Among sailors, "An Abram" is being unwell, or out of sorts. When Abraham Newland was Cashier of the Bank of England, it was sung—
"I have heard people say,
That sham Abraham you may,
But you must not sham Abraham Newland.">[
Author of "Le Blason des Couleurs."
—Can you give me the date of, or any account of the author of a small black-letter French work on heraldry entitled, Le Blason des Couleurs en Armes, &c. The author introduces himself as "Je Sicille Herault a tres puissant roy Alphōse Darragon: de Sicilie: de Vallence de Maillaque: de Corseique et Sardeigne: Conte de Barselonne," &c.; and at the end of the first part it is said to be "compose par Sicille Herault du roy Alphōse daragon."
H. N. E.
[See Brunet, Manuel du Libraire, vol. i. p. 279., ed. Bruxelles, 1838, 8vo.]
Banyan-day.
—Can any of your correspondents inform me of the meaning and origin of the term "Banyan-day," which is frequently used by sailors?