J.E.

Oxford, October 23. 1850.


_Cheshire Cat._--Will some of your correspondents explain the origin of
the phrase, "grinning like a Cheshire cat?" The ingenious theory of
somebody, I forget who, that Cheshire is a county palatine, and that the
cats, when they think of it, are so tickled that they can't help
grinning, is not _quite_ satisfactory to

K.I.P.B.T.


_Mrs. Partington._--Where may I find the original Mrs. Partington, whose
maltreatment of the Queen's English maketh the newspapers so witty and
merry in these dull days?

IGNORANS.


_Cognation of the Jews and Lacedemonians._--In the 12th chapter of the
1st Book of Maccabees the letter of Jonathan, the High Priest, to the
Lacedemonians is given, in which he claims their amity. This is followed
by a letter of Arcus, the Spartan king, in answer, and which contains
this assertion:

"It is found in writing that the Lacedemonians and Jews are
brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham."