The word Maggot, from the French _Magot_, means a whim, or a fancy. The
bird "magpie", originally "maggoty-pie," was so called on account of its
whimsical drollery. "A maggoty-pated fellow" is often used to imply a
_whimsical_ man.

I do not trace the word, as applied to a tune, earlier than the end of
the seventeenth century. Before that time, tunes of a similar
description were termed _Fancies_.

If your correspondent F.T.P. wishes to have a copy of the tune from my
volume, he is quite welcome. I append my London address to this Reply,
in order that he may favour me with a communication.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

3. Augustus Square, Park Village East.


_Martello Towers_ (Vol. ii., p. 9. and p. 110.).--The interesting
account of Le Tellier's defence in Corsica, shows clearly what first
drew the attention of our government to these forts but E.V.'s queries
do not yet seem satisfactorily answered. The late Duke of Richmond, it
is said, gave the plan of the first erected along the British Channel.
But as to their name and origin I apprehend that (as in the case of
Charles Martel, whose blows also fell so numberless and effectual on the
heads of enemies, Vol. i., p. 86.) the old Frank word _martel_ is much
more likely to have originated the name than any _locality_, town, or
tower, in either Spain or Corsica and the following extract from Dr.
Robertson's _Life of Charles V._ (bk. c. p. 452., 8vo. ed.) should not