From hernshaw, still further corrupted, arose the proverbial expression introduced by Shakspeare into Hamlet,—
"I am but mad north-north-west, when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a hand-saw."
G. P.
Theory of the Earth's Form (Vol. iii., pp. 331. 508.).
—Do the following passages from the "Version of the Psalms" in the Book of Common Prayer throw any light upon the subject?
"And the foundations of the round world were discovered."—Ps. xviii. 15.
"The compass of the world, and they that dwell therein."—Ps. xxiv. 1.
"Thou hast laid the foundation of the round world, and all that therein is."—Ps. lxxxix. 12.
"He hath made the round world so sure."—Ps. xciii. 2.
"And that it is he who hath made the round world so fast that it cannot be moved."—Ps. xcvi. 10.