HARVAR ERRATA. Page 57, line 22, for Racine, read Paine. Page 179, line 17, for parlous, read perilous. PREFACE. THE present volume of "NOTABILIA" has been prepared with the main object of supplying, in some measure, the technical requirements of the present day, and “taking us from the track of our nursery mistakes; and by showing us new objects, or old ones in true lights, to reform our judgments." The immediate service of such aid scarcely needs explanation; it being obvious that the spirit of the times requires in every man not only a thorough knowledge of his own profession, but much general knowledge, to enable him to keep pace with the rapid changes which are taking place around him. "All knowledge," says Sir David Brewster, "is progressive, and the errors of one generation call forth the comments, and are replaced by comments of the next." The sources from which a considerable portion of these NOTABILIA are derived will be easily recognized, as they are taken from the journalism of the day, which presents a more advanced class of information than can be found elsewhere. Some of the NOTABILIA have been reconstructed, to keep pace with the progress of discovery; but throughout the work, the main object has been to condense and simplify from every source such useful and interesting facts and principles as are likely to adhere to the memory of even the most discursive reader; and to which, like points of departure in navigation, he might, when at a loss, appeal for correction. The value of abstracts, abridgments, and summaries is too extensively known to be unappreciated. Our great Philosopher, who delighted "in industrious observations, grounded conclusions, and profitable inventions and discoveries," tells us that "condensation is the result of time and experience, which is no longer essential;" and our great Dramatic Poet abounds with "wise saws and modern instances." The "NOTABILIA," for convenient reference, are classed in 1. Terms, Phrases, and Sayings, with special attention to the technical and classical. 2. Dignities and Distinctions. 3. Laws and Customs. 4. Scriptural Words and Phrases. 5. Money Matters. 6. and 7. Notes on Art, Remarkable Books, &c. In each Section of the work no opportunity is lost of illustrating subjects of Domestic Character and Interest by histories in little, and personal incidents, drawn from "the full tide of human affairs,"-for reading by the fireside, in the shady green lane, in the family circle, and in times of quiet thought; when the enjoyment of a reasoning book is more welcome than a dictating companion. CONTENTS. The Cave Adullam-the Adullamites-Political Drifts-The Intellect of Thought and Action-To liberalize and Liberal -What is Clique ?-Tyrant-The Clameur de Haro- "Stopping the Supplies"-The word "Turncoat "-Whig and Tory-The term Conservative-Government and People -England-Nation of Shopkeepers-English Girondists- Brummagem-Tailors' "Cabbage"-Needle in a Bottle of Hay-Columbus and the Egg-Cant and Slang-Oxford Slang-Toasts and Sentiments-Cant and Celt-American Locofocos-Teetotal-Jocose Virtue-The Kilkenny Cats- "Cry Bo to a Goose"-Cooking his Goose-"Walk your Chalk"-Flittings-Flashmen-" As Deaf as a Beetle "- "Taking a Sight "—"Swobbers -"Jolly as Sandboys" -What is Positivism ?— Origin of Young England-To“ In- terview"-Brother Jonathan and Yankee-Skedaddle-Ro- domontade-" At Sixes and Sevens "-"Ah, his Trumpeter is Dead"-"Begin at the Beginning "-Progress-The word "Hottentot "-The Hugonots-The word "Canada" -Origin of "Ireland "—" Viking"-The "Good Old Times"-Rape of Land-Villein, Bondman, Yeoman— Contemporary, Telegram, Talented-What is Education ?— Science and Education-Science at Home-The Letter Q- Picturesque Words-Word-painting-Pronunciation of Latin-Latin Quotations-Pharmaceutical or Pharmakeuti- cal-Antiquity of the Kilt-The Derby, "the Blue Ribbon PAGE Bomba-Popular Historic Phrases-"Caucus ". wallopers "-A Trimmer-Mrs. Partington and her Mop- Has a Cat Nine Lives?-The word "No"-As Rich as a Jew-"As Lazy as Laurence"-Philippics-Black- guards "Fiddlestick "-"The Sun never sets on the Origin of "King"-Origin of the Crown-Royal Signatures- Title of Majesty-A King's Statue-Succession of English Monarchs-Predictions Realized-Coronation Banquet of George IV.-The Queens of England-The Brunswick Dynasty- Royal Assent-Arms and Crests-The Mitre- The Heir to the Throne always in Opposition-The Hal- berd-The English Succession-The Title of Czar-Legend of St. George and the Dragon-British Mistakes respecting the Star-spangled Banner-The Golden Rose-Change of Name-Book Amateurs-Who are Esquires-Cockades, and who may use them-Value of Heraldry-What is Marriage of First Cousins-The Royal Marriage Act-Irre- |