The spurious edition may be known at once by the title-page, in which the words "an appendix" are printed in open letter, which is not the case in the original. Also by "Leienitz," instead of "Leibnitz" in page xi. of the preface. Also by the Greek letter
throughout, which is, in the spurious edition, never anything but an inverted δ, which looks as if it were trying to kick backwards.
In all probability, the agents in this shabby trick are beneath reproof; but it is desirable that the reputation of the author whom they have chosen for its object should not suffer from the effects of their misprint. And as the work they have appropriated is only used by a small public, and a reading one, the mode of exposure which I here adopt will probably be sufficient.
The spurious edition is now on the stalls at a few shillings; and, as a curiosity, will be worth its price.
A. DE MORGAN.
Minor Notes.
Les Anguilles de Melun.
—"Les anguilles de Melun crient avant qu'on les écorche" is a well-known proverb in that town; and as some of your readers may be curious to learn the circumstances in which it originated, I send them to you for "NOTES AND QUERIES."
According to the traditions of the Church, Saint Bartholomew was flayed alive, and his skin rolled up and tied to his back. When the religious dramas, called Mysteries, came into vogue, this martyrdom was represented on the stage at Melun, and the character of the saint was personated by one Languille. In the course of the performance, the executioner, armed with a knife, made his appearance; and as he proceeded to counterfeit the operation of flaying, Languille became terrified and uttered the most piteous cries, to the great amusement of the spectators. The audience thereupon exclaimed, "Languille crie avant qu'on l'écorche;" and hence the "jeu de mots," and the proverb.