Page:Bassetts scrap book 1907 03-1909 02.djvu/17

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BASSETT'S SCRAP BOOK
235

self. When you repeat a letter you get two sounds, as in zoology. We have yet to hear a good reason for the change.

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Prince of Wales.—In the treaty between the ancient Britons (the Welsh) and their enemies, which culminated in the establishment of Great Britain, was there not a condition that every child born to the Queen must be born in Wales, and if a son, he was to be known as a "Prince of Wales"?

Ans.—The only historical foundation on which this legend can have been built up is the odd custom which kept up the connection between Wales and the English reigning house until the time of Charles II, and which consisted in the constant selection of a Welsh wet nurse for the infant Prince of Wales. As to the bestowal of the title, the real fact of the matter is that Wales was at first designed to form a separate apanage for a younger son of the English king, but as Edward, who was created first Prince of Wales in 1301, succeeded to the crown by the death of his elder brother, the title has since been borne by the eldest son of the king. Nor is this title his birthright, either; he receives it through investure or declaration.

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The English Language—Where and by whom was the English language first spoken?

Ans.—It is a long story, but limited space makes it necessary to cut it short. The English language is a direct development of the Anglo-Saxon, but the development has not been regular and gradual.