Walthamstow.
_Dog-whipping Day in Hull_ (Vol. viii., p. 409.).--This custom obtains, or
used to do, in York on St. Luke's Day, Oct. 18, which is there known by the
name of "Whip-dog Day." Drake considers the origin of it uncertain and
though he is of opinion that it is a very old custom, he does not {65}
agree with those who date it as far back as the Romans.
In the _History of York_, vol. i. p. 306., respecting the author of which a
Query has appeared in "N. & Q.," Vol. viii., p. 125., the traditional
account of its origin is given:
"That in times of Popery, a priest celebrating mass at the festival in
some church in York, unfortunately dropped the pix after consecration,
which was snatched up suddenly and swallowed by a dog that lay under
the table. The profanation of this high mystery occasioned the death of
the dog; and a persecution began, and has since continued on this day
(St. Luke's), to be severely carried on against all the species in the
city."
A very curious whipping custom prevails at Leicester, known by the name of
"Whipping Toms," on the afternoon of Shrove Tuesday. It is thus described
in Hone's _Year Book_, p. 539.:
"In this space (the Newark) several (I think three) men called
'Whipping Toms,' each being armed with a large waggon whip, and
attended by another man carrying a bell, claim the right of flogging
every person whom they can catch while their attendant bell-man can
keep ringing his bell."
Perhaps some one of your correspondents will be able to afford an origin
for this odd usage.