THOSE HATCHMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 31, 6 February 1902, Page 2

THOSE HATCHMENTS.

[We do not hold ourselves responsible for i opinions expressed by our correspondents,]

\ TO THE EDITOB. Sib, —In reply to the inquiry of your I correspondent, the word hatchment i 8 a | corruption of the word achievement, I which wag fpscially applied to an escutcheon, or armorial ensign, giaotad for extreme valor, or for the performance of any great or honorable action. It was customary when any dis'inguished man died to bang his escutcheon on the front of his house, or i in the church where he had wor-j shipped, so that others might be re-! ; minded of the deeds he bad accotn-l plished for the Stat?. It will bs ob-1 i vio"S to your correspondent hew appro-! 1 ' pviati the word is when applied to the : fiam«d records of the htroic British regiments who lost so many braye men j during f.he lamented M&oii War.—l am, «tc., F. G. Evans. bt. Mary's Vicarage, j New Plymouth, Feb. sth. I TO THE EDITOE. Sir. The Universal Dietionary says: " Hatchmsnt a noun (corruptsd from achievement). A frame bearing the escutcheon of a dead person, placed is front of the house, on a hears* at funerals, or in a church; an ornam.-nt | on the hilt of a sword. I I am, etc., i J. 0. S.