Q. What is the origin of the word Tory?
A. The word is probably from the Irish toruigh, used in the reign of Queen Elizabeth to signify a band of Irish robbers. Macaulay says, “The name was first given to those who refused to concur in excluding James from the throne.” He further says, “The bogs of Ireland afforded a refuge to popish outlaws called tories.”
Q. What is the origin of the phrase, “to take a snack?”
A. It means to take a morsel, from Saxon snœd, a morsel, a share or portion.
Q. Who was the author of the Dies Iræ?
A. It is probably the composition of Thomas a Celano, a native of Abruzzi, who died in 1255, though its authorship is not certainly fixed.
Q. Is it true that Mr. Gladstone is a Roman Catholic? I saw it so stated recently.
A. No, he is a High Churchman.
Q. Is the “Life of Napoleon,” by the late J. S. C. Abbot, a reliable book?