alogique et Chronologique de la Maison Royale de France,
&c._, tom. viii. p. 537., Paris, 1733; and also to _Livre d'Or de la
Noblesse_, p. 429., Paris, 1847.

CLERICUS (D).

_Oaths of Pregnant Women_ (Vol. v., p. 393.).--Women of the humbler classes
in the British Islands appear to have an objection, when pregnant, to take
an oath. I have not observed any attempt to explain or account for this
prejudice. The same objection exists among the Burmese. Indeed, pregnant
women there are, by long-observed custom, absolved from taking an oath, and
affirm to their depositions, "remembering their pregnant condition." The
reason of this is as follows. The system of Budhism, as it prevails in the
Indo-Chinese countries, consists essentially in the negation of a Divine
Providence. The oath of Budhists is an imprecation of evil on the swearer,
{504} addressed to the innate rewarding powers of nature, animate and
inanimate, if the truth be not spoken. This evil may be instantaneous, as
sudden death from a fit, or from a flash of lightning; the first food taken
may choke the false swearer; or on his way home, a tiger by land, or an
alligator by water, may seize and devour him. I have known an instance of
this occur, which was spoken of by hundreds as a testimony to the truth of
the system. Now it is supposed by Budhists that even an unconscious
departure from truth may rouse jealous nature to award punishment. In the
case of pregnant women this would involve the unborn offspring in the
calamity. Hence women in that condition do not take an oath in Burmah.

PH.

Rangoon.

_Lepel's Regiment_ (Vol. vii., p. 501.).--J. K. may rest assured that no
trace can now be discovered of a regiment thus named, which existed in the
year 1707. I have searched the lists of cavalry and infantry regiments at
the battle of Almanza, fought April 25th of that year, and do not find this
regiment mentioned. May I substitute for "Lepel's" regiment, "Pepper's"
regiment? The colonelcy of that corps, now the 8th Royal Irish Hussars,
became vacant by the fall of Brigadier-General Robert Killigrew at Almanza,
and it was immediately conferred on the lieutenant-colonel of the corps,
John Pepper, who held it until March 23, 1719.

G. L. S.

_Editions of the Prayer Book prior to 1662_ (Vol. vi., pp. 435. 564; Vol.
vii. _passim_).--I have recently met with the following editions, which
have not, I think, been yet recorded in your pages:

1630. folio, London.