THE BISHOP THAT BURNETH

I do not think Major Moor is correct in his application of Tusser's words, "the bishop that burneth," to the lady-bird. Whether lady-birds are unwelcome guests in a dairy I know not, but certainly I never heard of their being accustomed to haunt such places. The true interpretation of Tusser's words must, I think, be obtained by comparison with the following lines from his *Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry*, quoted in Ellis's *Brand*, iii. 207.:— "Blesse Cisley (good mistress) that bishop doth ban For burning the milk of her cheese to the pan." The reference here, as well as in the words…