentiful than profitable, and more noysome than nourishing to man's nature." Of garden produc- tions, mentioned in a MS. of the steward of Sir Edward Coke, while Attorney-general between 1596-7, onions, leeks, carrots, and radies, seem to have been chiefly used to make pottage for the poor. Holinshed tells us in his " Chronicle," written about this time, " such herbes, fruites, and rootes also as growe yearlie out of the ground of seed, had become verie plentiful! in this land in the time of the First Edward, and after his daies ; but in pro- cesse of time they grew also to be neglected, so that from Henrie IV., till the latter end of Henry VII. and beginning of Henrie VIII., there was little or no use of them in England, but they remained either unknowne, or supposed as food more mete for hogs and savage beasts to feed upon them than mankind ; whereas, in my time, their use is not only resumed among the poore com- mons I mean melons, pompious, gourds, cucumbers, radishes, &c., skerets, parsnips, carrots, cabbages, newewes, turnips, and all kindes of herbes ; but also fed upon as daintie dishes at the tables of delicate merchants, gentlemen, and the nobilitie, who make their provision yearlie for new seeds out of strange coun- tries, from whence they have them abundantlie." CELERY. Celery was first introduced to the English tables by Count Tallard, during his captivity in England, after the battle of Mal- plaquet in 1709. ARROW-ROOT. This plant, or vegetable, so highly prized in the sick chamber, derives its name from being an effectual antidote against the venom of the poisoned arrow, made use of by the Indians, parti- cularly by the Caribees, the plant or root abounding in the islands thus denominated. VEGETABLE FUNGI. An occurrence in the cellar of the late Sir Joseph Banks, may be acceptable in the mention to the curious, and excite particular THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 245 sympathy in persons who recreate with the juice of the vine ; as a fact, it may tend to elucidate the origin and nature of vegetable fungi, particularly of that species termed Mushroom. The worthy baronet had a cask of wine rather too sweet for imme- diate use ; he therefore directed that it should be placed in a cellar, in order that the saccharine matter it contained, might be more perfectly decomposed by age. At the end of three years, he directed his butler to ascertain the state of the wine, when, on attempting to open the cellar door, he could not effect it, in consequence of some powerful obstacle. The door was cut down, and the cellar found to be completely filled with a firm fungus, vegetable production so firm, that it was necessary to use the axe for its removal. This appeared to have grown firm, or have been nourished by the decomposed particles of the wine ; the cask was empty, and carried up to the ceiling, where it was sup- ported by the surface of the fungus. VEGETABLE IVORY. The vegetable ivory is the dense albumen of a nut from which numerous elegant articles may be turned ; an application of it first made in England. This nut has been known a long time, and comes from a tree which is nearly allied to the palms, or, according to Endlicher, to the Pandance. Euiz and Pa von call it Phytelephas. Wildenow terms it Elephantasia. It grows, according to Humboldt, in the interior of South America, and not on the Mascara Islands, as stated by Morren. It (the nut) consists externally of four envelopes of differently formed paren- chyma ; then follows the albumen, the proper so-called vegetable ivory, which is externally dense and white, and of a remarkable structure. We find, namely, towards the circumference, cavities of irregular form ; they then become six-sided, and, when seen in section, short straight canals run out from each angle. The cavities have a quincunxial arrangement. All the rest appears, when strongly magnified, a dense substance. But when a drop of Canada balsam is added, we see distinctly that the dense sub- stance consists of parenchyma, and that the cavities communicate by the broader extremities of their branches. The internal structure resembles that of water plants ; and the different den- sity and firmness might probably arise from the delicacy of the compressed parenchyma. SUGAR. The derivation of this word is valuable and curious, as it points out the native country of the sugar-cane, and throws a light on its ancient use. The French name sucre, and its other European denominations, may be traced to the Latin saccharum, which comes from the Greek sakcharon s-ax^apov words intro- 246 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. duced into Europe by the followers of Alexander, before whose time sugar appears to have been unknown even in Western Asia. Tea and sugar, which are now to be met with in most cottages in the South of England, were great rarities until comparatively of late years. The latter is, indeed, noticed by several authors even as early as the fourteenth century, but continued to be very- dear even in James's reign. It first came from Barbary and Cyprus, where the sugar-cane was introduced by the Moors, and from thence to Spain and the Canaries. From hence, on the discovery of America, it was transplanted to the Brazils ; and about the year 1506, established in Hispaniola. Before it was cultivated in Africa or Europe, sugar was brought from the Indies by way of Damascus or Aleppo, and from thence to Eng- land by Venice, Genoa, or Pisa. Anciently honey was the chief ingredient used as a sweetener of our dishes and liquors, parti- cularly in mead and metheglin. Sugar, however, notwithstand- ing its extravagant price; was very generally substituted in the place of honey, even as early as the reign of Richard II., in great quantities, as is to be seen in several receipts of ancient cookery, and particularly in the kitchen accounts of that monarch. Sack and sugar was a favourite beverage with our ancestors, and is alluded to in several old plays. The first sugar-refining in England was carried on in 1659. Many attempts have been made to obtain sugar from European plants, and the maple and the beet-root have been employed with some success, especially in France ; but the supply has never been found adequate to the demand. TEA. The Chinese are supposed to have first used Tea to correct the water of their ponds and rivers. Tea wa probably very im- perfectly, if at all, known in England in the reign of James I., and certainly was very little used. Botero, who wrote about 1590, seems to allude to tea in the following remark: "The Chinese have also an herb, out of which they press a delicate juice, which serves them instead of wine ; it also preserves their health, and frees them from all those evils that the immoderate use of wine doth bring unto us." In a treatise on the East India trade, published in 1620, most of the commodities then imported are enumerated, but tea is not one of them. It was, perhaps, introduced on the establishment of the new India Company in 1637, who then obtained permission to trade to China and Japan, to which the former India Company had not before adventured. No notice of tea, however, is taken in the Book of Bates annexed to the Act passed in 1660, for granting the King certain duties on different articles of importation ; but in a subsequent Act, tea, coffee, and chocolate, are subjected to an excise. It is singular, THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 247 in the Act alluded to, that the duty is imposed on the liquor composed from the articles specified, and not on the simple articles themselves. The Act says, " for every gallon of coffee made and sold, to be paid by the maker, 4d. ; for every gallon of chocolate, sherbet, and tea, made and sold, to be paid by the maker thereof, 8d. ;" from which it may be inferred, that none of those articles were then made by private families, but were purchased ready mixed from the compounded The difficulty of collecting the duties in this form, their general unproductiveness, and the expenses they caused, occasioned the act to be repealed in the reign of William and Mary. Another writer says, tea or chaa, as it is called in China, was first brought to this country from Holland by Lord Arlington, in 1666. It is said to have been first brought to Europe by the Portuguese, and not understanding its qualities, or the mode of preparing it, the leaves were boiled, served up as greens, and eat with melted butter, the water in which they were boiled being thrown away ! Within the last few years tea has been imported from Assam, and efforts have been made to promote its culture in our East India possessions ; but as our recent relations with China have facilitated the com- mercial intercourse, the Chinese trade is still the principal source of supply. The consumption of Tea as a beverage has, however, been considerably affected by the substitution of Coffee, which is more nutritious and cheaper ; and affords a greater encouragement to our Colonial trade. TOBACCO. Tobacco is a native of the East and West India, and particularly the island Tobago, or Tabago, from whence Tabacco, or Tobacco, is derived. Tobacco is said to have been first brought into England by Capta'n E. Greenfield and Sir Francis Drake about the year 1586, and Sir Walter Ealeigh to have introduced smok- ing it. Aubrey says, " Sir Walter Raleigh standing in a stand in Sir Eobert Poyntz' park at Acton, took a pipe of Tobacco, which made the ladies quit it till he had done." Fosbroke, in his Encyclopaedia of Antiquities, says, " women as well as men used to smoke after supper, and when the children went to school, they carried in their satchels, with their book, a pipe of Tobacco ; this their mothers took care to fill early in the morning, to serve them instead of a breakfast. At an accustomed hour every one laid aside his book and lit his pipe, the master smoking with them, and teaching them how to hold their pipes. People went to bed with pipes in their mouths and rose in the night to light them, a custom retained in Spain. Our first Tobacco came from the Spanish West Indies ; and in 1599 the seeds were brought to Portugal, and in the sixteenth century it began to be cultivated in the East Indies." 248 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. HOPS. They were, according to " Baker's Chronicles," introduced into England in the year of our Lord 1524. " Turkies, carps, hoppes, picarell,* and beere, Came into Englande all in one yeare." Hops were brought into England from the Netherlands, and are first mentioned as growing here, in the 5th and 6th Edward VI., and towards the middle of the same century were a favourite cultivation of English farmers. The best hops are produced in England, and are chiefly cultivated in Kent and Sussex ; they are also grown to a limited extent in Surrey, Essex, Suffolk, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Staffordshire, the soil and climate of each district giving a peculiar character to the crop. On the continent of Europe hops have been extensively cultivated, but never to perfection, the flowers having generally a rank smell and flavour. The plant has also been introduced into Canada, Van Diemen's Land, and on the Himalaya mountains, with various success. BARLEY, BEER, BARME. The month of September was called by our Saxon ancestors Gerstmonat, for that barley, says Verstegan, which that moneth commonly yeelded, was antiently called gerst, the name of barley being given unto it by reason of the drinke therewith made, called beere, and from beerlcjh it came to be berlegh, and from berlegh to barley. So in like manner beereheym, to wit, the overdecking or covering of beere, came to be called berkam, and afterwards barme, having since gotten I wot not how many names besides/!* This excellent and healthsome liquor, beere, antiently called ael, as of the Danes it yet is (beere and ale being in effect all one), was of the Germans invented, and brought in use." It has been main- tained by some authors that there was no malt liquor known by this name, as distinguished from ale,*which was the ancient liquor of England, and superseded mead; and was drank as early by the Anglo-Saxons and Danes. It was merely an inferior kind of barley, fermented, without any hops or other bitter ingredient. Beer as we now have it, is however of ancient date, being men- tioned in a statute of 1482 (23 James III. of Scotland), by which it was made a capital offence to mix " wine" and beer ; and in 1492 we find a licence to a brewer of Greenwich in E?ent to export fifty tone of ale called "beer" or u bere," though hops were not used till a later period, yet other bitters as wormwood were used to promote its keeping. ALE. This term, denominating another truly English beverage, is derived from the Saxon ad. The Saxons called October ad- monat, or ael-monath, i. e., the month which was principally * Pike or Jack. f Yeast, &c. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 249 dedicated to the brewing of this liquor. Dr. Paris, On Diet, says, the liquor called ale was originally made of barley,* malt, and yeast alone. We are told by one of the oldest writers on medical subjects (Andrew Boorde), that those who put in any other ingredient, sophisticated the liquor. It is, he says, the natural drink of an Englishman ; but beer, on the other hand, which is made of malt, hops, and water, is the natural drink of a Dutchman, and of late is much used in England, to the great detriment of many Englishmen. There existed, for a long time, a strong prejudice against hops, which were considered as pernicious weeds ; but it is now generally admitted, that they constitute the most valuable ingredient in malt liquors. Independent of the flavour and tonic virtues which they communicate, they precipitate, by means of their astringent principle, the vegetable mucilage, and thus remove from the beer the active principle of its fermentation ; without hops, therefore, we must either drink our malt liquors new and ropy, or old and sour. There are several varieties of ale, distinguished by their colour ; when the malt is slenderly dried, the ale is pale; or brown, when the malt is more roasted, or high dried. Those who sold Ale in England in olden time were called Ale-wives. John Skelton the Poet wrote and published a curious pamphlet on this subject, entitled " Elynor Eummin, or Elynor of Eummyng, alias, The Tunning of Elynor Eumpkyn, the famous Ale-wife of England," &c. This was several times printed, and particularly in 1624. Two sheets, Lond. 4to. In the Title-page is the picture of an old ill-favoured woman, holding in her hand a black pot of ale, and underneath her these verses are written. When Skelton wore the Laurel Crown, My Ale put all the Ale-wives down. DAVIES'S Icon Libellorum, p. 29. PORTER AND ENTIRE. Before 1730, the malt liquors in general use in London were called ale, beer, and a drink called twopenny. It was then custom- ary to call for a pint, or tankard, of half-and-half; i. e., half of ale and half of beer, or half of ale and half of twopenny. In course of time, it also became the practice to call for a pint, or tankard of three-threads, meaning a third of each, ale, beer, and twopenny, and thus the publican had the trouble to go to three casks, and turn three cocks for a pint of liquor. To avoid this in- convenience and waste, a brewer of the name of Harwood conceived the idea of making a liquor, which should partake of the united flavours of ale, beer, and twopenny ; he did so, and succeeded, calling it entire, or entire-butt, meaning that it was drawn entirely from one cask or butt; and as it was a very hearty and nourishing liquor, and supposed to be very suitable for porters, and other working people, it obtained the name of porter. * See Barlej. 250 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. GIN. The Genevese, in imitation of the Dutch (Hollands) were the first makers of this spirit, and called it Geneva, from whence origi- nated the English term of Gin. Although it is inferior in flavour to Hollands, it is considered, when unadulterated with noxious mixtures, to be equally as wholesome. PORT WINE. This wine derives its name from Oporto, in Portugal, which, like Bordeaux in France, is the principal port in that country from whence the Portugal wines are exported. Howell says, " Portugal affords no wines worth transporting." In our day, however, we think different. The custom of drinking Port wine began about 1703, the date of the Methuen treaty, it being deemed impolitic to. encourage the vintage of France. Wine was first made in England in 1140. SHERRY. This wine derives its name from the province of Xeres, in Spain, where it is produced. HOCK. We have heard much of Hock, and many of us, no doubt, have tasted it : it is made at a village called Hocheim, in Germany, from which it derives its name. The following epitaph may be seen on a tombstone there : "This grave holds Gaspar Schink, who came to dine And taste the noblest vintage of the Rhine: Three nights he sat. and thirty bottles drank, Then lifeless by the board of Bacchus sank, One only comfort have we in the case The trump will raise him in the proper place." GROG. Old Admiral Vernon first introduced rum and water as a beve- rage on board a ship; the veteran used to wear a grogram cloak in foul weather, which gained him the appellation of Old Grog: from himself the sailors transferred this name to the liquor, and it may be a question to which of the grogs they were most at- tached. See Notes and Queries, vol. i. pp. 52, 168. PUNCH Liquor. The liquor called Punch, says the "Asiatic Journal," has be- come so truly English, that it is often supposed to be indigenous in THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 251 this country, though its name at least is oriental. The Persian punji, or Sanscrit pancha, i. e.,five, is the etymon of its title, and denotes the number of ingredients of which it is composed. Ad- dison's fox-hunter, who testified so much surprise when he found, that of the materials of which this truly English beverage was made, only the water belonged to England, would have been more astonished, had his informant also told him that it derived its name even from the East. NEGUS. Wine and water first received this name from Francis Negus, Esq., in the reign of George the First. Party spirit ran high at that period between Whigs and Tories, and wine-bibbing was resorted to as an excitement. On one occasion, some leading Whigs and Tories having, par accident, got over their cups toge- ther, and Mr. Negus being present, and high words ensuing, he recommended them in future to dilute their wine, as he did, which suggestion fortunately directed their attention from an argument which probably would have ended seriously, to one on the merits of wine and water, which concluded by their nicknaming it Negus. COFFEE AND COFFEE HOUSES. Coffee Houses were first established at Oxford. In the year 1650, Jacob, a Jew, opened a Coffey-house at the Angel, in the parish of Saint Peter in the East, Oxon ; and there it was by some, who delighted in noveltie, drank. In 1654, Cirques Jobson, a Jew and a Jacobite, born near Mount Lebanus, sold coffee in Oxon; and in 1655, Arthur Till- yard, apothecary, sold coffee publicly in his house against All Souls' College. This coffey-house continued till his Majesty's (Charles II.) return and after, and then became more frequent. It is also recorded in a " New View of London," published in 1 708, that one James Fair, a barber, who kept the house (which is now the Eainbow) by the Inner Temple Gate, one of the oldest in Eng- land, was in the year 1657 presented by the Inquest of St. Dunstan's in the West, for making and selling a sort of liquor called coffee, to the great nuisance and prejudice of the neigh- bourhood. And who (adds the author) could then have thought London would ever have had 3000 such nuisances, and that coffee would have been, as now, so much drank by the first quality and physicians. See also Notes and Queries, vol. i. p. 314. CHICORY. Chicory is the Cichorum intybus, a plant of the order Com- positse, indigenous in most parts of Europe. The root of Chicory and endive greens is used as a substitute for coffee. The leaves 252 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. are also largely used in a manufactured state as a dye-stuff, called " pastel, or imitation woad," of which they form the prin- cipal ingredient, for the purpose of rendering the colour per- manent in woollen cloths. NEWCASTLE SALMON. Previous to the year 1787, all salmon sent to London from Berwick were boiled and put into kits; but since that time they have been sent in boxes, stratified with ice, by which mode they are preserved for a considerable period. At a still previous time, the fish were carried by land to Newcastle, and there cured and shipped for London, where they are to this day called New- castle Salmon. STILTON CHEESE. The late Duke of Northumberland and suite, passing through Stilton on their way to the north, stopped at the Crown to take luncheon and change horses. On his grace (at that period earl Percy) inquiring of the landlord if he had any good cheese, one of the description now in vogue was placed on the table, which his lordship was so much pleased with, that he purchased half a dozen of the same, which the landlord had by him. The praise which his lordship bestowed on the cheese to all his friends and acquaintance, brought numerous applications to the landlord for similar ones, and consequently brought the cheese into great vogue, insomuch that at last he found his cheese trade as productive as his inn. Although the cheese is denominated by the name of Stilton, which is merely from the circumstance previously named, yet it is made in the vicinity of Melton Mowbray, and other parts of Leicestershire. NATIVE OYSTERS. Oysters were looked upon by the Eomans as a " dainty dish ;" and the poet Antonius has celebrated them in his verses. After the death of this poet, however, oysters were no more thought of; and it was not till the beginning of the sixteenth century that they were again brought into notice. Oysters are conceitedly said to be in season in every month of the year that has an E in its name, beginning with September, and ending with April ; but the season in many places extends from August to May. Almost every city has its favourite oyster bank. In London the Col- chester and Milton oysters are held in most esteem. Edinburgh has her "Whiskered Pandores," and latterly, " Aberdour oysters ;" and Dublin, the " Carliugford " and " Powldoodies of Burran." For the convenience of obtaining a ready supply of oysters, they are often transported from their original beds, and laid down on proper places of the coasts, but these exiles are seldom found in such perfection as those which are called natives that is, such as have never been rudely torn from their native homes, and sent on voyages of profit. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 253 RED HERRINGS. Tn a curious old pamphlet, entitled Lenten Stuff e, the author says, " the discovery of red herrings was owing to accident, by a fisherman having hung some in his cabin, where, what with his firing and smoaking, or smoaky firing, in that his narrow lobby (house), his herrings, which were as white as whalebone when he hung them up, now looked as red as a boiled lobster." In the year 1745, when the Scots rebellion threatened most formidably, Herring, then archbishop of York, resolved, in case of extremity, to take arms himself, and oppose the rebels. His avowing his intention, gave occasion to orator Henley to nick- name him a Eed-Herring ! BREAD AND BUTTER. Bread and butter, &c., superseded Kychen grosse, or dripping, for breakfast, between the reigns of Edward IV. and Elizabeth, Bread and cheese is mentioned as a common viand by Diogenes Laertius. LUXURIES, ARTICLES OF DRESS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS AND COMPANIES, PUBLIC-HOUSE SIGNS, &c. SHOES AND BOOTS. To whom the honour of the invention belongs, has never yet been satisfactorily ascertained by the Crispins of ancient or of modern times. That the Jews had them in use, appears from many passages of their history. " Over Edom," said the royal Psalmist, " will I cast out my shoe." Pliny, the Eoman historian, attributes the invention to M. Tychius, resident somewhere in Boeotia ; but he does not specify either time or place with sufficient certainty. It is beyond all doubt that they were introduced into Greece at a very early period. Apollo was always represented as wearing sandals, and was thence sometimes called Sandilarius. That the Greeks wore boots long before the days of Homer, has been proved from several passages in the Iliad. In the very first book, Chryses, in his pathetic appeal to King Agamemnon and his army to restore his daughter, addresses them thus " Ye sons of Atreus, and ye other well-booted Greeks." Among the Komans, a good shoemaker was held in very high estimation ; and the profession was held by them to be inalienable, as the profession of a priest is among ourselves. " While boots and shoes are worn, their names shall be Proclaim'd by fame to all posterity." 254 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. RIGHTS AND LEFTS. Eights and lefts are only " an old, old, very old" fashion revived. The shoes of Bernard, king of Italy, found in his tomb, were right and left ; the soles were of wood, the upper part red leather, laced with thongs, and they fitted so closely, that the order of the toes, terminating in a point at the great toe, might easily be discovered. It is remarkable that, as in the present age, both shoes and slip- pers were worn shaped after the right and left foot. Shakspeare describes his smith as " Standing on slippers, which his nimble haste Had falsely thrust upon contrary feet." And Scot, in his Discoverie of Witchcraft observes, " that he who receiveth a mischance, will consider whether he put not on his shirt wrong side outwards, or his left shoe on his right foot.* GLOVES. Casaubon is of opinion, that Gloves were worn by the Chal- deans, because the word here mentioned is in the Talmud Lexicon explained, " the clothing of the hand." But it must be confessed, all this is mere conjecture ; and the Chaldean Paraphrastmay have taken an unallowable liberty with his version. Let us then be content to begin with Xenophon, who gives a clear and distinct account of gloves. Speaking of the manners of the Persians, he gives us a proof of their effeminacy ; that, not satisfied with covering their head and their feet,\hey also guarded their hands against the cold with thick gloves. Homer, speaking of Laertes at work in his garden, represents him with " gloves on his hands, to secure them from the thorns." Yarro, an ancient writer, is an evidence in favour of their antiquity among the Romans. In lib. 2, cap. 35, De re Rustica, he says, that olives gathered by the naked hand are preferable to those gathered with gloves. Atheneeus speaks of a celebrated glutton, who always came to table with gloves on his hands, that he might be able to handle and eat the meat while hot, and devour more than the rest of the company. Strutt thinks gloves were not used in England till the tenth century, and then only by persons of rank and the clergy, and that they were not used by ladies until the latter end of the thirteenth century. NIGHTCAPS. Before we proceed to Hats and Caps, we will say something about the origin of that most unseemly and ungraceful thing, a Man's Nightcap. In former times, a hood was attached to the sleeping habiliment, somewhat similar to a monk's cowl, until * Dr. Drake's Shakspeare and his times. