Derivation of Orchard.—What is the derivation of orchard? Is the last syllable "yard," as in vineyard, rickyard? If so, what is "orch?" By the way, is the provincial word "hag-gard" hay-yard?
H. A. B.
[Orchard is from the Anglo-Saxon ort geard, or wyrt geard; the final syllable gard or yard, in the words cited by our correspondent, being the modern form of the A.-S. geard.]
Miscellaneous.
NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.
Were Anschar, a Story of the North, a mere work of fiction, we should not think of recording its appearance in our columns. But it has other claims to our notice and the attention of our readers. Based on the life of Anschar the monk of Corbey, by Rembert, his successor in the archiepiscopal see of Hamburgh,—a biography which the writer of the work before us describes as one of the most important documents we possess for the elucidation of the early history, manners, and religion of the races of Northern Europe,—Mr. King has produced a narrative of considerable interest, abounding in curious pictures of the social condition of the Swedish people at the close of the ninth century. But Mr. King's pleasing story has also this additional merit, that while his learning and scholarlike acquirements have enabled him to illustrate the early history, religion, customs, and superstitions of the North in a most interesting and instructive manner, he has so done this, as at the same time to throw much curious light on many of our own old-world customs, popular observances, and folk-lore.
Such of our clerical readers as may be anxious to introduce cheap maps into the schools under their superintendence, will thank us for calling their attention to the series of Penny Maps (twopence each with the boundaries coloured), now publishing by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. That they have been constructed and engraved by Mr. J. W. Lowry, is a sufficient guarantee for their accuracy.
We have received a copy of Mr. Walker's engraving from Mr. Doyle's picture of Caxton submitting his proof-sheet to John Esteney, Abbot of Westminster, in 1477. The subject—and what can be of greater interest to us than the great event it commemorates, the vast social change it has wrought—has been very ably treated by the artist, and very successfully rendered by the engraver. The calm dignity of the patriotic mercer, Master William Caxton, as he watches the countenance of the abbot, who is examining with astonishment this first specimen of the new art, contrasts well with the expression of pride exhibited by Earl Rivers at the success of his protégé, on whose shoulder he rests his hand with an air half-patronizing, half-familiar, and with Wynkyn de Worde at the case behind, constitute altogether a picture which tells its story well and effectually, and furnishes a Caxton Memorial which will doubtless be very acceptable to all those who remember, with the gratitude due to him, the many precious volumes with which the learning of Caxton, no less than his mechanical genius, enriched the literature of England.
Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson will sell on Monday next, and the two following days, an interesting Collection of engraved British Portraits, the property of the late Mr. Dodd, the author of the Connoisseur's Repertorium. We may specify one lot as very interesting to lovers of illustrated works, viz. a copy of Robert Smythe's History of the Charter House, with two hundred and twenty-six sheets of prints illustrative of the printed text.