Worcester.
* * * * *
Minor Notes.
_Origin of Harlequins._--In a note to his translation of Priscus' "History
of the Embassy sent to Attila by Theodosius the Younger" (_Hist. Civiliz._
app. iii. vol. ii. p. 430., Bogue's edit. European Library), M. Guizot
remarks, alluding to the appearance of Zercho, a Moor, at Attila's feast:
"Is it not singular to find an harlequin at the court of Attila? Yet
such is the origin of these buffoons. The colour of the black slaves,
the strangeness of their face and manners, caused them to be sought
after as excellent ministers of mirth; to complete the singularity,
Zercho asks his wife at the hands of Attila, closely paralleling
Harlequin demanding Columbine."
Is this account of the origin of Harlequins generally acquiesced in? I
should be obliged by any early notice of the character of Harlequin, and
his introduction on the English or any foreign stage.