And now for the more immediate object of the present Note, which is to
show--what, when once pointed out, will, I think, readily be admitted,
namely, that in the grotto formed of oyster shells, and lighted with a
votive candle, to which on old St. James's day (5th August) the passer
by is earnestly entreated to contribute by cries of, "Pray remember the
Grotto!" we have a memorial of the world-renowned shrine of St. James at
Compostella.

The popularity which St. James formerly enjoyed in England, and the zeal
with which his shrine was visited by natives of this country, have
recently been so clearly shown by Mr. J.G. Nichols, in his interesting
little volume, _Pilgrimages to St. 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.