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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Righte Merrie Christmasse, by John Ashton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Righte Merrie Christmasse
+       The Story of Christ-Tide
+
+Author: John Ashton
+
+Illustrator: Arthur C. Behrend
+
+Release Date: November 30, 2006 [EBook #19979]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RIGHTE MERRIE CHRISTMASSE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Julie Barkley, Linda Cantoni, and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+A righte Merrie Christmasse!!!
+
+The Story of Christ-tide
+
+
+By John Ashton. Copperplate
+Etching of "The
+Wassail Song," by Arthur
+C. Behrend.
+
+
+London: published by the Leadenhall
+Press, Ltd., 50 Leadenhall Street;
+Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent
+& Co., Ltd. New York: Charles
+Scribner's Sons, 153-157 Fifth Avenue.
+
+The Leadenhall Press Ltd.
+London
+[1894]
+
+
+[Transcriber's Notes:
+
+This text contains passages using the Anglo-Saxon thorn (Þ or þ,
+equivalent of "th"), which should display properly in most text
+viewers. The Anglo-Saxon yogh (equivalent of "y," "i," "g," or "gh")
+will display properly only if the user has the proper font, so to
+maximize accessibility, the character "3" is used in this e-text to
+represent the yogh.
+
+Characters with a macron are preceded by an equal sign and enclosed in
+square brackets, e.g., [=a].
+
+Superscripted characters are preceded by a carat and enclosed in curly
+brackets, e.g., y^{t}.]
+
+
+[Illustration: The Wassail Song]
+
+
+
+
+TO THE READER
+
+
+     I do not craue
+     mo thankes to haue,
+     than geuen to me
+     all ready be;
+     but this is all,
+     to such as shall
+       peruse this booke.
+     That, for my sake,
+     they gently take
+     what ere they finde
+     against their minde,
+     when he, or she,
+     shal minded be
+       therein to looke.
+
+     _Tusser._
+
+
+
+
+A righte Merrie Christmasse!!!
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+It is with a view of preserving the memory of Christmas that I have
+written this book.
+
+In it the reader will find its History, Legends, Folk-lore, Customs,
+and Carols--in fact, an epitome of Old Christ-tide, forming a volume
+which, it is hoped, will be found full of interest.
+
+JOHN ASHTON.
+
+
+
+
+A righte Merrie Christmasse!!!
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+Date of Christ's Birth discussed--Opinions of the Fathers--The
+Eastern Church and Christ-tide--Error in Chronology--Roman
+Saturnalia--Scandinavian Yule--Duration of Christ-tide 1
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Historic Christ-tides in 790, 878, and 1065--William I.,
+1066-1085--William II.--Henry I., 1127--Stephen--Henry II.,
+1158-1171--Richard I., 1190--John, 1200--Henry III., 1253--Edwards I.,
+II., and III.--Richard II., 1377-1398--Henry IV.-V., 1418--Henry
+VIII., his magnificent Christ-tides 9
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+Historic Christ-tides--Edward VI., 1551--Mary--Elizabeth--James
+I.--The Puritans--The Pilgrim Fathers--Christmas's Lamentation--Christ-tide
+in the Navy, 1625 19
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+Attempts of Puritans to put down Christ-tide--Attitude of the
+people--Preaching before Parliament--"The arraignment, etc., of
+Christmas" 26
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+The popular love of Christmas--Riots at Ealing and
+Canterbury--Evelyn's Christmas days, 1652, '3, '4, '5, '7, Cromwell
+and Christ-tide--The Restoration--Pepys and Christmas day, 1662--"The
+Examination and Tryal of old Father Christmas" 34
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+Commencement of Christ-tide--"O Sapientia!"--St. Thomas's day--William
+the Conqueror and the City of York--Providing for Christmas
+fare--Charities of food--Bull-baiting--Christ-tide charities--Going
+"a-Thomassing," etc.--Superstitions of the day 45
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+Paddington Charity (Bread and Cheese Lands)--Barring-out at
+Schools--Interesting narrative 53
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+The Bellman--Descriptions of him--His verses. The Waits--Their
+origin--Ned Ward on them--Corporation Waits--York Waits (17th
+century)--Essay on Waits--Westminster Waits--Modern Waits 63
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+Christ-tide Carols--The days of Yule--A Carol for
+Christ-tide--"Lullaby"--The Cherry-tree Carol--Dives and Lazarus 70
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+Christmas Eve--Herrick thereon--The Yule Log--Folk-lore thereon--The
+Ashen Faggot--Christmas Candles--Christmas Eve in the Isle of
+Man--Hunting the Wren--Divination by Onions and Sage--A Custom at
+Aston--"The Mock"--Decorations and Kissing Bunch--"Black
+Ball"--Guisers and Waits--Ale Posset 75
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+Christmas Eve in North Notts--Wassailing the Fruit Trees--Wassail
+Songs--Wassailing in Sussex--Other Customs--King at Downside
+College--Christ-tide Carol--Midnight Mass--The Manger--St. Francis of
+Assisi 84
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+Decorating with Evergreens--Its Origin and Antiquity--Mistletoe in
+Churches--The permissible Evergreens--The Holly--"Holly and
+Ivy"--"Here comes Holly"--"Ivy, chief of Trees"--"The Contest of the
+Ivy and the Holly"--Holly Folk-lore--Church Decorations--To be kept up
+till Candlemas day 91
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+Legends of the Nativity--The Angels--The Birth--The Cradles--The Ox
+and Ass--Legends of Animals--The Carol of St. Stephen--Christmas
+Wolves--Dancing for a Twelve-months--Underground Bells--The Fiddler
+and the Devil 97
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+The Glastonbury Thorn, its Legend--Cuttings from it--Oaks coming into
+leaf on Christmas day--Folk-lore--Forecast, according to the days of
+the week on which Christmas falls--Other Folk-lore thereon 105
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+Withholding Light--"Wesley Bob"--Wassail Carol--Presents in
+Church--Morris Dancers--"First Foot"--Red-haired Men--Lamprey
+Pie--"Hodening"--Its Possible Origin--The "Mari Lhoyd" 111
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+Curious Gambling Customs in Church--Boon granted--Sheaf of Corn for
+the Birds--Crowning of the Cock--"The Lord Mayor of Pennyless
+Cove"--"Letting in Yule"--Guisards--Christmas in the Highlands--Christmas
+in Shetland--Christmas in Ireland 117
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+Ordinance against out-door Revelry--Marriage of a Lord of
+Misrule--Mummers and Mumming--Country Mummers--Early Play--Two modern
+Plays 125
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A Christmas jest--Ben Jonson's Masque of Christmas--Milton's Masque of
+Comus--Queen Elizabeth and the Masters of Defence 138
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+The Lord of Misrule--The "Emperor" and "King" at Oxford--Dignity of
+the Office--Its abolition in the City of London--The functions of a
+Lord of Misrule--Christmas at the Temple--A grand Christmas there 143
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+A riotous Lord of Misrule at the Temple--Stubbes on Lords of
+Misrule--The Bishops ditto--Mumming at Norwich 1440--Dancing at the
+Inns of Court--Dancing at Christmas--The Cushion Dance 155
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Honey Fairs--Card-playing at Christmas--Throwing the Hood--Early
+Religious Plays--Moralities--Story of a Gray's Inn Play--The first
+Pantomime--Spectacular drama--George Barnwell--Story respecting this
+Play 162
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+Profusion of Food at Christ-tide--Old English
+Fare--Hospitality--Proclamations for People to spend Christ-tide at
+their Country Places--Roast Beef--Boar's Head--Boar's Head
+Carol--Custom at Queen's College, Oxon.--Brawn--Christmas Pie--Goose
+Pie--Plum Pudding--Plum Porridge--Anecdotes of Plum Pudding--Large
+one--Mince Pies--Hackin--Folk-lore--Gifts at Christ-tide--Yule
+Doughs--Cop-a-loaf--Snap-dragon 169
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+The First Carol--Anglo-Norman Carol--Fifteenth-Century Carol--"The
+Twelve Good Joys of Mary"--Other Carols--"A Virgin most Pure"--Carol
+of Fifteenth Century--"A Christenmesse Carroll" 180
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+Christmas Gifts forbidden in the City of London--Charles II. and
+Christmas Gifts--Christmas Tree--Asiatic Descent--Scandinavian
+Descent--Candles on the Tree--Early Notices of in England--Santa
+Claus--Krishkinkle--Curious Tenures of Land at Christmas 186
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+Christ-tide Literature--Christmas Cards--Their Origin--Lamplighter's
+Verses--Watchman's Verses--Christmas Pieces 194
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+Carol for St. Stephen's Day--Boxing Day--Origin of Custom--Early
+examples--The Box--Bleeding Horses--Festivity on this Day--Charity at
+Bampton--Hunting the Wren in Ireland--Song of the Wren Boys 201
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+St. John's Day--Legend of the Saint--Carols for the Day--Holy
+Innocents--Whipping Children--Boy Bishops--Ceremonies connected
+therewith--The King of Cockney's Unlucky Day--Anecdote thereon--Carol
+for the Day 207
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+New Year's Eve--Wassail--New Year's Eve Customs--Hogmany--The
+Cl[=a]vie--Other Customs--Weather Prophecy 214
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+New Year's Day--Carol--New Year's Gifts--"Dipping"--Riding the
+"Stang"--Curious Tenures--God Cakes--The "Quaaltagh"--"First foot" in
+Scotland--Highland Customs--In Ireland--Weather Prophecies--Handsel
+Monday 220
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+Eve of Twelfth Day--Thirteen Fires--Tossing the Cake--Wassailing
+Apple-Trees--The Eve in Ireland--Twelfth Day, or Epiphany--Carol for
+the Day--Royal Offerings 232
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+"The King of the Bean"--Customs on Twelfth Day--Twelfth Cakes--Twelfth
+Night Characters--Modern Twelfth Night--The Pastry Cook's
+Shops--Dethier's Lottery--The Song of the Wren--"Holly Night" at
+Brough--"Cutting off the Fiddler's Head" 238
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+St. Distaff's Day--Plough Monday--Customs on the Day--Feast of the
+Purification 246
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+     Date of Christ's Birth discussed--Opinions of the
+     Fathers--The Eastern Church and Christ-tide--Error in
+     Chronology--Roman Saturnalia--Scandinavian Yule--Duration of
+     Christ-tide.
+
+
+The day on which Jesus Christ died is plainly distinguishable, but the
+day of His birth is open to very much question, and, literally, is
+only conjectural; so that the 25th December must be taken purely as
+the day on which His birth is celebrated, and not as His absolute
+natal day. In this matter we can only follow the traditions of the
+Church, and tradition alone has little value.
+
+In the second and early third centuries of our æra, we only know that
+the festivals, other than Sundays and days set apart for the
+remembrance of particular martyrs, were the Passover, Pentecost, and
+the Epiphany, the baptism or manifestation of our Lord, when came "a
+voice from Heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
+pleased." This seems always to have been fixed for the 6th of January,
+and with it was incorporated the commemoration of His birth.
+
+Titus Flavius Clemens, generally known as Clemens of Alexandria, lived
+exactly at this time, and was a contemporary of Origen. He speaks
+plainly on the subject, and shows the uncertainty, even at that early
+epoch of Christianity, of fixing the date:[1] "There are those who,
+with an over-busy curiosity, attempt to fix not only the year, but the
+date of our Saviour's birth, who, they say, was born in the
+twenty-eighth year of Augustus, on the 25th of the month Pachon,"
+_i.e._ the 20th of May. And in another place he says: "Some say that
+He was born on the 24th or 25th of the month Pharmuthi," which would
+be the 19th or 20th of April.
+
+[Footnote 1: _Stromat._, L. 1, pp. 407-408, ed. Oxon., 1715.]
+
+But, perhaps, the best source of information is from the _Mémoires
+pour servir à l'histoire ecclésiastique des six premiers Siècles_, by
+Louis Sebastian le Nain de Tillemont, written at the very commencement
+of the eighteenth century,[2] and I have no hesitation in appending a
+portion of his fourth note, which treats "_Upon the day and year of
+the birth of Jesus Christ_."
+
+[Footnote 2: Translated by T. Deacon in 1733-35, pp. 335-336.]
+
+"It is thought that Jesus Christ was born in the night, because it was
+night when the angel declared His birth to the shepherds: in which S.
+Augustin says that He literally fulfilled David's words, _Ante
+luciferum genuite_.
+
+"The tradition of the Church, says this father, is that it was upon
+the 25th of December. Casaubon acknowledges that we should not
+immediately reject it upon the pretence that it is too cold a season
+for cattle to be at pasture, there being a great deal of difference
+between these countries and Judæa; and he assures us that, even in
+England, they leave the cows in the field all the year round.
+
+"S. Chrysostom alleges several reasons to prove that Jesus Christ was
+really born upon the 25th of December; but they are weak enough,
+except that which he assures of, that it has always been the belief of
+the Western Churches. S. Epiphanius, who will have the day to have
+been the 6th of January, places it but at twelve days' distance. S.
+Clement of Alexandria says that, in his time, some fixed the birth of
+Jesus Christ upon the 19th or 20th April; others, on the 20th of May.
+He speaks of it as not seeing anything certain in it.
+
+"It is cited from one John of Nice, that it was only under Pope Julius
+that the Festival of the Nativity was fixed at Rome upon the 25th of
+December. Father Combesisius, who has published the epistle of this
+author, confesses that he is very modern: to which we may add that he
+is full of idle stories, and entirely ignorant of the history and
+discipline of antiquity. So that it is better to rest upon the
+testimony of S. Chrysostom, who asserts that, for a long time before,
+and by very ancient tradition, it was celebrated upon the 25th of
+December in the West, that is, in all the countries which reach from
+Thrace to Cadiz, and to the farthest parts of Spain. He names Rome
+particularly; and thinks that it might be found there that this was
+the true day of our Saviour's birth, by consulting the registers of
+the description of Judæa made at that time, supposing them still to be
+preserved there. We find this festival placed upon the 25th of
+December in the ancient Roman Calendar, which was probably made in the
+year 354....
+
+"We find by S. Basil's homily upon the birth of our Lord that a
+festival in commemoration of it was observed in Cappadocia, provided
+that this homily is all his; but I am not of opinion that it appears
+from thence either that this was done in January rather than December
+or any other month in the year, or that this festival was joined with
+that of the Baptism. On the contrary, the Churches of Cappadocia seem
+to have distinguished the Feast of the Nativity from that of the
+Epiphany, for S. Gregory Nazianzen says, that after he had been
+ordained priest, in the year 361, upon the festival of one mystery, he
+retired immediately after into Pontus, on that of another mystery, and
+returned from Pontus upon that of a third. Now we find that he
+returned at Easter, so that there is all imaginable reason to believe
+that he was ordained at Christmas, and retired upon the Epiphany. S.