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 255 Henry II. of France, whose forte, was the study of personal con- venience and ease, introduced the present nightcap. The middle and lower orders were forbidden to wear velvet or brocade ones, so that those classes had them originally made of woollen cloth. PANTALOONS. Pantaloons, and Port Canons, were some of the fantastic fashions wherein we aped the French and is derived from Pan- taleon or Pantaloon, in the pantomime. MILITARY UNIFORMS. Military Uniforms were first introduced by Louis XIV., and immediately after by the English. LIVERIES. Liveries originated in our British ancestors clothing their vas- sals in uniform, to distinguish families; as they painted arms and symbols on their clothes and arms for the same purpose. SERGEANT'S COIF. The Sergeant's Coif was originally an iron scull-cap, worn by knights under their helmets. Blackstone says it was introduced before 1253, "to hide the tonsor of such renegado clerks as chose to remain as advocates in the secular courts, notwithstanding their prohibition by canon." FLANNEL SHIRTS. Flannel was first used in Boston as a dress next the skin, by Lord Percy's regiment, which was encamped on the Common, in October 1774. There was hardly flannel enough then in the whole town for that one regiment. Some time after Lord Percy had begun with flannel shirting, Sir Benjamin Thompson (Count Kumford) published a pamphlet in America, assuming to have discovered this practice. He might, perhaps, have suggested the use of it to Lord Percy. Flannel has not been in general use till within the last half century. BEDS. Beds, now such indispensable pieces of furniture, were to the Greeks and Romans articles of great luxury. When they ex- changed the leaves and skins of beasts, on which their heroic ancestors reposed, for mattresses and feather-beds, the bedsteads were made sometimes of ivory, sometimes of ebony, sometimes of 256 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. cedar, and sometimes of silver. It would be difficult now-a-days, in the middle ranks of life, to find beds such as our ancestors slept on, not only with their wives and their children, but with their dogs and their friends ; an invitation to such a couch was then considered the strongest proof of affection and confidence that could be given. BLANKETS. It has been said that in 1340, one Thomas Blanket, and some other inhabitants of Bristol, set up looms in their own houses for weaving those woollen cloths, which have ever since been called Blankets; but this is doubtful, as the word Blanketum occurs in Du Cange, in the sense of an under-waistcoat of woollen, in which it appears that people slept without a shirt. HATS AND CAPS. The introduction of caps and hats is referred to the year 1449, the first seen in these parts of the world being at the entry of Charles VII. into Rouen, and from that time they began to take place of the hoods or chaperons that had been used till then. When the cap was of velvet, they called it mortier when of wool, simply bonnet. None but kings, princes, and knights, were allowed the use of the mortier. The cap was the head-dress of the clergy and graduates, churchmen, and members of universi- ties ; students in law, physic, &c., as well as graduates, wear square caps in most universities. Doctors are distinguished by peculiar caps given them in assuming the doctorate. Pasquier says, that the giving the cap to students in the universities, was to denote that they had acquired full liberty, and were no longer subject to the rod of their superiors, in imitation of the ancient Romans, who gave a pileus or cap to their slaves, in the ceremony of making them free. The cap is also used as a mark of infamy in Italy. The Jews are distinguished by a yellow cap at Lucca, and by an orange one in France. Formerly those who had been bankrupts, were obliged ever after to wear a green cap, to pre- vent people from being imposed on in any future commerce. MIRRORS. The first mirrors were made of metal. Cicero carries the origin of them up to ^Esculapius : Moses, too, makes mention of them. It was in the time of Pompey that the first mirrors were made of silver at Rome. Pliny mentions a brilliant stone, pro- bably talc, thin slices of which being fixed upon bright metal, reflected objects with great perfection. The first mirrors of glass appeared in Europe at the latter end of the Crusades. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM* 257 SPENCERS. This article of dress originated with the late Lord Spencer. His lordship, when Lord-lieutenant of Ireland, being out a hunt- ing, had, in the act of leaping a fence, the misfortune to have one of the skirts of his coat torn off; upon which his lordship tore off the other, observing, that to have but one left was like a pig with one ear ! Some inventive genius took the hint, and having made some of these half-coats, out of compliment to his lordship, gave them the significant cognomen of Spencer ! WIGS. "Wigs were first worn by the Eomans, to. hide baldness or de- formity of the head ; those of the Eoman ladies were fastened upon a caul of goat skin. Periwigs commenced with their Em- perors ; they were awkwardly made of hair, painted and glued together. The year 1529 is deemed the epoch of the introduction of peri- wigs into France ; yet it is certain that tetes were in use here a century before. Fosbroke says, "that strange deformity, the Judge's wig, first appears as a general genteel fashion in the seven- teenth century." Archbishop Tillotson was the first bishop who wore a wig, which then was not unlike the natural hair, and worn without powder. Among the Curiosa Cantabrigiensia, it may be recorded that Charles II., who as his worthy friend, the Earl of Rochester, remarked, " Never said a foolish thing, Nor ever did a wise one, sent a letter to the University of Cambridge, forbidding the mem- bers to wear periwigs, smoke tobacco, and read their sermons ! HAIR-POWDER. The powdering of the hair took its rise from some of the ballad singers, at the fair of St. Germaine, whitening their heads to make themselves appear ridiculous ; this was in the year 1614. It was first taxed in England, 1795. FANS, &c. Fans, muffs, masks, &c., and false hair, were first devised by the harlots in Italy, and from France in 1572. STATS. Stays, like many other articles of dress, were first used in the reign of Henry II. of France. They were called Stays here, be- cause they were said to stay the obtrusive charms of woman. s "258 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM.- A curious edict was passed by the Emperor Joseph II., of law- making notoriety, to restrain the use and fashion of stays ; in the preamble it set forth, that they impaired the health and impeded the growth of the fair sex ; in all orphan-houses, nunneries, and other places of public education, they were strictly forbidden, and young ladies still persisting in the fashion, were threatened with the loss of the customary indulgences and countenance which were bestowed on their class ; thus they were made a sort of immo- rality. The College of Physicians also were enjoined to draw up a dissertation in support of the royal edict, which was distributed gratis. But what can a monarch do against fashion ? The liberty of the corset was soon re-established in Austria in its full severity. WOMEN'S BLACKS. This is the name of the common black worsted stockings, for- merly an article of extensive consumption ; they are now little made, because little worn. Black stockings were first introduced into England by Henrietta, daughter of Henry IV. of France, and queen of Charles I. Charles was the first who wore black stockings in England ; they were of silk, and Charles II. seldom wore any other, as the old prints and paintings testify. One of the greatest wholesale dealers in " women's blacks," in a manufacturing town, was celebrated for the largeness of his stock ; his means enabled him to purchase all that were oflFered to him for sale, and it was his favourite article. He was an old- fashioned man, and while the servant-maids were leaving them off, he was unconscious of the change, because he could not believe it ; he insisted that household work could not be done in white cottons. Offers of quantities were made to him at reduced prices, which lie bought ; his immense capital became locked up in his favourite "women's blacks ;" whenever their price in the market lowered, he could not make his mind up to be quite low enough ; his ware- houses were filled with them. When he determined to sell, the demand had wholly ceased ; he could effect no sales ; and, becoming bankrupt, he literally died of a broken-heart from an excessive and unrequited attachment to " women's blacks." COACHES. The introduction of coaches into England, is ascribed by Stow to William Boonew, a Dutchman ; most accounts agree from Germany, but the precise date, except the sixteenth century, is uncertain. There was no coach-box ; the coachman rode on a saddle, as postilions do now. Strutt informs us, in his Manners and Customs of the English, vol. ii. p. 90, that Walter Bipon in 1555 made a coach for the Earl of Eutland, which was the first ever made in England ; and in 1564, the same Walter made the THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 259 first hollow turning coach, with pillars and arches, for her majesty ; and again, in 1584, he made a chariot throne, with four pillars behind to bear a canopy, with a crown imperial on the top, and before, two lower pillars, on which stood a Lion and a Dragon, the supporters of the crown, of England. It was Buckingham, the Favourite, who, about 1619, began to have them drawn by six horses, which, as an historian says, "was wondered at as a novelty, and imputed to him as mastering pride." Before that time ladies chiefly rode on horseback, either single, on their palfreys, or double, behind some person, on a pillion. Tn the year 1672, at which period, throughout the kingdom, there was only six stage-coaches constantly running, a pamphlet was written and published by Mr. John Cresset, of the Charter-house, urging their suppression, and amongst other grave reasons given against their continuance, the author says, " These stage-coaches make gentlemen come to London on every trivial occasion, which otherwise they would not do but upon urgent necessity : nay, the convenience of the passage makes their wives often come up, who, rather than come such journeys on horseback, would stay at home. Then, when they come to town, they must presently be in the mode, get fine clothes, go to plays and treats, and, by these means, get such a habit of idleness and love of pleasure, as make them uneasy ever after." HACKNEY COACHES. Hackney coaches, as well as hackney horses, derive their name from the village of Hackney, which was, at a former period, of such great resort, that numbers of coaches and horses were in constant employ in carrying the citizens thither. It was in the year 1634 that Captain Bay ley first introduced these coaches, when a tolerable long ride might then be procured for the small sum of 4d. CABS, OR CABRIOLETS. These convenient vehicles, which have now almost entirely superseded the old hackney coach, were introduced into London by Maberley the well-known Banker, and Government contractor. Their form has undergone various modifications, but the public seem now to have decided on patronizing only two descriptions : the Clarence cab, which is very convenient for carrying four passengers and luggage and the Hansom's Patent, which is especially constructed for getting quickly over the ground. OMNIBUS. This is the name given to a peculiar kind of public carriage which takes passengers at a cheap rate. They were first intro- duced into Paris in 1825, whence they were introduced into 260 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. London by Shillibeer in 1829. When first introduced into Lon- don, they were drawn by three horses abreast. SEDAN CHAIRS. It was in 1634, that Sir Saunders Buncombe first introduced sedan-chairs. Sir Saunders was a great traveller, and had seen these chairs at Sedan, where they were first invented. SIDE SADDLES. The Princess Ann of Bohemia was the first who introduced side-saddles into England. It was in the year 1399 ; prior to which, ladies either rode on pillion, or astride like men. WALKING-STICKS. Walking-sticks were "first introduced into fashion by the effeminate Henry II. of France, but did not become a requisite appendage to the gentlemen of fashion in England till the year 1655, at which time they were formed with an indented head, in order to afford a more easy pressure of the hand which they sup- ported. Ingenuity, which, in matters of fashion, is for ever on the alert, now crowned it with the addition of the round and hollow top, which sometimes contained nutmeg or ginger, to warm the stomach of the valetudinarian, and sometimes sugar-candy for the asthmatic ; but snuff soon after coming into universal use among the bpn ton of society, the cavity was exclusively appro- priated to its reception ; and the meeting of two friends was invariably marked, after the first salutation, by the unscrewing of the tops of their walking-sticks. STANHOPE. So called from being introduced into the beau monde by the Hon. Mr. Stanhope. DENNET. A vehicle which derives its name from the inventor, whose name was Dennet. TANDEM. This equipage derives its name from the Latin words tan dem, i. e., at length ; one horse preceding the other. It is a cognomen somewhat far-fetched, but it is accounted for by saying, it is of University origin. USE OF MAHOGANY IN ENGLAND. Dr. Gibbons, an eminent physician, in the latter end of last, and beginning of the present century, had a brother, a West THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 261 India captain, who brought over some planks of mahogany as ballast. As the doctor was then building him a house in King Street, Covent Garden, his brother thought they might be of service to him. But the carpenters finding the wood too hard for their tools, it was laid aside for a time as useless. Soon after, Mrs. Gibbons wanted a candle-box ; the doctor called on his cabinet-maker (Wollaston, in Long Acre), to make him one of some wood that lay in his garden. Wollaston also complained that it was too hard. The doctor said he must get stronger tools. The candle-box was made and approved ; insomuch that the doctor then insisted on having a bureau made of the same wood, which was accordingly done ; and the fine colour, polish, &c., were so pleasing, that he invited all his friends to come and see it, and among them the Duchess of Buckingham. Her Grace begged some of the same wood of Dr. Gibbons, and employed Wollaston to make her a bureau also: on which the fame of mahogany and Mr. Wollaston was much raised, and things of this sort became general. TORTOISE SHELL. This substance consists of certain large horn-like epidermoid plates, which cover, in an imbricated or overlapping manner, the carapace or back shell of the marine tortoises, or turtles (Chelone}. The species which afford the most valuable of these plates are the Karet tortoises, or imbricated turtles (Chelone imbricata, Ckelone caretta), from which are obtained five large plates off the middle of the carapace, and four large ones off each side ; these plates, thirteen in number, are technically called 'blades ;' twenty- five smaller plate's are obtained from the margin of the carapace, which are called the feet or noses, in commerce. The other plates, collectively, are called the head of the turtle. IRISH BOG-YEW. For a series of Irish Bog-yew decorative furniture, designed to illustrate the history, antiquities, animal and vegetable pro- ductions, &c., of Ireland, see the Official Descriptive and Illus- trated Catalogue of the Great Exhibition, vol. ii. p. 735. D'OYLEYS. These dessert napkins take their term from a very respectable warehouseman of the name of D'Oyley, whose family of the same name had resided in the great old house next to Hodsoll, the banker's, from the time of Queen Anne. This house, built by Inigo Jones, which makes a prominent feature in the old engraved views of the Strand, having a covered up-and-down entrance which projected to the carriage way, was pulled down 262 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. about 1782, on the site of which was erected the house now occupied in the same business. BOAT'S PAINTER. At the trial of a smuggler in Sussex, some time ago, it was deposed by a witness, that there was nothing in the boat but the tubs and the painter. Upon which the counsel, whose duty it was to cross-examine the witness, got up and said " You say there was nothing in the boat but the tubs and the painter; I wish to know what became of him, did he run away." (Here there was great laughing). It was then explained to the learned counsel, that the painter mentioned was nothing but a rope ! The rope, which is coiled up in the boat, and which is constantly employed in hawling, &c., is called the boat's painter, because, from its being saturated with tar, and its continual friction against the boat, the latter becomes daubed or painted with the adhesive or greasy matter with which the rope is covered, HAMMER-CLOTH. This covering to the coachman's seat, or box, is derived from the German hammer, which implies a coat, or covering. ATTORNEY. In the time of our Saxon ancestors, states a work entitled 'Saxon Anomalies, the freemen in every shire met twice a year, under the presidency of the Shire Reeve, or Sheriff, and this meeting was called the Sheriff's torn. By degrees the freemen declined giving their personal attendance, and a freeman who did attend carried with him the proxies of such of his friends as could not appear : he who actually went to the Sheriff's torn, was said, according to the old Saxon, to go " at the torn," and hence came the word attorney, which signified, one that went to the torn for others, carrying with him a power to act or vote for those who employed him. I do not conceive (continues the writer), that the attorney has any right to call himself a solicitor, but where he has business in a court of equity. If he choose to act more upon the principle of equity than law, let him be a solicitor by all means, but not otherwise, for law and equity are very different things, neither of them very good, as overwhelmed with forms and technicalities ; but upon the whole, equity is surely the best, if it were but for the name of the thing. TAILOR. A tailor now means a maker of clothes, whereas its origin is the French w^ord tailler, to cut, or cut out, whence it appears the THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 263 trade of clothes-making was divided into a great many branches, such as planner, cutter-out, sewer, &c., or that , every body originally made his own clothes, and merely employed the tailor to give him the most fashionable outlines of a suit. STATIONERS. Anterior to the invention of Printing, there flourished a craft or trade, who were denominated Stationers; they were scribes and limners, and dealers in manuscript copies, and in parchment and paper, and other literary wares. It is believed by our anti- quaries, that they derived their denomination from their fixed locality or station in a street, either by a shop or shed, and pro- bably, when their former occupation had gone, still retained their dealings in literature, and turned to booksellers.* This denomi- nation of Stationers indicating their stationary residence, would also distinguish them from the itinerant venders, who, in a more subordinate capacity at a later period, appear to have hawked about the town and the country, pamphlets and other portable books. In the reign of Philip and Mary, u the Stationers" were granted a charter of incorporation, and w'ere invested with the most inquisitorial powers. APOTHECARY. The character of an apothecary is so legibly imprinted on his front, that all his efforts to conceal it are useless. There is a bustling importance about him, which did not belong to the fraternity of former times. It is said by a waggish writer, that the apothecary of former times was a very humble being, and carried his drugs about with him in an earthenware vessel ; and from a-pot-he-carries, was derived the cognomen of Apothecary. This, however, the modern sons of Galen would spurn, and would inform you that they receive their appellation from Apothecarius, an ancient and eminent compounder of drugs. YEOMAN. The title of Yeoman was formerly one of more dignity than now belongs to it ! It signified originally a Yewman, so called from bearing the bow in battle. Hence, at first, a Yeoman was at least of equal consequence with an Esquire, and, as a proof of *Pegge, in his Anecdotes of the English Language, has somewhat crudely remarked, that the term Stationers was appropriated to booksellers in the year 1G22 ; but it was so long before. It is extraordinary that Mr. Todd, well read in our literary history, 'admits this imperfect disclosure of Peerge into the "Dictionary of the English Language." The terms Stationer and bookseller, were synonymous, and in common use in the reign of Elizabeth, and may be found in Baret's Alvearie, 1573. 284 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. this, we have, even now. Yeoman of the Guards, of the Chamber, &c., all persons of rank. MEN MILLINERS. In former times, the ancient sisterhood of Tire "Women, or Dressers, served only in the shops where ladies purchased their Ewgaws ; but when the Milaners, or persons from Milan, in dy, first introduced their fashions into this country (and from whence the term Milliner is derived), it is supposed they also furnished us with the idea of employing the male sex for the vending of various articles of millinery, as is the custom in that country. They were first introduced into England in 1345. The ancient fraternity of Tire Women became totally extinct about 1765. GROCER. This term, as applied to the venders of sugar, treacle, spices, &c., originally meant nothing more than a dealer by the groce, or in the gross, but which is now applied peculiarly to those who deal in the above articles. There are several other trades which bear a name, the limit or cause of which is now no more. Fosbroke says the Medicamentarii of the ancieuts very nearly resembled our modern Grocers. Another writer says the term Grocer was originally employed to distinguish a dealer in goods in gross quantities, in opposition to the mere retailer ; though now extended to all who deal in either way in the " mystery of grocery," a term in this instance, by the bye, rather oddly applied. The more ancient designation, however, of this fraternity, was that of the " Pepperers," on account of pepper being the principal article in which the grocer dealt. The fraternity were first incorporated as Grocers by a charter from Edward III., in 1345, which was renewed and con- firmed by several succeeding monarchs. A pepperer was still, however, not unfrequently a distinct business, and continued so till as late a period as 1559. In that year a quantity of pepper, having been taken in a Spanish carrack, was purchased from the queen at a good price, by certain exclusive dealers in that article. The grocers, however, endeavoured to undersell the pepperers, by making other importations of their own, which caused the latter to petition her Majesty, that no pepper might be imported for three years, which would enable them to keep their engage- ment with her Majesty ; and to induce her to do so, they promised not to raise the price of pepper above 3s. in the pound. TINKER. The trade of a tinker yet exists, though its respectability, if it ever had any, has disappeared ; but the practice which caused the THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 265 name has been long disused. A tinker was one who tink'd, be- cause formerly the tinkers went about giving warning to their vicinity by making a tinkling noise on an old brass kettle. OSTLER. An innkeeper is comparatively a modern title host, or hosteler, is the ancient one ; but in the shape of ostler, it has now univer- sally become the name of the host of the horses, not of the men a singular proof of the active humanity with which ancient innkeepers attended to their guests, and as remarkable a proof of the additional pride of modern landlords. BUTLER. A Butler, who is now the superintendent of all the eating and drinking, but under the modern appellation of House Steward, in the house to which he belongs, was originally the mere bottler of the liquors a pretty good proof of the wetness of our ancestors. MANTUA-MAKER. The names of places are sometimes preserved in trades, and the objects of trade, where no longer the slightest connection exists between them. Thus we have a Mantua-maker, a name at first given to persons who made a particular cloak or dress worn at Mantua, in Italy. MILLINER. Milliner, so called because the Milanese were the first Milliners, or, as they were called, Milaners ; deriving their name from the sale of a particular dress first worn at Milan, in Italy. CORDWAINER. Cordwainer,or Cortlovaner, or fine maker of shoes from. Cordova, or Spanish leather. The Cordwaiaers' Company have a goat's head for their crest, and repeated in their arms. DENTIST. This term, by which the tooth-reviser is designated, is derived from the French word dent, i. e., tooth; and the concluding syllable is added, as in art-ist, or chym-ist, or any other word ter- minating with ist; merely for the sake of harmony. COSTERMONGER. This a corruption of Costard-monger ; Ben Jonson uses it both ways, and it is noticed of his costermonger, by Mr. Archdeacon 266 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Nares, that "he cries only pears." That gentleman rightly defines a costard-monger, or coster-monger, to be " a seller of apples ; " he adds, " one who generally kept a stall." He says of Costard, that, " as a species of apple, it is enumerated with others, but it must have been a very common sort, as it gave a name to the dealers in apples." HUXTER. Holme, in his heraldic language, says of a huxter, "He beareth gules, a man passant, his shirt or shift turned up to his shoulder ; breeches and hose azure, cap and shoes sable, bearing on his back a bread basket full of fruits and herbs, aud a staff in his left hand, or." Huxter, or hutler, is a Saxon word, and implies a dealer in bread and vegetables. PEDLAR. This is a corruption from Paddler, i. e., one who goes from place to place an Itinerant. Holme in his heraldic language describes the pedlar thus " He beareth argent, a crate-carrier, with a crate upon his back, or; cloathed in russet, with a staffe in his left hand ; hat and shoes, sable" PORTER. One who attended at the ports (originally) for the departure or arrival of vessels, being employed to carry luggage or packages to and fro ; hence he was called a porter. Holme says, ' He beareth vert a porter carrying a pack argent, corked sable; cloathed in tawney, cap and shoes sable. This is the badge and cognizance of all porters and carriers of burthens ;" but that there may be no mistake, he adds, " they have ever a leather girdle about them, with a strong rope of two or three fouldings hang- ing thereat, which they have in readiness to bind the burdens to their backs when called thereto." BARBER. Holme derives the denomination Barber from barba, a beard, and describes him as a " cutter of hair ; " he was ulso anciently termed a potter, because in former times to poll was to cut the hair ; to trim was to cut the beard, after shaving, into form and order. BARBER'S POLE. The origin of the Barber's Pole is to be traced to the period when the barbers were also surgeons, under the denomination of Barber-surgeons, or Barber-chirurgeons, none other in former times being allowed to " let blood." To assist this operation, it being necessary for the patient to grasp a staff, a stick or a pole was always kept by the Barber-surgeon, together with the fillet THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 267 or bandaging used for tying the patient's arm. When the pole was not in use, the tape was tied to it, that they might be both forthcoming when wanted. On a person coming to be bled, the tape was disengaged from the pole, and bound round the arm, and the pole was put into the person's hand: after it was done, it was again tied on, and in this state the pole and the tape were often hung at the door, for a sign of notice to passengers that they might there be bled. At length, instead of hanging out the identical pole used in the operation, a pole was painted with stripes round it, in imitation of the real pole and its ban- dagings, and thus came the sign. Jltu. UAAJU. c*rCruA^ c HAVING-BRUSHES. Before the year 1756, it was a general custom to lather with the hand ; but the French barbers about that time brought in the brush. It was an old saying " A good lather is half the shave." RESTAURATEUR. This term, so generally applied to tavern-keepers in France, and particularly to the cooks, took its name from a Parisian vint- ner, named Boulanger, the first to supply the public with soups, in the year 1765, placing over the door this verse from the Bible: Venite ad me omnes qui stomacho laboratis, et ego Restaurabo vosf The bait took such effect, that others in the same line took his example, and the restorative powers of their aliments, added to the singularity of the invitation to partake of them, occasioned their being distinguished by an appellation which has since been indiscriminately applied. SURGEON. This term, as applied to medical men, is derived from Chirur- geons, who were formerly incorporated with the barbers, under the denomination of Barber-chirurgeons. In course of time, however, they separated ; the " letters of blood" taking upon themselves the new made cognomen of Surgeons ; and the pollers of hair, and shavers of chins, the old moiety of their original united appellation of Barbers. CORN-FACTORS, &c. About fourscore years back (now upwards of a century), says Harriott, in his Struggles through Life, corn-factors, meal-men, and middle-men, as now designated, and well understood, were then unknown. My grandfather was then*a baker of some repute in the city, and it was from my father, and sister's brother, I learned the following history of the commencement of corn-fac- toring, and thence the other two. At this time, when the con- sumption of corn was small, compared to what it is now in the 268 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. metropolis, there was no description of people that stood between growers of corn and bakers. The farmer brought his samples to town ; and taking them to Bear-Quay, near the Custom-house, met the bakers, who were the principal buyers of bread corn, and there made their bargains with each other. It is unnecessary to detail concerning other grain, which was sold in the same direct manner to the other purchasers ; and it is thence that the present corn market, in Mark-Lane, is still called Bear-Quay Market. The farmers, according to circumstances and situation, put up at different inns, &c., when they came to town ; the Green Dragon and Bull Inns in Bishopsgate Street, were two among others to which farmers resorted. The landlords of these two inns, in particular, were men in good esteem, and by habit became well acquainted with the quality and value of corn; insomuch, that the farmers who used their houses, would request of them at times, when they had not sold, to 'take the samples to Bear-Quay on the following market-day, and sell for them ; paying themselves after- wards for their trouble, &c. The farmer soon found that this made a considerable saving to him, in preference to staying in town till next market-day, or making another journey. At length, the farmer finding that the innkeeper sold the corn as well as he could, and confiding in his host, thought he might frequently save his own time, as well as the expense of the journey, by sending the samples up to the innkeeper to sell, and do the best for him ; agreeing to give an allowance of '3d. a quarter for the innkeeper's commission. GOLDSMITHS' YEAR MARKS. In Notes and Queries, vol. vi., occur the following notices of these marks: In the year 1596, the Eoman capital A was used; in 1597, B ; and so on alphabetically for twenty years, which would bring us to the letter U, denoting the year 1615: the alphabet finishing every twenty years with the letter U or V. The next year, 1616, commences with the old English letter &, and is continued for another twenty years in the old English capitals. In 1636 is introduced another alphabet called Court alphabet. From 1656 to 1675 inclusive, Old English capitals. 