Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 8.djvu/494

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [9* s. VIIL DEC. H, 1901.

vessel with a narrow stern on which a tower- like erection was placed ; and when the "pink" had had its day on the high seas it took the place of the "cat" as a coaster, and eventually prevailed so completely that " pink " became a synonym for a collier ship. The " pink " in its turn gave way to the collier brig, not yet extinct.

How long some types of vessel have con- tinued in use may be judged by the fact that the Betsey Cains, built as a frigate in 1690, was seaworthy as a collier until she was wrecked in 1827, and that until a few years ago the Brotherly Love was regularly carry- ing coals, although built in 1764. According to the ' H.E.D.' the "cat " itself lingered until the middle of the nineteenth century, when " the last cat-built ship is said to have been lost." R. OLIVER HESLOP.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The suggestion that the " cat " was a ship is now an old one ; see the article 'Whitting- ton' in 'D.N.B.,' Ixi. 157. There was a correspondence on the various meanings attached to this word "cat," in connexion with the Whittington legend, in the Daily Graphic, December, 1895. It is true that there was a mediaeval word " catta " used for some kind of ship, entered by Du Cange, used by Polydore Vergil, and included in Coles's 4 English-Latin Dictionary.' But Dr. Murray can trace no relation between it and the English word. His earliest quotation of an instance in English is 1699. In Lodge's 'Illustrations of British History' (second edition, 1838) mention is made of a ship called "the Cat of Lynne"in 1555 (vol. in., list at end). We must first prove that "cat "was the name of a ship in Whittington's time. W. C. B.

'YCLEPINO" THE CHURCH (9 th S. viii. 420). In reference to this custom there is a note in Hone's * Every- Day Book ' for 1826, p. 431 : " When I was a child (writes L. S., a Warwick- shire correspondent), as sure as Easter Mon- day came, I was taken to see the children clip the churches." He then proceeds to describe the forming of a chain of children around the sacred building, holding hands, their backs toward the church. It would surely seem that the word " clip," as here used, does not bear the significance of " yclepe " at all but rather that of "Clipped about with this most tender air " (' Cy mbeline,' V. v ), or " You elements that clip us round about " (' Othello ' III. m.). If this reasoning be correct, the story ot the annual ceremony at Painswick beino- u iT baxon cust m of "ycleping " or naming the church on the anniversary of its original

dedication falls to the ground, and another origin must be looked for.

It must be noted, first of all, that this Painswick festival was only a revival of an old custom once not uncommon at Eastertide. The vicar of Painswick, Rev. Herbert Seddon, revived it in this instance in September, because it is the custom at this place to hold the Painswick Feast, or dedication festival of the church.

Now this church belonged to, and was built and rebuilt by, the canons of the priory of Lantony Secunda, at Gloucester, and it is accordingly dedicated to the Virgin. One would, therefore, have expected that 8 Sep- tember, being the Feast of the Nativity, would have been selected for this festival. But it is not the case ; the Painswick festival is held on the third Sunday of September and on the octave. Moreover, the "clipping" occurs on the octave. In 1897 it occurred on 26 September.

Looking down upon the performance from the church tower, I was at once struck by the shape into which the multitude of whitely attired children formed. It was, of course, purely natural, but it was that of a nimbus or " vesica piscis."

It will be interesting to hear the real expla- nation of this custom, which doubtless some of your learned correspondents will give us. ST. GLAIR BADDELEY.

See 5 th S. vi. 308, 436, 520 ; vii. 38 ; ix. 367 ; 7 th S. i. 329. Further information is much to be desired. ST. SWITHIN.

BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH CANDLES : A GERMAN CUSTOM (9 th S. viii. 344). The custom alluded to is widespread in Germany. I know for certain that it is prevalent in the province of Saxony, in Hanover, and the mark of Bran- denburg. As many lights as the one whose birthday it is has years are stuck round the cake or the Torte, a thick one in the middle called the Lebenslicht, the light of life. For persons advanced in years one candle must do duty, as otherwise too many would be required ; or a skilful lady expresses the exact number of years in Roman figures (XX., L.). When Moltke completed his seven- tieth year during the campaign of 1870-1 the Crown Prince Frederick William, later on the Emperor Frederick, presented him with a cake adorned with seventy lights. Only he or she who celebrates his or her birthday may put out the light of life ; it is unlucky if done by any other member of the family. We see in the lights symbols of life and its portions, the years ; and what sign for them could be more simple and beautiful than