ART. III.-Derivations and Meanings of Words.

Fib: fob: fable: fabrication: fiction: flam.

The Latins must have had, originally, a word answering to our fib: since the diminutive of it remains in fibula, a buckle or clasp. From faba, a bean, we have fabula, a fable or tale: and possibly also fibula; the spelling being changed along with the use, as is the case in so many words of our own.

The bean is a double leguminous seed, the two parts of which, corresponding in form and size, might naturally suggest the name for the little double fastening for the cloak or shoe: and this duplicity, and the use of the thing, carried into abstract speech, may have given its name to the fable. The fib, then, is a double in speech, to conceal an evil intention; and the fable another, of a more honourable character, to second a good one. The moral, which could not with prudence be directly enforced, was thus conveyed under cover of an amusing parable (which every one interpreted for himself) to the conscience or understanding of the hearer. See on this head 'The influence of the Apologue,' in Vol. 2, p. 362 of this work.

The fob, on a like principle, is the pocket for the watch or money, which is fibbed, (doubled in and concealed) in the small-clothes: and this, together with the button or clasp, is literally a fabrication of the workman (faber Lat.) But in abstract or figurative speech, we apply this term to productions of the pen; such especially as serve an occasional or temporary purpose, in deceiving individuals, or the public. The fiction (from fingo, Lat. I feign, or form with the fingers) may claim a better origin, along with the fable: and well-conducted, be not only innocent, but instructive and useful. The prince of all the writers of fiction is, certainly, our Fellow Christian John Bunyan.

The farce (in common, not theatrical speech) is an absurd fiction, put together out of heterogeneous parts; the lies being as distinguishable in it as are the plums in a pudding or sausage, farcimen Lat. : from farcio, I cram.

Now for the flam-which Johnson calls a cant word of no certain etymology.' I wonder, though, he should not have found its Etymon, in the word which stands next but one below it, flame! Flams or flim-flams' (as a certain D'Israeli calls them, who very unfairly put some of my own novelties in the list; an offence, however, which I have forgiven him) are false lights, held out to impose on the reading world; as dishonest people have been thought to serve vessels, on a coast with which the Captain supposes himself acquainted; that they may become wrecks for their plunder. The best preventive of delusion, by these and other fabrications and forgeries, is the sober and right education of the people-the higher classes (who need it much) as well as the lower.

Flatter: fawn: fleer: fascinate.

The first of these is mere French, and came to us, undoubtedly, along with the practice: which is so like that of doing the laundress's office to linen, with a smoothing iron, that I should not doubt the identity of term, as derived from their plat, flat. The instrument of

334

REMARKS ON SCRIPTURE PASSAGES.

and toil) to enter in by faith: lest any man fall sh example of disobedience.'

bad, originails.a word answer ng tay rae fà

mains in fitruila, a book or ge

ong with the use, an

a fable or tale: and seembesar. Sma

Here is an inculcation of the doctrine by thought; by which, and the numerous trap this whole passage of eleven verses become comprehension. But how and by whom preached, or the glad tidings of God's to the Jews under the Mosaic dispe spirit, and by the Rock that foll same yesterday, to-day and for ever Fox, and of Robert Barclay; as their writings: that the inward. in Christ, unto his people, is th alike in all, of the Saint's fai call, that will ever fall sho God. See Apology, Prop Ver. 12. Piercing e and [as] of the joints ar a separating, after a r the covering from th the professor of the and upright, and faulty works; as the want of it. no flaw can be the heart of thought de word, or /

Char

(but v read

Jer

It

nent.

into

ERIVATIONS AND MEANING 34 4040

Fabrication: fiction: flam

Derivations and Meanings of W.

Ji vitu

a side glance u with contempt, as well as an imper

rescue the first of those from the no has egregiously missed his way in Logies in Johnson are, just the same word -not one of which he explains. From this It may very easily have come to denote one mind. The former is, moreover, the Scripture

word,' says Johnson, probably made by chance, and indeed! without Etymology! I should rather have supposed the to have had that origin-which he thus defines: A simplefool natural, I suppose] 'a coxcomb' [a man with too much his head] 'a man of small understanding and much ostentapretender: a man fond of shew, dress and flutter, an impertiWe see how difficult it is, for Learning to get away from itself common-sense! Let us try if we cannot find the root of this weeddenomination. As sop is a toast, or other food siped (this word for wetting gradually, is still in use in some parts of the country; and to sip is to wet the lips and mouth without an effort to swallow) so a man fipped (ephippiatus homo) ephipped, as a horse with his saddle and housings, in the gear of the reigning mode; and with the bridle of fashion too in his mouth, lest he should err in a word, and be pronounced vulgar-or (which is as bad, now) unlike other people : for these beings know no people beyond their own border.

like

sipe,

fop

is

The Learned, weary of their gibes, undoubtedly gave them this denomination—the unlearned vulgar being content to call him they admired a smart fellow; for the meaning of which term see Vol. 1, p. 71, of this work.

Frippery (friperia, Ital:) worthless clothes, may have been derived in this way from the Greek, as well as the former: ephipperia must have been, I think, the original term, and harness the meaning.

