[_Toady_, or _Toad-eater_, a vulgar name for a fawning, obsequious
sycophant, was first given to a gluttonous parasite, famous for
his indiscriminate enjoyment and praise of all viands whatever set
before him. To test his powers of stomach and complaisance, one of
his patrons had a _toad_ cooked and set before him, which he both
ate and praised in his usual way.--Ogilvie's _Imperial
Dictionary_.]
_Mother Shipton._--We have all heard of Mother Shipton and her
prophecies. Was she a real character? If so, where did she live, and at
what period? Were her prophecies ever published? If so, I should like an
account of them?