+Basil died, in all probability, upon the 1st of January in the year
+379, and S. Gregory Nyssen says that his festival followed close upon
+those of Christmas, S. Stephen, S. Peter, S. James, and S. John. We
+read in an oration ascribed to S. Amphilochius, that he died on the
+day of the Circumcision, between the Nativity of Jesus Christ and His
+Baptism. S. Gregory Nyssen says that the Feast of Lights, and of the
+Baptism of Jesus Christ, was celebrated some days after that of His
+Nativity. The other S. Gregory takes notice of several mysteries which
+were commemorated at Nazianzium with the Nativity, the Magi, etc., but
+he says nothing, in that place, of the Baptism. And yet, if the
+festival of Christmas was observed in Cappadocia upon the 25th of
+December, we must say that S. Chrysostom was ignorant of it, since he
+ascribes this practice only to Thrace and the more Western
+provinces....
+
+"In the year 377, or soon after, some persons who came from Rome,
+introduced into Syria the practice of celebrating our Lord's Nativity
+in the month of December, upon the same day as was done in the West;
+and this festival was so well received in that country that in less
+than ten years it was entirely established at Antioch, and was
+observed there by all the people with great solemnity, though some
+complained of it as an innovation. S. Chrysostom, who informs us of
+all this, speaks of it in such a manner as to make Father Thomassin
+say, not that the birth of Jesus Christ had till then been kept upon a
+wrong day, but that absolutely it had not been celebrated there at
+all.
+
+"S. Chrysostom seems to say, that this festival was received at the
+same time by the neighbouring provinces to Antioch; but this must not
+be extended as far as to Egypt, as we learn from a passage in Cassian.
+This author seems to speak only of the time when he was in Scetæ
+(about 399), but also of that when he wrote his tenth conference
+(about the year 420 or 425). But it appears that, in the year 432,
+Egypt had likewise embraced the practice of Rome: for Paul of Emesa,
+in the discourse which he made then at Alexandria upon the 29th of
+Coiac, which is the 25th of December, says it was the day on which
+Jesus Christ was born. S. Isidore of Pelusium, in Egypt, mentions the
+Theophany and the Nativity of our Saviour, according to the flesh, as
+two different festivals. We were surprised to read in an oration of
+Basil of Seleucia, upon S. Stephen, that Juvenal of Jerusalem, who
+might be made bishop about the year 420, was the first who celebrated
+there our Saviour's Nativity."
+
+The Armenian Church still keeps up the eastern 6th of January as
+Christmas day--and, as the old style of the calendar is retained, it
+follows that they celebrate the Nativity twenty-four days after we do:
+and modern writers make the matter more mixed--for Wiesseler thinks
+that the date of the Nativity was 10th January, whilst Mr. Greswell
+says it occurred on the 9th April B.C. 4.
+
+It is not everybody that knows that our system of chronology is four
+years wrong--_i.e._ that Jesus Christ must have been born four years
+before _Anno Domini_, the year of our Lord. It happened in this way.
+Dionysius Exiguus, in 533, first introduced the system of writing the
+words _Anno Domini_, to point out the number of years which had
+elapsed since the Incarnation of our Lord; in other words he
+introduced our present chronology. He said the year 1 was the same as
+the year A.U.C. (from the building of Rome) 754; and this statement he
+based on the fact that our Saviour was born in the twenty-eighth year
+of the reign of Augustus; and he reckoned from A.U.C. 727, when the
+emperor first took the name of Augustus. The early Christians,
+however, dated from the battle of Actium, which was A.U.C. 723, thus
+making the Nativity 750. Now we believe that that event took place
+during Herod's reign, and we know that Herod died between the 13th
+March and 29th March, on which day Passover commenced, in A.U.C. 750,
+so that it stands to reason that our chronology is wrong.
+
+Some think that the date of 25th December, which certainly began in
+the Roman Church, was fixed upon to avoid the multiplication of
+festivals about the vernal equinox, and to appropriate to a Christian
+use the existing festival of the winter solstice--the returning sun
+being made symbolical of the visit of Christ to our earth; and to
+withdraw Christian converts from those pagan observances with which
+the closing year was crowded, whilst the licence of the _Saturnalia_
+was turned into the merriment of Christmas.
+
+This festival of the Saturnalia (of which the most complete account is
+given by Macrobius in his _Conviviorum Saturnaliorum_) dated from the
+remotest settlement of Latium, whose people reverenced Saturnus as the
+author of husbandry and the arts of life. At this festival the utmost
+freedom of social intercourse was permitted to all classes; even
+slaves were allowed to come to the tables of their masters clothed in
+their apparel, and were waited on by those whom they were accustomed
+to serve. Feasting, gaming, and revelry were the occupations of all
+classes, without discrimination of age, or sex, or rank. Processions
+crowded the streets, boisterous with mirth: these illuminated the
+night with lighted tapers of wax, which were also used as gifts
+between friends in the humbler walks of life. The season was one for
+the exchange of gifts of friendship, and especially of gifts to
+children. It began on the 17th December, and extended virtually, to
+the commencement of the New Year.
+
+Prynne[3] speaks thus of Christmas: "If we compare our Bacchanalian
+Christmasses and New Year's Tides with these Saturnalia and Feasts of
+Janus, we shall finde such near affinytie betweene them both in regard
+of time (they being both in the end of December and on the first of
+January), and in their manner of solemnizing (both of them being spent
+in revelling, epicurisme, wantonesse, idlenesse, dancing, drinking,
+stage playes, and such other Christmas disorders now in use with
+Christians), were derived from these Roman Saturnalia and Bacchanalian
+Festivals; which should cause all pious Christians eternally to
+abominate them."
+
+[Footnote 3: _Histrio Mastix_, ed. 1633, p. 757.]
+
+The Anglo-Saxons and early English knew not the words either of
+Christmas or Christ-tide. To them it was the season of Yule. Bede (_de
+temporum ratione_, c. 13), regards it as a term for the winter
+solstice. "Menses Giuli a conversione solis in auctum dici, quia unus
+eorum præcedit, alius subsequitur, nomina acceperunt": alluding to the
+Anglo-Saxon Calendar, which designated the months of December and
+January as _æerre-geola_ and _æftera-geola_, the former and the latter
+Yule. Both Skeat and Wedgwood derive it from the old Norse _jól_,
+which means feasting and revelry. Mr. J.F. Hodgetts, in an article
+entitled "Paganism in Modern Christianity" (_Antiquary_, December
+1882, p. 257), says:--
+
+"The ancient name (Yule) for Christmas is still used throughout all
+Scandinavia. The Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians wish each other a 'glad
+Yule,' as we say 'A merry Christmas to you.' This alone would serve to
+draw our attention to Scandinavia, even if no other reason existed for
+searching there for the origin of our great Christian Feast. The grand
+storehouses of Pagan lore, as far as the Northern nations of Teutonic
+race are concerned, are the two Eddas, and if we refer to the part, or
+chapter, of Snorri Sturlson's Edda, known as _Gylfa Ginning_, we shall
+find the twelfth name of Odin, the Father of the Gods, or Allfather,
+given as _Iàlg_ or _Iàlkr_ (pronounced _yolk_ or _yulg_). The
+Christmas tree, introduced into Russia by the Scandinavians, is
+called _ëlka_ (pronounced _yolka_), and in the times just preceding,
+and just after, the conquest of Britain by the English, this high
+feast of Odin was held in mid-winter, under the name of _Iàlka tid_,
+or Yule-tide. It was celebrated at this season, because the Vikings,
+being then unable to go to sea, could assemble in their great halls
+and temples and drink to the gods they served so well. Another reason
+was, that it fell towards the end of the twelve mystic months that
+made up the mythical, as well as the cosmical, cycle of the year, and
+was therefore appropriately designated by the last of the names by
+which Odin is called in the Edda."
+
+There are different opinions as to the duration of Christ-tide. The
+Roman Church holds that Christmas properly begins at Lauds on
+Christmas Eve, when the Divine Office begins to be solemnised as a
+Double, and refers directly to the Nativity of our Lord. It terminates
+on the 13th of January, the Octave day of the Epiphany. The evergreens
+and decorations remain in churches and houses until the 2nd of
+February, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
+
+But I think that if we in England are bound by ecclesiastical law as
+to the keeping of Christ-tide, it should, at least, be an English
+use--such as was observed before the domination of Rome in England.
+And, previous to the _Natale_, or Festival of the Nativity, the early
+Church ordained a preparatory period of _nine days_, called a
+_Novena_. These take the commencement of Christ-tide back to the 16th
+December, on which day the Sarum use ordained the Anthem, which
+commences, "O Sapientia, quæ ex ore Altissimi prodidisti," and at the
+present time this day is marked in the Calendar of the English Church
+Service Book as "O Sapientia." That this was commonly considered the
+commencement of Christ-tide is shown by the following anecdote of the
+learned Dr. Parr:--A lady asked him when Christmas commenced, so that
+she might know when to begin to eat mince pies. "Please to say
+Christmas pie, madam," replied the Doctor. "Mince pie is
+Presbyterian." "Well, Christmas pie--when may we begin to eat them?"
+"Look in your Prayer-book Calendar for December and there you will
+find 'O Sapientia.' Then Christmas pie--not before."
+
+The Festival was considered of such high importance by the
+Anglo-Saxons that the ordinary Octave was not good enough; it must be
+kept up for _twelve_ days. And Collier (_Eccl. Hist._, 1840, vol. i.
+p. 285) says that a law passed in the days of King Alfred, "by virtue
+of which the _twelve days_ after the Nativity of our Saviour are made
+festivals." This brings us to the feast of the Epiphany, 6th January,
+or "Twelfth Day," when Christmas ends--for the Epiphany has its own
+Octave to follow, and I think the general consensus of opinion is in
+favour of this ending.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+     Historic Christ-tides in 790, 878, and 1065--William I.,
+     1066-1085--William II.--Henry I., 1127--Stephen--Henry II.,
+     1158-1171--Richard I., 1190--John, 1200--Henry III.,
+     1253--Edwards I., II., and III.--Richard II.,
+     1377-1398--Henry IV.-V., 1418--Henry VIII., his magnificent
+     Christ-tides.
+
+
+The earliest historic Christmas in England was 790, when the Welsh
+suddenly attacked the soldiers of Offa, King of Mercia, who were
+celebrating Christ-tide, and slew many of them; and in 878, when
+Alfred was doing likewise at Chippenham, that Guthrum and his Danes
+fell upon him, destroyed his forces, and sent him a fugitive. In 1065,
+at this season, Westminster Abbey was consecrated, but King Edward was
+not there, being too ill. Next year, in this same Church of St. Peter,
+was William I. crowned on Christmas day by Aldred, archbishop of York;
+for he would not receive the crown at the hands of Stigand, archbishop
+of Canterbury, "because he was hated, and furthermore judged to be a
+verie lewd person, and a naughtie liver." In 1085 he kept his
+Christ-tide at Gloucester, where he knighted his son Henry.
+
+William II. followed the example of his father, and kept the festival
+in state; as did Henry I. at Westminster, Windsor, and elsewhere. But
+that of 1127 at Windsor was somewhat marred by a quarrel between two
+prelates. It seems that Thurston, archbishop of York (in prejudice of
+the right of William, archbishop of Canterbury), would have set the
+crown on the king's head as he was going to hear Mass, but was pushed
+back with some violence by the followers of the other archbishop, and
+his chaplain, who was bearing the archiepiscopal crozier, was
+ignominiously and contemptuously thrust out of doors, cross and all.
+The strife did not end there, for both the prelates, together with the
+bishop of Lincoln, went to Rome to lay their case before the Pope for
+his decision.
+
+Stephen, for a short time, kept Christ-tide royally; but the internal
+dissensions of his kingdom prevented him from continuing celebrating
+the festival in state. Henry II. kept his first Christ-tide at
+Bermondsey, where, to conciliate his subjects, he solemnly promised to
+expel all foreigners from England, whereupon some tarried not, but
+went incontinently. A curious event happened at Christmas 1158, when
+the king, then at Worcester, took the crown from his head and
+deposited it on the altar, never wearing it afterwards. In 1171 he
+spent the feast at Dublin, where, there being no place large enough,
+he built a temporary hall for the accommodation of his suite and
+guests, to which latter he taught the delights of civilisation in good
+cookery, masquings, and tournaments. The most famous Christ-tide that
+we hear of in the reign of Richard I. is that in 1190, when "the two
+Kings of England and France held their Christmasse this yeare at
+Messina, and still the King of England used great liberalitie in
+bestowing his treasure freelie amongst knights and other men of warre,
+so that it was thought he spent more in a moneth than anie of his
+predecessours ever spent in a whole yeare."
+
+John kept Christ-tide in 1200 at Guildford, "and there gave to his
+servants manie faire liveries and suits of apparell. The archbishop of
+Canturburie did also the like at Canturburie, seeming in deed to
+strive with the king, which of them should passe the other in such
+sumptuous appareling of their men: whereat the king (and not without
+good cause) was greatlie mooved to indignation against him, although,
+for a time, he coloured the same." John took a speedy and very curious
+revenge. "From thence he returned and came to Canturburie, where he
+held his Easter, which fell that yeare on the day of the Annunciation
+of our Ladie, at which feast he sat crowned, together with his wife,
+queen Isabell, _the archbishop of Canturburie bearing the charges of
+them and their trains while they remained there_." Next year he held
+the feast at Argenton in Normandy.
+
+Henry III. celebrated the Nativity right royally in 1253 at York,
+"whither came Alexander the young King of Scots, and was there made
+knight by the King of England; and, on Saint Stephan's day, he married
+the ladie Margaret, daughter to the King of England, according to the
+assurance before time concluded. There was a great assemblie of noble
+personages at that feast. The Queene dowager of Scotland, mother to
+King Alexander, a Frenchwoman of the house of Coucie, had passed the
+sea, and was present there with a faire companie of lords and
+gentlemen. The number of knights that were come thither on the King of
+England's part were reckoned to be at the point of one thousand. The
+King of Scots had with him three score knights, and a great sort of
+other gentlemen comparable to knights. The King of Scots did homage to
+the King of England, at that time, for the realme of Scotland, and all
+things were done with great love and favour, although, at the
+beginning, some strife was kindled about taking up of lodgings. This
+assemblie of the princes cost the archbishop verie deerelie in
+feasting and banketting them and their traines. At one dinner it was
+reported he spent at the first course three score fat oxen."
+
+Edward I. had, at two separate times, as Christmas guests Llewellyn of
+Wales and Baliol of Scotland. Edward II. kept one feast of the
+Nativity at York in 1311, revelling with Piers Gaveston and his
+companions; but that of 1326 was spent in prison at Kenilworth, whilst
+his wife and son enjoyed themselves at Wallingford. Strange and sad
+guests, too, must the captive King of France and David of Scotland
+have been at Edward III.'s Christ-tide feast in 1358 at Westminster.
