_Dog-whipping Day in Hull_ (Vol. viii., p. 409.).--This custom obtains, or used to do, in York on St. Luke's Day, Oct. 18, which is there known by the name of "Whip-dog Day." Drake considers the origin of it uncertain and though he is of opinion that it is a very old custom, he does not {65} agree with those who date it as far back as the Romans. In the _History of York_, vol. i. p. 306., respecting the author of which a Query has appeared in "N. & Q.," Vol. viii., p. 125., the traditional account of its origin is given: "That in times of Popery, a priest celebrating mass at the festival in some church in York, unfortunately dropped the pix after consecration, which was snatched up suddenly and swallowed by a dog that lay under the table. The profanation of this high mystery occasioned the death of the dog; and a persecution began, and has since continued on this day (St. Luke's), to be severely carried on against all the species in the city." A very curious whipping custom prevails at Leicester, known by the name of "Whipping Toms," on the afternoon of Shrove Tuesday. It is thus described in Hone's _Year Book_, p. 539.: "In this space (the Newark) several (I think three) men called 'Whipping Toms,' each being armed with a large waggon whip, and attended by another man carrying a bell, claim the right of flogging every person whom they can catch while their attendant bell-man can keep ringing his bell." Perhaps some one of your correspondents will be able to afford an origin for this odd usage. R. W. ELLIOT. Clifton. A Spanish lady now resident in England, a member of the Latin Church, mentioned to me, some months since, a custom prevailing in her native land similar to that in Hull described by MR. RICHARDSON. It arose on this wise: Once upon a time, on a high festival of the Church, when there was an exposition of the blessed Sacrament, a dog rushed into the church when the altar was unguarded, and carried off the Host. This deed of the sacrilegious animal filled the Spaniards with such horror, that ever after, on the anniversary of that day, all dogs were beaten and stoned that showed themselves in the streets. EDWARD PEACOCK. Bottesford Moors. _Mousehunt_ (Vol. viii., pp. 516. 606.).--I think the inquiry relative to this animal may be satisfactorily answered by the following quotation from a very excellent and learned work, entitled _A Natural History of British and Foreign Quadrupeds, containing many Original Observations and Anecdotes_, by James H. Fennell, 8vo., London, 1841: