There have been many opinions regarding the meaning and derivation of the word _furry_. Polwhele says (_History of Cornwall_, 1826, vol. ii. p. 41) that _furry_ is derived from _fer_, a fair: a derivation which seems probable from the expression in the _furry-song_. “_They both are gone to the fair, O_.” Some think that the word in question is derived from the Greek φερω, to bear. The rites of the _furry_ correspond most intimately with the ανθες φορεα, a Sicilian festival, so named απο τε φερειν ανθεα, or from _carrying flowers_, in commemoration of the rape of Proserpine, whom Pluto stole as she was gathering flowers--“herself a fairer flower!” Others derive the word _furry_ from the Cornish _furrier_, a thief, from the green spoils they brought home from the woods.--See Potter’s _Antiquities_, vol. i., and _Gent. Mag._ vol. lx. pp. 520, 873, 1100. MAY 10.] WHITSUNDAY. In the Catholic times of England it was usual to dramatise the descent of the Holy Ghost, which this festival commemorates,--a custom we find alluded to in Barnaby Googe’s translation of _Naogeorgus_: “On Whit-sunday whyte pigeons tame in strings from heaven flie, And one that framed is of wood still hangeth in the skie. Thou seest how they with idols play, and teach the people too; None otherwise than little gyrls with puppets used to do.” In an old _Computus_, anno 1509, of St. Patrick’s, Dublin, we find iv^{s.} vii^{d.} paid to those playing with the great and little angel and the dragon; iii^{s.} paid for little cords employed about the Holy Ghost; iv^{s.} vi^{d.} for making the angel (_thurificantis_) censing, and ii^{s.} ii^{d.} for cords of it--all on the feast of Pentecost.--_Every Day Book_, vol. i. p. 685. Whitsunday is observed as a _Scarlet Day_ in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.--_Kalendar of the English Church_, 1865, p. 73. The origin of the term Whitsunday has been warmly contested by various writers, and still seems to be an undecided question. For an interesting article on this subject, see _N. & Q. 5th S._ vol. i. pp. 401-403. Consult also _N. & Q. 2nd S._ vol. ii. p. 154; _3rd S._ vol. vii. p. 479; _4th S._ vol. xi. p. 437. Dr. Neale’s _Church Festivals and their Household Words._--_The Prayer Book Interleaved_ (Champion and Beaumont). _Whitsun Ale._--Ale was so prevalent a drink amongst us in old times, as to become a part of the name of various festal meetings, as Leet-ale, Lamb-ale, Bride-ale (bridal), and, as we see, Whitsun-ale. It was the custom of our ancestors to have parochial meetings every Whitsuntide, usually in some barn near the church, consisting of a kind of picnic, as each parishioner brought what victuals he could spare. The ale, which had been brewed pretty strong for the occasion, was sold by the churchwardens, and from its profits a fund arose for the repair of the church.--See _Book of Days_, vol. i. p. 637; also Brand, _Pop. Antiq._ 1849, vol. i. pp. 276, 283. CORNWALL.