Thomas D.—The story of the Barmecide Feast is given in the “Arabian Nights,” in the tale of the “Barber’s Sixth Brother.” Schacabac, the hare-lipped, a poor man in the greatest distress, called one day on the rich Barmecide, who, in merry jest, asked him to dine with him. Barmecide first washed in hypothetical water, Schacabac following his example; Barmecide then pretended to eat of various dainties; Schacabac did the same, and praised them highly, and so the feast was carried on to its close; Barmecide was so pleased that Schacabac had the good taste and temper to enter into the spirit of the joke without resentment that he ordered a real banquet, at which he made Schacabac a welcome guest. Thus, a Barmecide feast is a dream feast, an illusion, a “castle in the air.”
C. B. D.—1. We cannot quite make out whether you intended to hoax us or have been imposed on yourself by some would-be funny person. No such person as John Yarrow appears in “Alibone,” nor in any such book as a poet or elocutionist, nor as having refused the Poet Laureateship before it was offered to Tennyson. 2. What the “gold key of Windsor” is you must ask your informant to explain. Perhaps it is what the Irishman called “the kay to stay out” when he was ordered from the house!
Soldier’s Daughter.—A “drumhead” court-martial was a military court held on the spot, and the trial concluded without further meeting. The word originated from the fact that the big drum was placed on the three smaller ones for a table, and the court formed round it, the regiment being “in square” to witness the proceedings.
Scotch Lassie.—Your very gratifying letter deserves our warm acknowledgments. The wishes you express for us we heartily return on your behalf.
Mayflower (Halifax).—By some accident your flower has fallen out of your letter, and we regret our inability to enlighten you upon it.
Glasgow Lassie.—Sponge the leaves of the plant with tobacco-juice. We think that will free it from the vermin.
Dolly R.—1. Your verses have more merit than the majority sent to us. We could not promise their insertion, and in any case they were not certified according to our rule. 2. Read our article on the care of the hair, and consult our indexes for answers given on the same subject.
Ragged Robin.—You should procure an old almanack of the year 1857 for the information you require; likewise one for 1860.
Ralph Roister Doister.—The House of Parliament is spoken of as a whole, not as separate individuals. Thus you say “the House is,” “the House was,” not “the House are,” nor “the House were.” See “The Handbook of the English Tongue,” by Dr. Angus.