Notes and Queries, Number 193, July 9, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.

A modest yet lively forum for scholars, artists and curious minds, this mid‑nineteenth‑century edition of a literary correspondence journal opens a window onto the world of language and symbolism. The featured essay turns its gaze to the eye, revealing a surprising common thread: across many tongues the organ is linked to a spring, a source of water and life. From biblical Hebrew to ancient Greek, the author shows how this watery metaphor has quietly shaped our perception of sight.

The discussion weaves through Hebrew, Syriac, Welsh, Germanic and Old English, drawing on biblical passages, Shakespearean lines and obscure medieval glossaries. By tracing words such as עַיִן, ὀπή and “llygad,” the piece illustrates how cultures have paired the eye with notions of truth, love and divine insight, often via the image of a flowing spring. Listeners will enjoy a compact, thought‑provoking tour of etymology and literary allusion, all presented in the genial, conversational tone that made the journal a favorite meeting place for the intellectually adventurous.