._, No. 498. Sess. 1849):

"That the existing usage of excluding strangers during a
division, and upon the notice by an individual Member that
strangers are present, has prevailed from a very early period of
parliamentary history; that the instances in which the power of
an individual Member to exclude has been exercised have been
very rare: and that it is the unanimous opinion of your
committee, that there is no sufficient ground for making any
alteration in the existing practice with regard to the admission
or exclusion of strangers."

This Report confirms the statement of Mr. Ross (p. 83., _ante_), that
within his experience of thirty-one years no change has been made in the
present rule of the House upon this matter, which, it would seem, dates
very far back. The Speaker was the only witness examined before the
Committee, and his evidence is not printed.

Arun.

* * * * *

REPLIES TO MINOR QUERIES.

_Morganatic Marriage_ (Vol. ii., p. 72.).--According to M., Ducange has
connected this expression with _morgingab_; but I have looked in vain
for such connection in my edition of the _Glossary_ (Paris, 1733). The
truth most probably is, that _morganatic_, in the phrase "matrimonium ad
morganaticam," {126} was akin to the Gothic _maurgjan_, signifying, "to
procrastinate," "to bring to an end," "to shorten," "to limit." This
application of the word would naturally rise out of the restrictions
imposed upon the wife and children of a morganatic marriage.

C.H.

_Umbrellas_ (Vol. i., p. 415. 436.; ii. 25.).--In Swift's description of
a city shower (_Tatler_, No. 238., October 17. 1710), umbrellas are
mentioned as in common use by women:

"Now in contiguous drops the flood comes down,
Threatening with deluge the devoted town;
To shops, in crowds, the daggled females fly,
Pretend to cheapen goods, but nothing buy;
The Templar spruce, while every spout's abroach,
Stays till 'tis fair, yet seems to call a coach;
The tucked-up sempstress walks with hasty strides,
While streams run down her oiled umbrella's sides."

H.B.C.

U.U. Club, July 2.

_Bands_ (Vol. ii., pp. 23. 76.)--_Scarf_.--I was glad to read Arun's
explanation of the origin of the bands now worn by the clergy; which,
however, seems merely to amount to their being an adoption of a Genevan
portion of clerical costume. That they are the descendants of the ruff,
there can