of the Lion--Caxton's Printing-Office. 140

MISCELLANEOUS:--
Notes on Books, Sales, Catalogues, Sales, &c. 142
Books and Odd Volumes Wanted. 143
Answers to Correspondents. 143

* * * * *


NOTES.

ETYMOLOGY OF "WHITSUNTIDE" AND "MASS".

Perhaps the following Note and Query on the much-disputed origin of the
word _Whitsunday_, as used in our Liturgy, may find a place in your
Journal. None of the etymologies of this word at present in vogue is at
all satisfactory. They are--

I. _White Sunday_: and this, either--

1. From the garments of _white linen_, in which those who were at that
season admitted to the rite of holy baptism were clothed; (as typical of
the spiritual purity therein obtained:) or,--

2. From the glorious light of heaven, sent down from the father of
Lights on the day of Pentecost: and "those vast diffusions of light and
knowledge, which were then shed upon the Apostles, in order to the
enlightening of the world." (Wheatley.) Or,--