+
+Richard II. came to the throne 21st June 1377, a boy of eleven years,
+and I think Stow has made a mistake in a year in the following
+account, because at the date he gives he would have been king instead
+of prince.
+
+"One other show, in the year 1377, made by the citizens for the
+disport of the young prince Richard, son to the Black Prince, in the
+feast of Christmas, in this manner:--On the Sunday before Candlemas,
+in the night, one hundred and thirty citizens, disguised and well
+horsed, in a mummery, with sound of trumpets, sackbuts, cornets,
+shalmes, and other minstrels, and innumerable torch lights of wax,
+rode from Newgate through Cheape, over the bridge, through
+Southwarke, and so to Kennington beside Lambheth, where the young
+prince remained with his mother and the Duke of Lancaster, his uncle,
+the Earls of Cambridge, Hertford, Warwicke, and Suffolke, with divers
+other lords. In the first rank did ride forty-eight in the likeness
+and habit of Esquires, two and two together, clothed in red coats and
+gowns of say or sandal, with comely visors on their faces; after them
+came forty-eight Knights, in the same livery of colour and stuff; then
+followed one richly arrayed like an Emperor; and, after him some
+distance, one stately attired like a Pope, whom followed twenty-four
+Cardinals; and, after them, eight or ten with black visors, not
+amiable, as if they had been legates from some foreign princes. These
+maskers, after they had entered Kennington, alighted from their
+horses, and entered the hall on foot; which done, the prince, his
+mother, and the lords, came out of the chamber into the hall, whom the
+said mummers did salute, showing by a pair of dice upon the table
+their desire to play with the prince, which they so handled, that the
+prince did always win when he cast them. Then the mummers set to the
+prince three jewels, one after the other, which were a bowl of gold, a
+cup of gold, and a ring of gold, which the prince won at three casts.
+Then they set to the prince's mother, the duke, the earls, and other
+lords, to every one a ring of gold, which they did also win. After
+which they were feasted, and the music sounded, the prince and lords
+danced on the one part with the mummers, which did also dance; which
+jollity being ended, they were again made to drink, and then departed
+in order as they came."
+
+When he came to the throne as Richard II. he had very enlarged ideas
+on expenditure, and amongst others on Christmas feasts. He held one at
+Lichfield in 1398, where the Pope's Nuncio and several foreign
+noblemen were present, and he was obliged to enlarge the episcopal
+palace in order to accommodate his guests. Stow tells us: "This yeere
+King Richarde kept his Christmas at Liechfield, where he spent in the
+Christmas time 200 tunns of wine, and 2000 oxen with their
+appurtenances." But then he is said to have had 2000 cooks, and
+cookery was then elevated into a science: so much so, that the
+earliest cookery book that has come down to us is _The Forme of
+Cury_, which "was compiled of the chef Mairt Cok of Kyng Richard the
+Secunde, Kyng of .nglond[4] aftir the Conquest." Twenty-eight oxen,
+three hundred sheep, an incredible number of fowls, and all kinds of
+game were slaughtered every morning for the use of his household. It
+seems incredible, but see what old John Hardyng, the metrical
+chronicler, says:--
+
+     Truly I herd Robert Ireleffe saye,
+       Clerke of the grene cloth, y^{t} to the household,
+     Came euery daye for moost partie alwaye,
+       Ten thousand folke by his messis tould,
+     That folowed the hous aye as thei would,
+       And in the kechin three hundred seruitours,
+       And in eche office many occupiours;
+
+     And ladies faire with their gentilwomen,
+       Chamberers also and launderers,
+     Three hundred of them were occupied then.
+
+[Footnote 4: [Transcriber's Note: ".nglond" appears in the original.
+An 18th-Century annotated edition of _The Forme of Cury_ notes that in
+the original manuscript, "E was intended to be prefixed in red ink" in
+place of the leading period. See Pegge, Samuel, _The Forme of Cury_,
+p. 1, note c (London: J. Nichols, 1780) (page image available at
+http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/foc/FoC042.html).]]
+
+Of the Christ-tides of Henry IV. there are no events recorded, except
+that Stow states that "in the 2nd of his reign, he then keeping his
+Christmas at Eltham, twelve aldermen and their sons rode in a mumming,
+and had great thanks," but Henry V. had at least one sweet Christmas
+day. It was in the year 1418, when he was besieging Rouen, and
+Holinshed thus describes the sufferings of the garrison. "If I should
+rehearse (according to the report of diverse writers) how deerelie
+dogs, rats, mise, and cats were sold within the towne, and how
+greedilie they were by the poore people eaten and devoured, and how
+the people dailie died for fault of food, and young infants laie
+sucking in the streets on their mother's breasts, lieng dead, starved
+for hunger; the reader might lament their extreme miseries. A great
+number of poore sillie creatures were put out at the gates, which were
+by the Englishmen that kept the trenches, beaten and driven backe
+againe to the same gates, which they found closed and shut against
+them. And so they laie betweene the wals of the citie and the trenches
+of the enimies, still crieing for helpe and releefe, for lacke whereof
+great numbers of them dailie died.
+
+"Howbeit, King Henrie, moved with pitie, upon Christmasse daie, in
+the honor of Christes Nativitie, refreshed all the poore people with
+vittels, to their great comfort and his high praise."
+
+There are no notable Christ-tides until we come to the reign of Henry
+VIII. In the second year of his reign he kept Christmas quietly at
+Richmond, the queen being near her confinement, which event taking
+place on the first of January, she was sufficiently recovered to look
+at the festivities on Twelfth day. "Against the twelfe daie, or the
+daie of the Epiphanie, at night, before the banket in the hall at
+Richmond, was a pageant devised like a mounteine, and set with stones;
+on the top of which mounteine was a tree of gold, the branches and
+boughes frised with gold, spreading on everie side over the mounteine,
+with roses and pomegranates, the which mounteine was, with vices,
+brought up towards the king, and out of the same came a ladie
+apparelled in cloth of gold, and the children of honour called the
+henchmen, which were freshlie disguised, and danced a morice before
+the king; and, that done, re-entered the mounteine, which was then
+drawen backe, and then was the wassail or banket brought in, and so
+brake up Christmasse."
+
+However the queen was better next year, and "In this yeare the king
+kept his Christmasse at Greenewich, where was such abundance of viands
+served to all comers of anie honest behaviour, as hath beene few times
+seene. And against New Yeeres night was made in the hall a castell,
+gates, towers, and dungeon, garnished with artillerie and weapon,
+after the most warlike fashion: and on the front of the castell was
+written _Le forteresse dangereux_, and, within the castell were six
+ladies cloathed in russet sattin, laid all over with leaves of gold,
+and everie one knit with laces of blew silke and gold. On their heads,
+coifs and caps all of gold. After this castell had beene caried about
+the hall, and the queene had beheld it, in came the king with five
+other, apparelled in coats, the one half of russet sattin, the other
+halfe of rich cloth of gold; on their heads caps of russet sattin
+embrodered with works of fine gold bullion.
+
+"These six assaulted the castell. The ladies seeing them so lustie and
+couragious, were content to solace with them, and upon further
+communication to yeeld the castell, and so they came downe and dansed
+a long space. And after, the ladies led the knights into the castell,
+and then the castell suddenlie vanished out of their sights. On the
+daie of the Epiphanie at night, the king, with eleven other, were
+disguised, after the manner of Italie; called a maske, a thing not
+seene before, in England; they were apparelled in garments long and
+broad, wrought all with gold, with visors and caps of gold. And, after
+the banket done, these maskers came in, with six gentlemen disguised
+in silke, bearing staffe torches, and desired the ladies to danse:
+some were content, and some refused. And, after they had dansed, and
+communed togither, as the fashion of the maske is, they tooke their
+leave and departed, and so did the queene and all the ladies."
+
+In 1513, "The king kept a solemne Christmasse at Greenwich, with
+danses and mummeries in most princelie manner. And on the Twelfe daie
+at night came into the hall a mount, called _the_ rich mount. The
+mount was set full of rich flowers of silke, and especiallie full of
+broome slips full of cods, the branches were greene sattin, and the
+flowers flat gold of damaske, which signified Plantagenet. On the top
+stood a goodlie beacon giving light; round about the beacon sat the
+king and five others, all in cotes and caps of right crimsin velvet,
+embrodered with flat gold of damaske, their cotes set full of spangles
+of gold. And foure woodhouses (? _wooden horses_) drew the mount till
+it came before the queene, and then the king and his companie
+descended and dansed. Then, suddenlie, the mount opened, and out came
+six ladies in crimsin sattin and plunket, embrodered with gold and
+pearle, with French hoods on their heads, and they dansed alone. Then
+the lords of the mount tooke the ladies and dansed together; and the
+ladies re-entered, and the mount closed, and so was conveied out of
+the hall. Then the king shifted him, and came to the queene, and sat
+at the banket, which was verie sumptuous."
+
+1514, "This Christmasse, on New Yeares night, the king, the Duke of
+Suffolke, and two other were in mantels of cloath of silver, lined
+with blew velvet; the silver was pounced in letters, that the velvet
+might be seene through; the mantels had great capes like to the
+Portingall slops, and all their hosen, dublets, and coats were of the
+same fashion cut, and of the same stuffe. With them were foure ladies
+in gowns, after the fashion of Savoie, of blew velvet, lined with
+cloath of gold, the velvet all cut, and mantels like tipets knit
+togither all of silver, and on their heads bonets of burned gold: the
+foure torch-bearers were in sattin white and blew. This strange
+apparell pleased much everie person, and in especiall the queene. And
+thus these foure lords and foure ladies came into the queenes chamber
+with great light of torches, and dansed a great season, and then put
+off their visors, and were all well knowne, and then the queene
+hartily thanked the king's grace for her goodlie pastime and desport.
+
+"Likewise on the Twelve night, the king and the queene came into the
+hall at Greenewich, and suddenlie entered a tent of cloath of gold; and
+before the tent stood foure men of armes, armed at all points, with
+swords in their hands; and, suddenlie, with noise of trumpets entered
+foure other persons all armed, and ran to the other foure, and there
+was a great and fierce fight. And, suddenlie, out of a place like a
+wood, eight wild men, all apparelled in greene mosse, made with sleved
+silke, with ouglie weapons, and terrible visages, and there fought
+with the knights eight to eight: and, after long fighting, the armed
+knights drove the wild men out of their places, and followed the chase
+out of the hall, and when they were departed, the tent opened, and
+there came out six lords and six ladies richlie apparelled, and dansed
+a great time. When they had dansed their pleasure, they entered the
+tent againe, which was conveied out of the hall: then the king and
+queene were served with a right sumptuous banket."
+
+In 1515, "The king kept a solemne Christmasse at his manor of Eltham;
+and on the Twelfe night, in the hall was made a goodlie castell,
+wounderously set out: and in it certeine ladies and knights; and when
+the king and queene were set, in came other knights and assailed the
+castell, where manie a good stripe was given; and at the last the
+assailants were beaten awaie. And then issued out knights and ladies
+out of the castell, which ladies were rich and strangelie disguised;
+for all their apparell was in braids of gold, fret with moving
+spangles of silver and gilt, set on crimsin sattin, loose and not
+fastned; the men's apparell of the same sute made like Julis of
+Hungarie, and the ladies heads and bodies were after the fashion of
+Amsterdam. And when the dansing was done, the banket was served in of
+five hundred dishes, with great plentie to everie bodie."
+
+In 1517, "the king kept his Christmasse at his manor of Greenwich, and
+on the Twelfe night, according to the old custome, he and the queene
+came into the hall; and when they were set, and the queene of Scots
+also, there entered into the hall a garden artificiall, called the
+garden of _Esperance_. This garden was towred at everie corner, and
+railed with railes gilt; all the banks were set with flowers
+artificiall of silke and gold, the leaves cut of green sattin, so that
+they seemed verie flowers. In the midst of this garden was a piller of
+antique worke, all gold set with pearles and stones, and on the top of
+the piller, which was six square, was a lover, or an arch embowed,
+crowned with gold; within which stood a bush of roses red and white,
+all of silk and gold, and a bush of pomegranats of the like stuffe. In
+this garden walked six knights, and six ladies richlie apparelled, and
+then they descended and dansed manie goodlie danses, and so ascended
+out of the hall, and then the king was served with a great banket."
+
+In 1518 was the fearful plague of the "sweating sickness," and the
+chronicler says "this maladie was so cruell that it killed some within
+three houres, some merrie at dinner, and dead at dinner." It even
+invaded the sanctity of the Court, and the king reduced his
+_entourage_, and kept no Christmas that year.
+
+In 1520, "the king kept his Christmas at Greenwich with much
+noblenesse and open Court. On Twelfe daie his grace and the earle of
+Devonshire, with foure aids, answered at the tournie all commers,
+which were sixteene persons. Noble and rich was their apparell, but in
+feats of armes the king excelled the rest."
+
+The next one recorded is that of 1524, when "before the feast of
+Christmasse, the lord Leonard Graie, and the lord John Graie, brethren
+to the Marquesse Dorset, Sir George Cobham, sonne to the lord Cobham,
+William Carie, Sir John Dudleie, Thomas Wiat, Francis Pointz, Francis
+Sidneie, Sir Anthonie Browne, Sir Edward Seimor, Oliver Manners,
+Percivall Hart, Sebastian Nudigate, and Thomas Calen, esquiers of the
+king's houshold, enterprised a challenge of feats of armes against the
+feast of Christmas, which was proclaimed by Windsore the herald, and
+performed at the time appointed after the best manners, both at tilt,
+tourneie, barriers, and assault of a castell erected for that purpose
+in the tilt-yard at Greenewich, where the king held a roiall
+Christmasse that yeare, with great mirth and princelie pastime."
+
+Of the next Christ-tide we are told, "In this winter there was great
+death in London, so that the terme was adjourned: and the king kept
+his Christmasse at Eltham, with a small number, and therefore it was
+called the Still Christmasse."
+
+In 1526, "the king kept a solemne Christmasse at Greenewich with
+revelles, maskes, disguisings and bankets; and the thirtith daie of
+December, was an enterprise of iusts made at the tilt by six
+gentlemen, against all commers, which valiantlie furnished the same,
+both with speare and sword; and like iustes were kept the third daie
+of Januarie, where were three hundred speares broken. That same night,
+the king and manie yoong gentlemen with him, came to Bridewell, and
+there put him and fifteene other, all in masking apparell, and then
+tooke his barge and rowed to the cardinal's place, where were at
+supper a great companie of lords and ladies, and then the maskers
+dansed, and made goodlie pastime; and when they had well dansed, the
+ladies plucked awaie their visors, and so they were all knowen, and to
+the king was made a great banket."
