Grantham.
Replies to Minor Queries.
Cabal (Vol. iv., p. 507.).—The two quotations from Hudibras evidently refer to two different meanings of this word Cabal. The first, alluding to the ancient Cabala, or Mysteries, or Secrets, from whence Cabalistic; the second, to its more modern, or political acceptation,—both, however, including the idea of secrecy or privity, as opposed to a general participation of knowledge or purpose. It is the latter application of the word to which the inquiry of E. H. D. D., at p. 443., Vol. iv., refers: and Mr. Kersley's quotation from a book printed in 1655 (p. 139., Vol. v.), proves its usage in this sense at least seven years before Burnet's derivation of the word from the initials of the five chief ministers of Charles II. I do not think that Pepys could use the word Cabal, as applicable to the "king's confidential advisers," several years before Burnet derived it from their initials; the ministers in question having been appointed circa 1670. Burnet's definition was published in 1672, and Pepys was appointed Secretary to the Admiralty in 1673. Blount, in his Glossographia, 3rd edition, 1670, says, "We use to say he is not of our cabal, that is, he is not received into our
council, or is not privy to our secrets." Cole, in his English Dictionary, 1685, defines Cabal, "a secret council:" and Bailey derives Caballer from cabaleur (French), "a party man" and To cabal, from cabaler (French), "to plot together privately, to make parties;" and Cabal, from "a junto, or private council, a particular party, a set, or gang."
I find among my papers a scrap relating to the derivation of the word Whig. I do not know where I took it from; but the origin which it gives to this much-used word is new to me, and may be to some others of your readers also:
"The word Whig was given to the Liberal party in England by the Royalists in Cromwell's days, from the initial letters of their motto, 'We hope in God.'"
P. T.
Stoke Newington.
Portrait of Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough (Vol. v., p. 441.).—There is very fine portrait of Charles Earl of Peterborough (the famous Earl) at Drayton House, in Northamptonshire, the ancient seat of the Mordaunt family, and which is now in the possession of Wm. Bruce Stopford, Esq.