Jottings on a hasty perusal of Talbot’s Etymologies

Article July and August. The Summer Solstice is in June, not in July

Austria, is Ost (East) and Reich (Jurisdiction). The Eastern Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire being removed thither from Constantinople.

Does not the German name for Italy, Walahland, signify valley land? and is not this the signification of Italy itself; the ‘tal’ being ‘thal,’ and the modern German name ‘Italien’ being the plural of ‘thal’ namely, dales or valleys,

‘As for Italy’s dales

And its high sounding Vales.’

Old song.

Pint and Pound the same. else ‘Pound’ an enclosure or fold, the same as Pen, a fold. Shippon, I make to be a contraction of Sheep pen, being probably so used formerly, though employed also for Cows, and now understood in the sense only of a Byer or house for Milk Cows.

Is Acid not the commencing syllable of Cider Citron, Citric &c?

Hawk, is it connected with ‘Aug,’ and eye? Is the ‘Eye’ not so named from its resemblance in shape to Ei the German for egg? And is not ‘Aug’ the ege, our Egg?

The Ancients were accustomed to name the metals from the Planets, as Quicksilver from Mercury, Silver, from the Moon, Luna, hence Lunar Caustic, which is Nitrate & Silver: &c. Iron from Mars, hence ‘Martial Pyrates’ (Sulphuret of Iron) Literally ‘fire stone Iron’ from its being observed to smoke when heated. Saturn (2) from Lead (1); hence a Saturnine, that is a heavy or leaden disposition –

Is not Blade from ‘Blat’ a leaf, as Cabbage blade –

Has not ‘Ale’ some relation to Il. Oil, in the sense of Fire, as Brandwein ‘burning wine’ and in the same way that the N. American Indians term all spirits or fermented liquors ‘Fire water.’

Is Anneal, to unite by means of fire, related to Ill. fire?

Are Coffin, Coffer, related to ‘Cover,’?

Is Pyramid not derived from Fire, flame assuming a pyramidal figure

A horse’s ‘Score at Grass,’ is I presume his scour here and there over the pasturage. Are wedded and welded the same? Is Coping or headstone related to the German Kopf Has Business any relation to besoin, soin, &c? Or Booth (a tent) to Boutique, or to Both, a house.

Is Sty, (the welsh for House) the same that is in Pig sty. Wynnstay, the seat of Sir Watkin W Wynn ^<1>

Casque, a case = käst (German.)

Ove, old English for town, as in Coventry Daventry Convent Town Davestown

Ire maddock Barotry Waverton &c

Couchgrass, a corruption of <illegible>, quick grass some places called scotch grass

Klaver, hence I suppose Palavar

Serres, hence serrated, clawed, or peaked mountain

Is wedded from Welded?

Are Coffin Coffer, related to lover

Pier= pyre you say – Is Pyr in Pyramid not fire, flame assuming the pyramidal form.

Pray excuse haste and this I fear unintelligible scrawl and do not be at the trouble to owe the receipt of it.

E. Steele.

Liverpool

April 8, 1847

H. Fox Talbot Esq
London.

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Notes:

1. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 5th Baronet (1772–1840), politician.