Notes and Queries, Number 04, November 24, 1849 | Page 6

2. A chine of Veal. 3. Lark-pye. 4. A couple of Pullets, one larded. Garnished with orange slices.
"_Third Course._ 1. A dish of Woodcocks. 2. A couple of Rabbits. 3. A dish of Asparagus. 4. A Westphalia Gammon.
"_Last Course._ 1. Two orange tarts, one with herbs. 2. A Bacon Tart. 3. An apple Tart. 4. A dish of Bon-chriteen pears. 5. A dish of Pippins. 6. A dish of Pearmains.
"_A Banquet for the same Season._
"1. A dish of Apricots. 2. A dish of marmalade of Pippins. 3. A dish of preserved Cherries. 4. A whole red Quince. 5. A dish of dryed sweet-meats.
"_A Bill of Fare upon an extraordinary Occasion._
"1. A collar of brawn. 2. A couple of Pullets boyled. 3. A bisk of Fish. 4. A dish of Carps. 5. A grand boyled Meat. 6. A grand Sallet. 7. A venison pasty. 8. A roasted Turkey. 9. A fat pig. 10. A powdered Goose. 11. A haunch of Venison roasted. 12. A Neats-tongue and Udder roasted. 13. A Westphalia Ham boyled. 14. A Joll of Salmon. 15. Mince pyes. 16. A Surloyn of roast beef. 17. Cold baked Meats. 18. A dish of Custards.
"_Second Course._ 1. Jellies of all sorts. 2. A dish of Pheasants. 3. A Pike boyled. 4. An oyster pye. 5. A dish of Plovers. 6. A dish of larks. 7. A Joll of Sturgeon. 8. A couple of Lobsters. 9. A lamber pye. 10. A couple of Capons. 11. A dish of Partridges. 12. A fricacy of Fowls. 13. A dish of Wild Ducks. 14. A dish of cram'd chickens. 15. A dish of stewed oysters. 16. A Marchpane. 17. A dish of Fruits. 18. An umble pye."
The fare suggested for "Fish days" is no less various and abundant; twelve dishes are enumerated for the first course, and sixteen for the second. Looking at the character of these viands, some of which would not discredit the genius of a Soyer or a Mrs. Glasse, {55} it seems pretty evident that in the article of food the labouring classes have been the greatest gainers since 1687.
Few things are more suggestive of queries--as everybody knows from experience--than the products of culinary art. I will not, however, further trespass on space which may be devoted to a more dignified topic, than by submitting the following.
_Query._--Does the phrase "to eat humble pie," used to signify a forced humiliation, owe its origin to the "umble pye" specified above?
J.T. HAMMACK
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BISHOP BARNABY.
Mr. Editor,--Legour asks, why the people in Suffolk call a lady-bird "Bishop Barnaby?"
I give the following from the late Major Moor's Suffolk Words.
"Bishop-Barney. The golden bug. See Barnabee. In Tasser's _Ten Unwelcome Guests in the Dairy_, he enumerates 'the Bishop that burneth' (pp. 142. 144.), in an ambiguous way, which his commentator does not render at all clear. I never heard of this calumniated insect being an unwelcome guest in the dairy; but Bishop-Barney, or Burney, and Barnabee, or Burnabee, and Bishop-that-burneth, seem, in the absence of explanation to be nearly related--in sound at any rate. Under Barnabee it will be seen that burning has some connection with the history of this pretty insect."
"Barnabee," writes the Major, "the golden-bug, or lady-bird; also Bishop-Barney: which see. This pretty little, and very useful insect, is tenderly regarded by our children. One settling on a child is always sent away with this sad valediction:--
"Gowden-bug, gowden-bug, fly away home, Yar house is bahnt deown and yar children all gone."
To which I add another nursery doggerel less sad:--
"Bishop, Bishop-Barnabee, Tell me when your wedding be, If it be to-morrow day Take your wings and fly away."
The Major adds, "It is sure to fly off on the third repetition."
"Burnt down," continues the Major, "gives great scope to our country euphonic twang, altogether inexpressible in type; bahnt deeyown comes as near to it as my skill in orthography will allow."
Ray, in his _South and East Country Words_, has this:--
"Bishop, the little spotted beetle, commonly called the lady-cow or lady-bird. I have heard this insect in other places called golden-knop, and doubtless in other countries it hath other names. (_E. W._ p. 70) Golden-bugs the common Suffolk name."
J.G. Southwold, Nov. 16. 1849.
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TRADE EDITIONS--COTTLE'S LIFE OF COLERIDGE.
Sir,--In the 2nd vol. of Mr. Collier's valuable and interesting _Extracts from the Registers of the Stationers' Company_, p. 28, is the following entry:--
"Thos. Dason. Licensed unto him the praise of follie; to print not above xv° of any impression, with this condition, that any of the Company may laie on with him, reasonablie at every impression, as they think good, and that he shall gyve reasonable knowledge before to them as often as he shall print it."
This is both curious and important information as being, in all probability, the earliest recorded instance of a custom