Meaning of Crabis (Vol. v., p. 165.).
—In quoting the note to Lord Lindsay's Christian Art, extracted from MS. Collectanea of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, and illustrating a story of the Pelican, your correspondent F. W. I. wishes for a translation of the word crabis, which Sir David makes use of in describing the undutiful behaviour of the young pelicans towards their paternal parent.
The old Scotch verb, crab, signified to tease, vex, annoy. As an active verb it is now obsolete, but it is still in use, at least its participles are in a passive sense. I have frequently heard crabbing used to describe the state of mind of one out of humour or sulking. Crabbed has long been an English word, and as such has its place in Johnson's Dictionary. It is not in such common use to the south as it is to the north of the Tweed; but from the Land's End to John-o'-Groat's, it is used to designate a chronic form of the same failing, which, in its temporary form, is described above as "crabbing." It is, moreover, applied to man's works as well as to his temper. A crabbed hand and a crabbed style of writing are expressions of every-day use in Scotland, and are eminently descriptive of the effect of such writing upon the temper of the reader.
W. A. C.
Ormsary.
"'Twas whisper'd in Heaven" (Vol. v., p. 214.).
—In Number 122. you answer an inquiry of DIABOLUS GANDER, by stating your belief that the enigma, "'Twas whisper'd in Heaven," &c., is by Lord Byron.
Although it was for some time attributed to this author, it became subsequently well known to be the work of Miss Catherine Fanshawe, in whose handwriting I have seen it, together with another unpublished enigma of hers, in the album of a lady of my acquaintance.
E. H. Y.