Irish Rhymes (Vol. viii., p. 250.).—A. B. C. asks, "Will any one say it was through ignorance
that he (Swift) did not sound the g in dressing?" Now I cannot tell whether or not I shall raise a nest of hornets about my ears, but my private impression is that in doing so Swift meant to be "more English and less nice." I think it invariably strikes an Irishman as one of the most remarkable peculiarities of the English people, the almost constant omission of that letter from every word ending (I should have said, if I was an Englishman, "endin'") with it. The fair sex, I fear I must add, are, of the two, rather more decided in clippin' (g) the Queen's English.
Y. S. M.
Cabbages (Vol. ix., p. 424.).—I was aware of the passage in Evelyn's Acetaria, and am anxious to know whether there is any confirmation of that statement. Is there any other information extant as to the first introduction of cabbages into England?
C. H.
Sir William "Usher," not "Upton" (Vol. viii., p. 328.), was appointed Clerk of the Council in Ireland, March 22, 1593. He was knighted by Sir George Carey, Law Deputy, on St. James' Day, 1603; and died in 16—, having married Isabella Loftus, eldest daughter of Adam Loftus, Archbishop of Dublin. Of what family was he?
Y. S. M.
"Buckle" (Vol. viii., pp. 127. 304. 526.).—An awkward person, working incautiously with a saw, will probably, to use a carpenter's phrase, buckle it; that is, give it a bend or twist which will injure its working.
Y. S. M.
Cornwall Family (Vol. ix., p. 304.).—John Cornwall, Esq., a director of the Bank of England, 1769, bore the arms and crest of the ancient family of that name of Burford, in Shropshire, of which he was a member. A full account of this distinguished family is now preparing under their sanction.