_Derivation of "Lowbell."_--I see MR. STERNBERG, in his "Dialect and
Folk-lore of Northamptonshire," gives a new explanation of the puzzling
word _lowbell_, in Beaumont and Fletcher's _Woman's Prize_, Act I. Sc. 3.
It appears that Northamptonshire peasants have a way of their own for
punishing offenders against good morals:
"On the first appearance of the culprit in 'strit,' or on 'grin,' the
villagers rise _en masse_, and greet him with a terrible din of tin
pots and kettles, &c.; and, amidst the hooting and vociferation of the
multitude, he is generally compelled to seek shelter by flight. This is
called 'lowbelling,' and the actors are termed 'lowbells,' or
'lowbellers,' forming a tolerable explanation of the _lowbell_ in
Beaumont and Fletcher's _Woman's Prize_, Act I. Sc. 3., which has so
long mystified the commentators:
'_Petru._ If you can carry't so, 'tis very well.
_Bian._ No, you shall carry it, Sir.
_Petru._ Peace, gentle _Lowbell_.'"
MR. STERNBERG derives it from the Anglo-Saxon _lowian_, past participle of
the Anglo-Saxon _lowian_, and the verb _bellan_. This would seem
satisfactory; but I should like to know whether the word is current
anywhere else besides Northamptonshire.