226
NOTES AND QUERIES. [io* s. m. MARCH 25, 1005.
^Derbyshire called "Bakestone Moor," because
large numbers of suitable stones were quarried
there for "backston" purposes.
Pancakes were eaten with a variety of 'flavourings. If plenty of fat was used in the frying, some would take them with salt ; but more commonly it was sugar or treacle, while others took vinegar and sugar, or the juice of oranges and sugar, children preferring to eat their orange afterwards.
In the schools which were mostly those "which "dames" kept there was a curious little custom which began with the first sound of the Pancake Bell. The children called it '" Pardon ! master, pardon ! " and what fol- lowed was called "pardoning out." The master or the dame "master," as the case might be, went outside, when the door was bolted by the scholars, who began a mad dance with the school furniture, shouting several times :
Pardon ! master, pardon !
Pardon in a pan !
If you won't giv 's a holiday
We won't let you in.
The master came to the door, thumped, and the door was opened, and on his giving the holiday out trooped the children at head- long speed to the feast of pancakes at their respective homes.
In many cases the first pancake made was very carefully turned when the underside was done, for it was good luck to the house- hold if it was turned with the cake-sprittel without splashing or breaking. It was also a custom with some to take the first pancake, all hot and smoking, and throw it amongst the fowls in the yard this also for the pur- pose of securing good luck.
THOS. KATCLIFFE.
Worksop.
[See also 8 th S. i. 160, 195, 238, 343.]
TOTTENHAM AND STOKE NEWINGTON PARISH KEGISTERS. The following cutting is from The Tottenham and Stamford Hill Times and Stoke Neivington Chronicle of 3 July, 1903. It was written by myself with the object of facilitating local historical researches in the above and other parishes, and I trust it may find its way into the columns of *N. & Q.':
" The Registers of Tottenham commence in 1553, the first year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth [Mary ?]. Sometimes the incumbent of All Hallowes, and on other occasions the parish clerk, took charge of these important records. In addition to the ordinary entries tiherein of baptisms, marriages, and burials, it was customary in those early days to chronicle particular events, as and when the same occurred. As regards these special notes in the registers, some are of considerable national interest; others are of a unique and local character. The memorable journey
of James I. from Scotland through Tottenham
marshes to Stamford Hill; the Great Frost on the
Thames, and the execution of Charles I., together
with other public events, are carefully noted.
Numerous local items likewise appear scattered
about here and there exceedingly quaint and in-
teresting, being, moreover, highly reminiscent of
early village life.
"As regards Stoke Newington, the Births and Burials Register commence in 1559 (only six years later than Tottenham), and the first entry in the Marriage Register is in the following year (1560). Here again in these parochial records there are sundry interesting notes and memoranda, such as ' a long vacation,' when but few entries through neglect had been made during a disquietous period. ' A dreadful plague ' is recorded more than once, alluding to some severe nietropolitan, or, as some- times happened, local visitation. A red cross is likewise occasionally introduced, and during the year 1625 it is recorded that '1,250 died this week.' This, of course, alludes to the mortality in the metropolis, for the population of Stoke Newington was at that time very limited. There are, more- over, numerous notes illustrative of the history of the parish, and the old church of St. Mary, the registers of which were once improperly removed by the vicar to a country benefice which he also held in conjunction with that of Stoke Newington.
"None of these historical memoranda have been (except in a few instances) incorporated in any published local histories. Such curious, rare, and authentic matter, however, at the disposition of one who could ' collect, combine, amplify, and animate ' (to use Dr. Samuel Johnson's words), would supply original and reliable material for a more perfect history of these important parishes. Parochial registers, though in most districts fairly accessible, are seldom consulted except for the purpose of searching for and obtaining certificates. This is to be regretted. Chronicling important events, and recording interesting facts and circumstances besides those purely ecclesiastical or genealogical was not, I apprehend, confined to the registers of one or two parishes. Valuable fragments of Eng- lish history, such as these, should be searched for, and when gathered up, neatly copied in a book (which should be carefully indexed by an expe- rienced and reliable hand), and the volume deposited in the archives of the nearest local library. This would facilitate local historical researches, supply information that would clear up many an un- answered query, and also gladden the heart of the 'lover of ancient lore.' The numerous papers and documents in the Public Record Office relating to our various parishes might also be dealt with in a similar manner."
J. BASIL BIRCH.
54, Eade Road, Finsbury Park, N.
BUTTERFLY IN BASKISH. I have noted many different names for butterfly in Heus- kara, as the Basks of the sixteenth century called their very instructive language. One of the commonest is Micheleta, Picheleta, and its varieties. Another is Jainkuaren ollachita, i.e., God's henlet. Another is Jainko belatcha croioling (of) God. Another is inyuma. I set down this some years ago as probably derived from the Greek ix i/et '/ jtwl/ ' 1 believe
