Notes and Queries, Number 29, May 18, 1850 by Various
page 56 of 70 (80%)
page 56 of 70 (80%)
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_Quentin Durward_, in vol. i. chap. 3.; or rather, vol. xxxi. p. 60.
of the edition in 48 vols., Cadell, 1831; in which place the context of the scene appears to connect the idea of _hanap_ with a cup containing treasure. Now I cannot find _hanap_ in any dictionary to which I have access; but I find _hanaper_ in every one. Johnson, and others, give the word _Hanaper_ as synonymous with _treasury_ or _exchequer_. They also contract _Hanaper_ into _Hamper_. For example, in Dyche's _English Dictionary_, 17th ed. Lond. 1794, we have,-- "_Hamper_, or _Hanaper_, a wicker basket made with a cover to fasten it up with; also, an office in Chancery; the clerk or warden of the _Hanaper_ receives all monies due to the king for seals of charters, &c.... and takes into his custody all sealed charters, patents, &c.,... which he now puts into bags, but anciently, it is supposed, into _Hampers_, which gave the denomination to the office." And perhaps it may be remarked here, since we commonly say of a man in difficulties that he is "exchequered" or in "chancery," that so we probably intend to express the same, when we say a man is _hanapered_, or _hampered_. Thus, there is no difficulty about the meaning of _Hanaper_; and its connection with _treasure_ is plain and clear enough: and, with respect to _cups_, though chiefly used for drinking, the presentation of them with sums of money in them has ever been, and indeed is, so very customary, that it is needless to occupy space here with instances. But I cannot distinctly connect the _hanap_ of the |
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