_The Red Maids of Bristol._--The answer to the query of "MR. A.
GRIFFENHOOF" (No. 12. p. 184.), why the "Red Maids" in Bristol are so
called, is, because they are dressed in bright scarlet gowns. They are
the incumbents of a benevolent school, founded in 1627, by one of
Bristol's great benefactors, Alderman Whitson, of pious memory, for the
maintenance and education of 40 girls, which number has now increased to
120. Your correspondent's curiousity respecting their name might be
fully satisfied, and his interest increased, if he should happen to be
in Bristol on some sunny afternoon in the later part of May, or the
beginning of June, by a sight of this bright "regiment of women"--the
gay colour of their gowns subdued by the quaintness of their fashion,
and the clean whiteness of their aprons, collars, &c.--proceeding, in
double file, towards the downs, for air and recreation. An account of
their foundation may be found in Barret's _Hist. of Bristol_, p. 415.
"Blue-Boys," so called for a similar reason, are a parallel case of much
more general occurance. Yours, &c.