+
+This is the last recorded Christ-tide of this reign, and, doubtless,
+as the king grew older and more sedate, he did not encourage the
+sports which delighted him in his hot youth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+     Historic Christ-tides--Edward VI., 1551--Mary--Elizabeth--James
+     I.--The Puritans--The Pilgrim Fathers--Christmas's
+     Lamentation--Christ-tide in the Navy, 1625.
+
+
+Only one is noted in the reign of Edward VI., that of 1551, of which
+Holinshed writes, "Wherefore, as well to remove fond talke out of
+men's mouths, as also to recreat and refresh the troubled spirits of
+the young king; who seemed to take the trouble of his uncle[5]
+somewhat heavilie; it was devised, that the feast of Christ's
+nativitie, commonlie called Christmasse, then at hand, should be
+solemnlie kept at Greenwich, with open houshold and frank resorte to
+Court (which is called keeping of the hall), what time of old
+ordinarie course there is alwaies one appointed to make sport in the
+Court, called commonlie lord of misrule: whose office is not unknowne
+to such as have beene brought up in noble men's houses, and among
+great house-keepers, which use liberall feasting in that season. There
+was, therefore, by orders of the Councell, a wise gentleman, and
+learned, named George Ferrers, appointed to that office for this
+yeare; who, being of better credit and estimation than commonlie his
+predecessors had beene before, received all his commissions and
+warrants by the name of the maister of the king's pastimes. Which
+gentleman so well supplied his office, both in shew of sundrie sights
+and devises of rare inventions, and in act of diverse interludes, and
+matters of pastime plaied by persons, as not onely satisfied the
+common sort, but, also, were very well liked and allowed by the
+councell, and others of skill in the like pastimes; but, best of all,
+by the yoong king himselfe, as appeered by his princelie liberalitie
+in rewarding that service.
+
+[Footnote 5: The Duke of Somerset had just been condemned to death,
+and was beheaded the 22nd January following.]
+
+"On mondaie, the fourth of Januarie, the said lord of merie disports
+came by water to London, and landed at the Tower wharffe, where he was
+received by Vanse, lord of misrule to John Mainard, one of the
+shiriffes of London, and so conducted through the citie with a great
+companie of yoong lords and gentlemen to the house of Sir George
+Barne, lord maior, where he, with the cheefe of his companie dined,
+and, after, had a great banket: and at his departure the lord maior
+gave him a standing cup with a cover of silver and guilt, of the value
+of ten pounds, for a reward, and also set a hogshed of wine, and a
+barrell of beere at his gate, for his traine that followed him. The
+residue of his gentlemen and servants dined at other aldermen's
+houses, and with the shiriffes, and then departed to the tower wharffe
+againe, and so to the court by water, to the great commendation of the
+maior and aldermen, and highlie accepted of the king and councell."
+
+Mary does not seem to have kept up state Christ-tide except on one
+occasion, the year after her marriage with Philip, when a masque was
+performed before her.
+
+Elizabeth continued the old tradition, but they are only mentioned and
+known by the Expenses books. It is said that at Christmas 1559 she was
+displeased with something in the play performed before her, and
+commanded the players to leave off. There was also a masque for her
+amusement on Twelfth Night.
+
+Of James I.'s first Christ-tide in England we have the following in a
+letter from the Lady Arabella Stuart to the Earl of Shrewsbury, 3rd
+December 1603:--
+
+"The Queen intendeth to make a mask this Christmass, to which my lady
+of Suffolk and my lady Walsingham have warrants to take of the late
+Queen's apparell out of the Tower at their discretion. Certain
+gentlemen, whom I may not yet name, have made me of theyr counsell,
+intend another. Certain gentlemen of good sort another. It is said
+there shall be 30 playes. The king will feast all the Embassadours
+this Christmass."
+
+The death of the infant Princess Mary in September 1607 did not
+interfere with James I. keeping Christmas right royally in that year.
+There were masques and theatricals--nay, the king wanted a play acted
+on Christmas night--and card-playing went on for high sums, the queen
+losing £300 on the eve of Twelfth night.
+
+It was, probably, the exceeding license of Christ-tide that made the
+sour Puritans look upon its being kept in remembrance, as vain and
+superstitious; at all events, whenever in their power, they did their
+best to crush it. Take, for instance, the first Christmas day after
+the landing of the so-called "Pilgrim Fathers" at Plymouth Rock in
+1620, and read the deliberate chilliness and studied slight of the
+whole affair, which was evidently more than the ship's master could
+bear.
+
+"Munday, the 25 Day, we went on shore, some to fell tymber, some to
+saw, some to riue, and some to carry, so that no man rested all that
+day, but towards night, some, as they were at worke, heard a noyse of
+some Indians, which caused vs all to goe to our Muskets, but we heard
+no further, so we came aboord againe, and left some twentie to keepe
+the court of gard; that night we had a sore storme of winde and raine.
+Munday the 25 being Christmas day, we began to drinke water aboord,
+but at night, the Master caused vs to have some Beere, and so on board
+we had diverse times now and then some Beere, but on shore none at
+all."
+
+That this working on Christmas day was meant as an intentional
+slight--for these pious gentlemen would not work on the Sunday--is, I
+think, made patent by the notice by William Bradford, of how they kept
+the following Christmas.
+
+"One ye day called Christmas-day, ye Gov'r caled them out to worke (as
+was used), but ye most of this new company excused themselves, and
+said it went against their consciences to worke on ye day. So ye Gov'r
+tould them that if they made it a mater of conscience, he would spare
+them till they were better informed. So he led away y^{e} rest, and
+left them: but when they came home at noone from their worke, he found
+them in ye streete at play, openly; some pitching ye barr, and some at
+stoole ball, and such like sports. So he went to them and tooke away
+their implements, and told them it was against his conscience that
+they should play, and others worke. If they made ye keeping of it
+matter of devotion, let them kepe their houses, but there should be no
+gameing or revelling in ye streets. Since which time nothing hath been
+attempted that way, at least, openly."
+
+But we shall hear more of the Puritans and Christ-tide, only my scheme
+is to treat the season chronologically, and, consequently, there must
+be a slight digression; and the following ballad, which must have been
+published in the time of James I., because of the allusion to yellow
+starch (Mrs. Turner having been executed for the poisoning of Sir
+Thomas Overbury in 1615), gives us
+
+     CHRISTMAS'S LAMENTATION
+
+     Christmas is my name, far have I gone,
+       Without regard; without regard.
+     Whereas great men by flocks there be flown,
+       To London-ward--to London Ward.
+     There they in pomp and pleasure do waste
+     That which Old Christmas was wonted to feast,
+         Well a day!
+     Houses where music was wont for to ring,
+     Nothing but bats and owlets do sing.
+         Well a day, Well a day.
+           Well a day, where should I stay?
+
+     Christmas beef and bread is turn'd into stones,
+       Into stones and silken rags;
+     And Lady Money sleeps and makes moans,
+       And makes moans in misers' bags;
+     Houses where pleasures once did abound,
+     Nought but a dog and a shepherd is found,
+         Well a day!
+     Places where Christmas revels did keep,
+     Now are become habitations for sheep.
+         Well a day, Well a day,
+           Well a day, where should I stay?
+
+     Pan, the shepherds' god, doth deface,
+       Doth deface Lady Ceres' crown,
+     And the tillage doth go to decay,
+       To decay in every town;
+     Landlords their rents so highly enhance,
+     That Pierce, the ploughman, barefoot may dance;
+         Well a day!
+     Farmers that Christmas would still entertain,
+     Scarce have wherewith themselves to maintain,
+         Well a day, etc.
+
+     Come to the countryman, he will protest,
+       Will protest, and of bull-beef boast;
+     And, for the citizen, he is so hot,
+       Is so hot, he will burn the roast.
+     The courtier, sure good deeds will not scorn,
+     Nor will he see poor Christmas forlorn?
+         Well a day!
+     Since none of these good deeds will do,
+     Christmas had best turn courtier too,
+         Well a day, etc.
+
+     Pride and luxury they do devour,
+       Do devour house keeping quite;
+     And soon beggary they do beget,
+       Do beget in many a knight.
+     Madam, forsooth, in her coach must wheel
+     Although she wear her hose out at heel,
+         Well a day!
+     And on her back wear that for a weed,
+     Which me and all my fellows would feed.
+         Well a day, etc.
+
+     Since pride came up with the yellow starch,
+       Yellow starch--poor folks do want,
+     And nothing the rich men will to them give,
+       To them give, but do them taunt;
+     For Charity from the country is fled,
+     And in her place hath nought left but need;
+         Well a day!
+     And corn is grown to so high a price,
+     It makes poor men cry with weeping eyes.
+         Well a day, etc.
+
+     Briefly for to end, here do I find,
+       I do find so great a vocation,
+     That most great houses seem to attain,
+       To attain a strong purgation;
+     Where purging pills such effects they have shew'd,
+     That forth of doors they their owners have spued;
+         Well a day!
+     And where'er Christmas comes by, and calls,
+     Nought now but solitary and naked walls.
+         Well a day, etc.
+
+     Philemon's cottage was turn'd into gold,
+       Into gold, for harbouring Jove:
+     Rich men their houses up for to keep,
+       For to keep, might their greatness move;
+     But, in the city, they say, they do live,
+     Where gold by handfulls away they do give;--
+         I'll away,
+     And thither, therefore, I purpose to pass,
+     Hoping at London to find the Golden Ass.
+         I'll away, I'll away,
+           I'll away, for here's no stay.
+
+A little light upon this ballad may possibly be found in a letter from
+John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton (21st December 1627):--"Divers
+lords and personages of quality have made means to be dispensed
+withall for going into the Country this Christmas according to the
+proclamation; but it will not be granted, so that they pack away on
+all sides for fear of the worst."
+
+As we are now getting near the attempted suppression of Christmas
+under the Puritan _régime_, it may be as well to notice the extreme
+licence to which the season's holiday and festivities had reached--and
+perhaps a more flagrant case than the following can scarcely be given.
+On 13th January 1626 the Commissioners of the Navy write to the Duke
+of Buckingham that they have received information from persons who
+have been on board the _Happy Entrance_ in the Downs, and the
+_Nonsuch_ and _Garland_ at Gore-end, that for these Christmas
+holidays, the captains, masters, boatswains, gunners, and carpenters,
+were not aboard their ships, nor gave any attendance to the service,
+leaving the ships a prey to any who might have assaulted them. The
+Commissioners sent down clothes for the sailors, and there were no
+officers to take charge of them, and the pressed men ran away as fast
+as the Commissioners sent them down. If they had beaten up and down,
+they might have prevented the loss of two English ships taken by the
+Dunkirkers off Yarmouth.
+
+This, naturally, was a state of things which could not be allowed, and
+on January 15 the Duke of Buckingham wrote to Sir Henry Palmer as to
+the officers and men quitting their ships at Christmas time, and
+called upon him "presently to repair on board his own ship, and to
+charge the officers of all the ships composing his fleet, not to
+depart from their ships without order."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+     Attempts of Puritans to put down Christ-tide--Attitude of
+     the people--Preaching before Parliament--"The Arraignment,
+     etc., of Christmas."
+
+
+As soon as the Puritans became at all powerful, their iconoclastic
+zeal naturally attacked Christmas, and the Scotchmen, such as Baillie,
+Rutherford, Gillespie, and Henderson, in the Westminster Assembly of
+Divines, tried in 1643 to get the English observance of Christmas
+abolished--but they only succeeded so far as coming to a resolution
+that whilst preaching on that day, "withal to cry down the
+superstition of that day." Next year they were happier in their
+efforts, as is shortly told in _Parliamentary History_, December 19,
+1644. "The lords and commons having long since appointed a day for a
+Fast and Humiliation, which was to be on the last Wednesday in every
+Month, it happening to fall on Christmas day this month, the Assembly
+of Divine sent to acquaint the lords with it: and, to avoid any
+inconveniences that might be by some people keeping it as a Feast, and
+others as a Fast, they desired that the Parliament would publish a
+Declaration the next Lord's day in the Churches of London and
+Westminster; that that day might be kept as it ought to be, that the
+whole kingdom might have comfort thereby. The houses agreed to this
+proposal, and directed the following Ordinance to be published; which
+bore this title--
+
+"AN ORDINANCE FOR THE BETTER OBSERVATION OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY
+OF CHRIST.
+
+"Whereas some doubts have been raised whether the next Fast shall be
+celebrated, because it falleth on the day which, heretofore, was
+usually called the Feast of the Nativity of our Saviour; the lords and
+commons do order and ordain that public notice be given, that the Fast
+appointed to be kept on the last Wednesday in every month, ought to be
+observed until it be otherwise ordered by both houses; and that this
+day particularly is to be kept with the more solemn humiliation,
+because it may call to remembrance our sins and the sins of our
+forefathers, who have turned this Feast, pretending the memory of
+Christ, into an extreme forgetfulness of him, by giving liberty to
+carnal and sensual delights; being contrary to the life which Christ
+himself led here upon earth, and to the spiritual life of Christ in
+our souls; for the sanctifying and saving whereof Christ was pleased
+both to take a human life, and to lay it down again.
+
+"The lords ordered That the Lord Mayor of London take care that this
+Ordinance should be dispersed to all churches and chapels, within the
+line of communication and the bills of mortality. Afterwards it was
+made general through the kingdom; in consequence of which Christmas
+day was no longer observed as a Festival, by law, till the
+Restoration."
+
+But the popular love of Christmas could not be done away with by
+restrictive legislation, as the movers therein very well knew, _teste_
+Lightfoot, who, in his Journal, says "Some of our members were sent to
+the houses to desire them to give an order that the next Fast day
+might be solemnly kept, because the people will be ready to neglect
+it, being Christmas day."
+
+Nor was anything neglected to repress this Christ-tide, because its
+keeping was inbred in the people, and they hated this sour puritanical
+feeling, and the doing away with their accustomed festivities. Richard
+Kentish told the House of Commons so in very plain language. Said he:
+"The people of England do hate to be reformed; so now, a prelatical
+priest, with a superstitious service book, is more desired, and would
+be better welcome to the generality of England, than the most learned,
+laborious, conscientious preacher, whether Presbyterian or
+Independent. These poor simple creatures are mad after superstitious
+festivals, after unholy holidays."
+
+The houses of Parliament baked their pie for themselves, and
+deservedly had to eat it; for two red hot gospellers, Calamy and
+Sedgewick, preached on the iniquity of keeping Christ-tide to the
+Lords in Westminster Abbey; whilst in the contiguous Church of S.
+Margaret, Thorowgood and Langley expatiated on the same theme to the
+Commons, and, as if they could not have enough of so good a thing,
+_all four sermons were printed by order of the Houses_.
