om the bags of the rich and idle, and returning them in
fertilising showers on the poor and industrious: an operation which more
enlightened statesmen have happily reversed, to the unspeakable benefit
of the community at large. The light footsteps of Marian were impressed
on the morning dew beside the firmer step of her lover, and they shook
its large drops about them as they cleared themselves a passage through
the thick tall fern, without any fear of catching cold, which was not
much in fashion in the twelfth century. Robin was as hospitable as
Cathmor; for seven men stood on seven paths to call the stranger to his
feast. It is true, he superadded the small improvement of making the
stranger pay for it: than which what could be more generous? For Cathmor
was himself the prime giver of his feast, whereas Robin was only
the agent to a series of strangers, who provided in turn for
the entertainment of their successors; which is carrying the
disinterestedness of hospitality to its acme. Marian often killed the
deer,

Which Scarlet dressed, and Friar Tuck blessed
While Little John wandered in search of a guest.

Robin was very devout, though there was great unity in his religion: it
was exclusively given to our Lady the Virgin, and he never set forth in
a morning till he had said three prayers, and had heard the sweet voice
of his Marian singing a hymn to their mutual patroness. Each of his men
had, as usual, a patron saint according to his name or taste. The
friar chose a saint for himself, and fixed on Saint Botolph, whom he
euphonised into Saint Bottle, and maintained that he was that very
Panomphic Pantagruelian saint, well known in ancient France as a female
divinity, by the name of La Dive Bouteille, whose oracular monosyllable
"Trincq," is celebrated and under-stood by all nations, and is
expounded by the learned doctor Alcofribas, [6] who has treated at large
on the subject, to signify "drink." Saint Bottle, then, was the saint of
Friar Tuck, who did not yield even to Robin and Marian in the assiduity
of his devotions to his chosen patron. Such was their summer life, and
in their winter caves they had sufficient furniture, ample provender,
store of old wine, and assuredly no lack of fuel, with joyous music and
pleasant discourse to charm away the season of darkness and storms.

The reader who desires to know more about this oracular divinity, may
consult the said doctor Alcofribas Nasier, who will usher him i