Chronological Summary of events and circumstances nected with the origin and progress of the doctrine and practices of the Quakers.

A. D.

Continued from p. 330.

Treaty of Ryswick, followed by peace with France: Friends 1697. address the King upon it.

"A Treaty of peace was concluded at Ryswick this year between England, France, and Holland, whereby the nation was relieved from a long and expensive war, and king William acknowledged by Lewis XIV. as king of Great Britain: who also engaged not to disturb king William in the possession of his realms and government, nor assist his enemies, nor favour conspiracies against his person. Addresses of congratulation hereupon being made or sent up to the king from many quarters, and from most or all other societies of protestants; this society also, in point of gratitude for the religious liberty they now enjoyed, and to testify their satisfaction in the restoration of peace, presented the following address:

"To King William the third, over England, &c.

"The grateful acknowledgment of the People commonly called Quakers, humbly presented.

May it please the king,

Seeing the most high God, who ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and appointeth over them whomsoever he will, hath by his overruling power and providence placed thee in dominion and dignity over these realms, and by his divine favour has signally preserved and delivered thee from many great and imminent dangers, and graciously turned the calamity of war into the desired mercy of peace; we

the flatterer is passed and repassed, with the requisite degree of warmth in it, upon the subject of his discourse; till every fold and wrinkle of repugnance at length gives way, and his purpose is obtained! I know not whether it was for fear of this influence, or because he chose to have no equivoques and ambiguities to encounter, or explain too late, that the severe Cromwell preferred to negotiate in Latin: but certain it is that the adoption of that Language, for their notes and 'protocols,' would put the several nations of the civilized world more on a par in their diplomacy, than they have been heretofore. In fanning, it is more the tone and manner than what is said: the favourite (or she who would be such) behaves as does the pet-deer (faon Fr.) to the

mistress who feeds it.

To fleer, I suppose, is to off-leer. We have a pretty numerous list of words, which seem to have this beginning, concealed in the F; denoting things or qualities to be avoided, or rejected-terms of vituperation and contempt. Leer is a Saxon word, denoting a side glance with an eye somewhat evil: which, sufficiently mixed with contempt, might serve to repulse an honest and civil adviser, as well as an impertinent.

Fool: fop: fellow.

I am afraid I shall not be able to rescue the first of those from the definition of one fallen a man who has egregiously missed his way in conduct. The different etymologies in Johnson are, just the same word in three other languages-not one of which he explains. From this meaning, originally, it may very easily have come to denote one naturally weak in mind. The former is, moreover, the Scripture

sense of the term.

nent.'

Fop. A word,' says Johnson, probably made by chance, and therefore without Etymology! I should rather have supposed the thing itself to have had that origin-which he thus defines: A simpleton' [the fool natural, I suppose] 'a coxcomb' [a man with too much put on his head] ‘a man of small understanding and much ostentation: a pretender: a man fond of shew, dress and flutter, an impertiWe see how difficult it is, for Learning to get away from itself into common-sense! Let us try if we cannot find the root of this weedlike denomination. As sop is a toast, or other food siped (this word sipe, for wetting gradually, is still in use in some parts of the country; and to sip is to wet the lips and mouth without an effort to swallow) so fop is a man fipped (ephippiatus homo) ephipped, as a horse with his saddle and housings, in the gear of the reigning mode; and with the bridle of fashion too in his mouth, lest he should err in a word, and be pronounced vulgar—or (which is as bad, now) unlike other people: for these beings know no people beyond their own border.

The Learned, weary of their gibes, undoubtedly gave them this denomination-the unlearned vulgar being content to call him they admired a smart fellow; for the meaning of which term see Vol. 1, p. 71, of this work.

Frippery (friperia, Ital:) worthless clothes, may have been derived in this way from the Greek, as well as the former: ephipperia must have been, I think, the original term, and harness the meaning.

ART. I.-A Chronological Summary of events and circumstances connected with the origin and progress of the doctrine and practices of the Quakers.

A. D.

Continued from p. 330.

Treaty of Ryswick, followed by peace with France: Friends 1697. address the King upon it.

"A Treaty of peace was concluded at Ryswick this year between England, France, and Holland, whereby the nation was relieved from a long and expensive war, and king William acknowledged by Lewis XIV. as king of Great Britain: who also engaged not to disturb king William in the possession of his realms and government, nor assist his enemies, nor favour conspiracies against his person. Addresses of congratulation hereupon being made or sent up to the king from many quarters, and from most or all other societies of protestants; this society also, in point of gratitude for the religious liberty they now enjoyed, and to testify their satisfaction in the restoration of peace, presented the following address:

"To King William the third, over England, &c.

"The grateful acknowledgment of the People commonly called Quakers, humbly presented.

May it please the king,

Seeing the most high God, who ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and appointeth over them whomsoever he will, hath by his overruling power and providence placed thee in dominion and dignity over these realms, and by his divine favour has signally preserved and delivered thee from many great and imminent dangers, and graciously turned the calamity of war into the desired mercy of peace; we