Notes and Queries, Number 74, March 29, 1851, page 19 by Various Authors
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heroes of the Saga, while his ship was detained by a contrary wind in a Norwegian port, was accosted by a German, who wished to purchase his, Karlsefne's, broom.
"'I will not sell it,' said Karlsefne. 'I will give you half a mark in gold for it,' said the German man. Karlsefne thought this a good offer, and thereupon concluded the bargain. The German man went away with the broom. Karlsefne did not know what wood it was; but it was Mæsur, which had come from Wineland!"
Perhaps some reader may give an instance of Mazer wood being mentioned by other writers; or inform me if the word Mazer, in itself, had any peculiar signification.
W. PINKERTON.
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Minor Queries.
Paul Pitcher Night.--Can any of the contributors to "NOTES AND QUERIES" throw light upon a curious custom, prevalent in some parts of Cornwall, of throwing broken pitchers, and other earthen vessels, against the doors of dwelling-houses, on the eve of the Conversion of St. Paul, thence locally called "Paul pitcher night?" On that evening parties of young people perambulate the parishes in which the custom is retained, exclaiming as they throw the sherds,--
"Paul's eve, And here's a heave!"
According to the received notions, the first "heave" cannot be objected to; but, upon its being repeated, the inhabitants of the house whose {240} door is thus attacked may, if they can, seize the offenders, and inflict summary justice upon them; but, as they usually effect their escape before the door can be opened, this is not easily managed.
Query, Can this apparently unintelligible custom have any reference to the 21st verse of the IXth chap. of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans: "Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?"--the earthen fragments thus turned to dishonour being called "Paul's pitchers."
Any more probable conjecture as to the origin or meaning of this custom, or any accou