GERRYMANDERING
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Can Mr. Ramsay MacDonald have had any idea of the origin and meaning of the word used in his address to the Trades Union Congress at Edinburgh on September 8th ? In the printed reports it is spelt "Jerrymandering," an in- correct form, as the originator of the saying was a Governor Gerry, pronounced with a hard " G." Dividing the County of Essex in Massachusetts into senatorial districts, he de- limi ted it so as to secure the majority of the votes of the Democrats on one side of the line. When this district was drawn in outline on the map, it resembled a fabulous beast rather like a salamander, so the name " Gerrymander " was applied to it. It is difficult to see in what sense this could he used in regard to the House of Lords.
Speaking of fabulous beasts, I should be very glad to know what animal is described in an account of the vestments at Exeter Cathedral in 1506. One of these was embroidered " cum bestiis ad instar hircorum cumalis." Could this pos- sibly have been the King's Yale ? If so, could any reader give me the reference to the picture of that beast which appeared in the Times not long ago ? On the same vestment are mentioned " 2 leopardora leopardis," which I am unable to identify. I should be grateful for any information con- cerning these beasts.—I am, Sir, &c., FRANCES ROSE-TROUP.
Bradlegh End, Ottery St. Mary.
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