EXTRACT FROM THE ADDRESS OF DR. CYPRESS, ON TAKING THE ETYMOLOGICAL CHAIR IN THE NEW COL LEGE. [Published by desire of the class.] "ETYMOLOGY," says Jeremy Bentham, "is an essential and useful branch of philology. It supposes an acquaintance with the philosophy of the human mind, with the analogies which form and distinguish each language, with the history of mankind, philosophical, religious, and political. It furnishes the readiest and most effectual means to acquire the knowledge of language, and as language is but the dress of our ideas, it holds up a mirror to delineate and reflect the operations of the human mind." Most authentic art thou, O Jeremy! and whoso readeth with a right spirit, he shall be edified. But all are not true believers. The scepticism and bad taste of this rail road age reject faith, and cry out for demonstration. This is near at hand for the learned caviler; Heaven help the common herd, that cannot comprehend a thing when it is made manifest unto them. We, be it lamented, have got to fight a fight against them. Ay, such is the jealous suspicion of the vulgar world, that in the prosecution of these sublime meditations, we must prepare to combat the prejudices and objections of many a Zoilus, and be solemn as well as earnest, lest they who never studied astrology or magical harmonies, should esteem us to be triflers. Let me remark to these last menVOL. II.-13 tioned, miserable individuals, that, sinful, they are plunged into the same gall of bitterness which drowned the wits of the would-be-wise men, who denied to Columbus a western continent; that they are obligors upon the same bond of iniquity with the phil-agnosiasts who doubted the circulation of the blood, or the efficacy of vaccination, or who now, impious! shake their profane heads at Captain Symnes and Dædalian Mr. Bennett. But instead of railing, I should be studious [whispers discretion] of submissive and alluring speech-ad mulcendos animos -for engaging the favor of the ignorant, whom I would enlighten. In accordance with this presumption, let me, with deep deference, submit, that the dignity of etymological pursuits is proved by their antiquity, and the character of their patrons. Herodotus records, that one Samuel Metticus, an ancient king of Egypt, who had a vigorous taste for philosophy, and who would certainly, had he lived in our age, have invented steamboats, and discovered "the" perpetual motion; being desirous to ascertain what language was the earliest, caused two infants to be taken from their mother's breasts, and confined in a solitary hut, where no human voice might reach them; very justly and sagaciously determining that if ever they agreed to talk, it would be in the language of nature, and consequently, in that of the first inhabitants of the world. • Ταυτα δ' εποιετο και ενετέλλετο ο ψαμματικος," or as it is rendered in Dr. Parr's translation, "these things commanded princely Sam." The babes continued so long mute, that the king began to doubt the wisdom of his theory, when wonderful to be told! one morning upon the entrance of his servants to feed them with their accustomed meal of goat's milk, the little infants fell upon their knees-Βεκος εφωνεον ορεκοντα τας χειρας—and, with uplifted hands, cried out "Bekos." Now had the king understood English, he might readily have perceived that BEKOs is by apocope Bek and by paragoge BEKKI, or, in our vernacular, Bekky; and what could "Bekky" mean, but a nurse, or servant girl -a being for whom the unprotected state of the little innocents languished! And what is consequent, but that there is a truth in the doctrine of innate ideas, and that one of the first we entertain is the sense of imbecility; and that, when infants, we must be attended by a servant maid, or by synedoche-a Bekky, which is a sort of generic term for the whole tribe? Or Bεkos indeed, when evolved from juvenile gums, with the emollient lubricity of an infant lisp, might fall upon auriculars sufficiently philological, as a well-defined outcry for breakfast—an exclamation extremely natural for hungry children, and quite common even at the present day. But both these cogent explications were strangers to Sam. Metticus, whose library had not been furnished with Webster's Universal, and therefore knew not English undefiled; and he finding the oracular word to signify bread in some other language, the question was settled to the infinite detriment and damage of our mother tongue. Shakspeare had a very proper idea of the importance of these pursuits, when he made Hamlet, that courtier, scholar and soldier, answer to an inquiry of what he studied, "words, words, words." The Jewish Rabbins employed themselves in analysing the words of the Old Testament, well convinced that every one contained in it a law or a prophecy. It would be "wasteful and ridiculous excess," to enumerate all the syllabic and literary philosophers, who have spent their lives in settling the meaning and orthodoxy of words. The simple proverb, "verbum sapienti," will put the dignity of the profession beyond a doubt. "A word for the wise" -evidently intending, that it is for wise men alone, to comment on and quarrel about obscure expressions. We have, therefore, assumed a weighty responsibility, in putting on the whole armor of an etymologist, and we must be strong, and brave, and bold to sustain ourselves in that glorious company of knights-noscent, who have consecrated themselves to the overthrow of delusion. But do not fear for me, my gentle pupil, I have fought for a word before now. I know the temper of my weapon,, and not without confidence have I plunged into black blood. Let us now rush "in medias res. bites the dust, and error gives up Mark how obscurity the ghost. The poet very truly and happily sings, "The man that hath not music in his sole, Now, the vulgar editions have so arranged the last word in the first line of this triplet, as to make the poet require every man to keep a music book under his ribs, and that his soul should be no better than a wind instrument ! Here has been grievous misconception, and here is our vocation exalted. The discriminating antiquary and judicious critic, who is aware of the constant corruption of language, who understands the analogy of words, and is familiar with the manners and customs of nations, will perceive, upon a little reflection, that the poet, in reality, refers to the custom of dancing with musical instruments attached to the feet; having in his eye, no doubt, the concluding couplet of Herrick's beautiful little epicedium on the death of Mrs. Malaprop : "With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, With this explanation the author's meaning is apparent. Not Psyche, nor alma, nor the old fashioned English soul was in his thought. He is the eulogist of saltation, merely, and superinducent melody. The man, says he,-translated into prose, who is too Cassius-like to dance, who confesses not the bewilderment and strong compulsion of a tinkling foot, is fit for treason, and all those other things afterwards above mentioned. With what exceeding beauty is the passage invested, by this integration! 66 Again: It is well settled among Latin scholars, that the word "Lucus," a gloomy grove, derives its name, a non lucendo ;"—that is to say, it is called a bright and cheerful region, because it is black and dark as Erebus. What light is thrown, by this example, upon the obscurity of that beautiful, but much abused line, "My wound is great because it is so small ?" Nothing could be more quaintly, yet more naturally conceived. By the same rationale, my reverend Hellenian professor derived the word plough from the Greek verb pleyw—to burn -because we do not put fiery horses to the aforesaid agricultural chariot. But instead of multiplying minor instances, to magnify the excellence of our studies, let me call you to the contemplation of one great example, which will afford us all the argument and illustration we can desire. Listen and you shall be edified by the discussion of a much agitated verse of Shakspeare, a compilation of the various readings, and a criticism, modest and conclusive, upon them all. It is no more than justice to that respectable dramatist, that this matter should be settled. It shall be settled now; and I invoke the shades of Theobald and Dr. Johnson, whom I think I see in the midst of you, to |