* * * * *
_Hanap._--Among the specimens of ancient and mediæval art now
exhibiting in John Street, Adelphi, I was struck with the number of
gilt cups, called in the catalogue _hanaps_. The word was new to
me; but I have since met with it (as frequently happens after one's
interest has been excited with respect to a word) in Walter Scott's
_Quentin Durward_, in vol. i. chap. 3.; or rather, vol. xxxi. p. 60.
of the edition in 48 vols., Cadell, 1831; in which place the context
of the scene appears to connect the idea of _hanap_ with a cup
containing treasure.
Now I cannot find _hanap_ in any dictionary to which I have access;
but I find _hanaper_ in every one. Johnson, and others, give the word
_Hanaper_ as synonymous with _treasury_ or _exchequer_. They also
contract _Hanaper_ into _Hamper_. For example, in Dyche's _English
Dictionary_, 17th ed. Lond. 1794, we have,--
"_Hamper_, or _Hanaper_, a wicker basket made with a cover to
fasten it up with; also, an office in Chancery; the clerk or
warden of the _Hanaper_ receives all monies due to the king
for seals of charters, &c.... and takes into his custody all
sealed charters, patents, &c.,... which he now puts into bags,
but anciently, it is supposed, into _Hampers_, which gave the
denomination to the office."
And perhaps it may be remarked here, since we commonly say of a man
in difficulties that he is "exchequered" or in "chancery," that so we
probably intend to express the same, when we say a man is _hanapered_,
or _hampered_.
Thus, there is no difficulty about the meaning of _Hanaper_; and
its connection with _treasure_ is plain and clear enough: and, with
respect to _cups_, though chiefly used for drinking, the presentation
of them with sums of money in them has ever been, and indeed is,
so very customary, that it is needless to occupy space here with
instances. But I cannot distinctly connect the _hanap_ of the
exhibition with _hanaper_: and I perhaps ought to look in another
direction for its true signification and etymology.