Savage, however, in his History of the Hundred of Carhampton, p. 440., is of opinion that
"Coneygar seems to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon Cyning, King; and the Mœso-Gothic Garas, the same as the Latin Domus, a house, that is, the king's house or residence. Mr. Hamper has some notion that Conygre means a rabbit-ground, &c., but Mr. H. does not go high enough for his etymology; besides, how does it appear that a rabbit-ground was at any time an appendage to manor-houses? There is no authority for the assertion."
I give you this criticism on Mr. Hamper valeat quantum, but am disposed to think he is right. At all events there are no vestiges of any building on the Coniger except the tower aforesaid, which was erected by the present Mr. Luttrell's grandfather.
Balliolensis.
In the Irish language, Cuinicear, pronounced "Keenèkar," is a rabbit-warren. Cuinin is the diminutive of cu, a dog of any sort; and from the Celtic cu, the Greeks took their word κυων, a dog. I am of opinion that the origin of rabbit is in the Celtic word rap, i. e. a creature that digs and burrows in the ground.
Fras. Crossley.
Cupid crying (Vol. i., p. 172.).—I had no means (for reasons I need not now specify) of referring to my 1st Vol. of "N. & Q." until yesterday, for the pretty epigram given in an English dress by Rufus and as the writer in the Athenæum, whose communication you quote on the same subject (Vol. i., p. 308.), observes "that the translator has taken some liberties with his text," I make no apology for sending you a much closer rendering, which hits off with great happiness the point and quaintness of the original, by a septuagenarian, whose lucubrations have already been immortalised in "N. & Q."
"De Cupidine.
Cur natum cædit Venus? arcum perdidit, arcum
Nunc quis habet? Tusco Flavia nata solo: