S.
Morgan Odoherty (Vol. viii., p. 11.).—In reference to the remarks of Mr. J. S. Warden on the Morgan Odoherty of Blackwood's Magazine, I had imagined it was very generally known by literary men that that nom de guerre was assumed by the late Captain Hamilton, author of the Annals of the Peninsular Campaigns, and other works; and brother of Sir William Hamilton, Professor of Logic in the University of Edinburgh. I had never heard, until mentioned by Mr. Warden, that Dr. Maginn was ever identified with that name.
S.
Black Rat (Vol. vii., p. 206.).—In reply to the question of Mr. Shirley Hibberd, whether the original rat of this country is still in existence, I may mention, that in the agricultural districts of Forfarshire, the Black Rat (Mus rattus) was in existence a few years ago. On pulling down the remains of an old farm-steading in 1823, after the building of a new one, they were there so numerous, that a greyhound I had destroyed no fewer than seventy-seven of them in the course of a couple of hours. Having used precautions against their lodgment in the new steading, under the floors, and on the tops of the party walls, they were effectually banished from the farm.
Henry Stephens.
Blue Bells of Scotland (Vol. viii., p. 388.).—Your correspondent
Henry Stephens.
Grammars, &c. for Public Schools (Vol. ix., p. 8., &c.).—Pray add to the list a Latin grammar, under the title of The Common Accidence Improved, by the Rev. Edward Owen, Rector of Warrington, and for fifty years Master of the Grammar School founded in that town, under the will of Sir Thomas Boteler, on April 27, 1526. I believe it was first published in 1770, but the copy now before me is of an edition printed in 1800; and the Preface contains a promise (I know not whether afterwards fulfilled) of the early publication of the rules, versified on the plan of Busbey and Ruddiman, under the title of Elementa Latina Metrica.
J. F. M.