Feb. 5. 1850.
_Shipster_.--A _scip-steora_ among our Anglo-Saxon ancestors was a pilot
("_ship-steerer_"). The word has descended to our own times in the
surname of the family Shipster. As a common noun it was not obsolete in
the days of Wynkyn de Worde, who printed that curious production "_Cock
Lorelle's Bote_," one line of which runs thus:--
"With gogle-eyed Tomson, _shepster_ of Lyn."
It is pretty certain, however, that this masculine occupation was not
the one followed by "Marie Fraunceys de Suthwerk!"
Pray accept this "Reply" for what it is worth. Perhaps I might have done
better by meeting Mr. John R. Fox's "Query" (No. 14. p. 216.) with
another. Should not the designation of Marie F. be _Spinster_ instead of
Shipster?