R.H.
Derivations of "Calamity," and "Zero;" and meaning of "Prutenicæ".—Will some of your correspondents give the derivations of Calamity and Zero; also the meaning of the word Prutenicæ, used by Erasmus Rheinholt, in his astronomical work on the Motions of the Heavenly Bodies?
F.S. MARTIN.
Jew's-Harp.—What is the origin of the term Jew's-Harp, applied to a well-known musical toy?
MELANION.
Sir G. Wyattville.—J.P. would be glad to be informed in what year Sir G. Wyattville was knighted?
Sparse.—As I am "less an antique Roman than a Dane," I wish to know what authority there is for the use of this word, which is to be found in a leading article of The Times, January 8th, 1850?—"A sparse and hardy race of horsemen." I should like to see this among the Queries, but I send it as a protest.
"Hostis et Peregrinus unus et idem."
C. FORBES.
The word "Peruse."—I find the word Peruse employed as a substantive, and apparently as equivalent to Examination, in the following part of a sentence in the martyr Fryth's works, Russell's ed., p. 407.:—"He would have been full sore ashamed so to have overseen himself at Oxford, at a peruse."