J. B.
The Eye (Vol. viii., p. 25.).—I hope that interesting question raised by your correspondent H. C. K., respecting the term "apple of the eye," will meet with attention from some philologist. It might help to solve it, if it could be discovered when the phrase first came into use in our language. Is it possible that the word "apple" is a corruption of the Latin "pupilla?" or is it, according to H. C. K.'s suggestion, that the iris, and not the pupil, is taken to represent an apple? Doubtless your learned correspondent is aware that in Zech. ii. 12. the Hebrew phrase is varied, the word בָּבָה being used, and occurring only in this passage. If Gesenius's derivation of this word be correct, which makes it to signify "the gate of the eye," we have this idea put into a fresh shape. Have not the Arabs a phrase, "He is dearer to me than the pupil of mine eye," as well as the other one, "The man of the eye?" Curiously enough, the Greeks express this idea by another word than κόρη, viz. γλήνη (i. e. κόρης αὐγή, the splendour of the pupil (kin. αἴγλη), or the pupil itself, οφθαλμου κόρη), in which the change of signification is exactly the converse of what it is in κόρη; viz., 1st, pupil; 2nd, a little girl; whence, as a term of reproach, ἔῤῥε κακὴ γλήνη.
Quæstor.
Canute's Point, Southampton (Vol. vii., p. 380.).—A correspondent having noticed the inscription on the Canute Castle Inn, Southampton, inquires for proof to authenticate the locality of the tradition referred to. I submit the following extract from a local history:
"Canute's Point was a projection of the shore near the mouth of the Itchen, where it is supposed the celebrated but much-embellished reproof to his courtiers was administered; and it was preserved by a line of piles driven into the beach, until the construction of the docks, which effaced the old beach line. Of Canute's Palace there are still a few remains, and the position fully justifies the presumption of its identity."
These piles were, I believe, in existence in the year 1836, when the act for the construction of the docks was obtained.
William Spoor.
Symon Patrick, Bishop of Ely—Durham—Weston (Vol. viii., p. 103.).—
"Edward Weston, A. B. 1723, A. M. 1727, born at Eton, son of Steven Weston of 1682, Bishop of Exeter. He was secretary to Lord Townsend at Hanover, during the king's residence there in 1729. He continued several years in the office of Lord Harrington as secretary. He was also transmitter (query, translator?) of the State Papers, and one of the clerks to the Signet. In 1741 he was appointed gazetteer, a place of considerable emolument. In 1746 he was secretary to Lord Harrington, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, and became a privy councillor of that kingdom. He published, though a layman, a volume of sermons. His son is now [viz. 1797] a prebendary of Durham and St. Paul's, and rector of Therfield near Royston."—Harwood's Alumni Etonenses, p. 300., under 1719.