ii s. vm, SEPT. 27, 1913.] NOTES AND QUERIES.
259
necessity for movement there is in him at least,
when he is thinking and when about to write :
" Moving like a circus-horse about the great
table of his laboratory, he would begin to tramp
indefatigably round and round, so that his steps
have worn in the tiles of the floor an ineffaceable
record of the concentric track in which they
have moved incessantly for thirty years." He
tells little of his relations with wife and children,
but that little shows at least a capacity for
extreme affection. Nor is much said about his
attitude towards the more general scientific
problems ; perhaps the most interesting pro-
nouncement in this regard is that of Fabre's
opinion that instinct is one thing and intelligence
another, and that there is no transition between
them. The glimpses of Fabre's relations with
those of his contemporaries who were his equals
are of necessity scanty. He corresponded with
Darwin ; he had a meeting, which might almost
be described as an encounter, with Pasteur, when
Pasteur was starting his investigations into the
diseases of silkworms ; and here was a comrade-
ship taciturn, it appears, and reserved be-
tween him and J. S. Mill real enough, never-
theless, to justify Fabre in asking pecuniary help
from Mill at a time of sore strait, without fearing
a Ides of dignity.
In these closing years of his life, when he can no longer work, he has opened his doors to visitors, thus, one hopes, permitting himself to realize in how true a sense his life-work has con- stituted a new channel of communication between man and Nature. Every one who has the slightest insight into the greatness of such a service, and the greatness of the genius which alone can perform it, must wish that he may yet have many years in which to enjoy the public gratitude.
Mr. Miall's translation is well done. '
Journal of Hie Royal Institution of Cornwall. Vol. XIX. Part 2. (Plymouth, Brendon & Son.)
WE always receive the Reports of this Institution with pleasure, as each year shows good work. Unfortunately, the 94th Annual Report records severe losses by death, these including the popular President, John Davies Enys, whose family had been associated with the Institxition since its foundation in 1818. There is a fine portrait of him facing the title, and another of the Rev. William lago, happily still with us, who for nearly forty years has been a contributor to the Journal. In 1890 ho was awarded the ITenwood Gold Medal, and from 1893 to 1912 he was, in conjunction with the late Major Parkyn, an honorary secretary. He designed the official seals at present in use by the Chancellor and (In- archdeacons of the diocese of Truro.
The papers read at the annual meeting included ' Descriptions of Cornish Mamiscripts : the Borlase Manuscript,' by Mr. Henry Jenner ; ' Notes on the Smelting of Tin at Newham, Truro,' by Capt. J. S. Hem!.;-on: 'Additions to the Cornish Flora for 1911-12,' by Dr. Chambr6 C. Vigurs ; and ' The Hobby Horse,' by the Presi- dent, .Mr. Tlmr-tan Peter.
The last-named paper shows great research, but Mr. Peter puts it forth with modesty, as his purpose is "to draw attention, to the hobby in the hope that those who know anything about it will give us the benefit of their knowledge, and
make a permanent record of these interesting
ceremonies while it is still possible." The custom
of the procession of the Hobby Horse is of great
antiquity, but its earliest date has not been ascer-
tained. " Some sixty years or so since Mr.
Francis Docton, a tailor of Padstow, informed
his workman (still living in the town) that in his
(Mr. Docton's) boyhood the hobby used yearly
to perform before the squire at Prideaux Place.
He said the hobby first appeared at Padstow
during the siege of Calais (1340-7), when a French
vessel, taking advantage of the absence of the-
Padstow men, who had sailed for Calais in two
boats built and equipped by the town, appeared
in the harbour." The " Hobby Horse " stood
guard on Stepper Point with such good effect that
the Frenchmen fled in terror from what they sup-
posed must be the Evil One. Mr. Peter remarks r.
" The story still leaves unexplained why the good
folk should have bethought them of a hobby
horse for the purpose. It must have been already
known by them as possessed of some magic
power." The reference in the songs sung at
Padstow in May, at the season of the Hobby
Horse, to " French dogs " eating " the goose
feathers," is, Mr. Peter thinks, an insertion of
late date.
At Padstow, on the night preceding May Day, the party of men who are to accompany the Hobby Horse on the morrow sup together ^ afterwards they make a round, singing. In 1913 they performed as early as 2 A.M., " a proceeding that did not increase their popularity." " At 10 A.M. on the 1st of May the performers again meet at ' The Golden Lion.' The hobby horse is formed by a man encased in a cloth mask that conceals him. It is a formidable-looking creatures, solemnly black, except for the vari-eoloured stripes on cap and mask, with tall cap, flowing plume and tail, savage-looking oaken snappers, and a ferocious face mask. On the cap, one on each side of the upright stripes, are the letters O. B., which are carefully repeated on every new mask. The cap, plume, tail, and decoration of the snappers are all of real horsehair. The snapper jaws are studded inside to increase the noise. They are worked by a string held by the man inside." It sallies forth, accompanied by rnen with musical instruments, of which the drum is the most prominent. Verses are sung, one entitled 'The Morning Song,' in which at every four verses these words are repeated : How happy is the little bird that merrily doth sing In the merry morning of May !
The tune is a pretty one, and is given in Mr. Baring-Gould's ' A Garland of Country Song ' ' The Morning Song ' and ' The Furry Day Song ' are both sung in unison. The versions of the music are printed.
Dan.-es similar to that at Padstow, performed by men in hideous masks, still regularly take place in Austria. For a description Mr. Peter refers to Part VI. of Dr. Frazer s ' Golden Bough.'
Among other references to ' N. & Q.,' Mr. Peter mentions that he has asked in our pages, without result, about the meaning of the word " gullivers " : " Some years ago the horse was accompanied sometimes by one and sometimes by t\vo men wearing masks, big hooped skirts, and peaked head-dresses." These men were known ;is " gullivers," and carried clubs with Pei-haps this fresh reference may be