1676 to 1695 ., Small Roman letters 1696 to 1715 The Court alphabet. 1716 to 1735 Roman capitals. 1736 to 1755 Small Roman letters. 1756 to 1775 Old English capitals. 1776 to 1795 Small Roman letters. 1796 to 1815 Roman capitals. 1816 to 1835 Small Roman letters 1836 to 1855 Old English capitals. The letter for the present year (1853) being jj. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 269 In this list it will appear difficult, at first sight, in looking at a piece of plate to ascertain its age, to determine whether it was manufactured between the years 1636 and 1655, or between 1696 and 1715, the Court hand being used in both these cycles: but instead of the lion passant and leopard's head in the former, we shall find the lion's head erased, and Britannia, denoting the altera- tion of the standard during the latter period. The letters used as dates in the foregoing list are only those of the Goldsmiths' Hall in London, as denoted by the leopard's head crowned. Other Halls, at York, Newcastle, Lincoln, Nor- wich, Bristol, Salisbury, and Coventry, had also marks of their own to show the year; and have stamped gold and silver since the year 1423, perhaps earlier. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin have had the same privilege from a very early period : and, more recently, Chester, Birmingham, and Sheffield. Thus it will be seen, that four marks or punches are used on gold and silver plate, independent of the makers' initials or symbol, viz. : The Standard Mark. For gold of the old standard of 22 carats, and silver of 11 oz. 2 dwts. ; A lion passant for England. I A lion rampant for Glasgow. A thistle for Edinburgh. A harp crowned for Ireland. For gold of 18 carats: A crown, and the figures 18. For silver of 11 oz. 10 dwts. : A lion's head erased, and Britannia. The Hall Mark. A leopard's head crowned for Lon- don. A castle for Edinburgh. Hibernia for Dublin. Five lions and a cross for York. A castle for Exeter. Three wheat sheaves and a dagger for Chester. Three castles for Newcastle. An anchor for Birmingham. A crown for Sheffield. A tree and fish for Glasgow. The Duty Mark. The head of the sovereign, to indicate that the duty has been paid: this mark is not placed on watch- cases, &c. The Date Mark, or variable letter, denoting the year as fixed by each Hall. HABERDASHERS. Minshew derives it from Habt ihr das, Teut. Possibly the real derivation is berdash, an old English neck-dress, whence a seller of this article was called a berdasher or haberdasher. But a word of so complex a structure, not apparently reducible to significant elements, must be strongly suspected of corruption, and the origin would naturally be looked for in France, from whence we derive the names of so many of our tradesmen, as butchers, tailors, 270 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM, cutlers, chandlers, mercers, &c. Now the Dictionnaire de Lan- guedoc has, " Debassaire, bonnetier, chaussetier, fabricaut de bas," from debasses, stockings. With us, " The haberdasher heapeth wealth by hats," but he usually joins with that business the trade of hosier ; and possibly, when the meaning of the French term was not generally understood in this country, the name of the article dealt in might have been added to give significance to the word, and thus might have formed hat-debasser, or hat-debasher, haberdasher. The Haberdashers were incorporated into a company in the year 1447 ; but it is probable that their number was not great, since in the reign of Henry VI. there were not more than a dozen Haberdashers' shops in the whole city. How much they must have increased during the reign of Elizabeth may be inferred from the complaints made against them, that the whole street from Westminster was crowded with them, and that their shops made so gay an appearance as to seduce persons to extravagant expenditures. The business of the haberdasher was not, however, confined to the lighter articles of a lady's wardrobe, as at present, but extended to the sale of daggers, swords, knives, spurs, glasses, dials, tables, balls, cards, puppets, inkhorns, toothpicks, fine earthen-pots, salt-cellars, spoons, tin dishes ; and even mouse- traps, bird-cages, shoeing-horns, lanterns, and Jews'-trumps, contributed to that gay appearance which the haberdashers' shops are said to have made in the reign of our maiden queen. MERCERS' COMPANY. This, which is one of the twelve principal companies, or such, says Pennant, who are honoured with the privilege of the Lord Mayor's being elected out of one of them. Mercer by no means implied a dealer in Silks, for Mercery signified all sorts of small wares, toys, and haberdashery. This company was incorporated in 1393. MERCHANT-TAILORS' COMPANY. " A remnant of all shall be saved." When Dr. South was appointed chaplain to the Merchant Tailors' Company, he took the above appropriate text, when he preached his inauguration sermon. This company in former times was merely denominated the Tailors Company, until Henry VII., who was himself a member of it, gave them the title of Merchant Tailors ; this was in the year 1501. Edward, the Black Prince, was a member of this far- famed company, and most of the kings of England, since the reign of Edward III., down to George IV. Continental Sove- reigns, Princes, Marshals, and Generals, have been, and are enrolled in the same. This is also one of the twelve principal companies. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM, 271 LORINER. Among the various companies of the city of London, some of which have very peculiar, and not generally understood names, this is one. Loriner is from the French Larimer, signifying a maker or manufacturer of bridle bits, stirrups, and other saddler's ironmongery. The time has gone by with the Loriner's Company, ns well as with others, when they granted their freedom or livery to those only who were of the trade by which the company was denominated. PUBLIC-HOUSE SIGNS, &c. "I'm amused at the Signs As I pass through the town, To see the odd mixture A Magpye and Crown, The Whale and the Crow, The Razor and Hen, The Leg and Seven Stars, The Axe and the Bottle, The Tun and the Lute, The Eagle and Child, The Shovel and Boot." Bristol Apollo, 1710. Public-house Signs, especially in and about the metropolis, present some laughable absurdities, a specimen of which is given in the above compound of rhyme and prose. Englishmen, it is said, are fond of contradictions, a corroboration of the truth of which is not only to be found in the sign-board of the tavern, but in the foaming bowl of punch which is to be procured there. As this work professes to embrace a little of every thing, the origin of some of the most remarkable tavern appellations and public-house signs will now be noticed, satisfied that the reader will feel an interest in the same ; for "Whoe'er has travell'd life's dull round, Where'er his various tour has been, May sigh, to think how oft he found His warmest welcome at an Inn." Shenstone. THE HUMMUMS. An hotel, situated in Covent Garden, and famed for its hot and cold baths. Dr. Shaw, in his Travels, says, that hummums is a corruption of hammum, the Arabic term for a bath or bagnio. Parson Ford, who so conspicuously figures in Hogarth's Modern Conversation, died in the latter house. The first bagnio, or bath, for sweating or hot bathing in England, it is believed, was that in Bagnio Court, Newgate Street, which afterwards became an hotel, or lodging-house, after which the Hummums in Covent Garden were opened upon the same plan. 272 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM THE FLYING HORSE. The Flying Horse was originally intended to represent the Pegasus of the ancients ; consequently it is not so unmeaning a sign as it has been thought to be. THE HAT AND TUN. A house so named in the vicinity of ITatton Garden was evi- dently intended to allude to the family of the Hattons, whose mansion formerly stood near the spot. This sign is obviously a Rebus. SIMON THE TANNER OF JOPPA. In Long Lane, South wark, there is a house so named, probably having its origin in the tiroes when Scripture names were adopted for men and things. In Acts x. 32, we read, that the apostle Peter dwelt for some time at the house of Simon a tanner. THE BEAR AND RAGGED STAFF. This, being part of the armorial bearings of the Earls of War- wick, has been set up in honour of that noble house ; while others bear the name of the "Earl of Warwick," and "Guy, Earl of Warwick." The arms were, doubtless, the original sign, but lat- terly only the name has been used. BRACE, KING'S BENCH. This place was originally kept by two brothers of the name of Partridge, from whom it obtained the present title, being a pun upon their name, they being a Brace of Partridges. THE GRAVE MORRIS. A house so named, stands opposite the London Hospital. A painter was commissioned to embody the inscription ; but this knight of the brush was not possessed of a poet's eye, and therefore could not depict the form of things unknown or imaginary. The sign is in consequence written up, " The Grave Morris." In Junius's Etymologicon, Grave is explained to be Comes, or Count, as Palsgrave is Palatine Count ; of which we have an in- stance in Palsgrave-head Court, Strand, so called in memory of the Palsgrave Count, or Elector Palatine, who married Princess Elizabeth, daughter of James I. Their issue was, the Palsgrave Charles Louis, the Grave Count, or Prince Palatine Kupert, and the Grave Count, or Prince Maurice. THE SWAN WITH TWO NECKS. This sign has long been an object of mystery to the curious ; but this mystery has been explained by the alteration of a single THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 273 letter. The sign was originally written "The Swan with two Nicks; " the meaning of which we find to be thus fully explained, in a communication to the Antiquarian Society, by the late Sir Joseph Banks. At a meeting of the Antiquarian Societ} T , held in the year 1810, Sir Joseph Banks presented a curious roll of parchment, exhibiting the marks or nicks made on the beaks of the swans and cygnets in the rivers and lakes in Lincolnshire ; accompanied with an account of the privileges of certain persons for keeping swans in these waters, and the duties of the king's swan-herd in guarding these fowls against depredators ; also, for regulating their marks, and for preventing any two persons from adopting the same figures and marks on the bills of their swans. Thus, from the circum- tance of marking these swans with nicks, originated the sign of the " Swan with two Nicks," now corrupted into the " Swan with two Necks." GOAT AXD COMPASSES. This sign, so well known to those who visit Chelsea, is derived from the days of the Commonwealth, when it was the fashion of the enthusiasts of that period to append scriptural quotations to the names given them by their parents, or to adopt them entirely instead. This rage for sacred titles, induced them also to coin new names for places and things. The corruption " God encom- passeth us," to "Goat and Compasses," is obvious, and seems quite natural. The house is now called the "Compasses." BAXJ OF NAILS. The Bag of Nails, at Chelsea, is claimed by the smiths and car- penters in its neighbourhood as a house originally intended for their peculiar accommodation ; but had it not been for the cor- ruption of the times, it still would have belonged ioiheltacchanals, who, in the days of the rare Ben Jonson, were accustomed to make a holiday excursion to that pleasant part of the environs of London. One age has contrived to convert Bacchanals into Bag o' Nails ; may not a future age take the liberty of converting Bacchanalians into that of Bag o'-Nailians 1 JOHN 0' GROAT'S HOUSE. James IV. of Scotland sent Malcolm Gavin, and John de Groat, two brothers, into Caithness, with a letter written in Latin, recom- mending them to the kind regards of the people of that county. They became possessed of lauds in the parish of Anisley, on the banks of the Peutland Firth, which was equally divided between them. In course of time there were eight families of the same name, who shared alike, and lived comfortably and peaceably for T 274 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. many years. These were accustomed to meet, to celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of their progenitors. At one of these meetings it became a matter of dispute which of them was entitled to enter first, and take the head of the table, which had like to have terminated fatally, but for the presence of mind of John de Groat, proprietor of the ferry, who remonstrated with them ; pointed out the necessity of unanimity as regarded their own happiness, their respectability among their neighbours, and gene- ral safety from the inroads of those clans who might envy them, and take advantage of their dissensions. He then proposed the building of a house, to which they should contribute equally ; and he promised at their next meeting he should so order matters, as to prevent any dispute about precedency. Having gained their assent, he proceeded to build a house, with a distinct room of an octagonal form, having eight doors and eight windows, in which he placed a table of oak, with eight sides. At the next annual meeting he desired each to enter singly at different doors, and take the head of the table, himself entering the last, and taking the remaining unoccupied seat. By this ingenious manoeuvre they were all placed on an equal footing, and good-humour and harmony were restored and established. Such was the origin of the sign of " John o' Groat's house." VALENTINE AND ORSON. There is a house so named in Long Lane, Bermondsey. It would appear to have originated with some romantic reader, who had been affected with the tale of these two brothers, who were sons of the Emperor of Constantinople, Alexander, who married the beautiful sister of Pepin, king of France, named Bellisant ; who being banished by the Emperor during her pregnancy, having been falsely accused by his prime minister, she took refuge in the forest of Orleans, in France, where she was delivered of male twins: one of which was taken from her by a she-bear, and suck- led by it for some time, hence called Orson. The other being discovered by the king, Pepin her brother, during her search after Orson, was brought up at the court of his uncle. Orson being a terror to the neighbourhood when he grew up, was overcome by his brother, and tamed so far as to be brought to court. Shortly after overcoming the Green Knight, he received the hand of the Lady Fezon, previous to which he had attained the power of speech ; and Valentine married Eglantine, the king's daughter, when they discovered they were cousins. THE GUY'S HEAD. This sign was intended to do honour to the philanthropy of Mr. Thomas Guy, who founded the hospital in the Borough which bears his name, and which cost the sum of .18,793 : 16:1; and the sum left for its endowment was 219,499 : : 4. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 275 BLACK DOLL AT RAG SHOPS. The Black Doll, used as a sign by the dealers in rags, is by some supposed to have originated with a person who kept a house for the sale of toys and rags in Norton Flogate, about eighty years ago. An old woman brought him a large bundle for sale, but desired it might remain unopened until she called again to see it weighed. Several weeks elapsed without her appearing, which induced the master of the shop to open the bundle, when he found a black doll, neatly dressed, with a pair of gold earrings appended. This he hung up over his door, for the purpose of being owned by the woman who left it. Shortly after this she called, and presented the doll to the shopkeeper, as a mark of gratitude for his having, by its means, enabled her to find out her bundle. The story having gained circulation, this figure has been generally used by dealers in rags, ever since this original instance of honesty in this class of merchants. Such is the romance of the black doll ; the reality will be found, we believe, in the fact, that cast off clothes having formerly been purchased by dealers in large quantities, for the purpose of being resold to merchants, to be exchanged by them in traffic with the uncivi- lised tribes, who it is known will barter any thing for articles of finery; a black doll gaily dressed out, was adopted as the sign of such dealers in old apparel. PUBLIC-HOUSE CHEQUERS. Few people, it is presumed, are aware of the origin of the Chequers, which are seen on the sides of the doors or window shutters of public-houses. By some it is said, that they repre- sent the arms of a nobleman in whom the right of licensing was formerly invested. By others, they have been regarded as an intimation that the game of tables might be played therein by the customers. But whatever be its origin, this mark of a house of entertainment boasts of a very high antiquity ; for on the sides of the doorway of one of the houses at Pompeii, the Chequers are still seen, and which is supposed to have been an inn. THE BELL SAVAGE. The etymology of the Bell Savage on Ludgate Hill, has been variously, but very incorrectly given ; the following, however, may be relied on as correct. The Bell Savage, now called le belle Sauvage, took its name from those premises once being the pro- perty of lady Arabella Savage, who made a deed of gift of them to the Cutlers' Company ; corroborative of which, a painting may be seen in Cutlers' Hall, representing her ladyship, accompanied by her conveyancer, presenting the said deed of gift to the Master and Wardens of the aforesaid company. 276 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. THE BOLT-IN-TUN. A game the Roman and Grecian youth were wont to exercise themselves in. The bolt was a short javelin, and the tun was placed as a kind of target; he who threw the bolt through a small hole in the tun, being declared victor. The origin of this sign is given by authors, as being the monogram of the Abbot Bolton, who bore for his device a Bolt in a Tun, as may be seen in the Abbot's window in the church of Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield. THE BULL AND MOUTH, AND BULL AND GATE. The two inns here named, are a strong specimen of the corrup- tion so prevalent in the designation of public resorts in and about the city of London, indeed throughout the whole country. The original names were Boulogne-Mouth and Boulogne-Gate, in commemoration of the destruction of the French flotilla at the mouth of Boulogne harbour, and of the capitulation of the town being signed at the gate of Boulogne in the reign of Henry VIII. The Bull and Mouth is now called the Queen's Hotel. DOG AND DUCK TAVERN. The sign of this once very popular tavern, took its name from a famous dog which hunted ducks in a sheet of water on this spot. Over a low small-gabled-end fronted house, was seen, in an oblong square place, moulded in a kind of red composition, the dog and duck. SPREAD EAGLE. The Spread Eagle, which constitutes with some variations the arms of Austria and Prussia, originated with Charlemagne, the first Emperor of Germany, who added the second head to the Eagle, to denote that the empires of Borne and Germany were in him united. This was A.D. 802. NONESUCH HOUSE! "We have seen in the neighbourhood of London, and in various parts of the country, " Nonesuch House," or " Nonesuch Cottage," &c. This term originated from the residence of Hans Holbein, the celebrated painter to Henry VIII., which stood on London Bridge. It was entirely framed of wood, was made in Holland, and when placed on the bridge was completed without a single nail ; in consequence of which, Sir Thomas More christened it, " Nonesuch House !" and which has since become a cognomen for various residences and villas throughout the country. COAL-HOLE TAVERN. _ A tavern so called in Fountain Court, Strand, a well-known site for midnight gossiping. Here the most celebrated comedians THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 277 have long entertained their private convivial friends after they have delighted the town. Here, too, certain poets, painters, sculptors, musicians, and other ingenious wights, who prefer late hours, a smoky room, and hilarity, to the sober comforts of domestic home, waste the night in glorious independence, fearless of the curtain lecture that appals the uxorious wight, who some- times trespasses against the orders of the house. The Coal-hole merely derives its name from its gloomy situation, and its original contiguity to a coal-yard . BLOSSOMS IXX. The Blossoms Inn, Lawrence Lane, derives its name from the rich borders of flowers which adorned the original sign of St. Lawrence. These were the effects of his martyrdom "for," says the legend, " flowers sprung up on the spot of his cruel martyrdom." CATHERINE WHEEL. Alban Butler says, St. Catherine was beheaded under the Emperor Mexentius, or Maximinus the Second. He adds, " she is said first to have been put upon an engine made of four wheels, joined together and stuck with sharp pointed spikes, that when the wheels Avere moved her body might be torn to pieces. At the first stirring of this terrible engine, the cords with which the martyr was tied were broke asunder by the invisible power of an angel, and, the engine falling to pieces by the wheels separating one from another, she was delivered from that death." Hence the name of St. Catherine's Wheel. It has also given name to a peculiar form of window in Gothic architecture, in which the smokes of a wheel are represented. It thus differs from the Marigold window, the compartments of which are shaped like the petals of that flower. THE THREE LEGS. This public-house sign, and which is more general in the country than in London, is the arms of the Isle of Man. Its ancient bearing was a ship ; but the arms are now, and have been for centuries, gules "three armed legs" proper, or rather argent, conjoined in fess at the upper part of the thigh, fleshed in triangle, garnished and spurred topaz. So long as the King of Man wrote Rex Manniae et Imularum, they bore the ship ; but when the Scots had possession, with the "Western Islands, the legs were substituted. It is said of the " three legs," that with the toe of the one they spurn at Ireland, with the spur of the other they kick at Scotland, and w r ith the third they bow to England. TUMBLE DOWN DICK! This sign, once so well known in that part of the borough of South wark, near to London Bridge, was set up on the restoration 273 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. of Charles II. , and was intended as a burlesque on Kichard Crom- well, who had too much simplicity and honesty to manage the reins of government, which devolved on him on the death of his father. LARK-HALL TAVERST. This place is of great antiquity; it stood in the midst of meadows and corn-fields, and was much resorted to by bird- catchers, who frequented this place with their nets ; and in time it became noted, and much resorted to by the Londoners on Sundays, who came here to purchase larks, and other singing- birds, from the bird-catchers, from whence it was called Lark-hall. At this period also, the bath-room, which now stands at the brow of the hill, a quarter of a mile west of Lark-hall, towards Clapham, was much frequented ; alid the spring which now supplies the present bath was also reckoned very salubrious, and boasted many fashionable visiters during the summer months ; but there being no high-road, both that and the Lark were inacessible in the winter months. Over the entrance to Lark-hall tavern, is the following whimsical notice, which must be read backwards to be under- stood, " Tsurt Tonnac I ; nos dull sie Man Ym ,ts uje Ru Saeni dna, doogro uQil hTiW." GOLDEN FLEECE. This sign, supposed to be the most ancient of any, and which we meet with in almost every provincial town, has a classi- cal derivation ; applying to the Golden Fleece which was brought from Colchis by Jason, about 1263 years before Christ. PUBLIC BUILDINGS, INNS OF COURT, WARDS, CHURCHES, STREETS AND LOCALITIES OF LONDON AND WESTMINSTER. LONDON. The first mention we find of the City of London in history, says Maitland, is by the illustrious and celebrated Roman historian, Tacitus, by the appellation of Londinium, when he acquaints us that Suetonius Paulinus, the Roman general, being employed in the conquest of the Isle of Mona, or Anglesey, in North Wales, he received advice of the revolt of the Britons; wherefore, with the utmost expedition, he began his march to the assistance of the veterans and colonies ; and, marching through the midst of the enemy, arrived at London, which then was celebrated for its great number of merchants, and plenty of merchandise. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 279 As to the etymology of the word London, antiquaries are not agreed; Geffrey of Monmouth derives it from Caer-Lud, or Lud's-town : Erasmus, from Lindum, a city of Khodes : Vitus, from Lugdu ; a Celtic prince, Lugdon : Selden, from Llan-Dyn, the Temple of Diana ; this conjecture is founded upon the great number of boars' tusks (found in the neighbourhood of St. Paul's cathedral), horns of oxen, and stags, whose bodies were proper sacrifices to that deity. Somner derives it from Llawn, Plenus, and Dyn, Homo, a populous place, which he imagines London always to have been, which I take to be (continues Maitland) an appellation very unsuitable with the low condition this city has been many times reduced to ; especially when the whole of its inhabitants were destroyed by Boadicea. Camden derives it from Lhong and Dinas; Lhong, signifying a ship, and Dinas, a town, that is, ship- town, or a city of ships. The first author who speaks of London (Londiniuni) as a city, is Cornelius Tacitus, who also calls it Augusta. Ammianus Marcellinus mentions an ancient place once called Londinium, but then Augusta; and again refers to it under the name of Augusta Trinobantum. There is a very curious transcript in the Tower of an ancient document relative to the antiquity of London, presented to Henry VI. in the seventh year of his reign (1427), when taken out of the city archives. A brief translation of this old manu- script is as follows: Among the noble and famed cities of the world, that of London, the only seat of the realm of England, is the chief; the fame of which is known far and near. It is remark- able for wholesome air ; but, above all, for the Christian religion. Its liberties and ancient foundation being, according to records, older than Rome ; built by Brute after the manner of Troy, long before the time of Romulus and Remus; and to this day the manners, customs, liberties, and rights of Troy are universally enjoyed!" PAVING OF LONDON. London was unpaved till 1417; when Henry IV., convinced that Holborn was deep and dangerous, ordered two ships to be laden with stones, at his own expense, each 20 tons in burden, to repair it. LONDON BRIDGE. Stow, in his Survey of London, says, a ferry being kept in the place where now the bridge is built, at length the ferryman and his wife deceasing, left the said ferry to their daughter Mary, which, with the goods left her by her parents, as also with profits arising from said ferry, built a House of Sisters, in the place where now standeth the east part of St. Mary Over'ier's Church,* above the quire where she (Mary) was buried ; into which house she gave * A corruption of St. Mary, over the river. 