[It has been suggested that "M. or N." originated in a
misreading of "NOM," a contraction for "_nomen_." This is
certainly an ingenious explanation, though not a satisfactory
one.]
_Song of the Bees._--Who was the author of the lines under this title
beginning,
"We watch for the light of the moon to break
and colour the grey eastern sky
With its blended hues of saffron and lake," &c.
I have always understood them to be Dr. Aikin's, but latterly that has
been contradicted.
Buriensis.
_William Godwin._--Can any of your correspondents tell me where I can
find an account of the leading events of the life of William Godwin,
author of _Caleb Williams, St. Leon, Mandeville_ &c., or any reference
to his last hours? His sentiments, political and religious, are said to
have been _peculiar_.
N.
Woodbridge, April 15.
_Regimental Badges._--When were the regimental badges granted to the
first nine infantry corps of the line, and under what circumstances were
they so granted?
J.C.
London, April 15. 1850.
_Mother of Thomas à Becket._--The well-known romantic legend of the
origin of this lady has been introduced into the _Pictorial History of
England_, on the authority of "Brompton in X. Scriptores." And on the
same page (552. vol. i.) is a pictorial representation of the "Baptism
of the Mother of Becket, from the Royal MS. 2 B. vii."
Now, Lord Campbell, in his _Lives of the Chancellors_, repudiates the
story in toto; but without assigning any other reason for doing so, than
an inference from the silence of Becket himself and his secretary,
Fitzstephen, on the point.
Can any of the learned gentlemen, whose distinguished names adorn your
valuable pages, direct an humble student to the fountain of truth, for
the settlement of this _verata questio_?
W. Franks Mathews.
Kidderminster, April 7. 1850.
_Swords worn in public._--Can any of your correspondents say when swords
ceased to be worn as an article of ordinary dress, and whether the
practice was abolished by act of parliament, or that they gradually went
out of fashion.
J.D.A.
April 17. 1850.
_Emblem and National Motto of Ireland._--How long has the _harp_ been
the emblem, and _Erin-go-bragh_ the national motto of Ireland? To this I
give another query,--What is the national motto of England?