"This is no world to play with _mammets_, or to tilt with lips."--_Henry IV._ (First Part), Act II. Sc. 3.
As both Dr. Johnson, the Rev. Ch. Trench, and many others, agree that _mammet_ means "puppet," why not derive this word from the French _marmot_, which means a puppet.--Can any of the readers of the "N. & Q." give me a few examples to strengthen my supposition?
_Non-recurring Diseases._--Among the many diseases to which humanity is subject, there are some which we are all supposed to have once, and but once, in our lifetime. Is this an unquestioned fact? and if so, has anything like a satisfactory explanation of it been offered?
_Warville._--There being no _w_ in the French language, whence did Brissot de Warville derive the latter word of his name?
_Dr. Doddridge._--A poem entitled "To my Wife's Bosom," and beginning
"Open, open, lovely breast, Let me languish into rest!"
occasionally appears with the name of the Rev. Dr. Doddridge as the author. Is it his?
_Pelasgi._--In an article which appeared some time ago in Hogg's _Instructor_, Thomas de Quincey, speaking of the Pelasgi, characterises them as a race sorrowful beyond conception.--What is known of their history to lead to this inference?
_Huc's Travels._--I was lately told, I think on the authority of a writer in the _Gardener's Chronicle_, that the travels of Messrs. Huc and Gabet in Thibet, Tartary, &c., was a pure fabrication, concocted by some Parisian _littérateur_. Can any of your readers confirm or refute this statement?
_The Mousehunt._--I should feel much obliged to any reader of "N. & Q." who would refer me to any mention of in print, or give me any information from his own personal experience, respecting a small animal of the weasel tribe called the mousehunt, an animal apparently but little known; it is scarcely half the size of the common weasel, and of a pale mouse-colour. It is said to be well known in Suffolk, whence, however, after some trouble, I have been unsuccessful in obtaining a specimen; young stoats or weasels having been sent me instead of it. I could not find a specimen in the British Museum. Some years ago I saw two in Glamorganshire; one escaped me; the other had been killed by a ferret, but unfortunately I neglected to preserve it. Near the same spot last year a pair of them began making their nest, but being disturbed by some workmen employed in clearing out the drain in which they had ensconced themselves, were lost sight of and escaped.