etymology is required is ARDMACHA[16], and not _Armagh._ What would
be thought of the critic who would now attempt to investigate the
etymology of the English word _bishop_, by dividing it into two
syllables, and seeking analogies in sound for each syllable.

I have ventured to go at greater length into this matter than its
importance may seem to warrant, because it illustrates so clearly a
very general error, from which Celtic literature has deeply suffered,
of inventing fanciful etymologies adapted to the modern English
spellings, instead of the original Celtic forms of names; and this
error, as the question before us proves, is as old as Camden's time,
and older.

J.H. TODD.

Trin. Coll. Dublin, Feb. 2, 1850.

[16] Those who have access to Colgan's _Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniæ_ will see that he always spells Armagh, _Ardmacha_;
and Durrow, _Durmugia_.

* * * * *{265}

WILLIAM BASSE AND HIS POEMS.

I read with great pleasure MR. COLLIER'S interesting paper on "William
Basse and his Poems," inserted in your 13th Number. Very little is
known of this once popular poet, but it is very desirable that that
little should be collected together, which cannot be better effected
than through the friendly system of inter-communication established by