Mary of Walsingham and St. Thomas of
Canterbury_, that I need not here insist upon these points.
What the original object of making these grottoes may have been I can
only suggest: but I shall not be surprised if it should turn out that
they were formerly erected on the anniversary of St. James by poor
persons, as an invitation to the pious who could not visit
Compostella, to show their reverence for the Saint by almsgiving to
their needy brethren.
Oysters are only allowed to be sold in London (which city, by the by,
levied a tax of two pence on every person going and returning by the
river Thames on pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James), after St.
James's day. Why is this? I wish Mr. Wansey, who is an able antiquary,
and one authorised to look into the records of Fishmongers' Company,
would give us the information upon this point which these documents may
be expected to furnish.
WILLIAM J. THOMS.
P.S.--I should be glad if any of the readers of "NOTES AND QUERIES"
could explain to that Erasmus alludes, when he says, "Culmeis ornatus
torquibus, brachium habet ova serpentum," which L'Estrange translated,
"Straw-works,--snakes, eggs for bracelets;" and Mr. Nichols, who
honestly states that he is unable to explain the allusion, as he does
not find such emblems elsewhere mentioned,--"adorned with straw
necklaces and bracelets of serpents' eggs."
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