ddle by a rider who did not possess the more
modern dress.

P.H.F.

Amongst the bequests to the Clothworkers' Company of London is one by
Barbara Burnell, by will dated 27th June, 1630, wherein she directs
the company to bestow 4l. 6s. yearly in woollen cloth to make six
waistcoats and six _safeguards_ for six poor women.[17]

Also we find that John Skepworth, by will dated 17th Oct. 1678, gave
two closes of land to the parish of Louth, to the intent that the
churchwardens and overseers of the poor there should apply the rents
and profits of the same in providing so much coarse woollen cloth as
would make ten suits yearly to be given to ten poor people of Louth,
the men to have coats and breeches, and the women to have waistcoats
and _safeguards_.[18] {268}

If "BURIENSIS" has a friend belonging to the Clothworkers' Company, it
is probable that he will acquire much information on this subject from
their old records.

H. EDWARDS.

[17] Reports from the Commissioners of Charities b. 235. 32nd
part 4.--696.

[18] Ibid.

_Derivation of "Calamity"_ (No. 14. p. 215.)--"Calamity" is from
the Latin _calamitas_, from _calamus_ a straw or stalk of corn,
signifying, 1st, the agricultural misfortune of the corn being beaten
down or laid by a storm; and thence, any other trouble or disaster:--

"Ipsa egreditur nostri fundi _calamitas_."

Ter. _Eun_. i. 1.

Upon which the commentator in the Delph. ed. has this note:--

"_Calamitas_ est grando et tempestas, quae calamos segetum
prosternit et conterit. Unde Cicero Verrem vocat '_calamitosam
tempestatem_.'"

Ainsworth, quoting the above passage from Terence, adds:--

"Ubi Donatus. Proprie _calamitatem_ rustici vocant quod
comminuat _calamum_; h.e. culmen et segetem."

The etymology of its synonym, "_disaster_," is more direct--[Greek:
dhus hasthaer], a star of evil influence, or, as we say, "born under
an ill planet."

[Greek: Philologos]

Forcellini, _s.v. Calamitas_, says:--

"Proprie significat imminutionem clademque calamorum segetis,
quae grandine vel impetuoso aliquo turbine aut alia quapiam de
causa fit."

He then quotes Servius, _Ad Georg_, i. 151:--

"Robigo genus est vitii, quo culmi pereunt, quod a rusticanis
calamitas dicitur."

Then follows the note of Donatus on Ter. _Eun_. i. 1. 34.

It appears to me, if "_calamitas_" were derived from _calamus_, it
would mean something very differen