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“Winton” again has answers, from “An Old Subscriber” and an anonymous writer, referring the hymn, “Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile,” to the Hymnal Companion and Sacred Songs and Solos.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Cleopatra II.—The term or nickname of a British soldier, i.e., “Tommy Atkins,” had its origin in the little pocket-ledgers, at one time supplied to them, in which all the necessary memoranda connected with them—their name, age, date of enlistment, length of service, wounds, or medals, received, etc., were entered. With this the War Office gave a form to be filled in; the hypothetical name of “Thomas Atkins” was entered, just as “John Doe and Richard Roe” are employed by lawyers; “M. or N.” by the Church, and “Jack Tar” to designate a sailor. The books at once were called by the name, which was afterwards applied as a comprehensive name for the men themselves. We thank you for your good wishes for the continued success of our magazine.
S. A.—There are five Homes for Aged Poor People in the suburbs of town, respecting which you must write to the Misses Harrison, 5, Grandacre Terrace, Anerley, S.E. There is also the “Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society,” which grants annual pensions to aged Christians of both sexes, and of all Protestant denominations. This institution has homes at Camberwell, Hornsey Rise, Stamford Hill, and Brighton. Pensions are granted to some not received into the homes. The Secretary is Mr. J. E. Hazelton, office, 82, Finsbury Pavement, E.C.
F. W.—We do not undertake to return answers in the next magazine after hearing from correspondents. Boil sufficient milk for the amount of wholemeal you wish to knead, adding a piece of butter of the size of an egg (for a small cake), and melt it in the milk. Mix some bread-soda with the meal; and then knead the milk with the latter, and roll out on a paste-board. Make a round flat cake, and cut across, to make four divisions, and bake on a girdle, putting dry flour on the girdle, or a sufficient space on a hot oven. Butter-milk is much used for the purpose in Ireland. Of course yeast may be had, instead of the soda, from any baker.
O’Hara.—The Celts were the first Aryan settlers in Europe. This fact is placed beyond all doubt by their language, which bears a close resemblance to Sanscrit, alike in grammatical structure and vocables. Herodotus speaks of them (B.C. 450) under the name Keltai, as mingling with the Iberians, who dwelt round the river Ebro. The Romans called them Galli. It is maintained by many that these Aryans in Spain, the French Pyrenees, and in Britain, found before them a Turanian people, the descendants of whom are to be seen in the Lapps and Finns, and the Basques of Spain and Portugal. The Aryans’ original home was the plateau of Central Asia, from whence they spread south-westward; and the Eastern tribes took possession of India and Persia.
Puzzled One.—Adults do not need sponsors at their baptism, as in the case of infants; but witnesses are essential; because the persons baptised make thereby a public profession of their faith. Special “witnesses” usually accompany adults; but you will observe (in the last Rubric), that the baptised “answer for themselves,” and only the godly counsel of “their chosen witnesses” is required, whose duty it is to “put them in mind” of the “vow, promise, and profession they have made.” Should there be no desirably religious and God-fearing friends to present the adult, she should communicate this difficulty to the rector or vicar of her parish, and he will, doubtless, provide for this lack, as well as see to her preparation for the rite himself.
Marcia.—We are certainly of opinion that in earlier times the term “Merry (or Merrie) England” was justly so applied, as distinguished from its general condition in these days of strikes. It was enough for the little educated to have their Maypole festivities, their Christmas and Easter entertainments; and so they enjoyed a greater light-heartedness, simpler recreations and brighter views of life; and the people were united more closely together in a boyish camaraderie. But, as the Anglo-Saxon word mæra signifies “famous, great and mighty,” and mer in the old Teutonic means “illustrious,” the original signification is probably not “mirthful.”
Dot.—A nice little cake for home use is made with 1 pint of wholemeal, 1 teacupful of milk, a piece of butter of about the size of a walnut, and a teaspoonful of baking powder. Mix well and bake for about half an hour.