_Derivation of News._--P.C.S.S. has read with great interest the various
observations on the derivation of the word "News" which have appeared in
the "NOTES AND QUERIES," and especially those of the learned and
ingenious Mr. Hickson. He ventures, however, with all respect, to differ
from the opinion expressed by that gentleman in Vol. i., p. 81., to the
effect that--
"In English, there is no process known by which a noun plural
can be formed from an adjective, without the previous formation
of the singular in the same sense."
P.C.S.S. would take the liberty of reminding Mr. H. of the following
passage in the _Tempest_:--
"When that is gone,
He shall drink nought but brine, for I'll not show him
Where the quick freshes lie."
Surely, in this instance, the plural noun "freshes" is not formed from
any such singular noun as "_fresh_," but directly from the adjective,
which latter does not seem to have been ever used as a singular _noun_.
While on the subject of "News," P.C.S.S. finds in Pepys' _Diary_ (vol.
iii. p. 59.) another application of the word, in the sense of a noun
singular, which he does not remember to have seen noticed by others.
"Anon, the coach comes--in the meantime, there coming a _news_
thither, with his horse to come over."
In other parts of the _Diary_, the word _News-book_ is occasionally
employed to signify what is now termed a newspaper, or, more properly, a
bulletin. For instance (vol. iii. p. 29.), we find that--
"This _News-book_, upon Mr. Moore's showing L'Estrange Captain
Ferrers's letter, did do my Lord Sandwich great right as to the
late victory."
And again (at p. 51.):
"I met this noon with Dr. Barnett, who told me, and I find in
the _News-book_ this week, that he posted upon the 'Change,'"
&c. &c.
Much has been lately written in the "NOTES AND QUERIES" respecting the
"Family of Love." A sect of a similar name existed here in 1641, and a
full and not very decent description of their rites and orgies is to be
found in a small pamphlet of that date, reprinted in the fourth volume
(8vo. ed.) of the _Harleian Miscellany_.