[Lowndes states that this work has been "frequently reprinted." The only editions known to us are the first in 1727, and the one published in a series by Harrison and Co. in 1731. The editor's initials are P. L.]
_Dedication of Middleton Church._--What is the dedication of the little church at Middleton, Essex (near Sudbury, Suffolk)? I cannot find it in the _Liber Regis_, in Wright's _Essex_, nor in Lewis's _Topographical Dictionary_.
[The indefatigable Newcourt, in his _Repertorium_, vol. ii. p. 418., was unable to give the dedication, and has left a blank for it to be supplied by some future antiquary.]
_Lunatic Asylum benefited by Dean Swift._--Which of the lunatic asylums benefited by the "will" of Dean Swift; either founded or endowed by the bulk of his property?--Vide _Memoirs_.
[St. Patrick's, or Swift's Hospital, for the reception of lunatics and idiots, situated near Dr. Steevens's Hospital, adjoining to James Street, Dublin. It was opened in 1757. For some account of it see Scott's "Memoir of Dean Swift," _Works_, vol. i. pp. 438. 527.]
Some years ago I remember meeting with the following explanation of the beautiful legend of St. Christopher, and unfortunately forgot to take a _Note_ of it. It recurred to my mind on lately reading Mr. Talbot's work on English etymologies, the writer of which appears to take a similar view of the allegorical meaning.
Part of the legend is founded on the meaning of the Greek Χριστοφερων, coupled with a circumstance in the original legend, which is of German origin, and is an allegorizing of our blessed Lord's bearing the sins of the world, and _offering_ himself up on the altar of the cross. In a Latin document of A.D. 1423, the name is abbreviated into _X'poferus_; in an English one of the same date it is spelt _Christopfore_; and in French, _Christopfre_. _Christopfer_ signifies _Christ's sacrifice_: that is, the sacrifice of the cross continually offered up in the sacrament of the altar, or the mass, the _messopfer_, so named from the German _opfer_, a sacrifice; Welsh _offeiriad_, a priest; _offrwm_, a sacrifice; _offeren_, the mass; Irish, _oifrionn_, or _aifrionn_.
The perfection of our blessed Lord's humanity, His resistance of evil, and mighty strength displayed in bearing the sins of the universe, are shadowed out in the great stature and vast strength of the giant Christopher. According to the legend, when he had succeeded in reaching the shore, and had set down his burden, he said: "Chylde, thou hast put me in grete peryll, thou wayest alle most as I had had the world upon me; I might bere no greater burden;" and the child answered, "Christopher, marvel thou nothing, for thou hast not only borne all the world upon thee, but its sins likewise."