Chapter Canaille to Cannon of C by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

till the candle is burnt down to the pin, when the pin drops into the candlestick, and the last bidder is declared the purchaser. This sort of auction was employed in 1893, according to the Reading Mercury (Dec. 16), at Aldermaston, near Reading.

“The Council thinks it meet to propose the way of selling by `inch of candle,' as being the most probable means to procure the true value of the goods.” - Milton: Letters, etc.

   To smell of the lamp (or candle). To betray laborious art, but the best literary work is the art of concealing art; to manifest great pains and long study by night.
   To vow a candle to the devil. To propitiate the devil by a bribe, as some seek to propitiate the saints in glory by a votive candle.
   What is the Latin for candle?- Tacë. Here is a play of words: tace means hold your tongue, don't bother me. (See Goose.)
   Candles used by Roman Catholics at funerals are the relic of an ancient Roman custom.

Candle-holder An abettor. The reference is to the practice of holding a candle in the Catholic Church for the reader, and in ordinary life to light a workman when he requires more light.

“I'll be candle-holder and look on.”- Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, i. 4.

Candles of the Night The stars are so called by Shakespeare, in the Merchant of Venice, v. 1. Milton has improved upon the idea:-

“Else, O thievish Night,
Why shouldst thou, but for some felonious end,
In thy dark lantern thus close up the stars
That Nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps
With everlasting oil, to give due light
To the misled and lonely traveller?”
Comus, 200-206.

Candlemas Day The feast of the purification of the Virgin Mary, when Christ was presented by her in the Temple. February 2nd, when, in the Roman Catholic Church, there is a candle procession, to consecrate all the candles which will be needed in the church during the year. The candles symbolise Jesus Christ, called “the light of the world,” and “a light to lighten the Gentiles.” It was the old Roman custom of burning candles to the goddess Februa, mother of Mars, to scare away evil spirits.

“On Candlemas Day
Candles and candlesticks throw all away.”

Candour (Mrs.). A type of female backbiters. In Sheridan's comedy of The School for Scandal.

“The name of `Mrs. Candour' has become one of those formidable by-words, which have had more power in putting folly and ill-nature out of countenance than whole volumes of remonstrance.”- T. Moore.

Canens A nymph, wife of Picus, King of the Laurentes. When Circê had changed Picus into a bird, Canens lamented him so greatly that she pined away, till she became a vox et prætorca nihil. (Ovid: Metamorphoses, 14 fab. 9.)

Canephorae (in architecture). Figures of young persons of either sex bearing a basket on their head. (Latin, canephoræ, plural; singular, Greek, kaghjoroz.) The English singular is “canephor” (3 syl.).

Canicular Days The dog-days, corresponding with the overflow of the Nile. From the middle of July to the beginning of the second week in September. (Latin, canicula, diminutive of canis, a dog.)

Canicular Period A cycle of 1461 years or 1460 Julian years, called a “Sothic period.” When it was supposed that any given day had passed through all the seasons of the year.

Canicular Year The ancient Egyptian year, computed from one heliacal rising of the Dog-star (Sirius) to the next.

Canidia A sorceress, who could bring the moon from heaven. Alluded to by Horace. (Epodes, v.)

“Your ancient conjurors were wont
To make her [the moon] from her sphere dismount,
And to their incantations stoop.”
Butler: Hudibras, part ii. 3.

Canister The head (pugilistic term). “To mill his canister” is to break his head. A “canister cap” is a covering for the head, whether hat or cap. A “canister” is a small coffer or box, and the head is the “canister” or coffer of man's brains.