of the Society of Antiquaries” (the paper in the Archaeologia I have not seen), I would humbly suggest the possibility, that the word Cold or Cole may originally have been the Anglo-Saxon Col, and the entire expression have designated a cool summer residence by a river’s side or on an eminence; such localities, in short, as are described in the “Proceedings” as bearing the name of Cold Harbour.

The denomination appears to me evidently the modern English for the A.-S.  Col Hereberg.  Colburn, Colebrook, Coldstream, are, no doubt, analagous denominations.

[Greek:  PH.]

       * * * * * {342}

ST. UNCUMBER.

(Vol. ii., p. 286.)

PWCCA, after quoting from Michael Wodde’s Dialogue or Familiar Talke the passage in which he says, “If a wife were weary of her husband she offred otes at Paules in London to St. Uncumber,” asks “who St. Uncumber was?”

St. Uncumber was one of those popular saints whose names are not to be found in any calendar, and whose histories are now only to be learned from the occasional allusions to them to be met with in our early writers,—­allusions which it is most desirable should be recorded in “NOTES AND QUERIES.”  The following cases, in which mention is made of this saint, are therefore noted, although they do not throw much light on the history of St. Uncumber.

The first is from Harsenet’s Discoverie, &c., p.l34.: 

“And the commending himselfe to the tuition of S. Uncumber, or els our blessed Lady.”

The second is from Bale’s Interlude concerning the Three Laws of Nature, Moses, and Christ: 

  “If ye cannot slepe, but slumber,
  Geve Otes unto Saynt Uncumber,
  And Beanes in a certen number
    Unto Saynt Blase and Saynt Blythe.”

I will take an early opportunity of noting some similar allusions to Sir John Shorne, St. Withold, &c.

WILLIAM J. THOMS.

* * * * *

HANDFASTING.

(Vol. ii., p. 282.)

JARLTZBRG, in noticing this custom, says that the Jews seem to have had a similar one, which perhaps they borrowed from the neighbouring nations; at least the connexion formed by the prophet Hosea (chap. iii., v. 2.) bears strong resemblance to Handfasting.  The 3rd verse in Hosea, as well as the 2nd, should I think be referred to.  They are both as follows: 

“So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:  and I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man; so will I also be for thee.”

Now by consulting our most learned commentators upon the meaning which they put upon these two verses in connexion with each other, I cannot think that the analogy of JARLTZBERG will be found correct.  In allusion to verse 2, “so I bought her,” &c., Bishop Horsley says: