W. E.
Pimperne, Dorset.
Ravailliac (Vol. viii., p. 219.).—The destruction of the pyramid erected at Paris upon the murder of Henry IV., is mentioned by Thuanus, Hist., lib. 134. cap. 9. In your correspondent's Query, Thesaur. is, I presume, misprinted for Thuan.
B. J.
Lines on the Institution of the Garter (Vol. viii., p. 182.).—A. B. R. says, "as also from the proverbial expression used in Scotland, and to be found in Scott's Works, of 'casting a leggin girth,' as synonymous with a female 'faux pas.'" I may mention to your correspondent (if he is not already aware) that the expression is taken from Allan Ramsay's continuation of Christ's Kirk on the Green (edit. Leith, 1814, 1 vol. p. 101.):
"Or bairns can read, they first maun spell,
I learn'd this frae my mammy;
And coost a legen girth mysell,
Lang or I married Tammie."
and is explained by the author in a note, "Like a tub that loses one of its bottom hoops." In the west of Scotland the phrase is now restricted to a young woman who has had an illegitimate child, or what is more commonly termed "a misfortune," and it is probable never had another meaning. Legen or leggen is not understood to have any affinity in its etymology to the word leg, but is laggen, that part of the staves which projects from the bottom of the barrel, or of the child's luggie, out of which he sups his oatmeal parritch; and the girth, gird, or hoop, that by which the vessel at this particular place is firmest bound together. Burns makes a fine and emphatic use of the word laggen in the "Birthday Address," in speaking of the "Royal lasses dainty" (Cunninghame, edit. 1826, vol. ii. p. 329.):