g "of the beech tree." Fagan, I presume, is as undoubtedly from
the Latin "de fago," "of the beech tree."

The approximation of sound in these names is sufficiently evident. That the
letters C and G have been commonly convertible between the Latin and Saxon
is without doubt. Query: Have B and F been at all used convertibly? Or can
any of your readers, by any other means, strengthen the probability, or
prove the truth, of my conjecture?

NOCAB.

_Blunder_.--What is the origin of this word? In Woolston's _First Discourse
on Miracles_ (Lond. 1729), at p 28., I find this passage:--

"In another place he intimates what are meant by oxen and sheep, viz.,
the literal sense of the Scriptures. And if the literal sense be
irrational and nonsensical, the metaphor we must allow to be proper,
inasmuch as nowadays dull and foolish and absurd stuff we call _Bulls_,
_Fatlings_, and _Blunders_."

This would seem to imply that in Woolston's days _blunder_ was the name of
some animal; but in no dictionary have I been able to find such a
signification attributed to it. The Germans use the words _bock_ and
_pudel_ in the same sense as our word _blunder_.

C. W. G.

_Prince of Wales' Feathers._--The establishment of "DE NAVORSCHER" is a
matter of great importance to all students of our early history, and the
liberal mention of its projectors, to bring under the notice of their
countrymen all Queries likely to be answered by them, is one calculated to
clear up many obscure points in our early history. Sir H. Nicolas concludes
his valuable papers on the Badge and Mottoes of the Prince of Wales
(_Archaeologia_, vol. xxxi. p. 372.) by expressing his belief that both the
former, namely, _the Feathers_, and the mottoes, "_Ich Dien_" and
"_Houmout_," were derived from the House of Hainault, possibly from the
Comte of Ostrevant, which formed the appanage of the eldest sons of the
Counts of that province. Perhaps I may be allowed, through your columns, to
invite the attention of the correspondents of "DE NAVORSCHER" to this
point.

EFFESSA.

_Portrait of Ben Jonson._--Ritson, the well-known antiquary, possessed an
original painting of Ben Jonson. It was afterwards purchased by W.
Fillingham, Esq., of the Inner Temple, a gentleman well known for his love
of the early drama; and whilst in his possession it was engraved by Ridley
in 8vo. What has become of the painting? Can any of your readers point out
its locality at the