Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 8, 1897.djvu/200

 176 Correspondence.

Tommy on the Tub's Grave.

(Vols, vi., p. 196; vii., p. 79.)

Is it generally known that " Tommy on the Tub " means a

" policeman " in the phraseology of our suburban vagrants ? I

suppose " Tommy " = Man (Pin uniform) and "Tub" = "Tober" =

road.

W. P. M.

Folklore Firstfruits from Lesbos. (Vol. vii., p. 143.)

I am sorry that the following mistakes escaped me : Page 146, line 7 from bottom, for Neiv Year's Day read St. John's Day.

Page 155, line 22, for skulls read sacks.

Page 155, line 23, etc., for Karakiz read Kara Kiz (black girl).

W. H. D. Rouse.

Water in Marriage Customs. (Vol. viii., p. 84.)

Among the fellahin of Palestine, to-day, a jug of water is placed on the bride's head before she enters her husband's door, x^s she passes across the threshold it is struck off by the bridegroom, thrown down, and broken. This is explained as a sign of com- plete submission to her husband. {Pal. Ex. Fund Quarterly Statement, April, 1894.)

Now read the old Peruvian storm-myth poem, as it is called by Dr. Brinton, translated as follows :

" Fair Princess, Thy waters.

Thy urn At the same time

Thy brother Hailest,

Shatters. Snowest.

At the blow, World-former,

It thunders, World-quickener,

Lightens, Viracocha,

Flashes. To this office

But thou, Princess, Thee has destined,

Rainest down Consecrated,"