SWEARING BY BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE.

This originated in the manner of the Pope's blessing the world yearly, from the balcony of St. Peter's at Rome. He holds a wax taper lighted, a cardinal reads a curse on all heretics, and no sooner is the last word uttered, than the bell tolls, and the Pope changes the curse into a blessing, throwing down his taper among the people.

TANSEY PUDDING ON EASTER DAY.

The eating of tansey pudding at Easter, and particularly on Easter Sunday, is derived from the Romish church. Tansey symbolized the bitter herbs used by the Jews at their paschal; but that the people might show a proper abhorrence of the Jews, they ate also from a gammon of bacon at Easter, as many still do in several country places at this season, without knowing from whence this practice is derived.

CHANTING IN CATHEDRALS.

The practice of Singing in Antiphony, ie., by change or course, now on one side and now on the other, which is still preserved in cathedrals, was the practice of the churches in the earliest ages of Christianity, and was no doubt derived from the usages

of the Jewish ritual.* towards the latter end of the fourth century, St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, introduced into the churches of that place what is called the Ambrosian chant, in order to rectify the practice of ecclesiastical chanting, which was then falling into great confusion; and St. Augustine, when speaking of his first entrance into the church there after his conversion, says "The voices flowed in at my ears, truth was distilled in my heart, and the affection of piety overflowed in sweet tears of joy." That splendidly sublime composition, the Te Deum, is generally attributed to St. Ambrose, though the Benedietine editors of his works do not describe it as his; whilst by Cave and Stillingfleet it. is said to have been composed by him in conjunction with St. Augustine; and Usher ascribes it to Nicentius. The method of singing and chanting was, according to Eusebius, first established by St. Ambrose at Antioch, where he had long resided.

In the reign of Theodosius,

SALIQUE LAW IN FRANCE.

The Salique law, or the ancient and fundamental law of the kingdom of France, is usually supposed to

* St. Ignatius, who was a disciple of St. John, is generally said to be the first who suggested to the Jewish Christians the method of singing psalms and hymns alternately; dividing the singers into two bands or choirs placed on opposite sides.

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have been made by Pharamond, or at least by Clovis, in virtue whereof males only are to inherit. Du Haillan, after a critical examination, declares it to have been an expedient of Philip the Long, in 1316, for the exclusion of the daughter of Lewis Hutin from inheriting the crown.

Father Daniel, on the other hand, maintains, that it is quoted by authors more ancient than Philip the Long, and that Clovis is the real author of it. This law has not any particular regard to the crown of France: it only imports, in general, that in Salic land no part of the inheritance shall fall to any female, but the whole to the male sex. By Salic lands, or inheritances, were anciently denoted among us all lands, by whatever tenure held, whether noble or base, from the succession whereto women were excluded by the Salic law; for they were by it admitted to inherit nothing but movables and purchases wherever there were any males.

COIN OF DORT.

Upon the coin of Dort, or Dordrecht, in Holland, is a cow, under which is sitting a milkmaid. The same representation is in relievo on the pyramid of an elegant fountain in that beautiful town. Its origin is from the following historical fact :-When the united provinces were struggling for their liberty, two

beautiful daughters of a rich farmer, on their way to the town with milk, observed, not far from their path, several Spanish soldiers concealed behind some hedges. The patriotic maidens pretended not to have seen anything, pursued their journey, and, as soon as they arrived in the city, insisted upon an admission to the burgomaster, who had not yet left his bed; they were admitted, and related what they had discovered. He assembled the council, measures were immediately taken, the sluices were opened, and a number of the enemy lost their lives in the water. The magistrates, in a body, honoured the farmer with a visit, where they thanked his daughters for the act of patriotism which saved the town; they afterwards indemnified him fully for the loss he sustained from the inundation, and the most distinguished young citizens vied with each other who should be honoured with the hands of those virtuous milkmaids.

ARMS OF THE COBBLERS OF FLANDERS.

The emperor Charles V., being curious to know the sentiments of his meanest subjects concerning himself and his administration, often went incog., and mixed himself in such companies and conversations as he thought proper. One night, at Brussels, his boot requiring immediate mending, he was directed to a cobbler. Unluckily, it happened to be St. Crispin's

Day, or holiday, and, instead of finding the cobbler inclined for work, he was in the height of his jollity among his acquaintances. The emperor acquainted him with what he wanted, and offered him a handsome gratuity. "What, friend?" says the fellow, "do you know no better than to ask one of our craft to work on St. Crispin? Was it Charles himself, I'd not do a stitch for him now; but if you'll come in and drink St. Crispin, do, and welcome: we are as merry as the emperor can be." The emperor accepted the offer: but while he was contemplating their rude pleasure instead of joining in it, the jovial host thus accosts him : What, I suppose you are some courtier politician or other, by that contemplative phiz; but be you who, or what you will, you are heartily welcome: drink about, here's Charles the Fifth's health." "Then you love Charles the Fifth?" replied the emperor. "Love him!" says the son of Crispin; "ay, ay, I love his long-noseship well enough; but I should love him much better, would he but tax us a little less; but what have we to do with politics? round with the glasses, and merry be our hearts." After a short stay, the emperor took his leave, and thanked the cobbler for his hospitable reception. "That," cried he, "you are welcome to; but I would not have dishonoured St. Crispin to-day, to have worked for the emperor." Charles, pleased with the good-nature and humour of the man, sent for him next morning to court. You