A long article appeared in Notes and Queries, August 8, 1885, devoted to the history of the Lord’s Prayer, with variations, paraphrases, imitations, and translations. It gave two curious versions of the Prayer in very early English.

“Monsieur Grévy, qui êtes à l’Elysée, demeurez et faites que nous demeurions toujours dans les sentiments républicains. Touchez vos loyers en paix. Distribuez de bonnes places à vos serviteurs. Rendez des portefeuilles à ceux qui n’en ont plus, continuez a faire grâce aux condamnés comme ils vous feraient grâce eux mêmes, et délivrez-nous des petits papiers. Au nom du beau-père, du gendre, et de Boulanger. Amen!”

——:o:——

The Wife’s Commandments.

I.Thou shalt have none other wife but me.
II.Thou shalt not take into thy house any beautiful brazen image to bow down to her, nor serve her, for I thy wife am a jealous wife, visiting the sins of the husband unto thee, etc.
III.Thou shalt not take the name of thy wife in vain.
IV.Remember to keep her respectably.
V.Honour thy wife’s Father and Mother.
VI.Thou shalt not scold.
VII.Thou shalt not find fault with thy dinners.
VIII.Thou shalt rock the cradle during my absence, and shalt prepare the tea for my return.
IX.Thou shalt not be behind thy neighbours.
X.Thou shalt not visit the whisky tavern, thou shalt not covet the tavern keeper’s Rum, nor his Brandy, nor his Gin, nor his Whisky, nor his Wine, nor anything that is behind the bar, nor in front of the bar of the tavern keeper.

The Husband’s Commandments.

I.Thou shalt have no other Husband but me.
II.Thou shalt not take unto thyself any man wherewith to call him Husband, to bow down to him, nor to worship him, for I am a jealous Husband, visiting, etc.
III.Thou shalt not take any other name but that of thine Husband.
IV.Remember to keep him respectably.
V.Honour thy Husband’s lawful commands.
VI.Thou shalt not scold.
VII.Thou shalt not be too fond of fine clothes, but be saving in all things.
VIII.Thou shalt not gossip with thy Neighbours, but do thy work.
IX.Thou shalt not tell thy Neighbours of any of thine Husband’s faults.
X.Thou shalt not frequent Theatres, or Music Halls, or Concert Rooms, or any other place of that kind without thine Husband.