curiously enough, the correct
etymology of the last syllable) is identical with _Dearmach_ (where
the last syllable ought to be _magh_). This latter place is the
well-known Durrow, in the county Westmeath; and its name, in Irish,
is _Duir-magh_, which is really a compound from _magh_, a plain. Bede
tells us, that the word signified, in the Scottish language, _Campus
roborum_ (see Bede, _Hist. Eccl._ lib. iii. c. 4.); but Adamson (_Vit.
Columbae_, c. 39.) more correctly translates it, "monasterium _Roboreti
Campi_." It is not likely that such authorities could confound Durrow,
in Westmeath, with the ecclesiastical metropolis of Ireland, and
patriarchal see of St. Patrick.

Whoever the Mach or Macha was from whom Ardmacha has its name
(whether the queen called Macha-mong-ruadh, whose reign is assigned
by O'Flaherty to A.M. 3603, or the older Macha, who is said to be the
wife of Nemedius), it should be borne in mind, that the word whose
etymology is required is ARDMACHA[16], and not _Armagh._ What would
be thought of the critic who would now attempt to investigate the
etymology of the English word _bishop_, by dividing it into two
syllables, and seeking analogies in sound for each syllable.

I have ventured to go at greater length into this matter than its
importance may seem to warrant, because it illustrates so clearly a
very general error, from which Celtic literature has deeply suffered,
of inventing fanciful etymologies adapted to the modern English
spellings, instead of the original Celtic forms of names; and this
error, as the question before us proves, is as old as Camden's time,
and older.

J.H. TODD.

Trin. Coll. Dublin, Feb. 2, 1850.

[16] Those who have access to Colgan's _Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae_ will see that he always spells Armagh, _Ardmacha_;
and Durrow, _Durmugia_.

* * * * *{265}

WILLIAM BASSE AND HIS POEMS.

I read with great pleasure MR. COLLIER'S interesting paper on "William
Basse and his Poems," inserted in your 13th Number. Very little is
known of this once popular poet, but it is very desirable that that
little should be collected together, which cannot be better effected
than through the friendly system of inter-communication established by
your valuable journal.

From my limited researches upon this subject, it appears that there
were two poets of the name of William Basse. Anthony Wood (_Athen.
Oxon._, edit. Bliss. iv. 222.) speaks of o