280 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. the profits and oversight of the ferry. But afterwards, the said House of Sisters being converted into a College of Priests, the priests built the bridge of timber, as all other great bridges of the land were, and from time to time kept the same in repara- tions ; till at length, considering the great charges of repairing the same, there was, by aid of citizens and others, a bridge built with arches of stone. Now, touching the foundation of the stone bridge, it followeth thus: About the year 1176, the stone bridge over the river Thames, at London, was begun to be founded by Peter of Colechurch * near unto the bridge of timber, but somewhat more towards the west ; for I read that Botolph Wharf was, in the Conqueror's time, at the head of London Bridge. The king assisted this work, a cardinal then being legate here ; and Eichard, archbishop of Canterbury, gave 1000 marks towards the foundation. The course of the river for the time, was turned another way about, by a trench cast for that purpose, beginning, as it is supposed, east about Kotherhithe, and ending in the west about Patricksey, now termed Battersea. This work, to wit, the arches, chapel, and stone Bridge, having been thirty-three years in building, was, in the year 1209, finished by the worthy merchants of London, Serle Mercer, William Almaine, and Benedict Botewright, principal mnsters of the works; for Peter of Colechurch deceased four years before it was completed. The present bridge is 928 feet long, and was built from the designs of John Eennie, a native of Scotland, and of his sons John and George. The first stone was laid June 15, 1825, and the bridge publicly opened by William IV., 1831. It is built of granite, and is said to have cost, including the new approaches, near two millions of money. The lamps are made from cannon taken in the Peninsular war. It is the last bridge over the Thames, or the one nearest the sea. THE THAMES. "Majestic river! fraught with riches From ev'ry shore. The Indus and the Ganges, With other mighty streams renown'd, Hail thee as their chief; Yield thee the produce of their clime, And give thy nation homage." This river, so famed in the commercial world, derives its name from a compound of Thame and Isis, and which in process of time came under the familiar denomination of Thames. The junction was formed a little above Oxford, but the Isis now is lost in the compound term, as the river is denominated the Thames even to its very source. The banks of the Thames have long been famed for the beauty of verdure, and taste with which * Chaplain of the church of St. Mary Colechurch, in the Poultry. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 281 they are adorned. They are studded with neat cottages, or elegant villas crown the gentle heights ; the lawns come sweep- ing down like carpets of green velvet to the edge of its soft-flow- ing waters, and the grace of the scenery improves until we are borne into the full bosom of its beauty the village of Richmond, or, as it was anciently called, Sheen. * Below London Bridge we have Greenwich, and other beautiful scenery of the county of Kent. The opposite bank on the Essex side is flat, and is famed for nothing but Tilbury Fort, where Elizabeth, when the Spanish Armada threatened this country, reviewed her troops who were collected to repel the invaders. THE NEW RIVER. During the reigns of queen Elizabeth and James I., acts of parliament were obtained for the better supplying of the metro- polis with water : but the enterprise seemed too great for any individual, or even for the city collectively, to venture upon, until Mr. Hugh Middleton, a native of Denbigh, and goldsmith of London, "offered to begin the work. The Court of Common Council accepted his ofler ; and having vested him with ample powers, this gentleman, with a spirit equal to the importance of the undertaking, at his own risk and charge began the work. He had not proceeded far, when innumerable and unforeseen difficulties presented themselves. The art of civil engineering was then little understood in this country, and he experienced many obstructions from the occupiers and proprietors of the lands through which he was under the necessity of conducting this stream. The distance of the springs of Amwell and Chadwell, whence the water was to be brought, is twenty miles from London ; but it was found necessary, in order to avoid the eminences and valleys in the way, to make it run a course of more than thirty- eight miles. " The depth of the trench," says Stow, " in some places, descended full thirty feet, if not more ; whereas, in other places, it required as sprightful arte againe to mount it over a valley, in a trough betweene a couple of hills, and the trough all the while borne up by wooden arches, some of them fixed in the ground very deepe, and rising in height above twenty-three foot." The industrious projector soon found himself so harassed and impeded by interested persons in Middlesex and Hertfordshire, that he was obliged to solicit a prolongation of the time to ac- complish his undertaking. This the city granted, but they refused to interest themselves in this great and useful work, although Mr. Middleton was quite impoverished by it. He then applied, with more success, to the king himself; who, upon a moiety of the concern being made over to him, agreed to pny * See Richmond. 232 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. half the expense of the work already incurred, as well as of the future. It now went on without interruption, and was finished according to Mr. Middletou's original agreement with the city ; when, on the 29th of September, 1613, the water was let into the bason, now called the New River Head, which was prepared for its reception. By an exact admeasurement of the course of the New Eiver, taken in 1723, it appeared to be nearly thirty-nine miles in length. This great undertaking cost half a million of money, and was the ruin of its first projector ; who parted with his interest in it to a Company called the New Eiver Company, in whose hands it still remains, reserving to himself and his heirs for ever an annuity of 100 per annum. This annuity ceased to be claimed about the year 1715. The property of the New Eiver is divided into seventy-two shares; for the first nineteen years after the finishing of the work, the annual profit upon each share scarcely amounted to twelve shillings. A share is now considered to be worth 11,500, and they have been sold as high as .14,000. WATER PIPES, Water was first conveyed to London by leaden pipes, 21 Henry III., 1237. It took near fifty years to complete it; the whole being finished, and Cheapside* Conduit erected only in 1285. An engine erected at Broken Wharf, to convey water by leaden pipes, 1594. The New Eiver brought to London from Am well, in Hertfordshire, by Sir Hugh Middleton, in 1613. The city sup- plied with its water, by conveyances of wooden pipes in the streets, and small leaden ones to the houses, and the New Eiver Com- pany incorporated, in 1620. So late as queen Anne's time, there were water-carriers at Aldgate-pump. BRIDGE HOUSE ESTATES. " Towards the support and repairs of London Bridge, which was built, as before stated, in the reign of Henry II., king John, his son, gave divers parcels of ground, in London and its vicinity, to build upon, the profits whereof were to be continually employed as above stated. Hence this property has been called the Bridge Estates, or Bridge House Estates." Maitland's London. ROYAL EXCHANGE. The first Eoyal Exchange was founded by Sir Thomas Gresham. The first stone was laid June 7, 1566, and the building opened by Queen Elizabeth in person, January 23, 1570. This Exchange was destroyed in the great fire of 1666. Pepys describes its ap- pearance as a sad sight, nothing standing there of all the statues THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 283 and pillars, but Sir Thomas Gresham in the corner. The second Exchange was built by Edward Jarman or Jerinan, one of the City Surveyors. It is said to have cost 58,962, and was destroyed by fire January 10, 1838. The statue of Sir Thomas Gresham again escaped uninjured. The present building was built from designs of William Tite, and opened by Her Majesty in person October 28, 1844. The pediment was made by R. Westmacott R.A. (the younger), the marble statue of Her Majesty in the quadrangle by Lough ; and the statues of Sir Thomas Gresham, Sir Hugh Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth, by Messrs Joseph, Carew, and Watson. It is said to have cost ,180,000. STATUES, ROYAL EXCHANGE. As the origin of the statues in the Royal Exchange may not be generally known, the original precept issued by the Court of Aldermen for the erection of the one to Charles II. is here intro- duced, and which also alludes to the origin of the other statues therein placed. SMITH, MAYOR. Martis Vndecimo Die Novembr' 1684, Annoque Regni Regis CAROLI Secundi, Angl', &c., Tricessimo Sexto. Whereas, the statue of king CHARLES the First (of blessed memory) is already set up in the Royal Exchange, and the Com- pany of Grocers have undertaken to set up the statue of his present MAJESTY, and the Company of Cloth workers that of king JAMES, and the Companies of Mercers and Fishmongers the statues of queen MARY and queen ELIZABETH, and the Company of Drapers that of EDWARD the Sixth, this court doth recommend it to the several companies of this city hereafter named, viz., the Companies of Goldsmiths, Skinners, Merchant Tailors, Haber- dashers, Salters, Ironmongers, Vintners, Dyers, Brewers, Leather- sellers, Pewterers, Barber-Chirurgeons, Cutlers, Bakers, Wax Chandlers, Tallow Chandlers, Armourers, Girdlers, Butchers, Sadlers, to raise money by contributions, or otherwise, for setting up the statues of the rest of the kings of England (each company one), beginning at the CONQUEROR, as the same were there set up before the Great Fire. And for the better order of their proceed- ing herein, the master and wardens, or some members of the said respective companies, are desired within some convenient time to appear before this court, and receive the further direc- tions of this court therein. And in regard of the inability of the Chamber of London to advance monies for the carrying on and finishing the Conduit, begun to be set up with His MAJESTIES approbation, at the upper end of Cheapside, it is earnestly recommended from this Court to all the rest of the Companies of this City (other than those before named), to raise moneys likewise by contributions, or 284 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. otherwise, for the carrying on and finishing the said work, so necessary to the ornament of this city ; and to pay the same into the Chamber, to be laid out and employed for the said purpose. Wagstaffe. GRASSHOPPER. The grasshopper on the top of the Royal Exchange, was the crest of Sir Thomas Gresham. GRESHAM COLLEGE AND LECTURES. So denominated from Sir Thomas Gresham, who founded the same. A writer says : To Sir Thomas Gresham, who lived in the reign of queen Elizabeth, and who was styled the Royal Merchant, in consequence of feasting ambassadors and entertain- ing princes, the city of London is indebted for the Royal Ex- change, which he erected at his own expense, and liberally endowed a College for Lectures, which are now almost a dead letter, as few persons ever think of attending the Gresham Lectures, which are given during the law terms. When the Gresham Lectures were established, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons left in trust to see proper persons appointed, sent letters to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, stating, that for want of judgment to discern men of most sufficiency in the said facul- ties, they might make default, and commit some error in the election ; they therefore prayed each University to nominate two proper persons to fill the offices of professors. Strange as it may seem, the heads of Cambridge were jealous of these lectures, nor was it until Lord Burleigh gave them leave, that they consented to act. The first Gresham College was taken down in 1768, and the ground on which it stood made over to the Crown for a perpetual rent of 500 per annum. A new College was sub- sequently erected, and the first lecture read in it Nov. 2, 1843. CHARTER HOUSE. This celebrated school was instituted June 22, 1611, by Thomas Sutton of Camps Castle, in the county of Cambridge, and so called from a Monastery of Carthusian monks founded in 1371 on a Pest-house field, by Sir Walter Manny, knight. St. Bruno was the founder of the Order of Carthusian Monks, and is styled by writers of his own age, Master of the Chartreuse; and from his order comes our Charter House at London. LLOYD'S COFFEEHOUSE. Lloyd's Coffeehouse was originally in Lombard Street, at the corner of Abchurch-lane, subsequently in Pope's-Head Alley, THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 28-J where it was called New Lloyd's Coffeehouse ; but on February 14, 1774, it was removed to the north-west corner of the Royal Exchange, where it remained until the destruction of the building by fire. During the rebuilding the subscribers occupied the South Sea House ; but on the reopening of the Eoyal Exchange they returned to their former locality. GERARD'S HALL. In Basing Lane formerly stood a stately stone edifice, belonging to the Gisor family, called Gisor's Hall, but subsequently Gerard's Hall. In 1852 this celebrated inn was doomed to destruction, owing to its standing in the way of the new street from London Bridge to St. Paul's ; and its beautiful and much admired Norman crypt would have been destroyed, but for the commendable exer- tions of Mr. Deputy Lott, to whom the public are indebted for its preservation in the new Crystal Palace at Sydenham. BAKEWELL, OR BLACKWELL HALL. This hall, once famed as a cloth hall, was founded by the Mayor and Corporation (20th Eichard II.) in the house formerly belonging to the family of the Basings, but subsequently in the possession of Thomas Bakewell, from whom the Hall derives its name. Bakewell Hall was rebuilt in 1588, destroyed in the great fire of 1666 ; re-erected in 1672, and ultimately taken down to make way for the present Bankruptcy Court in 1820. HICKS' HALL. This building formerly stood in Saint John Street, facing West Smithfield ; it was built by Sir Baptist Hicks, afterwards Viscount Camden, who was for some time a merchant in Cheap- side, and died in 1629. It was named after the builder; and the new building erected as the County Hall of Middlesex, in. Clerkenwell Green, still retains its name. William Lord Russell, the patriot, was condemned to death in Hicks' Hall ; and Count Koningsmark, the real though not the actual assassin of Mr. Thynne, was acquitted in the same building. The distance on the milestones of the great north road were formerly measured from Hicks' Hall. A few so marked still remain. SALTER'S HALL. This hall, which is in the vicinity of St. Swithin's Lane, belongs to the Company of Drysalters. Some imagine that it derives its name from John Salter, who died in 1605. Certainly, the coincidence in name is indisputable, and what is more so, he 286 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. was one of the Company, and was a good benefactor to them. It is said, that the beadles and servants of the Worshipful Com- pany of Salters are to attend divine service at St. Magnus' Church, London Bridge, pursuant to the will of Sir John Salter, in the first week in October, and each person is to say three times, "How do you do, Brother Salter ? I hope you are well ! " The Salters' Company was incorporated in 1558. GUY'S HOSPITAL. This celebrated hospital derives its name from Thomas Guy, a bookseller of Lombard Street, who is said to have made his for- tune ostensibly by the sale of Bibles, but more it is thought by purchasing seamen's tickets, and by his great success in the sale and transfer of stock in the memorable South Sea Year of 1720. It is said of him, that when consulting with a friend relative to his will, the latter advised him to search the South Sea Books, and return, as had been done by one or two individuals possessing heroic virtues, the money to the perishing families that were un- done by the purchase of his stock. This advice he rejected, al- though by acting upon it, he was told he would have raised a monument to his memory, as much to his glory as the hospital, and added the praise of justice to his fame. The hospital was built 1721. He died 1724. FOUNDLING HOSPITAL. The first Foundling Hospital was erected in Paris, in 1677. The London Foundling Hospital, which was projected and endowed by Captain Thomas Coram, was founded in 1739 ; began to re- ceive children, 1756 ; let part of their estate in 1797, which yields 2000 a-year in addition to their income. The celebrated Handel used to preside at the organ of the chapel of this institution ; and it may not be generally known, that his celebrated " Messiah " was concocted by him in this chapel ; and which even now, at the present day, can boast of a musical choir equal to most of our cathedrals. BONNER'S FIELDS. Bonner's Fields, so called after the celebrated Bouner, Bishop of London, who had a palace there. He entered at Oxford about 1512; Bishop of Hereford, 1539 ; Bishop of London, 1540; de- prived, May 1550 ; and died in the Marshalsea Prison, Sept. 5, 1569. BANCROFT'S ALMS-HOUSES. Bancroft's Aims-Houses, so called after one Francis Bancroft, who left the sum of 28,000 and upwards to the Company of THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 287 Drapers for their erection and endowment. He was an officer of the lord mayor's court, and died in 1729 worth .80,000, all of which he is said to have obtained by harsh acts of justice in his capacity as a city officer. Bancroft was a most eccentric charac- ter, and desired that the lid of his coffin should have a square of glass in it, that it should not be fastened down, and that it should remain above ground. This was conformed to, a conditional be- quest being attached to the fulfilment of it. He lies in Saint Helen's Church, Great Saint Helen's, Bishopsgate Street. WARDS. Though I cannot ascertain the time, says Maitland, when this city (London) was at first divided into wards ; yet I am of opinion that the first division thereof was not on account of the govern- ment, but rather that London, like other cities and towns of the kingdom, was anciently held of the Saxon kings and nobility in demean, and whose several properties therein, being so many sokes or liberties, were under the immediate dominion of their respec- tive lords, who were the governors or wardens thereof; whence, I imagine, arose the Saxon appellation ward, which signifies a quarter or district : this opinion is not only corroborated by the wards of Baynard's Castle, Farringdon, Coleman Street, and Bas- inghall or Bassishaw's, still retaining the names of their ancient proprietors, but also by the other wards of the city being alien- able ; which, upon alienation, the purchaser or purchasers became the proprietor or proprietors thereof, with the additional epithets of alderman or aldermen. ALDGATE WARD. One of the twenty-six wards of London, and so called from Aldgate, a gate or postern in the city wall, towards the east. When the Saxons first possessed themselves of this city, they found this gate sorely decayed, and more ruinous than any of the rest, therefore they imposed the epithet of eald, or aid, upon it ; i.e., old. QUEENHITHE WARD. The original name of Queenhithe was Edrid's hithe, or harbour. In Henry the Third's time it fell to the crown, and was called Ripa Regince, or the Queen's Wharf. It was probably part of her majesty's pin-money, by the attention paid to her interest. CHEAP WARD. Cheap Ward, derives its name from the Saxon word chepe, a market, once applied to our Cheapside, which was formerly called West Cheap, in order to distinguish it from East Cheap. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. VINTRY WARD. Vintry Ward comprises a part of the north bank of the Thames, where the merchants of Bordeaux formerly bonded and sold their wines : the word vintry, is derived from vine-tree. BILLINGSGATE WARD. Billingsgate, which "the ladies of the British Fishery" (.is Addison has humorously designated them) have rendered of sueii notoriety, boasts of having had for an alderman the patriotic Beckford, a great scolder ! The derivation of Billingsgate is very ancient, being from Belin, King of Britain, about 400 years before Christ, who built a gate, and named it Belin's Gate, after himself. BISHOPSGATE WARD. A modern author conjeptures this ward, says Maitland, to have derived its appellation from Erkenwald, Bishop of London, who first erected it, about anno 675 : but I suppose it to have been so called, out of compliment to that excellent bishop, William Nor- man, who seems to have delighted in nothing more than doing good to the citizens. CRIPPLEGATE WARD. Westward from Moorgate stood Cripplegate, from whence this word takes its name. It was so denominated from the number of cripples who anciently begged there. ALDERSGATE WARD. The name of this ward is derived from the gate which stood here. Stow, speaking of this gate, says : " ^Eidresgate, or Ald- ersgate, so called, not of Aldrich or of Elders, that is to say, an- cient men builders thereof ; nor of Eldarne trees growing there more abundantly than in other places, as some have fabled ; but from the very antiquity of the gate itself, as being one of the first four gates of the city, and serving for the northern parts, as Aid- gate for the east ; which two gjvtes being both old gates, are, for difference sake, called the one Ealdegate, and the other Alders- gate." FARRINGDON WARDS. These aldermanries, i. e. t Farringdon Within and Farringdon Without, were formerly but one ; and which was conveyed by John le Fenere, for an equivalent, to William Farringdon, citizen and goldsmith, in the year 1281, in whose possession, and that of his son, it continued about eighty years ; and whose enjoyment THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 289 thereof by name (although now divided into two), is like to be coeval with time. Farringdon Without is by far the largest Ward, and so called from its being without the walls. BREAD STREET WARD. Bread Street, which gives denomination to the ward, was so called from a Bread market, anciently held there, during which time the city bakers were not permitted to sell bread at home, but were obliged to dispose thereof in this market. LANGBOURNE WARD. So denominated from a brook, or bourne, which ran through this locality, and which, being of some length, was called Long- bourne, now corruptly Lang-bourne. DOWGATE WARD. This ward derives its name from a dock or water gate, called Dowuegate, " so called," says Stow, " of that down-going or de- scending thereunto." PORTSOKEN WARD. Maitland says, the Ward of Portsoken, about the year 967, was given by king Edgar to certain military knights for their gallant deportment in the service of their country; and Edgar having constituted the said knights a body politick and corporate, their lands or district was thereby converted into a jurisdiction, soke, or liberty ; which, from its vicinity to Aldgate, received the appel- lation of Portsoke, or the Gate Liberty ; which liberty, ward, or parish, together with the church thereof, was in the year 1115, by the proprietors, the descendants of the said knights, given to the priors and canons of the Trinity convent within Aldgate. CASTLE-BAYNARD WARD. This ward derives its name from Baynard castle (formerly the residence of William Baynard, a soldier of fortune) ; the site of which is now partly occupied by a wharf. In the reign of king John, it was the residence of Sir Eeginald of Bayeux, and was famed for the jousts and tournaments that were held there. CANDLEW1CK WARD. So called from the number of candle-makers that at one period resided in it. 290 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. CORDWAINERS' WARD. This ancient ward receives its name from that part of its locality called Bow Lane, being principally inhabited by shoemakers, who were originally called Cordwainers. BROAD STREET WARD. So denominated, because Broad Street originally was the broadest street in the city. LIME STREET WARD. On tfyis spot formerly, were several Lime yards, and it was here that the lime was prepared for the rebuilding of the city, after the great fire of 1666. This is the only ward of London without a church of its own. BASSISHAW WARD. This is a corruption from Basing-hall ward, a property that formerly belonged to the family of the Basings. COLEMAN STREET WARD. This ward was thus denominated from the street of that name, which was called after one Coleman, the first builder and owner. BRIDGE AND TOWER WARDS. So called from their contiguity to the Bridge and Tower. INNS OF COURT. Though the antiquity of the Inns of Court be not ascertained, yet it may be presumed that they owe their origin to Henry III., who having, in the year 1225, confirmed the charters granted by John, his father, removed the Courts of Justice from his palace into Westminster hall. About this time, the lawyers, or prac- titioners in those courts, began to form themselves into a society (supposed at Thaivie's Inn, in Holborn), in a collegiate manner ; hence their place of residence was denominated an Inn, or House of Court. But according to others (though with less probability), from their being inns, or nurseries for the education of the young nobility and gentry. Be that as it will, such places seem in some measure to have been appropriated for students of the law, seeing Henry III., by his mandate, directed to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, about the year 1244, strictly enjoined them to make THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 291 proclamation throughout the city, that no person whatsoever should presume to set up a school, or schools therein, for teaching of law. CLEMENT'S INN. This Inn of Court derives its name from Clement the Dane, whose place of interment is said to be on the site of St. Clement Dane's Church, and which circumstance gave a name to that place of worship. The Hall was built in 1715. LINCOLN'S INN. This Inn of Court derives its name from Henry Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, who erected a stately mansion here in 1229, and which still retains his name. It is also said, that some time before his death (anno 1312), he introduced here the study of the law. GRAY'S INN. This house, which is situate on the north side of Holborn, and is one of the four Inns of Court, is thus denominated from its being the residence of the ancient and noble family of Gray of "Wilton, who, in the reign of Edward III., demised the same to divers students of the law. A writer says, it was rebuilt in 1687; prior to which it was so incommodious, that, according to the old records, the ancients of this house were obliged to lodge double ; for at a pension held there on the 9th July, in the 21st year of Henry VIII., John Hales, then one of the Barons of the Exchequer, produced a letter directed to him from Sir Thomas Neville, which was to request him to acquaint the Society, that he would accept of Mr. Attorney-general to be his bed-fellow in his chamber in the Inn, and that entry might be made thereof in the book of their rules. STAPLE'S INN. This Inn is said to have been anciently a Hall for the accom- modation of Wool-staplers, from whom it is denominated. Be that as it will, it appears to have been an Inn of Chancery in the year 1415, but how long before is unknown. The new building was erected in 1843. THAIVIE'S INN. This Inn appears to have been of great antiquity, by its having belonged to John Thaivie (from whom it is denominated) in the reign of Edward III., by whose will it appears to have been then an Inn for Students at Law ; some of whom, about the year 1347, had the New Temple demised to them by the Knights' Hospi- tallers of St. John of Jerusalem, for a yearly rent of ten pounds ; 292 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. and, removing thither, they and their successors have continued there ever since. CLIFFORD'S INN. This Inn is thus denominated from Robert de Clifford, to whom it was granted by Edward II. in 1309 ; and by whose widow it was left to Students of the Law in the 18th of Edward III. It is an Inn of Chancery, situated on the north side of St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet Street, and is an appendage to the Inner Tem- ple. The Society is governed by twelve ancients and a principal, who are chiefly attorneys and officers of the Marshal's Court, who, with the rest of the members, are in commons a fortnight every term, otherwise to pay four shillings per week. FURNIVAL'S INN. This Inn owes its name to Sir William Furnival, who, in the year 1388, was proprietor, of two messuages and thirteen shops, where now this Inn is situate, on the north side of Holborn, within the bars of the city, but without the liberty thereof; and is an Inn of Chancery, and appendage to Lincoln's Inn. This Society is governed by a principal and twelve ancients, who, with the other members, are to be in commons a fortnight every term, or pay five shillings a week if absent. ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, &c. Our readers need scarcely be informed, that the old cathedral of St. Paul's was burnt down in the great fire of London in 1666. During the time of the Commonwealth, the body of the church was converted into saw-pits and stables for soldiery, and to which Dryden alludes in the following lines : " The daring flames peep'd in, and saw from far The awful beauties of the sacred quire ; But since it was profaned by civil war, Heav'n thought it fit to have it purged by fire." The first stone of the present magnificent edifice was laid on the 21st of June, 1675, by Sir Christopher Wren, who lived to see his son, then but a few months old, thirty-five years afterwards, de- posit the highest stone of the lantern on the cupola. It is further remarkable, that the architect, the builder, and the dean, who saw its commencement, all lived to see it completed.* During the early progress of the work, an incident occurred which, even in a less superstitious age, might have been considered a favour- able omen, without any charge of extraordinary credulity. Sir Christopher was marking out the dimensions of the great cupola, * Sir Christopher Wren, Mr. Strong, and Dr. Henry Compton. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 293 when he ordered one of the workmen to bring him a flat stone, to use as a station. A piece was brought : it was the fragment of a tombstone, on which but one word of the inscription was left that word was RESURGAM. Some authors suppose this cir- cumstance to have been the origin of the emblem sculptured over the South Portico, by Gibber, namely, a phoenix rising out of its fiery nest, with this word as an inscription. WHISPERING GALLERY. You ascend by a spacious circular staircase to a gallery, which encircles the lower part of the interior of the dome, and is called the Whispering Gallery, from the circumstance, that the lowest whisper breathed against the wall in any part of this vast circle, may be accurately distinguished by an attentive ear on the oppo- site side. COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF ST. KATHERINE'S. The church that was thus denominated, but which is now pulled down, had the following origin. " The collegiate body to whom the church and precinct pertain, and who have not always been so insensible to the nobler principles they now abandon, owe their origin to Maud, queen of king Stephen their present constitution to Eleanor, wife of Henry III., and their exemption from the general dissolution in the time of Henry VIII., to the attractions, it is said, of Anne Boleyn. The queen-consorts have from the first been patronesses, and on a vacancy of the crown matrimonial, the kings of England."* ST. MARY WOOLNOTH. The church of St. Mary Woolnoth, at the west end of Lombard Street, was built by Richard Hawksmoor, the eccentric pupil of Sir Christopher Wren, in the year 1716. It derived its name from being at that time contiguous to the wool market. SAINT NICOLAS COLE ABBEY. This church, which is a rectory, situate on the south side of Old Fish Street, in the ward of Queenhithe, is thus denominated from its dedication to the above-named saint, and the additional epithet of Cole Abbey, by some from Golden Abbey, Cold Abbey, or Cold-bey, from its cold or bleak situation. It was destroyed in the great fire, and rebuilt by Wren. It was the first church built and finished after the fire. SAIXT MARY LE BOW. A church in Cheapside, in Cordwainers' ward, and commonly called "Bow Church," so called from being built on arches, * A new college and church have since been built in the Regent's Park. 294 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. which were called Bows. This was the first church built of stone. The old church was destroyed in the great fire, and the present church, one of Sir Christopher Wren's great master- pieces, was erected immediately after. ALL HALLOWS BARKING. The patronage of this church was in the abbess and nuns of Barking, in Essex, till 1546, when Henry VIII. exchanged the same with Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury, in whose successors it still continues. ALL HALLOWS STAINING. This church is of Saxon origin. Staining is a corruption of Stane, which our antiquaries are justly of opinion was conferred on it, on account of its being built with stones, to distinguish it from other churches of the same name in this city that were built with wood. The old church escaped the fire but fell down, all but the tower, in 16.71. The tower still stands, and will repay examination. SAINT ANDREW HUBBARD. The first mention of this church is some time before the year 1389, when Walter Palmer was rector thereof. It received the epithet of Hubbard from one of its rebuilders or repairers. It was destroyed in the great fire, and not rebuilt. Weigh-house yard occupies the site. SAINT ANDREW WARDROBE. This church was originally denominated St. Andrew Juxta Baynard's castle,* from its vicinity to that palace ; but the mag- nificent structure afterwards erected, called the Wardrobe, sup- plied the place of Baynard's castle; and the church has ever since been called St. Andrew Wardrobe. The old church was destroyed in the great fire, and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1692. SAINT PETER AD VINCULA. This church, or chapel, which is situate in the Tower of London, is thus denominated from its being dedicated to St. Peter in bonds, or chains; and which ad vincula signifies. In 'this church, or chapel, are interred the bodies of two queens, viz., Anna Bullen and Catherine Howard, consorts of Henry VIII., who were be- headed in the Tower ; likewise are buried here divers other per- sons of quality. SAINT PETER LE POOR. This church, situate on the West side of Broad Street, derives its name from St. Peter, and the additional epithet of Le Poor, * See Baynard's Castle. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 295 from the mean condition of the parish in ancient times ; if so, they may now justly change it to that of Eich, because of the great number of merchants and other persons of distinction inhabit- ing there. SAINT SEPULCHRE. This church receives its name from being dedicated to Christ's sepulchre, at Jerusalem. The body of the church was injured in the great fire of 1666, that stopped at Pie Corner, a very few yards north of the church. The bell of this church always tolls on the morning of executing criminals at Newgate. SAINT ALPHAGE. This church, says Maitland, which stands at the north-west corner of Aldermanbury, owes its name to its dedication to St. Alphage, or Elphage, a noble English Saxon, and archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered by the Pagan Danes at Green- wich, anno 1013. SAINT NICOLAS OLAVES. This church, which stands on the west side of Bread Street hill, derives its name from St. Nicolas and Olave, or Olaus, a king of Norway, who rebuilt it. SAINT MARY MATFELLON. This term, applied to the church in Whitechapel, is derived from the Hebrew or Syriac word, Matfel, which signifies a woman that has lately brought forth a son, therefore dedicated to Mary, delivered of a son. The register records the burial in the church- yard, June 21, 1649, of Richard Brandon, a ragman in Eosemary Lane, and against the entry is the following memorandum in a contemporary hand : " This E. Brandon is supposed to have cut off the head of Charles I." SAINT PANCRAS. This church and parish derive their names from St. Pancras, a young Phrygian nobleman, who, for his strict adherence to the Christian faith, suffered martyrdom at Eome under the emperor Dioclesian. The church was in Soper Lane, destroyed in the great fire, and not rebuilt. The name is preserved in Pancras Lane, Queen Street, Cheapside, and in that of an extensive parish in the suburbs of London ; and formerly called St. Pancras-in-the- Fields. The old church belonging to the latter parish was anciently called Kentish Church, and is supposed to have been the burying-place belonging to the first cathedral of St. Paul. Norden, who wrote in the reign of Elizabeth, in his Speculum Britannice, says, " The church of St. Pancras standeth all alone, 296 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. as utterly forsaken, old and weather-beaten, which, for the antiquity thereof, is thought not to yield to Paule's of London." (See Notes and Queries, vol. ii. p. 496.) The new church of St. Pancras, near Euston Square, built by the Messrs. In wood, was consecrated April 7, 1822, and cost ,76,679 : 7 : 8. ST. BENEDICT, VULGARLY CALLED BENNET FINK. This church is thus denominated from its dedication to St. Benedict, an Italian saint, and founder of the order of Benedic- tine Monks ; and the additional epithet of Fink, it received from its rebuilder, Eobert Fink. This church was taken down in 1843, to make way for the New Eoyal Exchange. ST. BENNET'S GRASS CHURCH. This church, which is a rectory, stands at the south-west corner of Fenchurch Street, and- near to the Old Grass* Market, from whence it derives its additional name. ST. BENNET SHEREHOG. This church originally went by the name of St. Osyth, from its being dedicated to a queen and martyr of that name. However, she appears to have been but a very impotent prfttectrix, in suffering herself to be divested of the tutelage of this church by Benedict Shorne, a fishmonger ; a rebuilder, a repairer, or bene- factor to the same ; and Shorne, his surname, deviating into Shrog, was at last converted into Sherehog; and Benedict, as already mentioned, turned into Bennet. This church was destroyed in the great fire, and not rebuilt. ST. MARTIN ORGAR. This church, in Candlewick ward, derives its appellation from one Odgarus, who was a benefactor to it. It was also destroyed, but not rebuilt. ST. MARY OVERIE. This church in Southwark, by some called St. Saviour's, and by others St. Mary Overier, derives the latter name, which is a corruption from Over River, from the following circumstance : " A ferry was formerly kept where the bridge now stands. At length the ferryman and his wife died, and left the same ferry to their only daughter, a maiden named Mary, which, with the goods left by her parents, as also with the profits arising from the said ferry, she built a house of sisters, and afterwards, at her decease, * See Gracechurch Street. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 297 bequeathed the whole of her property to the said sisters, ami towards building and endowing a church, which, in gratitude to their benefactress, they called St. Mary Over Eiver, but which ultimately was corrupted or abbreviated to St. Mary Overie." ST. DIONIS BACK-CHURCH. This church owes its name to St. Dionis, Dionysius, or Dennis, who, upon St. Paul's preaching at Athens, was converted, and became the first bishop of that city, and afterwards patron of the French nation. The epithet Back-church, was conferred upon this church from its situation behind a row of houses, to dis- tinguish it from the church of St. Gabriel, which stood in the middle of Fenchurch Street; therefore these churches were anciently known by no other appellation than those of Fore and Back Church. It was destroyed by the great fire, and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. ST. KATHERINE CREE. This church, which is situate on the north side of Leadenhall street, owes its name to its dedication to St. Katherine, the Egyptian virgin; and the epithet of Christ (corruptly Cree), from its vicinity to the conventual church of the Holy Trinity, originally denominated Christ Church.* ST. MARGARET PATTENS. This church, situate at the corner of Little Tower Street, owes its name to St. Margaret, and the circumstance that this parish anciently was principally inhabited by Patten-makers. ST. MARTIN'S ,OUTWICH. This church, which is situate in Threadneedle Street, derives its name from St. Martin : " On the south part of Threeneedle street, beginning at the East by the well with two Buckets, now turned to a pump, is the Parish Church of Saint Martin, called Oteswich, from Martin de Oteswich, Nicholas de Oteswich, William Oteswich, and John Oteswich, founders thereof." /Stow, p. 68. The Old Church escaped the great fire of 1666, but was seriously injured in the Bishopsgate Street fire of Nov. 7, 1765. It was temporarily patched up, but was taken down in 1796, and rebuilt as we now see it by Sir S. P. Cockerell. ST. MARY, ALDERMARY. This church, which is situate in Bow Lane, owes its name to its dedication to the Virgin Mary, and the additional epithet of * The old Church was taken doAvn in 1C28; and the present one was consecrated by Dr. Laud (then Bishop of London), Jan. 16, 1630-1. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Aldermary, or Eldermary, from its being the oldest church in the city dedicated to the Virgin. Stow says, " A very fair new church was laid there by Henry Keble, Grocer, Mayor, who deceased 1518, and was there buried." This was destroyed in the great fire, and rebuilt by Wren in 1681. ST. MARY BOTHAW. This church, situate in Turnwheel Lane, receives the former part of its name from being dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the latter to its vicinity to a Boat Haw, or a Boatbuilder's yard. ST. MARY-AT-HILL. This church, which is situate in the Ward of Billingsgate, owes its name, like the above mentioned, to the Virgin, and its situation upon a pleasant ^eminence. ST. MARY COLECHURCH. This church, says Maitland, derives its name from Peter Cole- church, who first began the building of London Bridge * with stone ; he was buried in a chapel 011 the bridge, from whence his body was removed, on the taking down of the houses, to the church which now bears his name. It stood at the south-west corner of the Old Jewry, in the Poultry. ST. MARY SOMERSET. This church, which is opposite Broken Wharf, in Thames Street, owes its former name to Mary the Virgin; and the additional epithet of Somerset, to its vicinity to Summer's Het, or Hithe, a small port or haven, resembling that of Queenhithe. ST. MICHAEL BASSISHAW.' This church, situate on the west side of Basinghall street, in the Ward of Bassishaw, is thus denominated from its dedication to St. Michael, the archangel, and the place of its situation, near Basin g's Haw, or Hall. ST. MARY MOUNT I-I AUNT. This church, on the west side of Old Fish-street hill, derives its name from its dedication to the Virgin, and its having been first built as a chapel to a House inhabited by the family of Mounthaunts, in the county of Norfolk. * See London Bridge. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 299 ST. MICHAEL'S QUERNE. This church derives its name from St. Michael, and being near the Corn Market Querne being a corruption of Corn. ST. ANDREW UNDERSHAFT. This church, situate at the corner of St. Mary Axe, and so well known to antiquaries as containing within its walls Stow's monument, takes the name of TJndershaft from a May-Pole, or Shaft, which on May-Day was put up adjacent to it. Chaucer, writing of a vain boaster, hath these words, meaning of the said shaft : " Right well aloft, and high you beare your head, As you would beare the great shaft of Cornhill." It may be observed, that Cornhill originally extended thus far. ADDLE STREET. In the vicinity of this street, King Athelstan had a palace, and it received its appellation of Addle street from its vicinity to the said palace Addle signifying Noble. ALDERSGATE STREET. The name of this street is by some derived from Aldrick, a Saxon, by others from Seniors or Old Men who were the builders of the gate. See Gates. ALDERMANBURY. , This street or locality is thus denominated from the Court Hall or Bury being here, where the aldermen met previous to the erection of Guildhall. Stow states, that the original site of Guildhall he remembered as a carpenter's yard. Abutting on the west end of the present hall is a square court, which is probably the site of the old Guildhall. ABCHURCH LANE. This Lane derives its name from the church therein standing on an eminence : i. e., ab or up Church, dedicated to Saint Mary. ADELPHI. This is the Greek word for Brothers, and was given to the locality thus denominated, because it was built by the Messrs. Adam, the architects Robert, James, and John. 300 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. AMEN CORNER. So called as terminating Pater-Noster applied to " the Row." or emporium of the Publishers and Booksellers. See Pater- noster Row. BLACKMAN STREET, BOROUGH. The name of the street, and the sign of the public-house of the game, both derive their appellation from a person of the name of Blackman, who had considerable property in the neighbourhood, and who made considerable improvements in it. BARTLETT'S BUILDINGS. Edward VI. made a grant, in 1548, of some houses, stables, &c., that stood at that time on this site, to one Bartlett, and which gave the present buildings thereon erected the appellation of Bartlett's Buildings. . BARBICAN. Barbican, or Watch Tower, belonging to any fortified place. One of the Barbicans of old London stood upon the site of the present street thus denominated. BOND STREET. This once fashionable lounge derives its name from the original proprietor Sir Thomas Bond of Peckham, in the county of Surrey, Baronet. BUCKLERSBURY. Bucklersbury deriv-es its origin from one Buckle having a large manor-house of stone in this place. It was originally called Buckle's Bury. Sir Thomas More lived in this street, and here his daughter (Margaret Roper) was born. BOW LANE. Thus called from its contiguity to the church of St. Mary le Bow, which is built on Arches, formerly called Bows. BROAD WALL. Broad Wall and Narrow Wall, in the vicinity of Pedlar's Acre (now, Belvedere Road, Lambeth), derive their names from the circumstance, that before the regular embankment of the Thames took place, two walls stood here, to prevent, as far as possible, the river from floating the marsh of Lambeth and the surrounding neighbourhood. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 301 BLOOMSBURY. Bloomsbury, which is situate in the county of Middlesex, and hundred of Ossulston, was anciently a village denominated Loomsbury, wherein the king's stables were till anno 1534, when the same 'were destroyed by fire, together with a number of horses, and great quantities of hay and corn. This catastrophe occasioned the Royal Mews, at Charing Cross, to be converted into stables for the reception of the king's horses. BLACKFRIARS. So denominated, because there formerly stood on the north side of the bridge a convent of Black friars, founded by Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent A.D. 1221, and on the west side a convent of "White friars, founded by Sir Eichard Gray in 1241, which also gave a name to an adjacent locality. Richard is made to exclaim in the play, when he stops the funeral of Henry " No, to Whitefriars, and there await my coming." BATTLE STAIRS. Battle Stairs, Tooley street, derive their name from the Abbot of Battle, in Sussex, who had a house here, and whose grounds and garden came down to the Thames' side. BRIDEWELL, CLERKENWELL, &c. These, with others, were the Holy Wells of London, but which have declined in reputation. The fame of St. Bride's well gave the name of Bridewell to an adjoining hospital and prison, and at last attached the name to almost every house of correction throughout the kingdom. Clerkenwell takes its name from the company of Parish Clerks, who formerly had their meetings here. Fitzstephen says, " In the suburbs of London are excellent springs, the water of which is clear, sweet, and salubrious; amongst which Holywell, Clerkenwell, and St. Clement's wells, are of most note." BEVIS MARKS. Formerly the Abbot of Bury had his city residence here, from whence it received the appellation of Bury's Marks ; and the place of its situation, by corruption, is now denominated Bevis Marks. BROOK MARKET. This market, as well as Brook street, Holborn, derive their name from Lord Brook's mansion being formerly here. 302 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. BARGE YARD, BUCKLERSBURY. According to tradition, Boats and Barges came up Walbrook from the Thames to that place, where they delivered their car- goes or freights. BIRDCAGE WALK. A name given to the south side of St. James's Park, between Buckingham Gate and Storey's Gate, from the aviary established there in the reign of James I., and the decoy made there in the reign of Charles II. BUCKINGHAM HOUSE. This mansion in St. James's Park, for so many years the resi- dence of our royal family, was erected by John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, in 1703, in the reign of Queen Anne. It is related that the architect and builder, Captain Wynde, having expended large sums of money upon it, his employer, the duke, was back- ward in paying the same, upon which he resorted to the following stratagem. The architect one day prevailed upon his Grace to mount the top of the building, for the alleged purpose of seeing the surrounding prospect. The moment the duke sat his foot on the roof, the man of science and bricks shut down the trapdoor, locked it, and threw the key to the ground below. The duke, astonished at the action, exclaimed, K How am I to get down ?" The builder, assuming a melancholy countenance, replied " My Lord Duke, I am a distressed man, I have ruined myself by making advances for this building, and unless you immediately relieve me, it is my intention to leap down and destroy myself!" " What is to become of me, you having thrown the key away ? " demanded the duke. " You must leap down also," rejoined the builder, " unless you consent to satisfy my wants." Upon which, it is said, the duke instantly complied, by giving him an order upon his banker for the amount he named. The builder then gave a preconcerted signal to one of his men, who came up with the key, unlocked the trapdoor, and set the duke at liberty. It is generally supposed that the duke complied with the request of the builder, not from any sense .of fear, but because he admired the ingenious mode in which he had been called upon to pay his debts. Buckingham House was taken down by George IV. in 1825, and the present Palace erected in its stead. BERMONDSEY STREET. The name of this manor, or district, being a Saxon compound, and the last syllable thereof seeming to imply an island, it is sup- posed anciently to have been such a place, belonging to one Ber- rnond, and which the situation gives room to conjecture. Be that THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 303 as it will, the village of Bermundeseye, in the Conqueror's survey, appears to have been a royal manor, wherein were twenty-five villeins, or servile husbandmen, and twenty-three Bordonanni, or Cottagers. CORNHILL. This is the highest* part of London, and was denominated thus in consequence of that circumstance, and the great number of Corn-chandlers who resided here in former times. CHEAPSIDE. Cheapside received its name from Chepe, a Market, this being originally the great street for splendid shops. In the year 1 246 it was an open field, called Crown-field, from an inn of that sign at the east end. CONDUIT STREET. Built in 1718, and is so called from a Conduit of water in cer- tain fields between Piccadilly and Paddington. COVENTRY STREET. This appellation is derived from Coventry House, the residence of Henry Coventry, third son of Lord Keeper Coventry, and himself Secretary of State to Charles II. CRUTCHED-FRIARS. Crutched-Friars is derived from the house of Crutched or Crossed Friars, a fraternity who wore a large red cross on their garments hence, also, the Eed Cross Knights. "The Friars Hall was made a glass house, wherein glass was made of divers sorts to drink in, which house, in the year 1575, on the 4th of September, burst out into a terrible fire, and was all consumed to the stone walls." Stow, p. 56. CORAM STREET. Coram Street, Brunswick Square, is so called after Captain Coram, projector of the Founding Hospital. He died March 29, 1751, aged 84. CRANBOURNE-ALLEY. This property belongs to the Marquis of Salisbury, and derives its cognomen from the Marquis's second title, which is borne by * In Panier Alley, leading from Newgate Street to Paternoster Row, a stone announces that spot to be the highest part of London. 