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Dear Virginia, Dear All, 'The wells of rocky Cumberland' can be found at the end of a contribution by Mackenzie E.C. Walcott to Notes & Queries 5th ser 1 (1874) pp473-4. He is writing about well-dressing in general, and as he doesn't mention Cumberland in his main description, it's not clear whether this is an unsourced quotation or whether it's his own verse paraphrase from one of the prose passages in the Cumberland local historians. I suspect the latter, as contributors to NQ were liable to break into occasional verse sometimes. Much of Notes & Queries can be found at http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ilej/journals/: they're halfway through digitising series 4 at the moment. Like G.K. Chesterton's ditchwater, 'it teems with quiet fun' and I spent an afternoon pulling out references to holy wells. In case it saves anyone else trouble, here's the list, as far as series 5:- Simpson, W. Sparrow, 1852, 'Churchyard well and bath' [at East Dereham], Notes & Queries 1st ser 5: 81. Rawlinson, Robert, 1852, 'Springs and wells', Notes & Queries 1st ser 6: 28-9. Allan, Robert J., 1852, 'Springs and wells', Notes & Queries 1st ser 6: 96-7. 'Leicestriensis', 1852, 'Springs and wells, monkish burials, etc.' [at Leicester], Notes & Queries 1st ser 6: 152-3. 'Agmond', 1852, 'Wells and springs' [near Liverpool], Notes & Queries 1st ser 6: 304-5. 'Seleucus', 1852, 'Springs and wells' [in Wales], Notes & Queries 1st ser 6: 497. Gibson, William Sidney, 1853, 'The ancient custom of well-flowering' [at Tissington], Notes & Queries 1st ser 7: 280-1. Quiller-Couch, Thomas, 1854, 'St. Nun's well, etc.: with a notice of some remains of ancient well worship', Notes & Queries 1st ser 10: 396-8. Walcott, Mackenzie E.C., 1857, 'St. Leonard's Well' [at Winchelsea], Notes & Queries 2nd ser 4: 145. Macduff, Sholto, 1857, 'St. Ann's Wells', Notes & Queries 2nd ser 4: 318. Williams, John, 1860, 'St. Govor's Well' [at Kensington], Notes & Queries 2nd ser 9: 388-9. Dalton, J., 1864, 'St. Withburge's Well, East Dereham, Norfolk', Notes & Queries 3rd ser 6: 29-30. Dalton, J., 1865, 'St. Withburga's Well at East Dereham, Norfolk', Notes & Queries 3rd ser 8: 247. Winnington, Thomas E., 1867, 'Wells in churches', Notes & Queries 3rd ser 12: 235. W.H.R.M., 1868, 'Wells in churches', Notes & Queries 4th ser 1: 277-8. Pollard, W., 1871, 'Our Lady of Holywell' [in Lincolnshire], Notes & Queries 4th ser 8: 32-3. W.E.B., 1871, 'Our Lady of Holywell', Notes & Queries 4th ser 8: 98. Walcott, Mackenzie E.C., 1874, 'Well-dressing at Tissington', Notes & Queries 5th ser 1: 473-4. Scott, J.R., 1875, 'St. Syriack's Pond' [at Brabourne in Kent], Notes & Queries 5th ser 3: 244-5. Bone, John W., 1875, 'St. Govor's Well, Kensington Gardens', Notes & Queries 5th ser 4: 427. Buckley, W.E., 1875, 'St. Govor's Well', Notes & Queries 5th ser 4: 523. Bailey, John E., 1878, 'Pin wells', Notes & Queries 5th ser 10: 158-9. Jeremy Harte -----Original Message----- From: WATER TALK - the email discussion list for springs and spas enthusiasts [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of virginia langum Sent: 02 March 2007 14:39 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Cumbrian Well Waking Hello All, Could any one help me find the origin of this poem? I found it on the Source Archive in an article written by Lesley Park. Thanks, Virginia The wells of rocky Cumberland Have each a saint or patron, Who holds an annual festival, The joy of maid or matron. And to this day, as erst they wont, The youths and maids repair, To certain wells on certain days, And hold a revel there, Of sugar-stick and liquorice, With water from the spring, They mix a pleasant beverage, And May-day carols sing. V. E. Langum (205) 960-4303 ________________________________________________________________________ ____________ Have a burning question? Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know. ******************************************************************** The information contained in this message is confidential and may be legally privileged. The message is intended solely for the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, or reproduction is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by return e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. Visit the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council website at www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk This footnote also confirms that this e-mail message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses. www.mimesweeper.com ********************************************************************