une personne d'un rang inférieur."

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_,
_mystérieux_, 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.