304 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. his eldest son Viscount Cranbourne. The late Lord Erskine being on a visit to the late Marquis at Hatfield House, and the latter being anxious for his lordship's opinion on his new picture gallery, took the earliest opportunity of showing it to him, when his lordship made the following happy impromptu : " Your room, though long and narrow, And as straight as an arrcw, Will ne'er with your other rooms tally; But give it to your son, 'twill be excellent fun To hear it call'd Cranbourne Alley." In 1843, the whole south side of Cranbourne Alley was taken down, and the street widened, making a carriage way from Coventry Street to Long Acre. The new street was opened in March, 1844. COLEMAN STREET. Coleman street derives its name from Coleman, the first builder and owner thereof. The, Star in Coleman Street was a tavern where Oliver Cromwell and several of his party occasionally met. CLARE MARKET. From the Clare family, who had a house contiguous to Clement's Inn. CARNABY MARKET. On this site formerly stood the mansion of Sir Raynold Car- naby, who figured in the reign of Henry VIII., and who enjoyed a great portion of that monarch's favour. His descendants con- tinued to reside there till the reign of James I., when the present market was built, and which was named after the family of the Carnabys. CARLTON HOUSE. Carlton House, once the celebrated town residence of George IV., derives its name from its original possessor, Henry Boyle, Baron Carlton, who built it on a piece of ground leased to him by Queen Anne in 1709. Lord Carlton died without issue in 1725, and his house and grounds descended to his nephew, Richard Boyle, Lord Burlington; he bestowed it in 1732 upon his mother, the Countess-dowager of Burlington, who in* the same year transferred it to Frederick, Prince of Wales, father of George the Third. Carlton House was taken down in 1826, and the columns of the Portico transferred to the National Gallery. CRIPPLEGATE. St. Giles is the patron of beggars. Going to church in his youth, he gave his coat to a sick beggar who asked alms of him THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 305 tlie mendicant was clothed, and the garment miraculously cured a disorder with which he was afflicted. He was also the patron of Cripples. It is related of him by that pious chronicler of the saints, Ribadeneira. that one day when the French king was a hunting near a thicket where St. Giles was concealed, he was wounded by an arrow from a huntsman's bow while in the act of praying ; whereupon, being found unmoved from his position, the king fell at his feet, craved his pardon, and gave orders for the cure of his wound; but this the Saint would not permit, preferring to remain a Cripple, and thereby increase his merits. The church of St. Giles, Cripplegate, is dedicated to him ; hence the name of the locality. COAL-HARBOUR LANE. Here stood a spacious and stately edifice, denominated Cold Herberg, or Harbrough, the latter being a corruption of the former, which signifies an Inn or Mansion-house ; the epithet of Cold was probably added on account of its bleak situation, so near the river Thames. However, the site thereof, and buildings thereon, are at present known by the name of Coal- harbour lane, in Upper Thames Street. CHARING CROSS. Here formerly stood the village of Charing, from whence the present name is derived. The Cross was an ancient Gothic structure, placed there in 1291 to Eleanor, queen of Edward I., being the last stage at which the queen's body stopped, previous to its interment in Westminster Abbey. " But neither its ornamental situation, the beauty of its structure, nor the amiable design of its erection," says an intelligent writer, " could preserve it from the merciless zeal of the times." It was demolished by the House of Commons, during the Commonwealth, as a relic of Popish superstition. CHARLES THE FIRST'S STATUE. This noble equestrian statue at Charing Cross is the work of Hubert le Soaur, a Frenchman, who came to England about the year 1674. "The commanding grace of the figure, and the exquisite form of the horse, are striking to the most unpractised eye," says Horace Walpole. This piece was cast in 1633, in a spot of ground near to Covent Garden, and not being erected before the commencement of the civil war, it was sold by the Parliament to John Eivet, a brazier, living at the Dial, near Holboru Conduit, with strict orders to break it to pieces. This worthy, we may presume, was a royalist. At any rate, he> was a sagacious wight, for he produced a quantity of fragments of old brass, and concealed the statue and horse under ground x 306 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. until the Restoration. " He cast a number of knives and forks," says M. de Archenholz, " in brass, which he sold as manufactured from the statue. These were purchased with avidity by the royalists, out of affection to their unfortunate sovereign ; and sought with equal eagerness by the rebels, as a trophy of the downfall of a despot. " COVENT GARDEN. On the site of the western Piazza of Covent Garden, or as it is vulgarly called Common Garden, formerly stood a Convent of Sisters, which was with other monasteries seized and confiscated by order of our Eighth Harry. Where the market is held now, formerly was the Convent Garden, and which circumstance gave it its present name. " I conclude with being Edward Honey- comb, in the time of Henry the Eighth, helping to undo the convent that stood there. I strike his Majesty's warrant on the door, and change every thing like a harlequin. The convent becomes a playhouse, monks and nuns turn actors and actresses. The garden, formal and quiet, where a salad was cut for a lady abbess, and flowers were gathered to adorn images, becomes a market, noisy and full of life, distributing thousands of fruits and flowers to a social metropolis. Who is this coming this way, looking so earnest and full of frown ? Is it a little Dominican friar, longing to denounce us all to the Inquisition? No; it is Mr. Kean, in his great-coat, who delights us all, and does us good, in a profane playhouse. Miss Stephens, and Miss Tree, too, instead of ' Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon,' raise their voices in delightful duets, and have good warm benefits." Lander's Conversations. CANNON STREET. Cannon Street was originally Candlewick Street, deriving its name from its formerly being principally occupied by the wax and tallow trades, which were of great importance till 1548, when, by order of Henry VIII., the burning of candles in religious services were prohibited. CROSBY SQUARE. The house in Crosby Square called Crosby House, built by one Sir John Crosby, was the city residence of Richard III., and is alluded to in the play. After passing through various hands, it was in 1672 converted into a Presbyterian Meeting- house, and in 1677 the present houses in Crosby Square were erected on a portion of the offices attached to the mansion. The lease expiring 1831, a subscription was raised to restore the hall to its original state. The first stone of the new works THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 307 was laid June 27, 1836, and the hall re-opened July 27, 1842, for a Literary and Scientific Institution. CURTAIN ROAD. The road which runs parallel with Shoreditch, from Worship Street to Old-street Boad, is thus denominated from one of the earliest theatres being here. The Curtain theatre was erected on that part of the Haliwell priory called the curtain close, from which its name was derived, and not, as is generally supposed, from a striped curtain hung round the playhouse. Curtis monasterii, and Curtis cenobii, signify the inner court or cloisters of a monastery. See ante, p. 87. DEVONSHIRE SQUARE. Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, derives its name from the mansion formerly there, the residence of the Devonshire family. DUKE'S PLACE. Duke's Place, in the city, the great resort of the Jews, took its name from Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, who had his residence here, and was beheaded in 1572. DRURY LANE. Near this place stood Drury-house, the habitation of the great family of the Drurys built by Sir William Drury, K. G., from which it derived its appellation. It is remarkable that this lane, of later times so notorious for intrigue, should receive its title from a family name, which, in the language of Chaucer, had an amorous signification " Of bataille and of chevalrie, Of lady's love and druerie, Anon I woll you tell." EAST-CHEAP. East-Cheap, from Chepe, a Market, and East, the aspect it bears to Cheapside. This street was famous in old times for its convivial doings. " The cookes cried hot ribbes of beef roasted, pies well baked, and other victuals. There was clattering of pewter pots, harpe, pipe, and sawtrie," evident symptoms of the jollity of this quarter. Here, too, was the celebrated " Boar's Head," the resort of Prince Hal and his pot companion, Falstaff. EXETER CHANGE. This place received its name from being built on the site of the old mansion-house of the Earls of Exeter. In the ancient 308 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. plans of London, the original house covered a large space, and had its quadrangles, towers, and turrets, in the style of Burleigh- house, the country residence of the Marquis of Exeter. It was erected for the purposes of trade, and consisted of three floors. The upper ones, which are spacious, have been the scenes of many interesting exhibitions. The last tenant of the upper rooms was Mr. Cross, with his menagerie ; and there, in March 1826, Chunee, the famous elephant, was shot. Exeter Change was taken down in 1829. The present Exeter Change is a mo- dern structure, between Bridges Street in the Strand, and Upper Wellington Street. EXETER HALL, STRAND. This has been erected on the site of the old Exeter Change, and is distinguished for its musical assemblies, as well as for its reli- gious meetings, in May. The hall was completed in 1831, the architect J. P. Deering; and its magnificent organ was built bv Mr. Walker. The great. hall is 90 feet broad, 138 long, and 48 wide, and will accommodate about 4000 persons. FETTER LANE. This lane was formerly called Fewter Lane, from the name of Fewters (idle people), it having been a way leading to gardens and waste grounds, extending from this lane to Shoe Lane. FINSBURT SQUARE. Finsbury is supposed to be a corruption from Fens-bury, from that locality being originally a large Fen. Fitzstephen, however, says it took its name from Sir William Finnes, a knight of Ehodes (A.D. 1044), who left the fields of Finsbury to his two daughters, who subsequently became nuns in the monastery of Bedlam, afterwards an hospital. The chief magistrate of the metro- polis is Mayor of London, and Lord of the Manor of Finsbury. FLUDYER STREET. Fludyer Street, near to Downing Street, derives its name from Sir Samuel Fludyer, Lord Mayor of London, about the year 1740; he having built it in 1766. FORSTER LANE. This lane derives its name from Sir Stephen Forster, knight, some time Lord Mayor of London, and the founder of the pri- vileges of Ludgate prison, himself having been a prisoner there, from whence he was released by a lady whom he afterwards THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 309 mnrried, and on which circumstance was founded the play of " The Widow of Cornhill ;" or, "a Woman never Vext." FORE STREET. This street was so denominated, because it was the first street built without the walls of Cripplegate. The present street was built in 1761. FISH-STREET HILL. This hill or street is thus denominated from its originally being principally occupied by dealers in dried or salt fish. Here stands the Monument erected to commemorate the great fire of London. FLEET STREET. This street, Fleet market, and the Fleet prison, all derive their name from a small river or ditch, called the Fleet from its rapidity, which flowed up from the Thames. It was at length arched over, and New Bridge-street and Fleet market formed thereon. " Friday, September 30, 1737, the stalls, &c., in Stock's market (now where the Mansion-house stands) being pulled down, the Lord Mayor proclaimed Fleet market as a free mar- ket." This was removed to the west of its old site in November 1826, and is now called Farringdon Market ; and the site of the old one is now Farringdon Street. FENCHURCH STREET. This locality was formerly denominated Fenny-a-bout, from being a very marshy situation. There were several brooks or bournes also, which emptied themselves into the Thames. GOODMAN'S FIELDS. Mansel, Prescott, Leman, and Ayliffe Streets, with a few smaller streets and courts in the vicinity, comprise what is called Goodman's Fields. Stow writes, that he remembers it a farm belonging to the Minoresses * of St. Clare, who gave a name to the neighbouring street called the Minories. " At which farme," says Stow, " I myself, in my youth, have fetched many a half- pennie worth of milke, and never had less than three ale pints for a halfpennie in the summer, nor less than one ale quart in the wintre, always hot from the kine, as the same was milked and strained." One Trollop, and afterwards Goodman, were the farmers there ; the latter, having purchased the farm and fields, so increased his property, that he had thirty or forty cows for * See Minories. 310 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. milking. Farmer Goodman's son afterwards letting out the ground for grazing horses, and for gardens, the name of Good- man's farm was entirely lost in that of Goodman's Fields, which it retains notwithstanding all the changes it has undergone. The backs of the houses of the four streets above named, form a large square called the Tenter Ground, having formerly been used by a dyer ; it was afterwards converted into a handsome garden, in which state it continued until the idle threat of inva- sion set the whole country marching and countermarching. Harnessed and armed, big with valorous loyalty, the garden of the Tenter Ground became the field of Mars, and the spring and summer flowers yielded to the flowers of chivalry. GREAT WARDROBE STREET. This street takes its name from the royal mansion called the Great Wardrobe, which formerly stood in Wardrobe-Coat, Great Carter Lane. GREEN PARK. This park receives its appellation simply from its verdure con- tinuing green throughout the year, numbers of springs being on the spot. It was once much larger than it is at the present time, George III. having reduced it in 1767, to enlarge the gardens cf Old Buckingham House. GERARD-STREET. The name of this street is derived from Gerard House, the resi- dence of Gerard, the gallant Earl of Macclesfield. It was built about 1681. GOLDEN SQUARE. Pennant says, Golden Square was formerly Gelding Square, from the sign of a neighbouring inn ; but the inhabitants, indig- nant at the vulgarity of the name, changed it to the present. Mr. Cunningham, however, in his Hand-Boole of London, shows it to have been called The Golden Square as e,aiiy as 1688. GILTSPUR STREET. This way towards Smithfield was anciently called Gilt-Spurre street, because of the knights, who, in quality of their honour, wore Gilt Spurs, and who rode that way to the tournaments, joustings, and other feats of arms used in Smithfield. GRACECHURCH STREET. By referring to Stow, or looking into any of the old accounts of London, it will be found that this was a Grass Market, and THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 311 which in course of time was called Gracious Street, and ultimately Gracechurch Street. GARLIC HILL. This locality derives its name from the Garlic market being originally in the vicinity. HATTON GARDEN. This locality derives its name from Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and Christopher Hatton, his godson, created Baron Hatton of Kirby, in the county of Northampton. HOUNDSDITCH. Houndsditch was formerly a filthy ditch, into which was thrown dead dogs and all manner of filth hence its present name. Into it was thrown a worthy deserving of no better sepulture, Edric, the murderer of his master, Edmund Ironside, after having been drawn by his heels from Baynard's castle, and tormented to death by flaming torches. HOLBORN. Holborn, originally called Old-bourne, from its standing on a brook. A bourne signifies a brook, and is a common termination of English towns and streets. This street was the first in London that was paved ; this was in the year 1417, by order of Henry IV. HUNGERFORD STAIRS, MARKET, &c. Huugerford Stairs, &c., so called from the Earls of Hungerford having a palace near to the river Thames. Formerly there was a series of palaces in a line with the Strand ; commencing with the Earl of Northumberland's, and terminating with that of the Earl of Essex in Essex-street. Hungerford Suspension Bridge was constructed by Mr. I. K. Brunei, and opened April 18, 1845. HOLYWELL STREET. Holy Well-street, or, as it is called, Holywell Street, in the Strand, derives its name from a well in a baker's yard, and which was denominated Holy Well from the miraculous cures that it is said to have wrought. HYDE PARK. So called from Hyde, Lord Clarendon, whose daughter mar- ried James, Duke of York, afterwards James II.; from which circumstance the said park became crown property. 312 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. HACKNEY. This village was anciently celebrated for the numerous seats of the nobility and gentry, which occasioned, says Maitland, a mighty resort thither of persons of all conditions from the city of Lon- don ; whereby so great a number of horses were hired in the city on that account, that they were called Hackney or Hack horses, and, from the number of them employed to go to this neighbour- hood, in process of time gave a name to this locality. HORSLEYDOWN. Many derivations are traced to, or take their name from, the merry reign of Charles II. It was one of his amours which gave rise, it is said, to the cognomen of Horsleydown. Below Eederiffe lived a miller, who had a pretty wife, and whom, when the miller was absent, our amorous monarch, disguised as a student at law, was wont to wanton with.* On one occasion, however, the miller came unawares upon them, when his majesty with some little difficulty made his escape, and mounting his horse, which with an attendant was at a little distance, fled as fast as " Tarn O'Shanter ! " He had not proceeded far, however, before his horse fell down, when the miller coming up gave his incog, majesty a good drub- bing, which circumstance, it is added, gave that locality the name of Horsleydown. Another writer says " The tale of Charles and the miller is a very pleasant one," but adds, ." it is more probable the site of this parish was anciently a grazing ground, and there- fore denominated Horse-down, now corruptly Horsleydown. ISLINGTON. The name of this village has been fancifully derived from two Saxon appellations, viz. Gisel, an hostage or pledge, and dun or tun, a town. In ancient records it is called Isendune, Isendon, Isddon, and Isleton, meaning the Lower Town, or Fort, from Ishel, lower, and Dun, town or fortress. The present name was adopted in the sixteenth century. ISLE OF DOGS. Stow says, this place derives its name from the King's hounds formerly being kept here, where were the royal kennels. It was originally called Poplar Marsh. JEWIN STREET. This street derives its name from the first Jewish cemetery being here ; and the only one, says Maitland, for the sepulture of that nation from all parts of England till the year 1777, when, THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 313 by an indefatigable application to parliament, it was enacted that they should have burial-grounds in any part where they resided. KNIGHT-RIDER STREET. This street is thus named, in consequence of it being the road by which the Knights passed to the tournaments and joustings, which were held at Baynard's castle in the reign of King John. LITTLE BRITAIN. Stow, speaking of Little Britain, says : "Where the kings of Scot- laud used to be lodged, between Charing Cross and Whitehall, is likewise called Scotland ; and where the Earls of Britain were lodged, without Aldersgate, the street is called Britain Street." LAMB'S CONDUIT STREET. This term is derived from William Lambe, gentleman and clothworker, who, in 1577, built a water conduit at Holborn Cross. The conduit was taken down in 1746. LEADENHALL STREET. This street derives its name from Leadenhall, which stood on the site of the skin market. In 1445, it was converted into a granary for the city, by Simon Eyre, draper, and mayor of London. It appears to have obtained its name from its being covered with lead, then an unusual roofing. LUDGATE STREET. " This street," says an ingenious writer, " derives its name from Lud, son of Bilenus, king of Britain." Maitland, however, says " This gate is denominated Fludgate, from a rivulet below it, where Fleetditch now is. I am apt to think, however, it should rather be Fleetgate, from the Saxon flod, vloet, Fleote, or Fleet, which imply a small navigable water-course, such as the Fleet rivulet has probably been from the original London." LONDON WALL. London Wall explains its own etymology. Within these few years there was a long tract of the old wall of London standing in the locality now so named, of which a few fragments now remain at the back of Cripplegate Church, as well as in Warwick Court, Fleet Street. LONG-ACRE. This street was originally a piece of ground called Seven Acres, from whence came the present name. 314 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. LAWRENCE POULTNEY LANE. This lane, which runs from Eastcheap to Thames street, derives its name from the adjacent church, which is dedicated to St. Law- rence, and also to Sir John Pulteney, who founded a college here. LOTHBURY. The etymology of Lothbury is uncertain ; Stow says it is derived from berie, meaning a court, and the fact of its having been in- habited by founders and candlestick-makers, who, whilst turning and polishing their goods, make a loathsome noise which is very disagreeable to the passers-by, and by them it is disdainfully called Lothberie. LOMBARD STREET. This street is so named from the Lombards, who inhabited that part of Italy called Lombardy, being a class of people who first in- troduced the Banking system into England. This street was prin- cipally inhabited by goldsmiths, who, down to the reign of James the Second, were the only bankers in this country. LIMEHOUSE. This place, which is one of the Tower Hamlets, derives the appellation of Limehouse from Lime-hurst, which, by its Saxon termination, implies a grove of Lime-trees, which, according to Stow, abounded in this neighbourhood. LAMBETH. Lambeth is variously written Lamb-hyde, Lam-hyte, &c., viz. a dirty station ; from the circumstance of its being overflowed by the Thames. MONMOUTH STREET. This celebrated Wardrobe derives its appellation from James Duke of Monmouth, who had a house on the south side of Soho Square. MINORIES. Minories is derived from certain poor ladies of the order of St. Clair, or Minoresses, who were invited into England by Blanche, Queen of Navarre (wife to Edmund, Earl of Lancaster), who, in 1293, founded here a convent for their reception. MONKWELL STREET. On the site of Barbers' hall, or thereabouts, formerly stood a monastery of the Carthusian order, dedicated to St. Giles the THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 315 patron of cripples. Here was a Well which was said to possess " sovereign virtue," and to which the faithful and afflicted Hocked daily. This well being under the special protection of the monks, it was in time denominated the Monks' Well, which circum- stance ultimately gave a name to the street, now called Mugwell, or Monkwell Street, Cripplegate. MILK STREET. We had formerly our milk, honey, egg, and bread market. The three former were one market, and gave a name and locality to what is now called Milk Street, Honey-lane Market, &c. Every necessary of life, in former times, was obliged to be sold in open market ; Cheapside was the principal market in the city. Milk Street is famed as the birthplace of Sir Thomas More. MOORFIELDS. So called from a mere, muir, or lake, which formerly stood here, and on which, says Fitzstephen, " the citizens amused themselves when it was frozen over, by tying bones to their feet and skaiting on the same ; thys," he adds, " was manly sporte." After the great fire of London, 1666, the people lived in sheds and tents in Moor- fields till such time as other tenements could be erected for them. MAZE POND, SOUTHWARD This locality in the borough of Southwark, derives its name from the abbot of Battle having a very extensive labyrinth or maze in his garden here, and which gave to this particular spot its present appellation. MARK LANE. At the north-east corner of Mark Lane was anciently situate the manor-house, says Maitland, of Blanch Appleton, which in the reign of Bichard II. belonged to Sir Thomas Eoos of Hame- lake, which manor had a privilege of holding a mart or fair, whence the adjacent lane was denominated Mart Lane, but now corrupted to Mark Lane. The great corn market of the metro- polis is situated in this street. ST. MARY AXE. This street was originally called St. Mary's Street. It took its present appellation from possessing one of the three axes which beheaded the eleven thousand virgins. In 1565, the parish of St. Mary the Virgin was united to St. Andrew Undershaft. . MARY-LE-BONE. The modern name of this locality is a perversion: it was originally written Mary-le-bourne, or Mary on the Brook (see Tyburn}. It may be stated, however, that in the time of Elizabeth 316 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. it was called Marybone, and is so designated by lady Mary Mon- tague (a century later) in the following line: " And dukes at Marybone bowl time away." MINT, BOROUGH. Opposite to the west end of St. George's Church, in the Borough, anciently stood a magnificent structure, belonging to the duke of Suffolk, which coming to Henry VIII., he converted it into a Mint ; and which gave the present locality its name. MILLBANK Simply from a Mill that stood on the Thames bank here. THE MEWS, As at Charing Cross, is a name derived by Du Fresne, in his Glossary, from the Latin muta, and French La Neue, the disease to which hawks are subject, of yearly muting or changing their feathers, this being the place where the king's hawks were kept before it was converted into stables. Muta, he says, is also the building in which falcons are shut up when they mute, or change their feathers. Edward II. in his 13th year granted to John de la Beche, the custody of the king's houses, " de mutis" at Charry- ing, near "Westminster. Ealph de Manners, the king's falconer, had, in the like manner, granted to him the custody of the King's Mews at Charinge, the 23rd of Edward III. ; as also, Sir Simon de Burley,lst Ei chard II. Henry VIII. is said to have kept his horses there, for which purpose he partly rebuilt the old structure; and the same was, by Edward VI. and Mary, afterwards enlarged and converted into stabling. From this place, its first use, and subse- quent application, it has of late years been customary to give to any range of buildings erected for stabling the name of Mews. The little of the original Mews which remained, and which was erected as above, was that lately occupied as a barrack, and which has now given way to the fine new opening to St. Martin's church. It was composed of red "Tudor Brick," with stone windows and dressings, supported by buttresses, and crenel- lated at top. NEWINGTON BUTTS. So called, from the citizens of London practising archery in that locality the Butts being set up as targets. NEWGATE. Here stood a gate of the city, originally called Chamberlain's gate. It was used as a prison, so long back as 1218, for persons THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 317 of rank, before the Tower was used for that purpose. In 1422, this gate was rebuilt by the executors of the famous Sir Richard Whittington, out of the effects he had allotted for works "of charity ; his statue with the cat, remained in a niche to its final demolition on the rebuilding of the present prison. It was de- stroyed in the fire of 1666, and rebuilt in its late form, whence it obtained the name of Newgate, and which gave a name to the street so named. It was again burnt during the Gordon riots in 1780. OLD BAILEY. Our antiquaries are of opinion, says Maitland, that the Old Bailey is a corruption of Balehill (several such appellations still remaining in diverse cities and towns of this kingdom) ;* an emi- nence whereon was situated the Bale, or Bailiffs House, wherein he held a court for the trying of malefactors. Stow says, the Chamberlain of London held a court here as early as the reign of Edward III. OLD JEWRY. In the reign of Henry II., this quarter of the city was occupied principally by the Jews, hence it took the name of the Old Jewry. The church of St. Olave, Old Jewry, was one of their synagogues, until they were forcibly dispossessed of it, A.D. 1291. PATERNOSTER ROW. Howell says, Paternoster Row had its name from stationers or text-writers, who resided here, and wrote and sold all sorts of books, namely : A B C, with the Pater Noster, Ave, Creed, Graces, &c. There, and in Ave-Maria Lane, dwelt turners of beads, called Paternoster makers. It was afterwards inhabited by mercers, and now chiefly by booksellers. PICKETT STREET. .The principal houses in this street were built by Alderman Pickett, from whom the street derives its name. It was built on the site of Butchers' Row, in 1813. PETTY FRANCE. So denominated from its being principally (in former times) inhabited by people of that nation. It was rebuilt in 1730, and called New Broad Street. PEDLAR'S ACRE. Pedlar's Acre, which runs parallel with, the Thames from Westminster bridge towards Broad- wall, derives its name from * There is a Balehill at York, and another at Chester. 318 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. a portion of it being left by a pedlar to the parish of Lambeth, now a very valuable property. A painting on glass, representing the Pedlar and his Dog, may be seen in Lambeth church. POULTRY. This street was so denominated, from being the Poultry market. In the reign of William and Mary, however, the poulterers removed to Leadenhall, and were succeeded by haber- dashers, glovers, &c. PYE CORNER. Pye Corner was so called, says Stow, from such a sign, some- times a fair inne, for receipt of travellers, but now divided into tenements. It was at Pye Corner that the fire of London ended : the houses that escaped were taken down in 1809, and upon their site other dwelling houses have been erected, together with an engine-house. There is a figure of a bloated boy stuck up at the corner, on which is an inscription, ascribing the >fire as a punishment on the citizens for their gluttony ! PHILPOT LANE. This lane was called after Sir John Philpot, an alderman of London, who resided here, and who, in the reign of Eichard II., fitted out a fleet at his own charge, and took abundance of prizes. On being called to account by the duke of Lancaster, for annoying the nation's enemies without authority, he was honourably ac- quitted, and the administration censured for not protecting the trade of the kingdom. PORTPOOL LANE. This lane was so denominated, from being the manor of Port- pool (a prebend of St. Paul's cathedral), and received its name originally from a neighbouring pool. PALL MALL. Pall Mall, and the Mall in St. James's Park, take their names from being used as a walk, or place for the exercise of a game called Paille-Maille^ introduced into England in the reign of Charles I., but long since disused. PICCADILLY. The derivation of the name is uncertain ; Gerrard in his Herbal, 1596, says, " That the small wild buglosse grows upon the drie ditche banks about Pickadilla." From which, no doubt, the pre- sent street takes its name. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 319 POPLAR. The hamlet of Poplar derives its name from the great number of Poplar-trees which anciently grew there. and RATHBONE PLACE. Rathbone Place, Oxford Street, was -so called after a carpenter id builder of that name. It was built in 1718. RED AND WHITE CROSS STREETS. At the upper end of Bed Cross Street, says Maitland, and north- east corner of Beach Lane, stood a Bed and White Cross, which gave names to the streets so called. REGENT'S PARK. This delightful place, which is bounded on the one hand by Chalk Farm and Primrose Hill, and on the other by Portland Place and the Crescent, was denominated the Regent's Park, out of compliment to George IV., when Prince Begent of these realms. SLOANE STREET. Sloane street, so called after Sir Hans Sloane, the celebrated projector, architect, naturalist, and book virtuosi; born 1660, died January 11, 1753. SKINNER STREET. The principal houses in this street were built by Alderman Skinner, who resided here, and whose name the street bears. Lord Mayor in 1795. SHOREDITCH. Shoreditch does not take its name from Jane Shore, as is gene- rally supposed, but from one Sir John de Sordich, a valiant knight in the time of Edward III., who was lord of the manor. This parish forms a part of the Tower Hamlets, and, according to the census of 1851, contained 109, 209 inhabitants. SOHO SQUARE. This square was begun in the reign of Charles II. It was originally called Monrnouth Square, after the unfortunate duke, who lived in the centre house ; it was afterwards called King's Square, and subsequently Soho Square, that (Soho) being the battle-word of the day at the field of Sedgemoor. 320 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. ST. JAMES'S PARK. A park of eighty-seven acres, originally appertaining to the Palace of St James's ; first formed and walled in by Henry VIII. ; replanted and beautified by Charles II. ; and finally arranged by George IV. much as we now see it, in 1827, 1828, and 1829. When George I. came first to England, he talked of turning St James' park into a turnip ground, and to employ turnip hoers. SAFFRON HILL. Saffron Hill was formerly a part of Ely gardens, and derives its name from the crops of saffron which it bore. SHERBORNE LANE. The immediate neighbourhood of Fenchurch Street was very fenny ground, and was intersected by various brooks, or bournes, which took various directions ; one of these streams flowed into the Thames in a southerly direction, and was called Southbourn, and when built over gave a name to the lane now corrupted into Sherborne. SMITHFIELD. An open area containing five acres and three quarters, and used as a market for sheep, horses, cattle, and hay, for which it has been for centuries famous. Fitzstephen, who wrote in the reign of Henry II., says, Smithfield was so called because it was a plain or smooth field. Stow says, it was at one time called The Elms, because it was covered with elm-trees ; since the which time, saith he, building hath so increased, that now remaineth not one tree growing : he also adds, it hath been a place for honourable jousts and triumphs, by reason it was unpaved. Smithfield has been long celebrated for its market and its Bartholomew fair. The cattle market will shortly be transferred to Copenhagen fields. ST JOHN'S GATE. St. John's Gate is the only remaining part of a priory, founded there by the knights of S,t. John of Jerusalem. It was completed by Prior Docura about the year 1504; hence the name of the gate, as well as the Old Jerusalem Tavern. STEEL YARD. The place called the Steel Yard, in Thames Street, belonged to the corporation of Hanseatic merchants, who engrossed all the foreign trade of Europe. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 321 The steelyard derives its name from its being the place where the' King's steelyard or beam was erected, for weighing the ton- nage of goods imported into London. STRAND. In the year 1353, the Strand was an open highway, with here and there a great man's house, with gardens to the water side. There was no continued street till about the year 1532, when an Act was passed for " paving the street-way between Charing Cross and Strand Cross, at the charge of the owners of the land ;" before that, it entirely cut off Westminster from London, and nothing intervened except the scattered houses and a village, which afterwards gave a name to the whole. The parish of St. Clement Danes, originally consisted of the village Strande. The mansions of the Cecils, Bedfords, Villiers, &c., are swept away ; nought remains of the days of chivalry and ancient grandeur, (save Northumberland House) ; and a distant age will ask where the fabrics stood. Narrow streets and courts now bear the names of men who once swayed the destinies of England. SOMERSET HOUSE. In the year 1549, in the reign of Edward VI., the lord-protec- tor, Somerset, pulled down several churches and houses in the vicinity of the Thames, and built himself a palace thereon, now called Somerset House. The old brick palace just alluded to, was taken down in the beginning of the reign of George III., and the present magnificent palace built thereon. The architect was Sir William Chambers, son of a Scottish merchant residing at Stockholm. SPITALFIELDS.* The series of streets thus denominated, derive their appellation from an hospital that stood here in the reign of queen Elizabeth, and which was dedicated to St. Mary Spital. It was founded in 1197, by Walter Brune and Mary his wife. Those who have passed through those parts of Spitalfields, chiefly inhabited by weavers, must have often heard them singing at their looms. Singular as it may seem, this practice came with their forefathers from the Low Countries, and also was the custom with such of the Protestants ES at an earlier period came over from Flanders, and brought with them the woollen manufactory. SAVOY. This place derives its name from Peter, Earl of Savoy, who built a palace here in the reign of Henry III. Edward III. * See Spital Sermon. Y 322 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. made a state prison of it ; it was here his prisoner, King John of France, was confined, and where after many years of captivity he breathed his last. It was burnt and entirely destroyed by Wat Tyler and his rebels (1381). It does not appear to have been rebuilt till 1505, when it was endowed by Henry VII. as an hos- pital, for the relief of 100 poor people. The sick and wounded in the Dutch war of 1666, were lodged here ; and George I. turned it into a place of confinement for debtors. The ancient chapel of this once royal palace, which, contrary to ecclesiastical usage, stands north and south, has been restored, and its ceiling deco- rated by the munificence of Prince Albert. ST. JAMES'S PALACE. This antiquated building was commenced in the reign of Henry VII., and finished in that of Henry VIII. It derives its name from St. James's Hospital, which formerly stood here, and which gave a cognomen to the adjacent street, as well as the diplomatic appellation of the Court of St. James's. One day, after Peter the Great had visited the magnificent hospital of Greenwich, he went to St. James's Palace to dine with King William. That prince asked him how he liked Greenwich Hospital ? " Extremely well, Sir," replied the Czar, " and, if I were permitted to advise your majesty, I should recommend to you to remove your Court thither, and convert your palace into an hospital." SHAD WELL. This parish, which is one of the Tower Hamlets, has the name of Shadwell from a fine fountain, or well, which issues from under the wall of the churchyard, and which was originally dedicated to St. Chad. STEPNEY. It appears from Domesday Book that Stepney, in the Con- queror's time, was a manor belonging to the Bishop of London, by the appellation of Stebenhede, a Saxon compound, implying Steben's Heath. TOWER ROYAL. Here stood a strong and magnificent mansion, now a paltry and disreputable street. King Stephen resided therein, as did after- wards king Ei chard II. and his mother; at which time it was indifferently called the Eoyal, or Queen's Wardrobe. TEMPLE BAR. Before the present gate was built, there was a bar or barrier of posts and chains, which separated the Strand from Fleet Street, and which, from its vicinity to the Temple, received the name of Temple Bar. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 323 THEOBALD'S ROAD. Theobald's Eoad, so called because it was the road by which James I. travelled to Theobald's House, in Hertfordshire, where he expired, strongly suspected of being poisoned. Theobald's House was pulled down, 1765. THROGMORTOX STREET. This street was named after Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, who is said to have been poisoned by Dudley, Earl of Leicester, queen Elizabeth's favourite. There is a monument to his memory in the church of St. Catharine Cree. THREADXEEDLE STREET. So denominated, because those who resided here were princi- pally Tailors. The Tailors' Company also built their Hall here, now called Merchant Tailors' Hall. TOOLEY STREET. This street derives its name from an eminent wharfinger of the name of Tuley, who had a considerable property in this neighbourhood. TOKEXHOUSE YARD. Prior to the reign of William and Mary, in which reign the Bank of England was first established, or incorporated, the go- vernment of the country had at different periods, for the facility of the commerce thereof, found it expedient to issue Tokens, not dissimilar to our recent Bank and Provincial Tokens. The place of issue was from this locality, and was called the Token House, and from which circumstance we derive the term of Tokenhouse Yard. TOTTEXHAM COURT ROAD. As Theobald's Eoad was so called, because it was the road by which king James I. went to his palace at Theobalds, in Herts, so Tottenham Court Road, because it was the road by which the queen's majesty travelled to her palace at Tottenham Court, near Tottenham. TYBURX. Tyburn was formerly the place of execution for criminals con- victed in the county of Middlesex. It existed as early as the reign of Henry IV., and derives its name from Tyburn Brook, formerly called Aye-brook, or Eyebrook, afterwards St-Mary-le- 324 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. Bourne (St. Mary on the Brook), now corrupted into Marylebone, or Marybone. , WATLING STREET. The etymology of the name of this street has sufficiently exer- cised the ingenuity of our learned antiquaries. Perhaps the most natural solution is that given in the Gentleman's Magazine, Feb- ruary, 1796, where the writer derives it from the ancient British words gwaith. work, .and len, legion ; from which, gwaithlen, i.e., legion-work, came, he supposes, the modern Watling. Dr. Jamie- son quotes Douglas and Henryson, that Watling Street denotes the Milky Way. " It has received," says he, " this designation, in the same manner as it was called by the Romans Via Lactea, from its fancied resemblance to a broad street, or causeway, being as it were paved with stars." . WALBROOK. This street derives its name from a stream so called, says Stow, " of running through and from the wall of the city." It has long been arched over and built on, so that its course is now hardly known. WARWICK LANE. Warwick Lane, Newgate Street, derives its name from a house belonging to the famous Earl of Warwick, afterwards called Warwick Inn. WHITECHAPEL. This locality derives its name from a convent of White Nuns (i. e., nuns who wore a white dress) that formerly stood here, and which was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After the suppression of the monasteries, a chapel remained there for many years, and which, coupled with the former circumstance, gave the locality its present name. In the centre of the market is a little dirty alley, called Harrow Alley. In this place, above 190 years ago, dwelt that prince of wits, and excellent man,.Daniel Defoe : here he wrote that much read and excellent moral work, Kobinson Crusoe, and here he wrote a memorable melancholy History of the Plague, of which he was an eyewitness. WALWORTH. This suburb (for it is now nothing more) was originally a Manor in Surrey. It is written " Walerode" in the Conqueror's Survey, and Walworth's Fields in the charter of Edward VI., granting the manor of South wark to the City of London. IRISH SOCIETY OF THE CORPORATION OF LONDON. It is a curious fact, not generally known, that in the reign of James I. (1607), the greater part of six counties in the province of Ulster became vested in the crown, by an act of attainder of Shane O'Neil and other persons of dictinction, who had rebelled THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 325 against the state ; and soon afterwards a project was suggested to the king, for establishing a Protestant colony on the forfeited estates, which was considered in council, approved, and published. In the year 1609, his majesty conceiving the City of London to be the body best able to undertake so important a work, made propositions for that purpose, which were considered at a con- ference held on the 30th of July, between the Earl of Salisbury, Lord High Treasurer, and the Lord Mayor, with some of the leading citizens: and after some further negotiation, articles of agreement were at length entered into, on the 28th of January, 1610, between the Lords of Council on behalf of the King, arid the committees appointed by act of Common Council, on behalf of the Lord Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London, con- cerning a plantation in part of the province of Ulster. In pur- suance of this agreement, the Corporation of London, with the assistance of the twelve principal companies, commenced the fulfil- ment of the conditions on their part ; and having made great progress, the king, in the year 1013, granted a charter, by which a certain number of the citizens of London (all members of the Common Council, as their successors are at this day), were put in possession of the forfeited estates, and were ordained and con- stituted one body, corporate and politic, who should be called by the name of " The Society of the Governor and Assistants of London, of the New Plantation of Ulster" (now commonly called the Irish Society). Soon after obtaining the charter, all the lands granted by it were divided, by persons appointed for that service, into thirteen parts ; of which one, consisting of the city of Lon- donderry,* the town of Coleraine, &c., was retained by the governor and assistants ; and one of the other twelve was assigned to each of the twelve companies who had assisted the corporation in the undertaking. The authority for this proceeding, was a license granted by the king for that purpose. In the reign of Charles I., the citizens having offended the king, the charter was in a most arbitrary manner annulled and cancelled by the Court of Chancery, but it was restored by Charles II. ; and it is by this renewed charter, and renewed grants from the Irish Society, that the Twelve Companies hold. Sturctis Pamphlet on the Condition of Ireland. ROYAL ACADEMY. An attempt had been made in 1759, to form an association of artists, and an exhibition of works of art, when a society was formed, and met in St. Martin's Lane, under the name of an Academy, and in the following year they had their first exhibition, under the sanction of the Society of Arts. The first effort was promising, and after a few exhibitions they were incorporated under the title of " The Society of Artists of Great Britain." * Prior to this period it was called Derry. 326 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. The combination of a body of painters with a society embracing manufactures and commerce was not permanent ; and three years after, i. e., 1769, the " Royal Academy" was established, and was so called in consequence of George III. being its founder. The Academy was constituted December 10, 1768, opened its first exhibition in Somerset House, May 1780, but removed from Somerset House, and opened its first exhibition in Trafalgar Square, May 1838. SCOTS CORPORATION. The origin of this corporation, says Maitland, is owing to James Kinnier, a Scotsman, and merchant of this city ; who, after a long and dangerous illness, determined to give part of his estate toward the relief of the aged and necessitous poor of his own country, within the cities of London and Westminster. To which end, and for the more effectually settling what he intended to give for that purpose, he" was advised by counsel to apply for a charter. This was granted in the reign of James I., and thus originated the " Scots Corporation." CHARITY FOR THE RELIEF OF POOR WIDOWS AND SONS OF THE CLERGY. By his majesty's (Charles II.) charter, bearing date 1st July, 1678, a body politic and corporate was constituted by the name of " The Governors of the Charity for the Belief of Poor Widows and Children of Clergymen," with license to possess any estate, not exceeding the value of .2000. Afterwards, upon the acces- sion of Dr. Thomas Turner's gift, which amounted to about 18,000, the governors (December 16, 1714) obtained an aug- mentation of the said grant, by a license to possess the yearly value of 3000, over and above all charges and reprises ; as also over and above the said <2000 per annum. THE WILSONIAN FUND. This useful fund originated from one Samuel Wilson of London, who bequeathed 20,000 to be lent out in small sums to indus- trious tradesmen. He died 1771. THE ROYAL SOCIETY. All arts and sciences began to revive and nourish at the Resto- ration, and the English tongue was exceedingly improved and refined. The " Royal Society " was established in 1663, by the King's Letters-Patent, for the improvement of philosophy, ma- thematics, physic, and all useful knowledge ; of which the first promoters and members were Dr. Ward, Mr. Boyle, Lord Brounker, Dr. Wilkins, Dr. Wallis, Sir William Petty, Dr. Goddard, Dr. Willis, Dr. Batkurst, Sir Christopher Wren, and Mr. Rook. THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 327 Hume says, amidst the thick cloud of bigotry and ignorance which overspread the nation during the Commonwealth and Protectorship, there was a few sedate philosophers, who in the retirement of Oxford cultivated their reason, and established conferences for the mutual communication of their discoveries in physic and geometry. Wilkins, a clergyman, who had married Cromwell's sister, and was afterwards bishop of Chester, promoted these philosophical conversations. Immediately after the Kesto- ration these men procured a patent, and having enlarged their number, were denominated the " Eoyal Society." But this patent was all they obtained from the king. Though he was a lover of the sciences, particularly chemistry and mechanics, he encouraged them by his example alone, not by his bounty. The Society held its first meetings in Gresham College ; and, after the great fire, in Arundel House. The Society subsequently returned to Gresham College ; but in 1710 removed to Crane Court, Fleet Street, and from thence, in 1782, to its present place of meeting in Somerset House. ST. GEORGE'S FIELDS, &c. After the dissolution of the monasteries and other religious houses, the mayor and citizens of London, taking into their consideration how commodious and convenient it would be unto the city, to have the Borough of Southwark annexed thereunto, and that the same borough was in the king's hands wholly, they became suitors unto Henry VI1T., and unto the lords of his highness' privy council, for the obtaining of the same; which suit not being granted unto them, after the decease of Henry VIII. they renewed their suit unto Edward VI., and to the lords of the privy council, for the obtaining of the same borough. At length, after long suit, it pleased King Edward VI., by his letters-patent, bearing date of Westminster there, the 23rd day of April, in the fourth year of his reign, as well in considera- tion of the sum of ,647 : 2 : 1, of lawful money of England, paid to his highness's use, by the mayor and citizens of London, as for divers other considerations him thereunto moving, to give and grant unto the said mayor an.l citizens of London, divers messuages, lands, and tenements, lying near the Borough of Southwarke, in the said letters-patent particularly expressed, which were sometimes the land of Charles, late duke of Suffolke, and of whom Henry VIII. did buy and purchase the same. But there was excepted out of the said grant, and reserved unto Edward VI., his heirs and successors, all that, his capital messuage or mansion-house, called Southwarke Palace, late of the said Duke of Suffolke, and all gardens and land to the same adjoining ; and all that, his park in Southwarke, and all that, his messuage, and all edifices and ground called the Antelope there. 328 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. ETYMONS OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES, ISLANDS, SEAS, TOWNS, PROVINCES, REMARKABLE PLACES, &c. ATLANTIC OCEAN. Atlantic, or Atlantic Ocean, derives its name from Mount Atlas, in Africa, and extends between the west continents of Africa and Europe, and the east continent of America. Its least breadth, from Guinea in Africa, to Brazil in South Americans 2,300 miles. On one side the equator, it is called the North Atlantic Ocean ; on the other, the South Atlantic Ocean. AZORES, OR WESTERN ISLANDS. Azores, or Western Islands, a group of islands in the Atlantic, between 25 and 30 west longitude, and 37 and 40 north latitude, 795 miles west of Portugal. They are nine in number, viz., St. Maria, St. Michael, Terceira, St. George, Graciosa, Fayal, Pico, Mores, and Corvo. They were discovered in 1430, by Joshua Vanderberg of Bruges, who in a voyage to Lisbon was driven thus far to the westward by stress of weather. Boasting of his discovery on his arrival at Lisbon, the Portuguese government fitted out an expedition and took possession of these Islands, and called them the A9ores, from the number of hawks found among them. Agore, being the Portuguese for hawk. ATHENS. Minerva was worshipped by the Athenians before the age of Cecrops, in whose time Athens was founded, and its name taken from Minerva, whom the Greeks called &Qw. It was proposed to call the city either by her name or that of Neptune, and as each had partisans, and the women had votes equal to the men, Cecrops called all the citizens together, both men and women ; the suffrages were collected ; and it was found that all the women had voted for Minerva, and all the men for Neptune ; but the women exceeding the men by one voice, Athens was called after Minerva. A temple was dedicated to her in the city, with her statue in gold and ivory, thirty-nine feet high, executed by Phidias. AMERICA. So called from Americus Yesputius, who, having accompanied Ojeda, who in 1499 followed in the steps of Columbus, and having had a share in the direction of it himself, had published an account of it on his return. The country of which he was THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 329 supposed to be the discoverer, came gradually to be called by his name. He died 1512. North America was first discovered by Giovanni Cabot, a Venetian in the service of England, in 1497. ARUXDEL. The etymology of this town has been variously conjectured by some of the first antiquaries, and many writers have entertained a difference of opinion. It has been justly observed, that names of places must have reference to peculiarity of site, or retaining the meaning of certain local particulars. However, in the uncertainty of finding the etymology correct, it is not impro- bable that the antiquary may meet with discoveries tending to convey amusement and instruction, and which perhaps may serve to gratify the curiosity of those who may not have the leisure for similar studies and investigations. Camden, who was so celebrated an antiquary, patronised by Thomas, earl of Arundel, in 1630, says, that this town was a place of great name, and he derives its etymon from a valley, or dale, running along the river Arun. Another supposition pretends to derive some weight from two Belgic words, Eron and del, signifying a flat place covered with water, and whence also may be derived Hirundo and Hirondelle,* as the low parts adjacent was formerly a morass, or reedy place much frequented by swallows, and which bird, being in the present arms of Arundel, strengthens the argument in favour of its being built by the Belgics. ALL THE RUSSIAS. The term, All the Eussias, is founded on the ancient division of Eussia, which comprehended the provinces of Great, or Black Eussia, Little, or Keel Eussia, and White Eussia, it derives its name from Eurik, a Baltic freebooter, who in 850 made himself master of the greater part of the country, and founded a dynasty which continued to rule till 1598. St. Petersburgh took its name from having been founded by Peter the Great. ABYSSINIA. Abyssinia, in Africa, has been called by different names, parti- cularly by that of Habessinia, from the Arabic word Halesh, which signifies a mixture, the country being peopled by various nations ; but other inhabitants call it Itjopia, or Ethiopia. The name of Abyssinia became known in Europe from the Portuguese missionaries who penetrated there, and who often wrote the * French for Swallow. 