+
+Calamy in his sermon said, "This day is the day which is commonly
+called the Feast of Christ's Nativity, or Christmas Day, a day that
+hath hitherto been much abused in superstition and profaneness. I have
+known some that have preferred Christmas Day before the Lord's Day,
+and have cried down the Lord's Day and cried up Christmas Day. I have
+known those that would be sure to receive the Sacrament on Christmas
+Day though they did not receive it all the year after. This was the
+superstition of this day, and the profaneness was as great. There were
+some that did not play cards all the year long, yet they must play at
+Christmas. This year, God, by a providence hath buried this Feast in a
+Fast, and I hope it will never rise again. You have set out, Right
+Honourable, a strict Order for the keeping of it, and you are here
+to-day to observe your own Order, and I hope you will do it strictly."
+And he finished with a prayer, in which he begged they might have
+grace "to be humbled, especially for the old superstition and
+profaneness of this Feast."
+
+But although the English people were crushed for a time under the iron
+heel of the Puritan boot, they had no sympathy with their masters, nor
+their ways--_vide_ the rebound, immediately after Oliver Cromwell's
+death, and the return to the old state of things, which has never
+altered since, except as a matter of fashion. Yet, even then, there
+were protests against this effacement of Christ-tide, and many have
+been handed down to us, differing naturally very much in style. One
+really amusing one has the merit of being short: and when the reader
+of this book has perused it, I believe he will thank me for having
+reproduced it. It is--
+
+     "THE
+
+     ARRAIGNMENT
+
+     Conviction and Imprisonment
+
+     of
+
+     CHRISTMAS
+
+     On _S. Thomas Day_ last,
+
+     And
+
+     How he broke out of Prison in the Holidayes and got away,
+     onely left his hoary hair, and gray beard, sticking between
+     two Iron Bars of a Window.
+
+     With
+
+     An Hue and Cry after CHRISTMAS, and a Letter from _Mr.
+     Woodcock_, a Fellow in Oxford, to a Malignant Lady in LONDON.
+
+     And divers passages between the Lady and the Cryer, about Old
+     Christmas: And what shift he was fain to make to save his
+     life, and great stir to fetch him back again.
+
+     With divers other Witty Passages.
+
+     Printed by _Simon Minc'd Pye_, for _Cissely Plum-Porridge_;
+     And are to be sold by _Ralph Fidler_, Chandler, at the signe
+     of the _Pack of Cards_ in _Mustard-Alley_, in _Brawn Street_.
+     1645."
+
+This little Tract commenced with the supposed Letter,
+
+"Lady,
+
+"_I Beseech you, for the love of Oxford, hire a Cryer (I will see him
+paid for his paines), to cry old father Christmas, and keep him with
+you (if you can meet with him, and stay him), till we come to London,
+for we expect to be there shortly, and then we will have all things as
+they were wont, I warrant you; hold up your spirits, and let not your
+old friends be lost out of your favour, for his sake, who is_
+
+"Your ever servant,
+
+"JO. WOODCOCK.
+
+"_Lady_--Honest Crier, I know thou knewest old Father Christmas; I am
+sent to thee from an honest schollar of Oxford (that hath given me
+many a hug and kisse in Christmasse time when we have been merry) to
+cry Christmas, for they hear that he is gone from hence, and that we
+have lost the poor old man; you know what marks he hath, and how to
+cry him.
+
+"_Cryer_--Who shall pay me for my paines?
+
+"_Lady_--Your old friend, _Mr. Woodcock_, of Oxford. Wilt thou take
+his word?
+
+"_Cryer_--I will cry him, I warrant you, through the Citie and
+Countrie, and it shall go hard but I will finde him out; I can partly
+ghesse who can tell some newes of him, if any people in England can,
+for I am acquainted with all his familiar friends. Trust me in this
+businesse, I will bring you word within fewe dayes.
+
+     _Ho-o-o-o-o-o-o yes, ho-o-o-o-o-o yes, ho-o-o-o-o-o yes;_
+
+Any man or woman, whether Popish or Prelaticall, Superstitious or
+Judaicall, or what person so ever, of any Tribe or Trullibub,[6] that
+can give any knowledge, or tell any tidings of an old, old, old, very
+old, grey-bearded Gentleman, called Christmas, who was wont to be a
+verie familiar ghest, and visite all sorts of people, both poor and
+rich, and used to appear in glittering gold silk and silver in the
+Court, and in all shapes in the Theater in Whitehall, and had ringing
+feasts and jollitie in all places, both in the Citie and Countrie for
+his comming; if you went to the Temple, you might have found him there
+at In and In, till many a Gentleman had outed all the mony from his
+pocket, and after all, the Butlers found him locked up in their Boxes:
+And in almost every house, you might have found him at Cards and Dice,
+the very boyes and children could have traced him and the Beggers have
+followed him from place to place, and seen him walking up and downe,
+and in every house roast Beefe and Mutton, Pies and Plum-porrige, and
+all manner of delicates round about him, and every one saluting merry
+Christmas: If you had gone to the Queene's Chappel, you might have
+found him standing against the wall, and the Papists weeping, and
+beating themselves before him, and kissing his hoary head with
+superstitious teares, in a theater exceeding all the plays of the
+Bull, the Fortune, and the Cock-pit.
+
+[Footnote 6: This word has an indefinite meaning. Sometimes it is
+synonymous with entrails--as "tripes and trullibubs"; sometimes it is
+meant for something very trifling, and then is occasionally spelt
+"trillibubs." Why introduced here, no one can tell.]
+
+"For age, this hoarie headed man was of great yeares, and as white as
+snow; he entred the Romish Kallender time out of mind; is old, or very
+neer, as _Father Mathusalem_ was; one that looked fresh in the
+Bishops' time, though their fall made him pine away ever since; he was
+full and fat as any dumb Docter of them all. He looked under the
+consecrated Laune sleeves as big as Bul-beefe--just like Bacchus upon
+a tunne of wine, when the grapes hang shaking about his eares; but,
+since the catholike liquor is taken from him, he is much wasted, so
+that he hath looked very thin and ill of late; but the wanton women
+that are so mad after him, do not know how he is metamorphised, so
+that he is not now like himselfe, but rather like Jack-a-lent.
+
+"But yet some other markes that you may know him by, is that the
+wanton Women dote after him; he helped them to so many new Gownes,
+Hatts, and Hankerches, and other fine knacks, of which he hath a pack
+on his back, in which is good store of all sorts, besides the fine
+knacks that he got out of their husbands' pockets for household
+provisions for him. He got Prentises, Servants, and Schollars many
+play dayes, and therefore was well beloved by them also, and made all
+merry with Bagpipes, Fiddles, and other musicks, Giggs, Dances, and
+Mummings, yea, the young people had more merry dayes and houres before
+him whilst he stayd, which was in some houses 12 dayes, in some 20, in
+some more, in some lesse, than in all the yeare againe."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"All you, therefore, that by your diligent inquirie, can tell me anie
+tidings of this ould man called Christmas, and tell me where he may be
+met withall; whether in any of your streets, or elsewhere, though in
+never so straitned a place; in an Applewoman's staul or Grocer's
+Curren Tub, in a Cooke's Oven or the Maide's Porrige pot, or crept
+into some corner of a Translater's shop, where the Cobler was wont so
+merrily to chant his Carolls; whosoever can tel what is become of him,
+or where he may be found, let them bring him back againe into England,
+to the Crier, and they shall have a Benediction from the Pope, an
+hundred oaths from the Cavaliers, 40 kisses from the Wanton Wenches,
+and be made Pursevant to the next Arch Bishop. Malignants will send
+him a piece of Braune, and everie Prentice boy will give him his point
+(? _pint of wine_) next holie Thursday, the good Wives will keepe him
+in some corners of their mince pies, and the new Nuncio Ireland will
+returne him to be canonized the next Reformation of the Calender.
+
+     "_And so Pope save Christmas._
+
+"_Cryer_--Lady, I am come to tell you what returne I can make you of
+the crying of old Father Christmas, which I have done, and am now here
+to give you an answer.
+
+"_Lady_--Well said, honest Cryer, Mr. Woodcock will remember you for
+it.
+
+"_Cryer_--The poor old man upon St. Thomas his day was arraigned,
+condemned, and after conviction cast into prison amongst the King's
+Souldiers; fearing to be hanged, or some other execution to be done
+upon him, and got out at so narrow a passage, between two Iron Bars of
+a Window, that nothing but onely his old gray beard and hoarie haire
+of his head stuck there, but nothing else to be seen of him; and, if
+you will have that, compound for it, lest it be sold among the
+sequestred goods, or burnt with the next Popish pictures, by the hand
+of the hangman.
+
+"_Lady_--But is old, old, good old Christmas gone? Nothing but the
+hair of his good, grave old head and beard left! Well I will have
+that, seeing I cannot have more of him, one lock whereof will serve
+_Mr. Woodcock_ for a token. But what is the event of his departure?
+
+"_Cryer_--The poor are sory for it, for they go to every door
+a-begging as they were wont to do (_Good Mrs., somewhat against this
+good Time_); but Time was transformed (_Away, begone, here is not for
+you_); and so they, instead of going to the Ale-house to be drunk,
+were fain to work all the Holidayes. The Schollers came into the Hall,
+where their hungry stomacks had thought to have found good Brawn and
+Christmas pies, Roast Beef and Plum-porridge; but no such matter.
+Away, ye prophane, these are superstitious meats; your stomacks must
+be fed with wholesome doctrine. Alas, poor tallow-faced Chandlers, I
+met them mourning through the streets, and complaining that they could
+get no vent for their Mustard, for want of Brawn.
+
+"_Lady_--Well, if ever the Catholiques or Bishops rule again in
+England, they will set the Church dores open on Christmas day, and we
+shall have Masse at the High Altar, as was used when the day was first
+instituted, and not have the holy Eucharist barred out of School, as
+School boyes do their Masters against the festival![7] What! shall we
+have our mouths shut to welcome old Christmas? No, no, bid him come by
+night over the Thames, and we will have a back door open to let him
+in. I will, myself, give him his diet for one year, to try his fortune
+this time twelve month, it may prove better."
+
+[Footnote 7: This Saturnalia of barring out the Schoolmaster at
+Christmas--just before breaking up--was in use certainly as late as
+1888. Vide _Notes and Queries_, 7th series, vol. vi. p. 484.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+     The popular love of Christmas--Riots at Ealing and
+     Canterbury--Evelyn's Christmas days, 1652 '3 '4 '5
+     '7--Cromwell and Christ-tide--The Restoration--Pepys and
+     Christmas day, 1662--"The Examination and Tryal of old
+     Father Christmas."
+
+
+And this was the general feeling. Parliament might sit, as we learn by
+_The Kingdome's Weekly Intelligencer_, No. 152: "Thursday, December
+25, vulgarly known by the name of Christmas Day, both Houses sate. The
+House of Commons, more especially, debated some things in reference to
+the privileges of that House, and made some orders therein." But the
+mass of the people quietly protested against this way of ignoring
+Christ-tide, and notwithstanding the Assembly of Divines and
+Parliament, no shops were open in London on that day, in spite of the
+article published in No. 135 of _Mercurius Civicus, or London's
+Intelligencer_, which explained the absurdity of keeping Christmas
+day, and ordained that all shops should be opened, and that the
+shopkeepers should see that their apprentices were at work on that
+day. If they needed a holiday, "let them keep the fift of November,
+and other dayes of that nature, or the late great mercy of God in the
+taking of Hereford, which deserves an especiall day of thanks giving."
+It would not so much have mattered if all the Puritans had followed
+the example of George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, who, "when the
+time called Christmas came, when others were feasting and sporting
+themselves, went from house to house seeking out the poor and
+desolate, and giving them money."
+
+Parliament, although they did their best by public example to do away
+with it, sitting every Christmas day from 1644 to 1656, could not
+extinguish the deep-rooted feeling in favour of its being kept up in
+the old-fashioned way, and, in London, at Christmas 1646, those who
+opened their shops were very roughly used, so much so that in 1647
+they asked the Parliament to protect them in future. Certainly, in
+that year, the shops were all closed, but the irrepressible love of
+Christmas could not be controlled, and the porters of Cornhill
+bedecked the conduit with "Ivy, Rosmary, and Bays," and similar
+decorations were exhibited in other parts of the City--a proceeding
+which sorely exercised the Lord Mayor and the City Marshal, who rode
+about, with their followings, setting fire to the harmless green
+stuff--the doing of which occasioned great mirth among the Royalist
+party.
+
+There were riots about the keeping of Christmas in several parts of
+the country--notably one at Ealing, in Middlesex; but there was a
+famous one at Canterbury,[8] the particulars of which are given in a
+short tract, which I here reprint, as it shows the feeling in the
+country:
+
+[Footnote 8: "Canterbury Christmas; or, A True Relation of the
+Insurrection in Canterbury on Christmas Day last, with the great hurt
+that befell divers persons thereby."]
+
+"Upon Wednesday, _Decem._ 22, the Cryer of _Canterbury_ by the
+appointment of Master _Major_,[9] openly proclaimed that Christmas
+day, and all other Superstitious Festivals should be put downe, and
+that a Market should be kept upon _Christmas day_.
+
+[Footnote 9: Mayor.]
+
+"Which not being observed (but very ill taken by the Country) the
+towne was thereby unserved with provision, and trading very much
+hindered; which occasioned great discontent among the people, caused
+them to rise in a Rebellious way.
+
+"The _Major_ being slighted, and his Commands observed only of a few
+who opened their Shops, to the number of 12 at the most: They were
+commanded by the multitude to shut up again, but refusing to obey,
+their ware was thrown up and down, and they, at last, forced to shut
+in.
+
+"The _Major_ and his assistants used their best endeavours to qualifie
+this tumult, but the fire being once kindled, was not easily quenched.
+
+"The _Sheriffe_ laying hold of a fellow, was stoutly resisted; which
+the _Major_ perceiving, took a Cudgell, and strook the man: who,
+being now puny, pulled up his courage, and knockt down the _Major_,
+whereby his Cloak was much torne and durty, besides the hurt he
+received.
+
+"The _Major_ hereupon made strict Proclamation for keeping the Peace,
+and that every man depart to his own house.
+
+"The multitude hollowing thereat, in disorderly manner; the _Aldermen_
+and _Constables_ caught two or three of the rout, and sent them to the
+Jaile, but they soon broke loose, and Jeered Master _Alderman_.
+
+"Soone after, issued forth the Commanders of this Rabble, with an
+addition of Souldiers, into the high street, and brought with them two
+Foot-balls, whereby their company increased. Which the _Major_ and
+_Aldermen_ perceiving, took what prisoners they had got, and would
+have carried them to the Jayle. But the multitude following after to
+the _King's Bench_, were opposed by Captain _Bridg_, who was straight
+knoct down, and had his head broke in two places, not being able to
+withstand the multitude, who, getting betwixt him and the Jayle,
+rescued their fellowes, and beat the _Major_ and _Aldermen_ into their
+houses, and then cried _Conquest_.
