r,--In your Sixth Number, p. 93, J.E.M. wishes to know whence the
motto, "Si quis amicum absentum rodere delectat," &c. is taken.

Allow me to refer your correspondent to Horace, Sat. I. iv. 81 sqq.

"Absentem qui rodit amicum,
Qui non defendit, alio culpante,
* * * * *
hic niger est, hanc tu, Romane, caveto."

The inscription would seem to be but an adaptation of Horace's maxim.

C.B.B.

_Political Maxim--when first used._

The political maxim, or phrase, inquired after by C. is Burke's. It
occurs in his celebrated _Thoughts on the Cause of the present
Discontent_, published in 1770, in the course of his defence of party, a
few pages from the end. A short extract will show the connection in
which it is introduced:--

"No man, who is not inflamed by vain-glory into enthusiasm, can
flatter himself that his single, unsupported, desultory,
unsystematic endeavours are of power to defeat the subtle designs
and united cabals of ambitious citizens. When bad men combine, the
good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied
sacrifice, in a contemptible struggle."

I have some suspicion that the maxim may be found, with probably a
slight variation of expression, repeated in one of Burke's later tracts.
But this is certainly its first appearance.

G.L.C.

Old Brompton, Dec. 8. 1849.

_Annus Trabeationis._

Sir Harris Nicholas, in his _Chronology of History_, p. 4, gives "annus
Trabeationis" as one way in which the year of our Lord is designated in
ancient documents. Would any of your readers favour me with the meaning
of the word Trabeatio?

G.P.

[Our correspondent will find, on referring to Mr. Hampson's useful
work, _Medii AEvi Kalendarium_, vol. ii. s. v. Annus Trabentionis,
"According to Du Cange, this is the year of the crucifixion--'Annus
Trabeationis Christi (annus quo Christus _trabi_ affixus est);' but
according to _L'Art de verifier les Dates_, it is the same as the
year of the Incarnation." Mr. Hampson adds, "the import of the word
is the year of the Crucifixion, and cannot well be reconciled with
that of the Incarnation." But, upon referring to Du Cange, s. v.
_Trabeatio_, our correspondent will find that Du Cange regards it
as the year of the Incarnation--"_Trabeatio_ autem, non a _trabe_,
qua Crux intelligi posset, sed