Minor Queries.
332. Barrister.
—Can any of your correspondents refer me to the etymon of this name, given to a vocation attached to our English courts of law? I can find none even in the comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of Nat. Bailey, unless, indeed, by dividing the word into two portions, viz. "bar" and "rister," and then, with a little of the critic's license, assuming that the latter half might originally have been written "roister." But as this analysis would render it so little characteristic of the class so named, and would strongly imply that some portion at least of that distinguished body was once viewed as the "roisters," i.e. "bullies and blusterers," of that division of our courts called "the Bar," it is evident that we cannot reasonably look for the derivation of the latter part of the word from that source. But still, as there may be those who are inclined, in spite of these cogent objections, to doubt whether this may be its true etymon; and it is fit that any such lurking and slanderous suspicion should be dispelled from every sceptic mind, some one of your curious and learned correspondents, anxious to effect it, will, perhaps, tax his etymological skill to the suggestion of a less offensive, and more just and appropriate derivation, than "Bar-roister."
W. Y.
333. Indian Jugglers.
—Can any of your readers favour me with references to any works containing an account of the trick practised by jugglers in the East Indies, and known there by the name of "growing a mango?" In performing this trick a seed is planted in a pot or basket of earth, which is then covered up from the sight by a cloth or other wire; in a little time this is removed, and the seed is seen to have germinated, and its growth is similarly shown in successive stages, the last of which exhibits the plant in fruit. Hundreds of Europeans have seen the trick, but I have never heard of any one who was able to detect the successive substitutions in which it obviously consists. I do not at present recollect the name of any author who takes any notice of it.
N.
334. Priory of Hertford.
—The Priory of Hertford was founded by Ralph de Limesey and his wife Hadewise, some time after the Conquest. Can any of your antiquarian correspondents inform me in what year this took place?
The Rev. DR. ROCK had the politeness to answer my Query respecting the Abbot Eustacius; perhaps he could oblige me by solving the present one.