+
+"Where, leaving them to breath a while, they went to one _White's_, a
+Barber (a man noted to be a busie fellow), whose windowes they pulled
+downe to the ground: The like they did to divers others, till night
+overtook them, and they were forced to depart, continuing peaceable
+the next day, it being the Saboth.
+
+"On _Munday_ morning, the Multitude comming, the Major set a strong
+watch with Muskets and Holbards in the City, both at the Gates and at
+_S. Andrews_ Church, the Captaine of the Guard was _White_ the Barber.
+
+"Till noon, they were quiet, then came one _Joyce_, a Hackney man,
+whom _White_ bid stand, the fellow asked what the matter was, and
+withall called him _Roundhead_; whereat _White_ being moved, cocked
+his Pistoll and would have shot him, but the Major wisht him to hold:
+Neverthelesse he shot, and the fellow fell down, but was not dead.
+Whence arose a sudden clamour that a man was murdered, whereupon the
+people came forth with clubs, and the _Major_ and _Aldermen_ made
+haste away; the Towne rose againe, and the Country came in, took
+possession of the Gates, and made enquiry for _White_; they found him
+in a hay loft, where they broke his head, and drag'd him in the
+streets, setting open the Prison dores and releasing those that were
+in hold.
+
+"Next, they vowed vengeance on the _Major_, pulling up his posts,
+breaking his windowes; but, at last, being perswaded by Sir _William
+Man_, Master _Lovelise_, Master _Harris_, and Master _Purser_, had
+much adoe to persuade them from taking of his Person; so came
+tumultuously into the high street, and their demands were so high,
+that those Gentlemen could not perswade them. Afterward, meeting
+Master _Burly_, the Town Clark, demanded the Keyes of the Prison from
+him, which, being granted, they, with those Gentlemen formerly named,
+went again to the Town Hall to Treat, and came to an agreement, which
+was, that forty or fifty of their own men should keep the Town that
+night, being compleatly armed, which being performed (the morning
+issued) and they continued in arms till Tuesday morning: There are
+none as yet dead, but diverse dangerously hurt.
+
+"Master _Sheriffe_ taking _White's_ part, and striving to keep the
+Peace, was knockt down, and his head fearfully broke; it was God's
+mercy his braines were not beat out, but it should seem he had a
+clung[10] pate of his own.
+
+[Footnote 10: Tough or strong.]
+
+"They went also without S. _George's_ gate, and did much injury to Mr.
+_Lee_.
+
+"As I am credibly informed, the injuries done are these.
+
+"They have beat down all the windowes of Mr. _Major's_ House, burnt
+the Stoups at the comming in of his dore, Master _Reeves'_ Windowes
+were broke, Master _Page_, and Master _Pollen_, one _Buchurst_,
+Captaine _Bridge_, _Thomas Harris_, a busie prating fellow, and others
+were sorely wounded.
+
+"It is Ordered that _Richard White_ and _Robert Hues_, being in
+fetters, be tryed according to the Law, and upon faire Composition,
+the multitude have delivered their Armes into the Hands of the City,
+upon engagements of the best of the City that no man shall further
+question or trouble them."
+
+On this Christmas day, Parliament,[11] "on Saturday, December 25th,
+commonly called Christmas day, received some complaints of the
+countenancing of malignant ministers in some parts of London, where
+they preach and use the Common Prayer Book, contrary to the order of
+Parliament, and some delinquent Ministers have power given them to
+examine and punish churchwardens, sequestrators, and others that do
+countenance delinquent ministers to preach, and commit them, if they
+see cause; upon which some were taken into Custody." One instance of
+this is given in Whitelocke's _Memorials_ (p. 286). "Mr. Harris, a
+Churchwarden of St. Martius, ordered to be committed for bringing
+delinquents to preach there, and to be displaced from his office of
+Churchwarden."
+
+[Footnote 11: Rushworth's _Historical Collections_, pt. iv. vol. ii.
+p. 944.]
+
+And so it went on, the Parliament and Nonconformists doing their best
+to suppress Christ-tide, and the populace stubbornly refusing to
+submit, as is shown in a letter from Sir Thomas Gower to Mr. John
+Langley, on December 28, 1652.[12] "There is little worth writing,
+most of the time being spent in endeavouring to take away the esteem
+held of Christmas Day, to which end, order was made that whoever would
+open shops should be protected by the State; yet I heard of no more
+than two who did so, and one of them had better have given £50, his
+wares were so dirtyed; and secondly, that no sermons should be
+preached, which was observed (for aught I hear) save at Lincoln's
+Inn."
+
+[Footnote 12: Hist. MSS. Commission Reports, v. p. 192.]
+
+Evelyn, who was a staunch Episcopalian, writes in deep despondency as
+to the keeping of Christ-tide. "1652, Dec. 25, Christmas day, no
+Sermon any where, no church being permitted to be open, so observed it
+at home. The next day, we went to Lewisham, where an honest divine
+preached." "1653, Dec. 25, Christmas-day. No churches, or public
+assembly. I was fain to pass the devotions of that Blessed day with my
+family at home." "1654, Dec. 25, Christmas-day. No public offices in
+Churches, but penalties on observers, so as I was constrained to
+celebrate it at home."
+
+On November 27, 1655, Cromwell promulgated an edict, prohibiting all
+ministers of the Church of England from preaching or teaching in any
+schools, and Evelyn sadly notes the fact. "Dec. 25. There was no more
+notice taken of Christmas day in Churches. I went to London, where
+Dr. Wild preached the funeral sermon of Preaching,[13] this being the
+last day; after which, Cromwell's proclamation was to take place, that
+none of the Church of England should dare either to preach, or
+administer Sacraments, teach school, etc., on pain of imprisonment or
+exile. So this was the mournfullest day that in my life I had seen, or
+the Church of England herself, since the Reformation; to the great
+rejoicing of both Papist and Presbyter. So pathetic was his discourse,
+that it drew many tears from the auditory. Myself, wife, and some of
+our family received the Communion: God make me thankful, who hath
+hitherto provided for us the food of our souls as well as bodies! The
+Lord Jesus pity our distressed Church, and bring back the captivity of
+Zion!"
+
+[Footnote 13: His text was 2 Cor. xiii. 9.]
+
+His next recorded Christ-tide was an eventful one for him, and he thus
+describes it: "1657, Dec. 25. I went to London with my wife to
+celebrate Christmas day, Mr. Gunning preaching in Exeter Chapel, on
+Michah vii. 2. Sermon ended, as he was giving us the Holy Sacrament,
+the Chapel was surrounded with soldiers, and all the Communicants and
+assembly surprised and kept prisoners by them, some in the house,
+others carried away. It fell to my share to be confined to a room in
+the house, where yet I was permitted to dine with the master of it,
+the Countess of Dorset, Lady Hatton, and some others of quality who
+invited me. In the afternoon, came Colonel Whalley, Goffe, and others,
+from Whitehall, to examine us one by one; some they committed to the
+Marshal, some to prison. When I came before them, they took my name
+and abode, examined me why, contrary to the ordinance made, that none
+should any longer observe the superstitious time of the Nativity (so
+esteemed by them), I durst offend, and particularly be at Common
+Prayers, which they told me was but the Mass in English, and
+particularly pray for Charles Stuart, for which we had no Scripture. I
+told them we did not pray for Charles Stuart, but for all Christian
+Kings, Princes, and Governors. They replied, in doing so we prayed for
+the King of Spain, too, who was their enemy, and a Papist, with other
+frivolous and ensnaring questions and much threatening; and, finding
+no colour to detain me, they dismissed me with much pity of my
+ignorance. These were men of high flight and above ordinances, and
+spake spiteful things of our Lord's Nativity. As we went up to receive
+the Sacrament, the miscreants held their muskets against us, as if
+they would have shot us at the Altar, but yet suffering us to finish
+the Office of the Communion, as, perhaps, not having instructions what
+to do, in case they found us in that action. So I got home late the
+next day: blessed be God!"
+
+Cromwell himself seems to have been somewhat ashamed of these
+persecutions and severities, for[14] (25th December 1657) "Some
+Congregations being met to observe this day, according to former
+solemnity, and the _Protector_ being moved that Souldiers might be
+sent to repress them, he advised against it, as that which was
+contrary to the _Liberty of Conscience_ so much owned and pleaded for
+by the _Protector_ and his friends; but, it being contrary to
+Ordinances of Parliament (which were also opposed in the passing of
+them) that these days should be so solemnized, the _Protector_ gave
+way to it, and those meetings were suppressed by the Souldiers."
+
+[Footnote 14: Whitelock's _Memorials_, ed. 1682, p. 666.]
+
+But his life was drawing to a close, and with the Restoration of the
+king came also that of Christ-tide, and there was no longer any need
+of concealment, as Pepys tells us how he spent his Christmas day in
+1662. "Had a pleasant walk to White Hall, where I intended to have
+received the Communion with the family, but I came a little too late.
+So I walked up into the house, and spent my time looking over
+pictures, particularly the ships in King Henry the VIII.ths voyage to
+Bullaen; marking the great difference between those built then and
+now. By and by down to the Chapel again, where Bishop Morley[15]
+preached upon the Song of the Angels, 'Glory to God on high, on earth
+peace, and good will towards men.' Methought he made but a poor
+Sermon, but long, and, reprehending the common jollity of the Court
+for the true joy that shall and ought to be on these days; he
+particularized concerning their excess in playes and gaming, saying
+that he whose office it is to keep the gamesters in order and within
+bounds, serves but for a second rather in a duell, meaning the
+groome-porter. Upon which it was worth observing how far they are come
+from taking the reprehensions of a bishop seriously, that they all
+laugh in the Chapel when he reflected on their ill actions and
+courses. He did much press us to joy in these public days of joy, and
+to hospitality; but one that stood by whispered in my eare that the
+Bishop do not spend one groate to the poor himself. The Sermon done, a
+good anthem followed with vialls, and the King come down to receive
+the Sacrament. But I staid not, but, calling my boy from my Lord's
+lodgings, and giving Sarah some good advice, by my Lord's order, to be
+sober, and look after the house, I walked home again with great
+pleasure, and there dined by my wife's bed side with great content,
+having a mess of brave plum-porridge and a roasted pullet for dinner,
+and I sent for a mince pie abroad, my wife not being well, to make any
+herself yet."
+
+[Footnote 15: Bishop of Winchester, died 1684.]
+
+The popular love of Christmas is well exemplified in a little 16mo
+book, printed in 1678, entitled "The Examination and Tryal of old
+Father CHRISTMAS; Together with his Clearing by the Jury, at the
+Assizes held at the Town of _Difference_, in the County of
+_Discontent_." The Jury was evidently a packed one. "Then saith the
+_Clerk_ to the _Cryer_, count them--_Starve-mouse_, one, _All-pride_,
+two, _Keep-all_, three, _Love-none_, four, _Eat-alone_, five,
+_Give-little_, six, _Hoard-corn_, seven, _Grutch-meat_, eight,
+_Knit-gut_, nine, _Serve-time_, ten, _Hate-good_, eleven,
+_Cold-kitchen_, twelve.
+
+"Then saith the _Cryer_, all you bountiful Gentlemen of the Jury,
+answer to your names, and stand together, and hear your Charge.
+
+"With that there was such a lamentable groan heard, enough to turn Ice
+into Ashes, which caused the _Judge_, and the rest of the Bench, to
+demand what the matter was; it was replied that the grave old
+Gentleman, _Christmas_, did sound (_swoon_) at the naming of the Jury;
+then it was commanded that they should give him air, and comfort him
+up, so that he might plead for himself: and here, I cannot pass by in
+silence, the love that was expressed by the Country people, some
+shreeking and crying for the old man; others striving to hold him up,
+others hugging him, till they had almost broke the back of him,
+others running for Cordials and strong waters, insomuch that, at last
+they had called back his wandring spirits, which were ready to take
+their last farewel."
+
+Christmas challenged this jury, and another was empanelled consisting
+of Messrs _Love-friend_, _Hate-strife_, _Free-man_, _Cloath-back_,
+_Warm-gut_, _Good-work_, _Neighbour-hood_, _Open-house_, _Scorn-use_,
+_Soft-heart_, _Merry-man_, and _True-love_. His Indictment was as
+follows:
+
+"_Christmas_, thou art here indicted by the name of _Christmas_, of
+the Town of _Superstition_, in the County of _Idolatry_, and that thou
+hast, from time to time, abused the people of this Common-wealth,
+drawing and inticing them to Drunkenness, Gluttony, and unlawful
+Gaming, Wantonness, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness, Cursing, Swearing,
+abuse of the Creatures, some to one Vice, and some to another; all to
+Idleness: what sayest thou to thy Inditement, guilty or not guilty? He
+answered, Not guilty, and so put himself to the Trial."
+
+After the witnesses against him were heard, Christmas was asked what
+he could say in his defence.
+
+"_Judge._--Old _Christmas_, hold up thy head, and speak for thy self.
+Thou hast heard thy inditement, and also what all these Witnesses have
+evidenced against thee; what sayest thou now for thy self, that
+sentence of condemnation should not be pronounced against thee?
+
+"_Christmas._--Good my Lord, be favourable to an old man, I am above
+One thousand six hundred years old, and was never questioned at Sizes
+or Sessions before: my Lord, look on these white hairs, are they not a
+Crown of Glory?...
+
+"And first, my Lord, I am wronged in being indited by a wrong name, I
+am corruptly called _Christmas_, my name is _Christ-tide_ or time.
+
+"And though I generally come at a set time, yet I am with him every
+day that knows how to use me.
+
+"My Lord, let the Records be searcht, and you shall find that the
+Angels rejoyced at my coming, and sung _Gloria in excelsis_; the
+Patriarchs and Prophets longed to see me.
+
+"The Fathers have sweetly imbraced me, our modern Divines all
+comfortably cherisht me; O let me not be despised now I'm old. Is
+there not an injunction in _Magna Charta_, that commands men to
+inquire for the old way, which is the good way; many good deeds do I
+do, O, why do the people hate me? We are commanded to be given to
+Hospitality, and this hath been my practice from my youth upward: I
+come to put men in mind of their redemption, to have them love one
+another, to impart with something here below, that they may receive
+more and better things above; the wise man saith _There is a time for
+all things_, and why not for thankfulness? I have been the cause that
+at my coming, Ministers have instructed the people every day in
+publick, telling the people how they should use me, and other
+delights, not to effeminate, or corrupt the mind, and bid them abhor
+those pleasures from which they should not rise bettered, and that
+they should by no means turn pass-time into Trade: And if that at any
+time they have stept an Inch into excess, to punish themselves for it,
+and be ever after the more careful to keep within compass.
