_By Hook or by Crook_ (pp. 205, 237. 281. &c.).--In confirmation of this phrase having reference to forest customs, my hind told me that my plantations were plundered by hook or by crook, and he and I once caught a man in _flagrante delicto_, with a hook for cutting green wood, and a crook at the end of a long pole for breaking off dry branches, which could not be otherwise reached. For an early use of the term, see Bacon's _Fortress of the Faithful_, 1550.
"Whatsoever is pleasant or profitable must be theirs by hook or by crook."
_Tablet to Napoleon._--Will it assist "EMDEE's" interpretation of the inscription to Napoleon (No. 17 p. 262.) if I suggest that it may mean--Ægyptiaco bis, Italico semper invicto?
_Lines on Pharaoh_ (No. 19. p. 298.).--I beg to inform "J.T.," that the well-known _couplet_ about Pharaoh, and _rascal_ rhyming to _pascal_, are from a certain _History of the Bible_, or _Bible History_, by the Rev. Dr. Zachary Boyd, of Todrig, who was either Principal or Professor of Divinity at Glasgow in the seventeenth century.
He left considerable property to the College there, on condition that his bust should be placed in the quadrangle, and his great work printed under the care of the Academical Senatus. The bust was placed accordingly, and is, or lately was, to be seen in a niche over the inner doorway. The _History_ was also printed, it is said, but never published. However, curious visitors have always, I believe, been allowed a peep into it--whether the MS. or the solitary printed book, I am not sure--and a few choice morsels are current. I recollect one stave of the lamentation of Jonah--
"Lord! what a doleful place is this! There's neither coal nor candle; And nothing I but fishes' tripes And greasy guts do bandle."
I think it a shame that the Maitland Club of Glasgow has not, ere now, volunteered an edition of Zachary's immortal performance. The _Senatus_ would hardly object (if the expense were undertaken), as the circulation would be confined to true Scots.
[The following communication from a very competent authority, and the very passage quoted by "PHILOBODIUS" himself, quite justify the non-publication of Zachary's doggrel.]
_Zachary Boyd_ (No. 19. p. 298.).--Your notice of Zachary Boyd, and his extraordinary paraphrase of the Bible in the College at Glasgow, has reminded me of my having examined that strange work, and found ample cause for its not being published, though a sufficient sum was bequeathed for that purpose. The whole doggrel is only calculated to bring ridicule and contempt upon the Scriptures; but there are, besides, passages such as refer to Job's "Curse God, and die;" to Jeshuram waxing fat; to Jonah in the whale's belly; and other parts, which utterly unfit the MS. for decent perusal.