It is probable enough, therefore, that the word _has_ borne the signification of "dried wood." But it is very desirable to know on what authority the assertion rests. Will your correspondent refer us to the book? Or can any of your learned readers say how, where, and when _bacon_ has signified "dried wood?" The subject is well worth the bestowal of some pains upon its elucidation; for the meaning and derivation of the word _bacon_, both as a substantive noun and as a proper name, have been frequently discussed by etymologists and philologists for the last 300 years; and yet, apparently, without any satisfactory determination of the question. The family is ancient, and has been highly distinguished {42} in literature, and science and art. The pedigree is one of the most perfect on record. But Lord Bacon himself, "who knew everything" else, knew nothing of his own name. [Footnote 2: See vol. ii., p. 138.] SAMOHT NEHCEEB. _Meaning of Bacon_ (Vol. ii., pp. 138. 247.).--As, on reconsideration, I perceive there is some doubt as to the meaning of the word _bacons_ in Foulques Fitzwarin, I send you the passage in which it occurs, that your readers may form their own opinion concerning it:-- "Pus apres, furent les portes de le chastel, qe treblees erent, ars e espris par feu que fust illumee de bacons e de grece." I must in addition add, that I was mistaken as to the meaning of _hosebaunde_, which was possibly only the French mode of writing husband. B.W. * * * * * REPLIES TO MINOR QUERIES. _Cockade_ (Vol. iii., p.7.).--The black cockade worn by the officers of the army and navy is the relic of a custom which probably dated from the Hanoverian succession; the black cockade being the Hanoverian badge, the white that of the Stuart. In _Waverley_, when the hero for the first time meets the Baron Bradwardine, he is accosted by the latter thus:-- "And so ye have mounted the cockade? Right, right; though I could have wished the colour different." APODLIKTES. Erechtheum Club. _Form of Prayer for King's Evil._--Mr. Lathbury, in his _Convocation_, p. 361., states that this form appeared in Prayer-book of 1709. This was not, however, its earliest appearance, as it is found in a quarto one bearing date 1707, printed by the Queen's printers, Charles Bill and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb. It occurs immediately before the Articles, and is simply entitled, "At the healing." N.E.R. (a Subscriber.) [Prayers at the Healing may be found in Sparrow's _Collection of Articles, Injunctions, Canons, &c._, p. 223. 4to. 1661. Consult also, Nichols's _Anecdotes of Bowyer_, p. 573; _The Antiquary's Portfolio_, vol. ii. p. 179.; Aubrey's _Letters_, vol. i. p. 250.; Nichols's _Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century_, vol. ii. pp. 495-505.; _Christian Observer_ (1831), p. 119.]