The Irish Brigade (Vol. ii., pp. 407. 452.).—It is understood John C. O'Callaghan, Esq., author of the Green Book, contemplated a much more copious work on the subject than that by the late Matthew O'Connor, mentioned by your correspondent (p. 452.). The Union Quotidienne of 23rd April last announced a work by M. de la Ponce, Essai sur l'Irlande Ancienne, et sur les Brigades Irlandaises au Service de France, depuis leur Organisation en 1691; but whether published or not I am not aware. Perhaps some of your correspondents may know.
Drumlethglas.
To save one's Bacon (Vol. ii., p. 424.).—May I venture to suggest that this phrase has reference to the custom at Dunmow, in Essex, of giving a flitch of bacon to any married couple residing in the parish, who live in harmony for a year and a day. A man and his wife who stopped short when on the verge of a quarrel might be said to have "just saved their bacon;" and in course of time the phrase would be applied to any one who barely escaped any loss or danger.
X.Z.
"The Times" Newspaper and the Coptic Language (Vol. ii., p. 377.).—J.E. quotes a passage from The Times newspaper respecting the Coptic language, and asks if any correspondent can furnish a clearer account of its structure than the writer of that article has given. A reference to the work which he was reviewing (Kenrick's Ancient Egypt under the Pharaohs) will show the origin of the apparent inconsistency on which J.E. animadverts. In that work it is said (vol. i. p. 100.):
"The roots of the Coptic language appear to have been generally monosyllabic, and the derivatives have been formed by a very simple system of prefixing, inserting, and affixing certain letters, which have usually undergone but little change, not having been incorporated with the root, nor melted down by crasis, nor softened by any euphonic rules."
Again (vol. i. p. 107.), speaking of the supposed connexion between India and Egypt:
"The Sanscrit is the most polished and copious language ever spoken by man; the Coptic, the most rude of all which were used by the civilised nations of antiquity."
The writer in The Times, currente calamo, has thrown the contents of these two sentences together, and somewhat strengthened the expressions of his author, who does not call the Coptic system of inflexion rude, nor assert that it is totally different from the Syro-Arabian system, but quotes the opinion of Benfey, that they differ so much that neither can have originated from the other, but both from a parent language. The distinction between a system of inflexion and one of affixes and prefixes is not permanent. What we call the inflexions of the Greek verb were once, no doubt, affixes; but while, in the Greek, they have become incorporated with the root, in the Coptic they stand rigidly apart from it.
Herampion.