_Cock-and-Bull Stories_ (Vol. v., p. 414.).--It may be doubted whether
Mr. Faber will thank J. R. R. for republishing his absurd blunder. It
must not, however, be allowed to gain a settlement in "N. & Q.," or to
pass for a real explanation, while it is in reality one of the most
unfortunate "cock-and-bull" stories that ever was invented. The truth
is, that Reinerius, a writer of the Middle Ages, lays it to the charge
of the Waldenses that they did not hold the traditions of the Church
and, by way of instance, he specifies that they did _not_ believe (as,
he took for granted, all his orthodox readers _did_) that the cock on
the church steeple was symbolical of a doctor or teacher. Reinerius did
not think of adding a word of explanation about its overlooking the
parish from its elevated position, or of its prescriptive right from the
days of St. Peter to do a pastor's office by reminding men of the duty
of repentance, or of any of the things which writers on symbolism had
said, or might say. He nakedly states, "Item, mysticum sensum in divinis
scripturis refutant: præcipue in dictis et actis ab Ecclesia traditis:
ut quod gallus super campanile significat Doctorem." Mr. Faber, who was
somewhat out of his way in dealing with the thoughts and language of
mediæval writers, catching a sight of this passage, blundered between a
_bell_ and a _belfry_, put _campanum_ for _campanile_, and thus got an
idea of a "cock-on-a-bell," and that this symbol meant a doctor.
Whereupon it occurred to him to set the world right with the wonderful
discovery which J. R. R. has revived for the amusement of your readers.