PILGRIMS' SCALLOP-SHELLS. 241 



but shells There's really no end in nature to the eatin' 



of eisters."* 



According to an old proverb, " Whoever eats oysters 

 on St. James's-day [July 25] will never want money." A 

 recent writer, in explanation, of the saying, affirms that 

 it is customary in London which we doubt to begin 

 eating oysters on St. James's-day, when they are neces- 

 sarily somewhat dearer than afterwards ; so that the pro- 

 verb may be understood as a jocular encouragement to a 

 little piece of extravagance and self-indulgence. We are 

 more inclined to regard it as ironical : the epicure who 

 can purchase oysters so long before the oyster-season 

 begins, must needs be a man whose resources will raise 

 him above want ! 



In connection with oysters and St. James's-day, we have 

 the old association of the apostle with pilgrims' shells ; 

 the scallop-shells which the " palmers " wore in their 

 caps when bound on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. 

 James at Compostella. So says the old ballad : 



" And how should I know your true love 



From many an other one ? 



Oh, by his scallop-shell and hat, 



And by his sandal-shoon." 



A custom in London, now rapidly dying out, makes 

 this relation more evident. In the course of the few days 

 following upon the introduction of oysters for the season, 

 the children of the humbler classes employ themselves 

 diligently in collecting the shells which have been cast out 

 from taverns and fish-shops ; and these they pile up in 

 various rude devices. By the time that old St. Jaines's- 

 day [August 5th] comes round, these little structures 



* Wilson, " Noctes Ambrosianae," ii. 107, 108. 



