Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 1.djvu/158

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NOTES ANt) QUftfilES. [9* s. i. iw id,

July. At the latest reference a correspondent writes on a suggested verbal alteration, with absolute disregard of the fact that what he justly calls " the often-quoted passage " is not, as quoted, to be found in Shakspeare. It is unreasonable to complain that the suggestion does not elucidate the passage, since, with all its pretension, it approaches nonsense so nearly as to baffle elucidation ; but the pas- sage as written by Shakspeare is, notwith- standing its greater length and its illustrative metaphor, so unpretentious as to need none. All will agree with B. H. L. that "it is not easy to see why a small piece of nature should make the whole world kin." Most will agree with Ulysses that the appreciation of brilliant novelty is one little oit of nature that is common to all mankind.

There is no need to enter on the ultimate meaning of the word " touch " ; it has been treated by experts. I find the expression "a touch of irony" used under 'Shak- speariana' in the number of *N. & Q.' in which the reply of B. H. L. appears. B. H. L. might see PROF. SKEAT'S note at 6 th S. xi. 396, with references to his further treatment of the subject elsewhere, and MR. SPENCE'S note at 8 th S. xi. 423.

If the Editor will bear with me, I will take this opportunity to remark, with regard to my gratification at finding that the latter gentleman expressed himself to the same effect that I had done (8 th S. x. 22), that I had no intention of conveying that what I called a paraphrase was a conscious one. I fear that, using the saying in its ordinary sense, I joke with difficulty. At the same time I demur to the retaliatory imputation of foolishly stepping where the wiser would fear to tread. I am under the impression that the Editor is tolerant of any suggestions of his correspondents, as his correspondents are invariably satisfied with his decisions. But were his hands in need of strengthening, it would, I think, be rather for the purpose of rejection than reception. KILLIGREW.

I think it is to PROF. SKEAT that we owe the explanation that " touch " in this passage means "defect" or "bad trait," from con- fusion with the once common word tache (see ' N. & Q.,' 6 th S. xi. 396). But, in despite of this high authority, I cannot feel that this solution of the difficulty is entirely satis- factory. Shakespeare, unlike his contem- porary Spenser, was not addicted to the use of archaisms. Modernity, as understood in Elizabethan days, was reflected strongly in his writings. If he had meant to say defect or blemish, I believe he would have made use

of plain English, and not employed an obsolete French word. " One natural blemish " would have served as well as " one touch of nature." My idea, which I put forward " with all re- serve," is that "touch" is used by Shake- speare in the common signification of test, as we find it in the "touch" of the Assay Department of the Mint or in the word " touchstone." The poet, I take it, means to say that the kinship of mankind can be tested in one natural way, through their unanimity in praising new-born gawds, &c. This ex- planation would apply with equal force to the "natural touch* in ' Macbeth,' IV. ii. 9, although in that passage the nature of man- kind is tested by one of its finest attributes instead of, as in the passage under reference, by one of its salient weaknesses. And in this case the "wisdom of the many" has rejected the right interpretation, ana given to the " wit of one " a proverbial force which it was not originally designed to bear.

W. F. PRIDEAUX.

We need not read tache for "touch" or marks for "makes." We use "touch" thus commonly enough in such phrases as "He did not show the least touch of anger," or " All you want is a touch of common sense." As to " makes," that is easy enough too, and so is "all the world." The whole simply means that the smallest or slightest feeling of sympathy common to any number of people brings them together sets them at ease : this principle acts through the world.

C. F. S. WARREN, M.A.

Longford, Coventry.

"WINGED SKYE" (9 th S. i. 6, 75). The editor of ' The Oxford Scott ' may care to be referred to 'History and Traditions of the Isle of Skye,' by Alexander Cameron of Lochmaddy. There does not seem room for the shadow of a doubt that Scott wrote the line as it stands in the texts issued between 1815 and 1834 :

Both barks, in secret arm'd and mann'd,

From out the haven bore ; On different voyage forth they ply, This for the coast of winged Skye,

And that for Erin's shore.

When Scott sojourned at Dunvegan he would undoubtedly hear the poetical name given, " the derivation of which," says Cameron, " is somewhat obscure ; but that it is so called from its winged formation (sgiath in Gaelic signifying wing) is most probable."

A SCOT.

I am not MR. KOBERTSON'S critic, but I may perhaps be permitted to call attention to the tact that Buchanan alludes to this designa-