Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 5.djvu/472

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io B. v. MAY 19, im.

the view of eliciting information to enrich the second edition of his valuable work on the Baskish pastorales, of which he has pre- sented a good many in manuscript to the Bibliotheque Rationale at Paris. With his permission, it is placed before the readers of ' N. & Q.' in the hope that they may be able to throw light on this neglected branch of popular literature. It is not impossible that such Pastorales were performed by the Basks of France during the occupation of their region by England in the Middle Ages.

Le Grand Alexandre (qui est une histoire de saints et de martyrs sans aucuu rapport avec Alexandre le Grand).

Astyage.

La Princesse de Cazmira (ou Cachemire).

Celestine de Savoie.

Sts. Claudicus et Marsiraissa (ou Moustapha).

Kouli-Khan.

Dorimene et le prince Osman.

Elisabeth de Portugal.

St. Jean Caillabit.

St. Julien d'Antioche.

Lea trois Martyrs.

Pancart (ou le Jugenient de Mardi-Gras).

Bacchus (analogue au precedent).

EDWARD S. DODGSON.

1 LEICESTER'S GHOST.' I should be glad of any information regarding the poem entitled 'Leicester's Ghost,' published in 1641. What is the purport of it ? and is it still in print and procurable 1 H. H. S.

[It is a versified legend of 4 Leicester's Common- wealth,' which treats Leicester as a professional poisoner and debauchee.]

" SATURDAY " IN SPANISH. It appears that the Spanish name for Saturday is Sabado (Sabbath). This would seem to connect it with the Jews. I should like to know when, and under what circumstances, Jewish influence in Spain was powerful enough to give such a name to one of the days of the week. H. W H.

[Jewish influence in Spain was at an early period very powerful and assertive.]

JOHN CALEY. Can any one help me to find the birth certificate of the John Caley who married Elizabeth Bird at St. Stephen's, Ipswich, 12 Sept., 1797. He was born about 1773, and probably at Ipswich or in the neighbourhood.

(Rev.) A. G. KEALY, R.N.

H.M.S. Sapphire 2, Portland, Dorset.

"CAST NOT A CLOUT TILL MAY BE OUT."

I have always understood this weather proverb to be a caution against laying aside winter wraps until the month of May has come to its end. An old man, a gardener, here in Durham, gives a different turn to the

saying. He affirms that after the may has come into bloom there is never any further danger of frost, and the saying, according to him, is really a caution against throwing aside any extra garment, not until the month has come to an end, but until the may be out in blossom. Is the idea an original one ] I have never heard it before.

JOHNSON BAILY.

The Rectory, Ryton.

" BUTCHER": "HoE." The interesting notes on the proper pronunciation of the word " war J) tempt me to ask how the above two words should be pronounced. In many parts of Lancashire " butcher " is always spoken with a short u. The first syllable rimes absolutely with "but."

The late Prof. York Powell always talked of Plymouth Hoe as "The Who." It would be interesting to hear what is the correct way of speaking these words.

PERCY ADDLESHAW.

SCOTTISH NEWSPAPER PRESS. Information in general is desired regarding the censor- ship of the press in Scotland during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and in particular regarding the statement that in 1650 newspapers were prohibited publica- tion until they had been revised by the Bishop of Edinburgh. The right of grant- ing permission for the starting of news- papers, and the censorship of them when begun, were exercised by the Scottish Privy Council in the second half of the seventeenth century. When and how were these duties conferred on the Privy Council ? On the abolition of the Scottish Privy Council in 1707 these prerogatives seem to have been assumed by town councils, as in Edinburgh. Were the rights ever formally bestowed on them 1 and, if so, when and by whom ? When and how did this oversight by town councils cease? Any other facts throwing light on the press during the period indicated would be gratefully received. It would be a boon if only original authorities were referred to. Later writers are full of blunders.

CRAGSLEY.

EARTHQUAKES IN FICTION. It might be worth while finding and noting some stories of fiction and poems, both English and foreign, touching and based upon, or dealing with, memorable earthquakes, like that of SiciJy in 1693, where above 60,000 people are said to have perished ; the Lisbon earthquake of 1 November, 1756, by which, likewise, nearly 60,000 lost their lives ; or the earthquake with a simultaneous eruption of Mont Pelee which