And the same definition is given by Landais (Paris, 4to., 1842), but this does not give the derivation or literal signification of the word “morganatic.”  It is not in Johnson’s Dictionary; but in Smart’s Dictionary Epitomized (Longman and Co., 1840) it is thus given:—­

    “Morganatic, a., applied to the marriage in which a gift in
    the morning is to stand in lieu of dowry, or of all right of
    inheritance, that might otherwise fall to the issue.”

This, however, is inconsistent with the definition of nocturne, mysterieux, for the gift in lieu of dowry would have nothing of mystery in it.

Will some of your correspondents afford, if they can, any reasonable explanation which justifies the application of the word to inferior or left-handed marriages?

G.

    [Will our correspondent accept the following as a satisfactory
    reply?]

Morganatic Marriage (Vol. ii, p. 72.).—­The fairy Morgana was married to a mortal.  Is not this a sufficient explanation of the term morganatic being applied to marriages where the parties are of unequal rank?

S.S.

Gospel of Distaffs.—­Can any reader say where a copy of the Gospel of Distaffs may be accessible?  It was printed by Wynkyn de Worde, and Sir E. Brydges, who describes it, says a complete copy was in Mr. Heber’s library.  A few leaves are found in Bagford’s Collection, Harleian MS. 5919., which only raises the desire to see the whole.  Dibdin’s Ames’ Typography, vol. ii. p. 232., has an account of it.

W. Bell.

       * * * * * {232}

REPLIES.

POETA ANGLICUS.

Every proof or disproof of statements continually made with regard to the extravagant titles assumed, or complacently received, by the bishops of Rome being both interesting and important, the inquiry of J.B. (Vol. ii., p. 167.) is well deserving of a reply.  Speaking of a passage cited by Joannes Andreae, in his gloss on the preface to the Clementines, he asks, “who is the Anglicus Poeta?” and “what is the name of his poem,” in which it is said to the pope, “Nec Deus es nec homo, quasi neuter es inter utrumque?”

“Poetria nova” was the name assigned to the hexameter poem commencing, “Papa stupor mundi,” inscribed, about the year 1200, to the reigning Pope, Innocent III., by Galfridus de Vino salvo.  Of this work several manuscript copies are to be met with in England.  I will refer only to two in the Bodleian, Laud. 850. 83.:  Ken.  Digb. 1665. 64.  Polycarp Leyser (Hist.  Poem. medii AEvi) published it in 1721; and Mabillon has set forth another performance by the same writer in elegiac verse (Vet.  Analect. pp. 369-76., Paris, 1723).  In the latter case the author’s name is not given, and accordingly he is entered merely as “Poeta vetus” in Mr. Dowling’s Notitia Scriptorum SS.  Pat., sc. p. 279., Oxon., 1839.  Your correspondent may compare with Andreae’s extract these lines, and those which follow them, p. 374.: