M.
Oxford, Jan. 17. 1850.
Name of Shylock.—When Mr. Knight says that Scialac was "the name of a Marionite (Maronite?) of mount Libanus," he appears to consider the term peculiar, or nearly so, to that personage; but Upton, as long ago as 1748, in his Critical Observations, 2nd ed. p. 299., remarked, that Scialac was the generic name, and Shylock merely a corruption. I may also remark, that Mr. Knight dismisses Dr. Farmer's theory as worthless, without sufficient consideration. It by no means follows that 1607 is the date of the first edition of Caleb Shillocke, merely because Boswell saw a copy bearing that date.
J.O. HALLIWELL.
SONNET.
Written on the close of the Session, 1849.
"The tyme cam that resoun was to ryse."—CHAUCER.
"Corin. And how like you this shepherd's life, Master Touchstone?
"Touchstone. Truly, shepherd, in respect of itself it is a good life.... In respect it is in the Fields, it pleaseth me well."—SHAKSPEARE.