| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Crape … . Lawn. | | |
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A saint in crape is twice a saint in lawn. (Pope: Ep. to Cobham, 136.) Crape (a sort of bombazine, or alpaca) is the stuff of which cheap clerical gowns used to be made, and here means one of the lower clergy; “lawn” refers to the lawn sleeves of a bishop, and here means a prelate. A good curate is all very well, but the same goodness in a bishop is exalted as something noteworthy. | 1 |
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