106
NOTES AND QUERIES.
[9 th S. I. FEB. 5, '98.
divided into sections, and each section has
a separate title-page, all bearing above the
imprint of John Hayes, Printer to the
University, an ornamental oval device, having
in the centre a pedestal, on the front of which
appears the legend "Alma Mater Canta-
brigia." From behind this pedestal rises a
nude female figure, three-quarter-length, with
flowing hair, crowned, three castles rising out
of the crown. In her right hand she holds a
cup or chalice, and in her left hand a sun
radiated. On each side of the pedestal
stands a poplar tree, while within a garter
(around the oval, but within the ornament)
appears the motto, "Hinc lucem et pocula
sacra." Although this book is paged con-
secutively throughout, and the title-page to
the whole bears the date 1692, as mentioned
above, the several sectional title-pages bearing
the motto and device are dated as follows :
Eusebius, 1683; Socrates Scholasticus, 1680;
and Constantine, 1682 ; appearing in the order
named. G. YARROW BALDOCK.
South Hackney.
ORIGIN OF POPULAR NAMES. The following guess as to the origin of the popular names of a fish found near the Land's End, Corn- wall, is worth reproducing. It is a useful example of the way in which derivations have been and still are manufactured. It occurs in the Zoologist for 1848 :
"Angel fish, Squatina angelus. This strange-look- ing fish, beside bearing the name of angel fish, is frequently called a ' monk,' and still more com- monly a ' sea-devil.' This strange contrariety of names is unaccountable, unless, indeed, we suppose that the original name was sea-monk, which from its hooded appearance might be the case ; and that one set of religionists might have named it 'angel' in compliment to this resemblance, and another ' devil ' from opposite views ; the odium theologicum being quite capable of extending to the two ex- tremes. 'Vol. vi. p. 1976.
EDWARD PEACOCK.
" THE REASON is BECAUSE," &c. This is an absurd vulgarism which I regret to say is often used thoughtlessly by writers from whom we expect correct English. If " A acts because B acts " is correct, it is worse than tautological to say, "The reason why A acts is because B acts," because this affirms that B's act is not the reason, but the cause of the reason, of A's act. I shall not, however, waste space by proving that the proper formula is "The reason is that," for this is obvious when the kindred meanings of " reason " and " cause," and the grammatical function of "because," are considered. My object is to record two examples of the irregularity in question which occur in a recent issue of 'N. & Q.' (Jan. 15). One is
in MR. PEACOCK'S note on ' Pattens ' (p. 44) :
"My reason for referring to pattens is
because I have," &c. The other is in PROF. SKEAT'S remarks on ' Bayswater ' (p. 56) : " The only reason why I did not mention this was because I thought every one knew it." The only comment I make is that I am sure neither writer is in the habit of saying he does a thing " for the reason because, &c.
F. ADAMS. 106A, Albany Road, Camberwell.
"LEWIS CARROLL." The Margaret Professor of Divinity, in referring, in a sermon preached at Christchurch, to Mr. Dodgson's death, is reported to have said :
" All that made the individual, the infinite play of fancy and the subtle undercurrents of serious and chastened thought, must needs be lost to us ; they went with him whose they were to inhabit another sphere than ours."
One is reminded of the questions asked in a less confident spirit :
Is there no laughter where he will go, This master of smile and of jest? and
Quae nunc abibis in loca Nee ut soles dabis jocos?
KlLLIGREW.
MAJOR CHARLES JAMES. The account of this accomplished man in the ' Dictionary of National Biography,' xxix. 205-6, is very inadequate. The collected edition of his 'Poems,' 1792, is, in its way, a handsome book, having as its frontispiece a portrait after J. Eussell, K.A., engraved by W. Skelton. The fine full-page plates were designed by the author (Car. James inv.), "delin." by C. R. Riley, and, like the portrait, engraved by W. Skelton. The volume is dedicated, by permission, to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, in verses which err on the side of flattery rather than on that of truth. The preface, which extends to over thirty pages, is excellent reading. In noticing an earlier edition of the ' Poems ' the New Annual Register far 1789 contained the following judgment :
" These poems discover the author to be possessed of considerable abilities, and abound in many beau- tiful and striking thoughts, which are delivered in elegant language and harmonious versification. It were to be wished, however, that he had not so frequently availed himself of the labours of his predecessors, particularly of Mr. Pope. With the talents that he evidently possesses, he might have thought more freely for himself, and produced poems not unworthy the public attention.
This judgment might have been written only yesterday, as it is full of force and truth. James was an accomplished Latin scholar, as some of his translations and paraphrases show, and equally well versed in French and
