1781.—From an advertisement in the India Gazette of May 17th it appears to have been an euphemism for Auctioneer; [also see Busteed, Echoes of Old Calcutta, 3rd ed. p. 109].
" "Mr. Donald ... begs leave to acquaint them that the Vendu business will in future be carried on by Robert Donald, and W. Williams."—India Gazette, July 28.
1793.—"The Governor-General is pleased to notify that Mr. Williamson as the Company's Vendu Master is to have the superintendence and management of all Sales at the Presidency."—In Seton-Karr, ii. 99. At pp. 107, 114, also are notifications of sales by "G. Williamson, Vendu Master."
[1823.—"One of the chiefs, a crafty old rogue, commonly known by the name of 'Lord Rodney' ... acted as captain of the port, interpreter, Vendue-Master and master of the ceremonies...."—Owen, Narrative of Voyages to explore the shores of Africa, &c., i. 179.]
VENETIAN, s. This is sometimes in books of the 18th and preceding century used for Sequins. See under [CHICK].
1542.—"At the bottom of the cargo (? cifa), among the ballast, she carried 4 big guns (tiros), and others of smaller size, and 60,000 venetians in gold, which were destined for Coje Çafar, in order that with this money he should in all speed provide necessaries for the fleet which was coming."—Correa, iv. 250.
1675.—Fryer gives among coins and weights at Goa:
"The Venetian ... 18 Tangoes, 30 Rees."—p. 206.
1752.—"At this juncture a gold mohur is found to be worth 14 Arcot Rupees, and a Venetian 4½ Arcot Rupees."—In Long, p. 32.
VERANDA, s. An open pillared gallery round a house. This is one of the very perplexing words for which at least two origins may be maintained, on grounds equally plausible. Besides these two, which we shall immediately mention, a third has sometimes been alleged, which is thus put forward by a well-known French scholar: