to Offa, King of Mercia. The son of Charlemagne demanded the daughter of
Offa in marriage, who refused his consent, unless his own son should
receive the hand of Bertha, the daughter of the French king. Charles, in
consequence, inhibited the subjects of Offa from trading on the French
coast. This inhibition was, however, withdrawn through the mediation of
the Abbot Gervoldus, who seems to have been in great favour with
Charles.

I need hardly say, that throughout the chronicle there is a tolerable
sprinkling of the marvellous. {487} I give you the following as a
warning to all dishonest bell-founders.

The pious builder of a church being desirous, according to custom, of
putting a bell in the turret, engaged a skillful craftsman to carry into
effect his design. This man, "at the instigation of the devil," stole
some of the metal with which he had been furnished for the work; and the
bell was, in consequence, mis-shapen and of small size. It was, however,
placed in the turret; but, as a divine punishment for his crime,
whenever the bell was struck, the dishonest founder was thereupon seized
with frenzy, uttering strange words and barking like a dog!

GASTROS.

* * * * *

ORIGIN OF THE WORD "NEWS."

I have great respect for "Mr. SAMUEL HICKSON," but I cannot treat his
derivation of the word "News" with any respect (No. 27. p. 428.). I wish
"Mr. HICKSON" had been a little more modest in his manner of propounding