330 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. names of the country and the people respectively in the latinized forms of Abassia and Abassinos ; from which our common term Abyssinia is derived. BATH. This city was a Roman station, and derives its name from the celebrated Roman baths discovered there. Considerable Roman remains have been discovered in, and about its neighbourhood. Portions of a large temple were discovered, and are preserved in the Bath Institution. Towards the east of this building stood the principal baths, which were discovered in 1755. BLENHEIM. A small village on the Danube, in Bavaria. It was the scene of Marlborough's great victory, who in 1704 totally defeated the French and Bavarian forces under Marshal Tallard. To per- petuate the memory of the military services of this illustrious man, the royal manor of Woodstock, with the demesne, compri- sing the hundred of Wootton, was granted by queen Anne to him and his heirs for ever, to be held by grand sergeantry. BATTLE BRIDGE. West of Barnesbury Park, and close to the footpath from thence to Copenhagen House, were the supposed remains of a Roman encampment. It was a square of 120 feet, surrounded by a ditch, with a high embankment or breast-work to the west. This is presumed to have been a position occupied by Suetonius, the Roman general, when he destroyed 80,000 of the Britons under Boadicea, in a memorable engagement presumed to have been fought from this place, in the fields of Pentonville, and terminating in the plain of Battle Bridge : hence the name. The prsetorium is now occupied by the house and grounds of a retired military officer, who has built a mansion in the style of an em- battled dwelling. BRIGHTON. Brighthelmstone, or as it is now termed, Brighton, is said to have been a place of note in early times, but of this fact we have no precise record. Bailey in his Dictionary observes, that it was St. Brighthelm, a Saxon, who gave the name to the town. Skin- ner says, Brighton was so named from Brighthelm, a canonised bishop of Foutenoy, in France, who lived so late as the tenth century. Other testimonies state, that it was a Saxon bishop of that name, who resided here during the Heptarchy, who gave his name to the town. This supposition is more probable ; for we find, that when Ella with his three sons (Chnen, Wienciug, and THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 331 Cisa) effected their landing at West Wittering, S.W. of Chiches- ter, anno 447, and defeating the Britons, who endeavoured to oppose him, took possession of all the maritime parts of the country. Ella thus laid the foundation of the kingdom of the South Saxons, from which the country derives its name. Bright- helme accompanied this army. One of his successors resided at Aldrington, and held a considerable portion of land until the year 693, when that bishop was killed in battle. This is stated by Stillingfleet and other writers, but no mention is made of the place where the engagement was fought. About the time of the Norman Conquest, a colony of Flemings are supposed to have established themselves for the purpose of fishing. The town was plundered and burned by the French, in 1513. During the reigns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, fortifi- cations were erected to protect it. Brighton became a watering-place about the middle of the 18th century, but its progress was slow until it was rendered a place of fashionable resort by George IV., then Prince of Wales, who selected it for a summer residence. Between Brighton and Lewes are still to be seen lines and intrenchments, apparently Roman, and some years ago an urn was dug up, containing 1000 silver denarii, on which were im- pressions of all the emperors. BERWICK-UPON-TWEED. Berwick, being a kind of Gibraltar to Scotland, was long a bone of contention between England and that country. Edward VI., and Mary, Queen of Scotland, by treaty made it a county town, and, as Bymer's Federa notes it, a free town, independent of both states. Since the reign of Queen Mary, it has sent two members to the English House of Commons. Caniden says : " At the epoch of Domesday Book, Berwica signified a village which appertained to some manor, or town : and as Tothill was called the Berewicke of Westminster, in the donation of Edward the Confessor, the town on the Tweed was called the Berewicke of Coldingham." The castle of Berwick was first ceded as part of the ransom of William the Lion, but it was restored by William Cceur de Lion, in 1189. BARNESBURY PARK, The row of handsome cottages called Barnesbury Park, Isling- ton, are in the manor of Berners, or Beruersbury, otherwise Barnesbury ; the name being derived from the Berners' family, of whom the most distinguished individual was John Bourchier, the last Lord Berners, and the fifth writer in order of time among the nobility. He was Governor of Calais under Henry VIII 332" THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. and translated "Froissart's Cronycles out of French e into our maternale Englysshe tongue." BALTIMORE. This capital, as it may be termed, of the province of Maryland, in North America, derives its name from Lord Baltimore, who colonized the said province in 1633. The town was first laid out in 1729, and in 1765 contained only thirty Jiouses. It received a charter as a city in 1797, and since that period its extension has been very rapid. The population is now upwards of 103,000. BERMUDAS. Bermudas, or Sommer's Islands, four islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 100 miles east of Carolina, and surrounded by rocks. They were discovered by Juan Bermudas, a Spaniard, in 1522; but not inhabited till 1609, when Sir George Sommers was cast away upon them; and they have belonged to Britain ever since. They contain 9000 inhabitants, who carry on some trade \vith America and the West Indies. Three of them are small, and the principal one is called St. George. BRAZILS. Brazil, a country of South America, which gives the title of Prince to the heir-apparent of the crown of Portugal. It extends from North to South about 2600 miles, and from East to West about 2400. It was discovered in 1500 by Alvarez Cabral, a Portu- guese, who was forced upon it by a tempest ; and it derived its name from the abundance of Brazil, or Brasil, wood found here. CAMBRIDGE. Cambridge (Cantabrigia, Latin), a country town of England, situated on the river Cam, eleven miles east of Ely, and fifty-one north of London. It was the Camboritum, or Granta, of the Romans, and a well-known station of that people, as the numerous urns, coins, and other antiquities dug up here attest. The modern town is of small consideration, except for its connection with the University, being only about a mile in length, and half a mile broad ; the best streets are Trumpington Street, and St. Andrew's Street, united with Regent Street towards Gogmagog hills ; but the whole is well paved. CANTERBURY. Canterbury is called, by Bede and others, Dorobernia ; by the Saxons, " the city of the people of Kent ;" by the Britons, Caer Kent, or the city of Kent ; and by the Latins, Cantuaria. This place is generally agreed to have been the Roman Durovernuni THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 333 and it is famous for being the archiepiscopal seat of the Primate of England. The Saxon kings of Kent had their residence here from the arrival of Hengist to the sixth century. COLOMBIA. This name, borne by a portion of South America, is derived from Christopher Columbus, a Genoese, famous for his being the discoverer of this vast continent, although its general appellation of America was given it from an after discoverer. Columbus was born in 1442, and made his celebrated discovery October 12, 1492. Colombia is now divided into the three republics of Venezuela, New Granada, and Ecuador. CONSTANTINOPLE. This capital of the modern Turkish empire derives its name from Constantine the Great, who founded the eastern empire of Rome. Prior to his conquest of it, it was called Byzantium, famed in history as a bone of contention between the Tamerlanes and Badjazets. One part of the city is called Pera, and is inhabited by the Franks, a name given by the Turks to all European Christians. It was taken in 1453 by the Turks, who have kept possession of it ever since. CORSICA. The ancient Greeks gave this island the name of Cyrnus ; and to the Romans it was known by its present appellation. By the French it is called Corse. Inhabited at first by a colony of Phoenicians, it was afterwards occupied successively by the Phoceans, and Etruscans, and the Carthaginians. The Romans succeeded to the latter, and settled two colonies here, which was the place of exile for the Roman courtiers when they became obnoxious to the Emperors. On the destruction of the Roman empire, Corsica fell successively under the dominion of the Goths, the Greek Emperors, the Lombards, and the Saracens ; the latter, it is supposed, first gave it the title of a kingdom. Napoleon Bonaparte was born at Ajaccio, in this island, 15th August 1769. CANONBURY. A manor in the village of Islington, given to the Prior and Convent of St. Bartholomew in Smithfield, by Ralph de Berners. The date of the gift is unknown, but the estate is enumerated among the possessions of the priory, in a confirmation granted by Henry III., bearing date 1253; and when the religious houses were dissolved, Henry VIII. gave the manor to Thomas, Lord Cromwell ; it was afterwards a hunting-seat of Queen Elizabeth's, and ultimately passed through other hands till it was possessed 334 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. by Sir John Spencer, an alderman and lord mayor of London, known by the name of " Eich Spencer," and who was the founder of the Northampton family, to whom this property belongs. It was here Goldsmith wrote his " Deserted Village." DEAD SEA. So called from its stillness and bad qualities. No fish will live in its waters. It occupies the site of the plain of Siddim, where stood Sodom and Gomorrah. It has, however, been said, that this water has a repulsive force, which makes men and animals float on its surface, and Josephus relates an experiment which was made on the subject by the Emperor Vespasian. " Having caused the feet and hands," says he, " of some of his slaves to be tied, he ordered them to be thrown into the sea, in his presence, in the deepest part thereof. None of them sunk to the bottom, and they all remained on the surface until it pleased the prince to give orders for their being taken out again." DOWNS. This term, as applied to that part of the Channel lying near to the Sands, off the coast of Kent, derives its name from the cir- cumstance, that it was at one period a grazing land for sheep, and which formed a part of the estate of the celebrated Earl Godwin. The land, however, in consequence of great inroads of the sea, ultimately disappeared, but the place has ever since retained the name of " the Downs," famed as a rendezvous for shipping. DAVIS STRAITS. These Straits were discovered by Captain John Davis, in the year 1585, in consequence of which they were named after him. ENGLAND. England, originally spelt Engle-land, means the land of the Angles. The names of places on the Lower Rhine, and more especially in Guelderland, point to the origin of the English ; for instance, Engelanderholt, Engelenburg, and Angerlo. Engdand, near Beckbergen, is mentioned in Bondam's Charter-Book as villa Englandi, A.D. 801. It was not till the year 527 that the first Angles arrived in this country. From that time they made a succession of descents, under various petty chiefs, upon the coasts of Suffolk and Norfolk. From the first arrival of the Saxons into Britain to the time they established a permanent settlement in it, during a period of a century and a half, the following kingdoms were founded: 1. Kent, consisting of the present county of that name, A.D. 457. 2. Sussex, the present county, A.D. 491. 3. Wessex, including Surrey, Hants, with the Isle of Wight, Berks, Wilts, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and part THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 335 of Cornwall, A.D. 519. 4. Essex, including the present counties of Essex and Middlesex, and the southern part of Hertfordshire, A.D. 527. 5. Northurnbria, consisting of the sometimes separate, but commonly united states of Bernicia and Deira, the former including Northumberland, and the south-eastern counties of Scotland, A.D. 547 ; the latter, Cumberland, Durham, Westmore- land, York, and Lancaster, A.D. 560. 6. East Anglia, including Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, and part of Bedfordshire, A.D. 571. 7. Mercia, including Chester, Derby, Nottingham, Lincoln, Shropshire, Stafford, Leicester, Eutland, Northampton, Hunt- ingdon, Hereford, Worcester, Warwick, Gloucester, Oxford, Buckingham, and parts of Hertford and Bedford, A.D. 585. This assemblage of states has been commonly called the Heptarchy, for which Mr. Turner has proposed to substitute the Octarchy, on the ground that Deira and Bernicia ought to be considered as two distinct kingdoms. It has been asserted that this republic of states was moderated by the controlling authority of one supreme king, to whom Bede and the Saxon Chronicle have attributed the title of Bretwalda, or Emperor of Britain ; but this title, if ever assumed, was the effect, not of law, but of conquest. Ethel- bert, who was king of Kent before 568, is supposed to have been acknowledged as Bretwalda from 589 till his death in 616. EUROPE. This part of the globe was formerly called by the Eomans, as it is at present by the Spaniards and Italians, by the name of Europa;* but from whence that name originated has not been determined. By the English and French, it is styled Europe ; by the Turks, Alfrank, or Rumalia; by the Georgians of Asia, Frankoba; and by the Asiatics in general, Frankistan. The earliest notices of Europe are in the writings of the Greeks. Homer, who probably lived about 1000 years B.C., was acquainted with the countries round the ^Egean Sea or Archipelago, and on the South coast of the Black Sea. EDINBURGH. Edwin, king of Northumbria, possessed the entire territory from the banks of the Humber to the shores of the Frith of Forth ; and it seems highly probable that the appellation of this city was originally Edwin's-berg, or Edwin's-burgh, now Edin- burgh. EDMUND'S BURY. St. Edmund's Bury, or Bury St. Edmund's, or simply Bury, as it is termed by some, derives its name from Edmund the Martyr, * See Heathen Mythology Jupiter and Europa. 336 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. who was buried here. We are told, that " Canute paid great respect to the memory of St. Edmund, and built a magnificent church over his grave, since called Edmundsbury, in Suffolk, as well as a monastery." ESCURIAL OF SPAIN. This palace was built by Philip II., son of Charles V., Emperor of Germany, in the shape of a Gridiron, out of compliment to St. Lawrence, of Gridiron notoriety. The name of the building has a very humble origin. Ferruginous ores abound in the neighbouring mountains. Escoria, from the Latin Scoria, is the term in the Spanish language for metallic dross, and Escorial is the topographic derivation, signifying the locality for this dross. A corruption from the etymology has occasioned the change of the second vowel, whence the name Escurial. It is the country palace and mausoleum of Jihe Spanish kings. FLAMSTEAD HOUSE. The Observatory in Greenwich Park derives its name of " Flamstead House," from John Flamstead, the astronomer-royal, who, on the 10th of August 1675, laid the foundation stone of the said observatory, for watching tha motions of the celestial bodies. He died at Greenwich, 31st December 1719. FRIENDLY ISLANDS. A group of Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, so named by Captain Cook in 1 773, on account of the friendship that appeared to subsist among the inhabitants, and their truly courteous be- haviour to strangers. GRAMPIAN HILLS. A chain of hills in Scotland, which extend in a north-east direction from the mountain Benlomond, in Dumbartonshire, through the counties of Perth, Angus, and Kincardine, to Aber- deen ; and thence in a north-west direction, through the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Murray, and on the borders of Inver- ness. They take their name from a single hill, the Mons Grarn- pius of Tacitus, and where the battle was fought so fatal to the brave Caledonians. Many of the Grampians are evidently vol- canic, being composed of basalts and lava. GOODWIN SANDS. These dangerous shoals derive their name from the famous Earl Godwin, the father of King Harold, and who was one of the first who bore the title of Earl. Where the Sands are now, was formerly a large tract of land, that formed part of his estate, THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 337 which was inundated by the sea in 1100, and which has ever since been rendered memorable for the loss of life as well as property. GERMANY. Germany was originally called Allemania, from Alleman, i. ze the word with less violence to the original. STONE HENGE. These venerable and ancient piles have been the subjects of much unprofitable speculation. A curious old work, entitled Campion's Historie of Irland, has the following : " In the plain of Kildare stood that monstrous heap of stones, brought thither by gyants from Afrique, and removed thence to the plain of Salisbury, at the instance of Aurelius Ambrose, king of Britain !" It is, however, the general opinion of antiquaries, that it was an an- cient temple of the Druids, or at any rate, that it was employed by them for the celebration of some of their mysteries. In the year 1797, three of the stones which formed part of the oval in the centre fell to the earth, and this appears to have been the only instance on record of any alteration having taken place in these remains of antiquity. Such, indeed, is the general fascination imposed on all those who view this mysterious monument of antiquity, that no one can quit its precincts without feeling strong sensations of surprise and admiration. The rustic, with a vacant stare, will attribute it to some imaginary race of giants, and the antiquary, equally uninformed as to its origin, will regret that its history is veiled in perpetual obscurity ; even the most indifferent passenger over the plain of Salisbury, must be attracted by the solitary and magnificent appearance of these ruins ; and all with one accord will exclaim, " How grand ! how wonderful ! how incomprehensible !" Stukeley, Webb, and others, state, that the said pile of stones were originally Druid ical altars, on which the Druids made their periodical sacrifices to their deities ! Jeffrey of Monmouth ascribes the erection of it to Merlin, who, as he lived in the time of Aurelius Ambrosius in Welsh, Emrys is called Merddin Emrys, to com- memorate the Saxon treachery, in the massacre of the British THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 349 nobles there assembled to meet Hengist (and the true Saxon iinine is Stonhengist). ST. CLOUD. St. Cloud, the country residence of the French monarchs, owes its foundation to Clodoald, grandson of Clovis, who built a mon- astery here, A.D. 351. It has been called by the continental lawyers a ducal peerage, and was attached to the archbishopric of Paris, the incumbent of which from that application attained the rank of duke of St. Cloud, and peer of France. SEVEN OAKS. Seven Oaks received its name from seven tall oaks which for- merly grew on the spot where the town is built. In the reign of Henry V., one Sir John Sevenoak, lord mayor of London, and once a poor foundling, brought up by the benevolence of the people, and named of course after the place in which he was found, a custom generally adopted by the parish officers, built an hospital here for the support of aged persons, and a free school for the education of the youth of the town, in gratitude for the charity he had himself received formerly from the inhabitants. His school was further endowed by Queen Elizabeth. This town is also remarkable for the defeat of Jack Cade and his followers, by Sir Humphry Stafford, whom Henry VI. sent against them. SOT'S HOLE. The great Lord Chesterfield formerly resided at the house, afterwards occupied by the late Princess Sophia of Gloucester, at Blackheath. His servants were accustomed to use an alehouse in the vicinity too frequently. On one occasion he said to his butler, " Fetch the fellows from that Sot's hole ! " which circum- stance gave a name to the house known by that sign. SEVERNDROOG CASTLE. This building, on the right of Shooter's Hill, and which .is so prominent an object, was built by Lady James, in commemora- tion of the storming and capture of Severndroog, in the East Indies, by Commodore James, her husband, on the 2nd of April, 1755. This place is well known to cockneys, as " Lady James's Folly." SHOOTER'S HILL. This spot, so well known to Londoners, is so denominated from the London archers, who shot here, and particularly on May Day. An old chronicler relates, that " Henry the Eighth, in the third 350 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. of his reigne, and divers other yeeres, so namely in the seventh of his reigne, on May Day in the morning, with queen Katherine, his wife, accompanied with many lords and ladies, rode a Maying from Greenwich to the high ground of Shooter's Hill : where, as they passed by the way, they espyed a company of tall yeomen, clothed all in greene, with greene hoods, and with bowes and arrowes, to the number of 200. One, being their chieftaine, was called Eobin Hood, who required the king and all his company to stay and see his men shoot : whereunto, the king granting, Robin Hood whistled, and all the 200 archers shot off, loosing all at once ; and when he whistled againe, they likewise shot againe : their arrowes whistled by craft of the head, so that the noise was strange and loud, which greatly delighted the king, queene, and their company." SADLER'S WELLS. Sadler's Wells, so called from there being within the premises two wells of a chalybeate water, and from having been discovered by a man named Sadler, in 1683 ; originally (i. e., the ground on which it stands) belonged to the monastery of St. John's, Clerk en- well, but to what purpose it was then appropriated we do not know. In process of time the wells were opened to the public, as the Tunbridge Spa, Islington, St. Chad's Well, Gray's Inn Lane, &c., are now, and numbers resorted there to drink the waters. In the time of Oliver Cromwell, they continued to be visited by invalids, but were prohibited, among others, by the then hypocritical rulers of the land as objects of superstitious notice. During the reign of Charles II., Sadler took the ground, and whatever buildings might be upon it, and opened a place of public recreation and entertainment, called " Sadler's Wells' Music-House," and he reopened the two wells. The latter are still on the premises ; one in the yard, arched over ; the other in the cellar of the theatre. The water is now done away with, and the theatre has for many years maintained a well- deserved celebrity for the performance of the plays of Shakspeare, Beau- mont and Fletcher, &c. SOUTHWARK. So denominated, from a fortification, or work, which anciently stood here, and from its situation being southerly, was called Suthwark, or South-work. SCLAVONIA. A province, subject to the House of Austria, and bounded on the north-east by the rivers Drave and Danube, which separate it from Hungary, being about two hundred miles long, and sixty broad. It takes its name from the Sclavi, an ancient people of THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 351 European Scythia ; from whom is likewise derived the Sclavonic language, which is said to be the most extensive language in the world except the Arabic, as being the common mother of the Russian, Hungarian, Polish, Bulgarian, Corinthian, Bohemian, &c., languages. STRAITS OF MAGELLAN. The Straits of Magellan derive their title from one Magalhaens, who was in the service of Spain, and who discovered them in the first voyage round the world ; he was killed by the savages in the Marianne Islands. These straits were discovered in 1520, and are the most extensive known on the surface of the globe. STEYNE AT BRIGHTON. It has been stated that this celebrated promenade derives its name from the Roman way, called Stane Street ; but this sup- position is the conjecture of fancy, for we find in the ad decimun of Richard of Cirencester, in his 15th Iter, that the Roman west- ern road, called Stane Street, commenced at the east gate of Chichester, and taking a northern direction, pursued its course to Bignor Hill, within a few furlongs of the Roman pavements of a villa discovered in 1811. After passing Bignor, the direction it took was through Hardham to Pulborough. It has been fur- ther traced to Woodcote, to Dorking churchyard, and to London, where it is now distinguished by the name of West Ermine Street ; it is therefore impossible to attribute its name to this Roman road. The fact is, before the late inroads of the sea, the Steyne was skirted or edged on that side by chalk rocks, and from that circumstance received its name. Stein, or Steen, a rock, in the imported language of the Flemish emigrants, was then a proper denomination for this verdant margin of a chalky cliff. How it came to be called Steyne must be attributed to fashion. TUNBRIDGE. Tunbridge, or, as it is frequently called, Tunbridge Town, to distinguish it from the well-known watering-place in the same county, is situated in the south-western part of Kent, on the banks of the Medway, and derives its name from the number of bridges over the river, which here separates itself into five streams. The district round this town is called the " Lowy of Tunbridge," which, in Domesday Book, is mentioned as Lenna Ricardi de Tonbriga ; and in old Latin deeds is called Districtus JLeucce de Tonbridge. The reason why it is so named is this: Richard Clare, a descendant of the natural son of Richard, the first Duke of Normandy, who came over to England with William the Con- queror, and distinguished himself at the battle of Hastings, 352 THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. obtained the manor of Tunbridge from Lanfrauc, Archbishop of Canterbury, in exchange for the castle of Brion in Normandy, each estate being measured with the same line. At that time, it was the custom in Normandy to term the district round an abbey, castle, or chief mansion, Leuca, or Leucata, in English, the Lowy, in which the possessor had generally a grant of several peculiar liberties, privileges, and exemptions ; and Gilbert pro- cured from the king similar grants to those he enjoyed in Nor- mandy, to this, as well as to his adjoining manor of Hadlow, whence he called it the "Lowy of Tunbridge," by which name it has gone ever since. Tunbridge Castle was built by this Eichard de Clare in the reign of William Eufus. . TUNBRIDGE WELLS. Tunbridge "Wells is sa.id to be the oldest watering-place in England, Bath excepted. The wells are about five miles south of the town, and are situated in a sandy bottom, at the foot of three hills, called Mount Ephraim, Mount Sion, and Mount Pleasant. The air is particularly salubrious, which, with the well- known virtues of the wells, and their vicinity to town, being only thirty-six miles distant, makes them much frequented. The dis- covery of the medicinal waters at Tunbridge Wells, in the year 1606, is generally attributed to young Dudley, Lord North, who, having injured his health by his dissipations at the court of Henry, Prince of Wales, son of James I., by the advice of his physicians took up his abode within two miles of the wells, at a place called Eridge House. After a residence of several weeks, finding his disorder rather increased than diminished, and his spirits greatly lowered, he abruptly quitted this retired mansion, and began his journey to London. Fortunately, adds the narrator, his road lay directly through the woad in which these useful springs were concealed from the knowledge of mankind; so that, when his lordship came upon the spot, he could not pass by without taking notice of a water which seemed to claim his attention, on account of the shining mineral scum that swam on its surface, as well as the ochrous substance which subsided at the bottom. These uncommon appearances induced him to alight from his carriage, and to order one of his servants to borrow a little vessel from a neighbouring hovel, that he might taste it. The ferruginous flavour induced his lordship to think it was embued with some medicinal properties, which might be beneficial to mankind. Having submitted it therefore to chemical analysis, he determined to try its restorative powers upon himself; and after about two months' continuance at Eridge, returned to town so perfectly free from all complaints, that he lived in the indulgence of every courtly enjoyment till he attained the age of eighty-five. Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I., was sent here after the birth of her THE ETYMOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM. 353 first child, and, on account of the then uninhabited state of that part of the country, lived for six weeks in tents on Bishops-down Common. TARPEIAN ROCK. The Tarpeian Kock, off the coast of Sicily, derives its name from the following : Tarpeia, according to Heathen Mythology, was a vestal virgin, who agreed with the Albans to deliver up the capitol for their bracelets ; but they being entered, threw their shields upon her, and buried her under them. Hence is derived the name Tarpeian Kock. * $JH KAXJWJ-^V^ ^^AJU^aux^ fttfVWJL, ^ OXl^AA^ -vJLB^IL PoJK*A4jt , V^JU Uvuu^vAjMju 'M^fi^, >. *<*-- VIRGINIA. On the discovery of this portion of North America by Sir Walter Ealeigh, in 1584, he called it Virginia, in compliment to his virgin mistress, queen Elizabeth. VENICE. The first inhabitants of this country were the Veneti ; from whence the term Venice is derived. They were conquered by the Gauls, and made a kingdom about 356. The islands on which the city stands began to be inhabited by Italians about 421 ; the first house erected on the morass was by Entinopus, who fled from the Goths ; the people of Padua took refuge there also, and were assisted by Entinopus in building the eighty houses which formed the first city, in 413. They were first governed by a doge in 697, but its republic was not independent till 803. The con- spiracy on which Otway's play is founded, was in 1618. The doge omitted the ceremony of wedding the Adriatic Sea from 1173. WEALD OF KENT. The Weald of Kent comprises a large district, containing several market towns, viz., Cranbrook, Smarden, Tenterden, Biddenden, &c. It is so called from the growth of large timber, oak particularly ; weald being a Saxon term, signifying a woody district. WOODSTOCK. The ancient manor-house, or royal palace of Woodstock, was situate near the old town of that name, about eight miles from the city of Oxford, on the north bank of the valley, through which the little river Glyme has its course. It was erected (according to Camden) by Henry I., who joined to it a large park, enclosed with a stone wall, which Ecus affirms to have been the first park in England, and which, says Dr. Plott, was not only stocked with _ L?A> f 0Js^(+ was Margaret Beaufort, great grand- 1 daughter of John of Gaunt ) Son of Hen. VIII. by Jane Seymour Daughter of Hen. VIII. by Cath. of Arrag. Daughter of Hen. VIII. by Anne Boleyii THE HOUSE OF STUART. Son of Mary Queen of Scots, grand-) daughter of James IV. and Margaret, > eldest daughter of Hen. VII ) ELIZABETH JAMES I j CHARLES I INTERREGNUM... CHARLES II JAMES II WILLIAM III. MARY Eldest son of Charles I Only surviving son of Charles I Son of Will, of Nassau, byMary, daugh-) ter of Charles I > Eldest daughter of James II ) Daughter of James II GEORGE I < GEORGE II GEORGE III GEORGE IV WILLIAM IV. ... VICTORIA THE HOUSE OF HANOVER. Eldest son of the Duke of Hanover, by} Sophia, daughter of F*ed. V., king of ( Bohemia, and Elizabeth, daughter of f James I J Only son of George I Eldest son of George III 3d son of George III Daughter of Edward, duke of Kent, 4th) son of George III j M'COBQUODALE AND co., PRINTERS, LONDON, WORKS NEWTON. 14 TO Dm PROM * BORROWED LOAN DEPT. SSWJtfs ais- *- JUL? 01990 LD21A-30m-10 '73 (R3728slO)476 A-30 General Library University of California Berkeley