"Banbury Cakes and Zeal" (Vol. vii., p. 106.).—The following passage from Drunken Barnaby's Journey through England will show that Banbury was famous for zeal:
"To Banbury came I, O profane one!
There I saw a puritane one
Hanging of his cat on Monday
For killing of a mouse on Sunday."
What the present estimation in which Banbury cakes are held may be I cannot tell; but I can assure you that at the close of the last century, when I was a schoolboy, they were deservedly in very high repute, at least among us youngsters.
H.
"Hob and nob" (Vol. vii., p. 86.).—In addition to your observations on this expression, allow me to record the use of the term under circumstances which some others of your sexagenarian readers may with myself be able to call to mind. I well remember, when a boy at home from school, that
my old uncle, who piqued himself on the correctness of his style in manners, dress, and conversation, and whose portrait, in the ample sleeves, capacious waistcoat, and formal head-dress of the last century, looks down on me as I now write, being in company when wine was on the table, and each person had supplied their glasses, would occasionally, as a mark of respect or affection to any individual sitting near him, in a gentle tone of solicitation mention the name of the party, and ask "Hob and nob?" On the immediate compliance, which nothing short of hostility or ill manners could refuse or avoid, the parties held out their glasses till they touched one the other, health being at the same time invoked. But at this point always ensued a little polite rivalry as to which of the parties should hold the glass rather below that of the other as they came in contact. If a lady were the challenged on the occasion, she would with simpering diffidence allow of the superiority indicated by her glass being uppermost, overwhelmed with my uncle's expressions of regard; if a gentleman, each party got over the formality on as near a level as possible, amidst murmurs and protestations of humble service and great esteem.
J. D. S.