J. Y.
Plaster Casts.—Ruby would be thankful for a good receipt for bronzing plaster casts.
"Σίκερα."—In the prophecy regarding the birth of John the Baptist (Luke i. 15.) the angel says:
"Καὶ οἶνον καὶ σίκερα ὀυ μη πίῃ."
This is in the authorised version (I quote the original 1611 edit.) rightly rendered:
"And shal drinke neither wine nor strong drinke."
Now, in the Golden Legend, fol. cxl. (Wynkyn de Worde's edition, London, 1516) is this account:
"For he shal be grete, and of grete meryte tofore our Lord: he shall not drinke wyne, ne syder, ne thynge wherof he myght be dronken."
I need hardly remind your readers that that σίκερα was often used by the LXX translators for an intoxicating liquor, as distinguished from wine, viz. Levit. x. 9., Numbers vi. 3., &c., and in about nine places; but I do not remember "syder" as the "thynge wherof he myghte be dronken." Can any of your philological friends call to mind a similar version? I do not want to be told the derivation of σίκερα, for that is obvious; nor do I lack information as to the inebriating qualities of "syder," for, alas! an intimate acquaintance with Devonshire has often brought before my notice persons "dronken" with that exhilarating beverage.
Richard Hooper.