There is no reference given to book or chapter; and, judging from the manner in which the aphorisms of Thucydides and Tacitus (which I have been able to examine) are quoted, I fear it may be found that the words in question are rather a condensation of some paragraph by Des Comines that the _ipsissima verba_ that he employed. C. FORBES. Temple. _The Cuckoo._--In respect to the Query of "G." (No. 15. p. 230.), on the cuckoo, as the Welsh Ambassador, I would suggest that it was in allusion to the annual arrival of Welshmen in search of summer and other employment. As those wanderers may have entered England about the time of the cuckoo's appearance, the idea that the bird was the precursor of the Welsh might thus become prevalent. Also, on the quotation given by "PETIT ANDRÉ" (No. 18. p. 283.) of Welsh parsley, or hempen halters, it may have derived its origin from the severity practised on the Welsh, in the time of their independence, when captured on the English side of the border,--the death of the prisoner being inevitable. GOMER. _Ancient Titles_ (No. 11. p. 173.).--It may be interesting to your querist "B." to know that the seal of the borough of Chard, in the county of Somerset, has two birds in the position which he describes, with the date 1570. S.S.S. _Daysman_ (No. 12. p. 188., No. 17. p. 267.).--For quoted instances of this, and other obsolete words, see Jameson's _Bible Glossary_, just published by Wertheim in Paternoster Row. S.S.S. _Safeguard_ (No. 17. p. 267.).--The article of dress for the purpose described is still used by farmers' wives and daughters in the west of England, and is known by the same name. S.S.S. _Finkle_ (No. 24. p. 384.).--means _fennel_. Mr. Halliwell (_Dict._ p. 357.) quotes from a MS. of the _Nominale_, "fynkylsede, _feniculum_." L. _Gourders of Rain_ (No. 21. p. 335., No. 22. p. 357.).--Has the word "Gourders" any connection with _Gourtes_, a stream, or pool? See Cotgrave's _Dict._, and Kelham's _Dict. of the Norman Language_. _Geotere_ is the A.-S. word for "melter;" but may not the term be applied to the pourer out of anything? Gourd is used by Chaucer in the sense of a vessel. (See _Prol. to the Manciple's Tale_.) C.I.R. _Urbanus Regius_ (No. 23. p. 367.).--The "delightful old lady" is informed that "Urbanus Regius" (or Urban le Roi) was one of the reformers, a native of Langenargen, in Germany. His works were published under the title of _Vitet et Opera Urbani Regii, &c._, Norib. 1562. His theological works have been translated into English, as the lady is aware. W. FRANKS MATHEWS. Kidderminster, April 7. 1850. _Horns_ (No. 24. p. 383.).--Rosenmüller ad Exodum xxxiv. 29.