+
+"And did also advise them to manage their sports without Passion; they
+would also tell the people that their feasts should not be much more
+than nature requires, and grace moderates; not pinching, nor
+pampering; And whereas they say that I am the cause they sit down to
+meat, and rise up again graceless, they abundantly wrong me: I have
+told them that before any one should put his hand in the dish, he
+should look up to the owner, and hate to put one morsel in his mouth
+unblessed: I tell them they ought to give thanks for that which is
+paid for already, knowing that neither the meat, nor the mouth, nor
+the man, are of his own making: I bid them fill their bellies, not
+their eyes, and rise from the board, not glutted, but only satisfied,
+and charge them to have a care that their guts be no hindrances to
+their brains or hands, and that they should not lose themselves in
+their feasts, but bid them be soberly merry, and wisely free. I also
+advise them to get friendly Thrift to be there Caterer, and Temperance
+to carve at the board, and be very watchful that obscenity, detraction
+and scurrility be banisht the table; but let their discourse be as
+savoury as the meat, and so feed as though they did live to eat, and,
+at last, rise as full of thankfulness, as of food; this hath, this is,
+and this shall be my continual practice.
+
+"Now, concerning the particulars that these folks charge me with, I
+cannot answer them, because I do not remember them; my memory is but
+weak, as old men's use to be; but, methinks, they seem to be the seed
+of the Dragon; they send forth of their mouths whole floods of impious
+inventions against me, and lay to my charge things which I am not
+guilty of, which hath caused some of my friends to forsake me, and
+look upon me as a stranger: my brother _Good-works_ broke his heart
+when he heard on it, my sister _Charity_ was taken with the
+Numb-palsie, so that she cannot stretch out her hand...."
+
+Counsel was heard for him as well as witnesses examined on his behalf,
+and the Jury "brought him in, _Not Guilty_, with their own judgement
+upon it. That he who would not fully celebrate _Christmas_ should
+forfeit his estate. The Judge being a man of old integrity, was very
+well pleased, and _Christmas_ was released with a great deal of
+triumph and exaltation."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+     Commencement of Christ-tide--"O Sapientia!"--St. Thomas's
+     Day--William the Conqueror and the City of York--Providing
+     for Christmas fare--Charities of
+     food--Bull-baiting--Christ-tide charities--Going
+     "a-Thomassing," etc.--Superstitions of the day.
+
+
+We take it for granted that in the old times, when Christ-tide was
+considered so great a festival as to be accorded a Novena--that it
+began on the 16th December, when, according to the use of Sarum, the
+antiphon "O Sapientia," is sung. This, as before stated, is pointed
+out plainly in our English Church Calendar, which led to a curious
+mistake on the part of Dr. Ellicott, Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol,
+who on one occasion described it as the _Festival_ of "O Sapientia."
+The other antiphons which are sung between the 16th December and
+Christmas Eve are "O Adonai," "O Radix Jesu," "O Clavis David," "O
+Oriens Splendor," "O Rex Gentium," and "O Emmanuel," and they are
+commonly called the O's.
+
+But, beyond its being lawful to eat mince pies on the 16th December, I
+know of nothing noteworthy on the days intervening between that date
+and the festival of St. Thomas on the 21st December, which is, or was,
+celebrated in different parts of the country, with some very curious
+customs. The earliest I can find of these is noted by Drake in his
+_Eboracum_,[16] and he says he took the account from a MS. which came
+into his possession.
+
+[Footnote 16: Ed. 1736, p. 217.]
+
+"William the Conqueror, on the third year of his reign (on St.
+Thomas's Day), laid siege to the City of York; but, finding himself
+unable, either by policy or strength, to gain it, raised the siege,
+which he had no sooner done but by accident he met with two fryers at
+a place called Skelton, not far from York, and had been to seek
+reliefe for their fellows and themselves against Christmas: the one
+having a wallet full of victualls and a shoulder of mutton in his
+hand, with two great cakes hanging about his neck; the other having
+bottles of ale, with provisions, likewise of beife and mutton in his
+wallett.
+
+"The King, knowing their poverty and condition, thought they might be
+serviceable to him towards the attaining York, wherefore (being
+accompanied with Sir John Fothergill, general of the field, a Norman
+born), he gave them money, and withall a promise that, if they would
+lett him and his soldiers into their priory at a time appointed, he
+would not only rebuild their priory, but indowe it likewise with large
+revenues and ample privileges. The fryers easily consented, and the
+Conqueror as soon sent back his army, which, that night, according to
+agreement, were let into the priory by the two fryers, by which they
+immediately made themselves masters of all York; after which Sir
+Robert Clifford, who was governor thereof, was so far from being
+blamed by the Conqueror for his stout defence made the preceding days,
+that he was highly esteemed and rewarded for his valour, being created
+Lord Clifford, and there knighted, with the four magistrates then in
+office--viz., Horongate, Talbot (who after came to be Lord Talbott),
+Lassells, and Erringham.
+
+"The Arms of the City of York at that time was, _argent_, a cross,
+_gules_, viz. St. George's Cross. The Conqueror charged the cross with
+five lyons, passant gardant, _or_, in memory of the five worthy
+captains, magistrates, who governed the city so well, that he
+afterwards made Sir Robert Clifford governour thereof, and the other
+four to aid him in counsell; and, the better to keep the City in
+obedience, he built two castles, and double-moated them about; and, to
+shew the confidence and trust he put in these old but new-made
+officers by him, he offered them freely to ask whatsoever they would
+of him before he went, and he would grant their request; wherefore
+they (abominating the treachery of the two fryers to their eternal
+infamy), desired that, on St. Thomas's Day, for ever, they might have
+a fryer of the priory of St. Peter's to ride through the city on
+horseback, with his face to the horse's tayle: and that, in his hand,
+instead of a bridle, he should have a rope, and in the other a
+shoulder of mutton, with one cake hanging on his back and another on
+his breast, with his face painted like a Jew; and the youth of the
+City to ride with him, and to cry and shout 'Youl, Youl!' with the
+officers of the City riding before and making proclamation, that on
+this day the City was betrayed; and their request was granted them;
+which custom continued till the dissolution of the said fryory; and
+afterwards, in imitation of the same, the young men and artizans of
+the City, on the aforesaid St. Thomas's day, used to dress up one of
+their own companions like a fryer, and call him Youl, which custom
+continued till within these threescore years, there being many now
+living which can testify the same. But upon what occasion since
+discontinued, I cannot learn; this being done in memory of betraying
+the City by the said fryers to William the Conqueror."
+
+St. Thomas's day used to be utilised in laying in store of food at
+Christ-tide for the purpose of properly keeping the feast of the
+Nativity. In the Isle of Man it was the custom for the people to go on
+that day to the mountains in order to capture deer and sheep for the
+feast; and at night bonfires blazed on the summit of every "fingan,"
+or cliff, to provide for which, at the time of casting peats, every
+person put aside a large one, saying, "Faaid mooar moaney son oie'l
+fingan"--that is, _A large turf for Fingan's Eve_.
+
+Beef was sometimes left to the parish by deceased benefactors, as in
+the case of Boteler's Bull Charity at Biddenham, Bedfordshire, of
+which Edwards says:[17] "This is an ancient annual payment of £5 out
+of an estate at Biddenham, formerly belonging to the family of
+Boteler, and now the property of Lord Viscount Hampden, which is due
+and regularly paid on St. Thomas's Day to the overseers of the poor,
+and is applicable by the terms of the original gift (of which no
+written memorial is to be found), or by long-established usage, to the
+purchase of a bull, which is killed and the flesh thereof given among
+the poor persons of the parish.
+
+[Footnote 17: _A Collection of Old English Customs and Curious
+Bequests and Charities_, London, 1842, p. 64.]
+
+"For many years past, the annual fund being insufficient to purchase a
+bull, the deficiency has been made good out of other charities
+belonging to the parish. It was proposed some years ago by the vicar
+that the £5 a year should be laid out in buying meat, but the poor
+insisted on the customary purchase of a bull being continued, and the
+usage is, accordingly, kept up. The price of the bull has varied of
+late years from £9 to £14. The Churchwardens, Overseers, and principal
+inhabitants assist at the distribution of the meat."
+
+He gives another instance[18] of a gift of beef and barley at Nevern,
+Pembrokeshire: "William Rogers, by will, June 1806, gave to the
+Minister and Churchwardens of Nevern and their successors £800 three
+per cent. Consols, to be transferred by his executors within six
+months after his decease; and it was his will that the dividends
+should be laid out annually, one moiety thereof in good beef, the
+other moiety in good barley, the same to be distributed on every St.
+Thomas's Day in every year by the Minister and Churchwardens, to and
+among the poor of the said parish of Nevern.
+
+[Footnote 18: _A Collection of Old English Customs and Curious
+Bequests and Charities_, London, 1842, p. 24.]
+
+"After the payment of £1 to a solicitor in London, and a small amount
+for a stamp and postage, the dividends (£24) are expended in the
+purchase of beef and barley, which is distributed by the Churchwarden
+on 21st December to all the poor of the parish, in shares of between
+two and three gallons of barley, and between two and three pounds of
+beef."
+
+Yet another example of Christmas beef for the poor--this time rather
+an unpleasant one:[19] "The cruel practice of bull-baiting was
+continued annually on St. Thomas's Day in the quaint old town of
+Wokingham, Berks, so lately as 1821. In 1822, upon the passing of the
+Act against cruelty to Animals, the Corporation resolved on abolishing
+the custom. The alderman (as the chief Magistrate is called there)
+went with his officers in procession and solemnly pulled up the
+bull-ring, which had, from immemorial time been fixed in the
+market-place. The bull-baiting was regarded with no ordinary
+attachment by 'the masses'; for, besides the love of 'sport,' however
+barbarous, it was here connected with something more solid--the
+Christmas dinner.
+
+[Footnote 19: _Notes and Queries_, second series, v. 35.]
+
+"In 1661, George Staverton gave by will, out of his Staines house,
+four pounds to buy a bull for the use of the poor of Wokingham parish,
+to be increased to six pounds after the death of his wife and her
+daughter; the bull to be baited, and then cut up, 'one poor's piece
+not exceeding another's in bigness.' Staverton must have been an
+amateur of the bull-bait; for he exhorts his wife, if she can spare
+her four pounds a-year, to let the poor have the bull at Christmas
+next after his decease, and so forward.
+
+"Great was the wrath of the populace in 1822 at the loss, not of the
+beef--for the corporation duly distributed the meat--but of the
+baiting. They vented their rage for successive years in occasional
+breaches of the peace. They found out--often informed by the
+sympathising farmer or butcher--where the devoted animal was
+domiciled; proceeded at night to liberate him from stall or meadow,
+and to chase him across the country with all the noisy accompaniments
+imaginable. So long was this feeling kept alive, that thirteen years
+afterwards--viz. in 1835--the mob broke into the place where one of
+the two animals to be divided was abiding, and baited him, in defiance
+of the authorities, in the market-place; one enthusiastic amateur,
+tradition relates, actually lying on the ground and seizing the
+miserable brute by the nostril, _more canino_, with his own human
+teeth! This was not to be endured, and a sentence of imprisonment in
+Reading Gaol gave the _coup de grace_ to the sport. The bequest of
+Staverton now yields an income of £20, and has for several years past
+been appropriated to the purchase of two bulls. The flesh is divided,
+and distributed annually on St. Thomas's Day, by the alderman,
+churchwardens, and overseers to nearly every poor family (between 200
+and 300), without regard to their receiving parochial relief. The
+produce of the offal and hides is laid out in the purchase of shoes
+and stockings for the poor women and children. The bulls' tongues are
+recognised by courtesy as the perquisites of the alderman and
+town-clerk."
+
+But there were other kindly gifts to the poor, _vide_ one at
+Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, where Samuel Higgs,[20] by his will dated
+May 11, 1820 (as appears from the church tablet), gave £50 to the
+vicar and churchwardens of this parish, and directed that the interest
+should be given every year on 21st December, in equal proportions, to
+ten poor men and women who could repeat the Lord's Prayer, the Creed,
+and the Ten Commandments before the vicar or such other person as he
+should appoint to hear them. The interest is applied according to the
+donor's orders, and the poor persons appointed to partake of the
+charity continue to receive it during their lives.
+
+[Footnote 20: _Edwards_, p. 209.]
+
+Take another case, at Tainton, Oxfordshire,[21] where a quarter of
+barley meal is provided annually at the expense of Lord Dynevor, the
+lord of the manor, and made into loaves called cobbs. These used to be
+given away in Tainton Church to such of the poor children of Burford
+as attended. A sermon is preached on St. Thomas's Day, according to
+directions supposed to be contained in the will of Edmund Harman, 6s.
+8d. being also paid out of Lord Dynevor's estate to the preacher. The
+children used to make so much riot and disturbance in the church, that
+about 1809 it was thought better to distribute the cobbs in a stable
+belonging to one of the churchwardens, and this course has been
+pursued ever since.
+
+[Footnote 21: _Ibid._, p. 25.]
+
+At Slindon, Sussex,[22] a sum of £15 was placed in the Arundel Savings
+Bank, in the year 1824, the interest of which is distributed on St.
+Thomas's Day. It is said that this money was found many years since on
+the person of a beggar, who died by the roadside, and the interest of
+it has always been appropriated by the parish officers for the use of
+the poor.
+
+[Footnote 22: _Ibid._, p. 129.]
+
+Where these gifts were not distributed, as a rule, the poor country
+folk went round begging for something wherewith to keep the festival
+of Christ-tide; and for this they can scarcely be blamed, for
+agricultural wages were very low, and mostly paid in kind, so that the
+labourer could never lay by for a rainy day, much less have spare cash
+to spend in festivity. Feudality was not wholly extinct, and they
+naturally leaned upon their richer neighbours for help--especially at
+this season of rejoicing throughout all England--a time of feasting
+ever since the Saxon rule. So, following the rule of using St.
+Thomas's Day as the day for providing the necessaries for the
+Christmas feast, they went about from farm-house to mansion soliciting
+gifts of food. In some parts, as in Derbyshire, this was called "going
+a-Thomassing," and the old and young folks would come home laden with
+gifts of milk, cheese, wheat, with which to make furmity or furmenty,
+oatmeal, flour, potatoes, mince pies, pigs' puddings, or pork pies,
+and other goodies. This collection went by the same name in Cheshire
+and neighbouring counties, where the poor generally carried a bag and
+a can into which they might put the flour, meal, or corn that might be
+given them.
+
+In other places, such as Northamptonshire, Kent, Sussex,
+Herefordshire, Worcestershire, it went under the name of "Going a
+Gooding," and in some cases the benefactions were acknowledged by a
+return present of a sprig of holly or mistletoe or a bunch of
+primroses. In some parts of Herefordshire they "called a spade a
+spade," and called this day "Mumping," or begging day; and in
+Warwickshire, where they principally received presents of corn, it was
+termed "going-a-corning"; and in that home of orchards Worcestershire,
+this rhyme used to be sung--
+
+     Wissal, wassail through the town,
+     If you've got any apples throw them down;
+     Up with the stocking, and down with the shoe,
+     If you've got no apples money will do.
