A correspondence corner for not-so-famous lost words

Correspondence on not-so-famous lost words

Jacob Adler seeks a source for the assertion by Menasseh ben Israel in book 2, chapter 26, of Nishmat Hayyim [The Breath of Life], (Amsterdam, 1651), that if an elephant “kills a human being, he does not leave the body until he has cut branches and twigs from the trees of the forest and covered it up and buried it beneath them ”

“Italian and Spanish song texts” (September-October). “After a fair bit of searching,” Constantine Finehouse found the texts Ernest Bergel sought “on this pretty marvelous website: lieder.net.” The site traces the Italian song to an 1841 compilation, Canti popolari toscani, corsi, illirici, greci, raccolti ed illustrati da Niccolò Tommaseo (Venezia, G. Tasso), but provides only the texts, without further sourcing, for the two Spanish songs.

Send inquiries and answers to Chapter and Verse, Harvard Magazine, 7 Ware Street, Cambridge 02138, or via email to chapterandverse@harvardmag.com.

You might also like

How Stories Help Us Cope with Climate Change

The growing genre of climate fiction offers a way to process reality—and our anxieties.

Open Book: A New Nuclear Age

Harvard historian Serhii Plokhy’s latest book looks at the rising danger of a new arms race.

Novelist Lev Grossman on Why Fantasy Isn’t About Escapism

The Magicians author discusses his influences, from Harvard to King Arthur to Tolkien.

Most popular

FAS Plans Administrative Overhaul

Facing financial pressures, Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences seeks ways to streamline

Martin Nowak Placed on Leave a Second Time

Further links to Jeffrey Epstein surface in newly released files.

Faculty Postpone Vote on Grade Inflation Reforms

A decision on an amended proposal to cap A’s will likely come at next month’s meeting.

Explore More From Current Issue

A lively street scene at night with people in colorful costumes dancing joyfully.

Rabbi, Drag Queen, Film Star

Sabbath Queen, a new documentary, follows one man’s quest to make Judaism more expansive.

Modern building surrounded by greenery and a walking path under a blue sky.

A New Landscape Emerges in Allston

The innovative greenery at Harvard’s Science and Engineering Complex

Four Labrador puppies—two black and two yellow—sitting in green grass.

What Do Puppies Know?

Canine capabilities emerge early and continue into adulthood.