"If ye cannot slepe, but slumber,
Geve _Otes_ unto Saynt Uncumber,
And Beanes in a certen number
Unto Saynt Blase and Saynt Blythe."

I will take an early opportunity of noting some similar allusions to Sir
John Shorne, St. Withold, &c.

WILLIAM J. THOMS.

* * * * *

HANDFASTING.

(Vol. ii., p. 282.)

JARLTZBRG, in noticing this custom, says that the Jews seem to have had a
similar one, which perhaps they borrowed from the neighbouring nations; at
least the connexion formed by the prophet Hosea (chap. iii., v. 2.) bears
strong resemblance to _Handfasting_. The 3rd verse in Hosea, as well as the
2nd, should I think be referred to. They are both as follows:

"So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer
of barley, and an half homer of barley: and I said unto her, Thou shalt
abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt
not be for another man; so will I also be for thee."

Now by consulting our most learned commentators upon the meaning which they
put upon these two verses in connexion with each other, I cannot think that