S. S. S.
"The Temple of Truth."—Who was the author of an admirable work entitled The Temple of Truth, published in 1806 by Mawman?
T. B. H.
Santa Claus.—Reading The Wide Wide World recalled to my mind this curious custom, which I had remarked when in America. I was then not a little surprised to find so strange a superstition lingering in puritanical New England, and which, it is needless to remark, was quite novel to me. Santa Claus I believe to be a corruption of Saint Nicholas, the tutelary saint of sailors, and consequently a great favourite with the Dutch. Probably, therefore, the custom was introduced into the western world by the compatriots of the renowned Knickerbocker.
It is unnecessary to describe the nature of the festivity, as it is so graphically pourtrayed in Miss Wetherell's, or rather Warner's work, to which I would refer those desirous of further acquaintance with the subject; the object of this Query being to learn, through some of the American or other correspondents of "N. & Q.," the original legend, as well as the period and events connected with the immigration into "The States" of that beneficent friend of Young America, Santa Claus.
Robert Wright.
Donnybrook Fair.—This old-established fair, so well known in every quarter of the globe, and so very injurious to the morality of those who frequent it, is said to be held by patent: but is there any patent for it in existence? If there be, why is it not produced? I am anxious to obtain information upon the subject.
Abhba.
Saffron, when brought into England.—In a footnote to Beckmann's History of Inventions, &c., vol. i. p. 179. (Bohn's), is the following, purporting to be from Hakluyt, vol. ii. p. 164.:
"It is reported at Saffron Walden that a pilgrim, proposing to do good to his country, stole a head of saffron, and hid the same in his palmer's staff, which he had made hollow before on purpose, and so he brought this root into this realm, with venture of his life; for if he had been taken, by the law of the country from whence it came, he had died for the fact."