Chapter C

_Yorkshire Dales_ (Vol. ii., p. 154.).--No guide or description has been published that would serve as a handbook to the dales in the West Riding of Yorkshire between Lancashire and Westmoreland. Should A PEDESTRIAN wish to explore the beauties of Teesdale he will find a useful handbook in a little work, published anonymously in 1813, called _A Tour in Teesdale, including Rokeby and its Environs_. The author was Richard Garland, of Hull, who died several years ago.

[Greek: Delta].

_The Yorkshire Dales_ (Vol. ii., p. 154.).--In answer to a recent inquiry, I beg to state that a guide to the above dales is in preparation. It will be edited by your humble servant, illustrated by a well-known gentleman, and published by Mr. Effingham Wilson.

J.H. DIXON.

Tollington Villa, Hornsey.

[We are glad to hear that such a Guide is preparing by Mr.
Dixon, whose knowledge of the locality peculiarly fits him for
the work he has undertaken.]

_Sir Thomas Herbert's Memoirs_ (Vol. ii., p. 140.).--The information MR. GATTY wishes for, he will find in Dr. Bliss's edition of the _Athenæ_, vol. iv. p. 18. He will perform an acceptable service to historical inquirers, if he will collate the printed memoir with the MS. in the possession of his friend, and give to the world such passages, if any, as have not been hitherto published.

[Greek: Delta].

_Alarum_ (Vol. ii., pp. 151. 183.).--There can be no doubt that the word _alarm_ (originally French) comes from the warning war-cry _à l'arme_. So all the French philologists agree; and the modern variance of _aux armes_ does not invalidate so plain an etymology. When CH. admits that there can be no doubt that _alarm_ and _alarum_ are identical, it seems to one that _cadit questio_,--that all his doubts and queries are answered. I will add, however, that it appears that in the words' original sense of an _awakening cry_, Shakspeare generally, if not always, spelled it _alarum_. Thus--

"Ring the _alarum_ bell!"--_Macbeth_.

"--Murder
"_Alarum'd_ by his sentinel the wolf."
_Macbeth_.

"When she speaks, is it not an _alarum_ to love?"
_Othello_.

"But when he saw my _best-alarum'd_ spirits roused
to the encounter."--_Lear_.

In all these cases _alarum_ means incitement, not _alarm_ in the secondary or metaphorical sense of the word, which has now become the ordinary one. In truth, the meanings, though of identical origin, have become almost contradictions: for instance, in the passage from _Othello_, an "alarum to love"--incitement to love--is nearly the reverse of what an "alarm to love" would be taken to mean.