"The father's fact condemns the son to die."

It is possible that doom by dint of sword may mean, to be executed by
dint of sword; that is, on the son. The _doom_ in the Scotch court, in
the _Heart of Mid Lothian_, is not the verdict, but the punishment.

Immediately before, we have this passage, also described as
unintelligible:--

"_King._ Did not your selves, in presence, see the bondes sealde
and assignde?

"_Lo._ What tho my lord, the _vardits own_, the titles doth resign.

"_King._ The bond is broke, and I will sue the fine."

I see no emendation for this but the _vardits own_ to mean, "the party
who has the verdict in his favour," and the speech to be a question. The
King tries to persuade himself that there is, _ipso facto_, no room for
forgiveness. Lovel answers, upon the principle of the rule of law, "Qui
vis potest renunciare juri pro se introducto."

C.B.

* * * * *

FOLK LORE.

_Merry-Lwyd._--My attention has been called to an inquiry in No. 11. p.