would mark the distinction between Hamlet's river and the Saxon
derivative.]

* * * * *

ALTAR LIGHTS, ETC.

(Vol. ii., p. 495. Vol. iii., p. 30.)

The following passage from the works of a deeply pious and learned Caroline
Divine, which I have never before seen quoted, merits, I think, a place in
"NOTES AND QUERIES:"--

"As our Lord himself, so his Gospel also, is called Light, and was
therefore anciently never read without a burning taper, '_etiam Sole
rutilante_' ('tis Saint Hierome's testimony), though it were lighted in
the sun.... The careful Church, perceiving that God was so much taken
with this outward symbol of the Light, could do no less than go on with
the ceremony. Therefore, the day of Our Lord's nativity was to be
called [Greek: epiphania], or, appearing of the Light; and so many
tapers were to be set up the night before, as might give name to the
vigil, '_Vigilia Luminum_'. And the ancients did well to send lights
one to another, whatsoever some think of the Christmas candle. The
receiving of this Light in Baptism, though called not usually so, but
[Greek: phôtismos], Illumination, which further to betoken the rites,
were to celebrate this sacrament [Greek: haptomenôn pantôn tôn kêrôn],
etc., with all the tapers lighted, etc., as the order in the
Euchologus. The Neophytus, also, or new convert, received a Taper
lighted and delivered by the Mystagogus, which for the space of seven
days after, he was to hold in his hand at Divine service, sitting in