E. D.
Junius Rumours (Vol. v., pp. 125. 159.).
—In spite of the memorable declaration of Junius that his secret should perish with him, and the hitherto unsatisfactory attempts that have been made to draw him from his hiding-place, I have ever felt assured that he will eventually be unearthed. After half a century's active exertion, the "Iron Mask" was unveiled.
I recollect that, somewhere in Woodfall's edition, is a letter from Junius, requiring a copy of the letters to be sent him, bound in a particular manner and colour, which, at the time that edition came out, was thought likely to afford a clue to the detection: some such casual notice may not yet be unlikely to lead to the discovery. Many years since, in conversation with an old officer, then barrack-master at Pendennis Garrison, Captain Hall, he related a circumstance that occurred when he was a boy, that curiously impressed itself on his memory. His family and Woodfall's were intimate, and when about ten years old he was taken by his mother to see Woodfall, whilst in prison on account of the publication of these redoubtable letters.
During this visit a tea-service of plate was received by Woodfall as a present from Junius, and was exhibited with no small degree of pride and gratification. Surely two such circumstances could not occur without being known to more than one or two persons; and had the inquiry been keenly followed up, I think, not unreasonably, that a chance might be afforded for the solution of the problem.
JAMES CORNISH.
Wyned (Vol. v., p. 321.).
—The supposition that the initial w of this word may have been a misreading for pa, however ingenious, is not tenable. Not having the MS. at hand (it is in the University Library, Cambridge), I wrote to a learned friend there to request him to refer to the passage. He assures me that the word is wyned, not payned. Indeed, the precedent being fairly written in a clerkly hand, there was little possibility of mistake. I beg, therefore, to leave the word in the hands of your etymological reader for further suggestion or explanation.
C. W. G.