+     The jug is white, and the ale is brown,
+     This is the best house in the town.
+
+"Cuthbert Bede" (the Rev. Edward Bradley) writes[23]--"In the
+Staffordshire parish whence I write, S. Thomas's Day is observed
+thus:--Not only do the old women and widows, but representatives also
+from each poorer family in the parish, come round for alms. The
+clergyman is expected to give one shilling to each person, and, as no
+'reduction is made on taking a quantity' of recipients, he finds the
+celebration of the day attended with no small expense. Some of the
+parishioners give alms in money, others in kind. Thus, some of the
+farmers give corn, which the miller grinds _gratis_. The day's custom
+is termed 'Gooding.' In neighbouring parishes no corn is given, the
+farmers giving money instead; and in some places the money collected
+is placed in the hands of the clergyman and churchwardens, who, on the
+Sunday nearest to S. Thomas's Day, distribute it at the vestry. The
+fund is called S. Thomas's Dole, and the day itself is termed Doleing
+Day."
+
+[Footnote 23: _Notes and Queries_, 2 series, iv. 487.]
+
+There is very little folk-lore about this day. Halliwell says that
+girls used to have a method of divination with a "S. Thomas's Onion,"
+for the purpose of finding their future husbands. The onion was
+peeled, wrapped in a clean handkerchief, and then being placed under
+their heads, the following lines were said:
+
+     Good S. Thomas, do me right,
+     And see my true love come to-night,
+     That I may see him in the face,
+     And him in my kind arms embrace.
+
+A writer in _Notes and Queries_[24] says, "A Nottinghamshire
+maid-servant tells me:--'One of my mistresses was brought up at
+Ranskill, or not far from there. She used to say that when she and her
+sister were children they always hid under the nurse's cloak if they
+went out to a party on S. Thomas's Day. They were told that S. Thomas
+came down at that time and sat on the steeple of the church.'"
+
+[Footnote 24: 7 series, x. p. 487.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+     Paddington Charity (Bread and Cheese Lands)--Barring-out at
+     Schools--Interesting narrative.
+
+
+Until Christmas eve there is nothing remarkable about this Novena of
+Christ-tide, excepting a curious charitable custom which used to
+obtain in the parish of Paddington, which may be well described by a
+quotation from the _London Magazine_ (December 1737, p. 705).
+
+"Sunday, December 18, 1737. This day, according to annual custom,
+bread and cheese were thrown from Paddington steeple to the populace,
+agreeable to the will of two women, who were relieved there with bread
+and cheese when they were almost starved; and Providence afterwards
+favouring them, they left an estate in that parish to continue the
+custom for ever on that day."
+
+Three pieces of land situated in the parish were certainly left by two
+maiden ladies, whose names are unknown, and their charity was
+distributed as described until the Sunday before Christmas 1834, when
+the bread and cheese (consisting of three or four dozen penny rolls,
+and the same quantity of pieces of cheese) were thrown for the last
+time from the belfry of St. Mary's Church by Mr. Wm. Hogg, the parish
+clerk. After that date the rents arising from these "bread and cheese
+lands," as they are called, were distributed in the shape of bread,
+coals, and blankets, to poor families inhabiting the parish, of whom a
+list was made out annually for the churchwardens, stating their
+residence and occupation, and the number of children under ten years
+of age. Subsequently the Court of Chancery assented to a scheme
+whereby the rents are portioned amongst the national schools, etc.
+
+A curious custom used to obtain in some schools just before the
+Christmas holidays, of _barring-out_ the master, and keeping him out
+of the schoolroom until the boys' grievances had been listened to and
+promise of redress given; and the best account of this custom that I
+have ever met with is in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1828, vol. ii.
+p. 404, etc.
+
+"It was a few days before the usual period of the Christmas Holidays
+arrived, when the leading scholars of the head form determined on
+reviving the ancient but obsolete custom of _barring-out_ the master
+of the school. Many years had elapsed since the attempt had succeeded;
+and many times since that period had it been made in vain. The
+scholars had heard of the glorious feats of their forefathers in their
+boyish years, when they set the lash of the master at defiance for
+days together. Now, alas! all was changed; the master, in the opinion
+of the boys, reigned a despot absolute and uncontrolled; the merciless
+cruelty of his rod, and the heaviness of his tasks, were
+insupportable. The accustomed holidays had been rescinded; the usual
+Christmas feast reduced to a non-entity, and the chartered rights of
+the scholars were continually violated. These grievances were
+discussed _seriatim_; and we were all unanimously of opinion that our
+wrongs should, if possible, be redressed. But how the object should be
+effected was a momentous and weighty affair. The master was a
+clergyman of the old school, who for the last forty years had
+exercised an authority hitherto uncontrolled, and who had no idea of
+enforcing scholastic discipline without the exercise of the whip. The
+consequences of a failure were terrible to think upon; but then the
+anticipation of success, and the glory attendant upon the enterprise,
+if successful, were sufficient to dispel every fear.
+
+"At the head of the Greek class was one whose very soul seemed formed
+for the most daring attempts. He communicated his intentions to a
+chosen few, of which the writer was one, and offered to be the leader
+of the undertaking if we would promise him our support. We hesitated;
+but he represented the certainty of success with such feeling
+eloquence that he entirely subdued our opposition. He stated that
+Addison had acquired immortal fame by a similar enterprise. He told us
+that almost every effort in the sacred cause of freedom had succeeded.
+He appealed to our classical recollections:--Epaminondas and Leonidas
+were worthy of our example; Tarquin and Cæsar, as tyrants, had fallen
+before the united efforts of freedom; we had only to be unanimous, and
+the rod of this scholastic despot would be for ever broken. We then
+entered enthusiastically into his views. He observed that delays were
+dangerous; 'the barring-out,' he said, 'should take place the very
+next morning to prevent the possibility of being betrayed.' On a
+previous occasion (he said), some officious little urchin had told the
+master the whole plot, several days having been allowed to intervene
+between the planning of the project and its execution, and, to the
+astonishment of the boys, it appeared they found the master at his
+desk two hours before his usual time, and had the mortification of
+being congratulated on their early attendance, with an order to be
+there every morning at the same hour!
+
+"To prevent the occurrence of such a defeat we determined on
+organising our plans that very night. The boys were accordingly told
+to assemble after school hours at a well-known tombstone in the
+neighbouring Churchyard, as something of importance was under
+consideration. The place of meeting was an elevated parallelogram
+tombstone, which had always served as a kind of council table to
+settle our little disputes as well as parties of pleasure. Here we all
+assembled at the appointed time. Our leader took his stand at one end
+of the stone, with the head boys who were in the secret on each side
+of him. 'My boys (he laconically observed), to-morrow morning we are
+to _bar-out_ the flogging parson, and to make him promise that he will
+not flog us hereafter without a cause, nor set us long tasks or
+deprive us of our holidays. The boys of the Greek form will be your
+Captains, and I am to be your Captain-General. Those that are cowards
+had better retire and be satisfied with future floggings; but you, who
+have courage, and know what it is to have been flogged for nothing,
+come here and sign your names.' He immediately pulled out a pen and a
+sheet of paper; and having tied some bits of thread round the
+finger-ends of two or three boys, with a pin he drew blood to answer
+for ink, and to give more solemnity to the act. He signed the first,
+the Captains next, and the rest in succession. Many of the lesser boys
+slunk away during the ceremony; but on counting the names we found we
+mustered upwards of forty--sufficient, it was imagined, even to carry
+the school by storm. The Captain-General then addressed us: 'I have
+the key of the school, and shall be there at seven o'clock. The old
+Parson will arrive at nine, and every one of you must be there before
+eight to allow us one hour for barricading the doors and windows.
+Bring with you as much provision as you can; and tell your parents
+that you have to take your dinners in school. Let every one of you
+have some weapon of defence; you who cannot obtain a sword, pistol, or
+poker, must bring a stick or cudgel. Now, all go home directly, and be
+sure to arrive early in the morning.'
+
+"Perhaps a more restless and anxious night was never passed by young
+recruits on the eve of a general battle. Many of us rose some hours
+before the time; and at seven o'clock, when the school door was
+opened, there was a tolerably numerous muster. Our Captain immediately
+ordered candles to be lighted, and a rousing fire to be made (for it
+was a dark December's morning). He then began to examine the store of
+provisions, and the arms which each had brought. In the meantime, the
+arrival of every boy with additional material was announced by
+tremendous cheers.
+
+"At length the Church Clock struck eight. 'Proceed to barricade the
+doors and windows,' exclaimed the Captain, 'or the old lion will be
+upon us before we are prepared to meet him.' In an instant the old
+oaken door rang on its heavy hinges. Some, with hammers, gimlets, and
+nails, were eagerly securing the windows, while others were dragging
+along the ponderous desks, forms, and everything portable, to
+blockade, with certain security, every place which might admit of
+ingress. This operation being completed, the Captain mounted the
+master's rostrum, and called over the list of names, when he found
+only two or three missing. He then proceeded to classify them into
+divisions, or companies of six, and assigned to each its respective
+Captain. He prescribed the duties of each company. Two were to guard
+the large casement window, where, it was expected, the first attack
+would be made; this was considered the post of honour, and,
+consequently, the strongest boys, with the most formidable weapons,
+were selected, whom we called Grenadiers. Another company, whom we
+considered as the Light Infantry, or Sharp Shooters, were ordered to
+mount a large desk in the centre of the School; and, armed with
+squibs, crackers, and various missiles, they were to attack the enemy
+over the heads of the Combatants. The other divisions were to guard
+the back windows and door, and to act according to the emergency of
+the moment. Our leader then moved some resolutions (which, in
+imitation of Brutus, he had cogitated during the previous night), to
+the effect that each individual should implicitly obey his own
+Captain; that each Captain should follow the orders of the
+Captain-general, and that a _corps de réserve_ should be stationed in
+the rear, to enforce this obedience, and prevent the combatants from
+taking to flight. The resolutions were passed amid loud vociferations.
+
+"We next commenced an examination of the various weapons, and found
+them to consist of one old blunderbuss, one pistol, two old swords, a
+few rusty pokers, and sticks, stones, squibs, and gunpowder in
+abundance. The firearms were immediately loaded with blank powder; the
+swords were sharpened, and the pokers heated in the fire. These
+weapons were assigned to the most daring company, who had to protect
+the principal window. The missiles were for the light infantry, and
+all the rest were armed with sticks.
+
+"We now began to manoeuvre our companies, by marching them into line
+and column, so that every one might know his own situation. In the
+midst of this preparation, the sentinel whom we had placed at the
+window, loudly vociferated, 'The parson! The parson's coming!'
+
+"In an instant all was confusion. Every one ran he knew not where; as
+if eager to fly, or screen himself from observation. Our captain
+immediately mounted a form, and called to the captains of the two
+leading companies to take their stations. They immediately obeyed;
+and the other companies followed their example; though they found it
+much more difficult to manoeuvre when danger approached than they
+had a few minutes before! The well-known footstep, which had often
+struck on our ears with terror, was now heard to advance along the
+portico. The muttering of his stern voice sounded in our ears like the
+lion's growl. A death-like silence prevailed: we scarcely dared to
+breathe: the palpitations of our little hearts could, perhaps, alone
+be heard. The object of our dread then went round to the front window,
+for the purpose of ascertaining whether any one was in the school.
+Every footstep struck us with awe: not a word, not a whisper was
+heard. He approached close to the window; and with an astonished
+countenance stood gazing upon us, while we were ranged in battle
+array, motionless statues, and silent as the tomb. 'What is the
+meaning of this?' he impatiently exclaimed. But no answer could he
+obtain, for who would then have dared to render himself conspicuous by
+a reply? Pallid countenances and livid lips betrayed our fears. The
+courage, which one hour before was ready to brave every danger,
+appeared to be fled. Every one seemed anxious to conceal himself from
+view: and there would, certainly, have been a general flight through
+the back windows had it not been for the prudent regulation of a
+_corps de réserve,_ armed with cudgels, to prevent it.
+
+"'You young scoundrels, open the door instantly,' he again exclaimed;
+and, what added to our indescribable horror, in a fit of rage he
+dashed his hand through the window, which consisted of diamond-shaped
+panes, and appeared as if determined to force his way in.
+
+"Fear and trepidation, attended by an increasing commotion, now
+possessed us all. At this critical moment every eye turned to our
+captain, as if to reproach him for having brought us into this
+terrible dilemma. He alone stood unmoved; but he saw that none would
+have courage to obey his commands. Some exciting stimulus was
+necessary. Suddenly waving his hand, he exclaimed aloud, 'Three cheers
+for the barring-out, and success to our cause!' The cheers were
+tremendous; our courage revived; the blood flushed in our cheeks; the
+parson was breaking in; the moment was critical. Our Captain,
+undaunted, sprang to the fire-place--seized a heated poker in one
+hand, and a blazing torch in the other. The latter he gave to the
+captain of the sharp shooters, and told him to prepare a volley; when,
+with red-hot poker, he fearlessly advanced to the window seat; and,
+daring his master to enter, he ordered an attack--and an attack,
+indeed, was made, sufficiently tremendous to have repelled a more
+powerful assailant. The missiles flew at the ill-fated window from
+every quarter. The blunderbuss and the pistol were fired; squibs and
+crackers, inkstands and rulers, stones, and even burning coals, came
+in showers about the casement, and broke some of the panes into a
+thousand pieces; while blazing torches, heated pokers, and sticks,
+stood bristling under the window. The whole was scarcely the work of a
+minute: the astonished master reeled back in dumb amazement. He had,
+evidently, been struck with a missile or with the broken glass; and
+probably fancied that he had been wounded by the firearms. The schools
+now rang with the shouts of 'Victory,' and continued cheering. 'The
+enemy again approaches,' cried the captain; 'fire another
+volley;--stay, he seeks a parley--hear him.' 'What is the meaning, I
+say, of this horrid tumult?' 'The barring-out, the barring-out!' a
+dozen voices instantly exclaimed. 'For shame,' says he, in a tone
+evidently subdued; what disgrace are you bringing upon yourselves and
+the schools. What will the Trustees--what will your parents say?
+William,' continued he, addressing the captain, 'open the door without
+further delay.' 'I will, Sir,' he replied, 'on your promising to
+pardon us, and give us our lawful holidays, of which we have lately
+been deprived; and not set us tasks during the holidays.' 'Yes, yes,'
+said several squealing voices, 'that is what we want; and not to be
+flogged for nothing.' 'You insolent scoundrels! you consummate young
+villains!' he exclaimed, choking with rage, and at the same time
+making a furious effort to break through the already shattered window,
+'open the door instantly, or I'll break every bone in your hides.'
+'Not on those conditions,' replied our Captain, with provoking
+coolness;--'Come on, my boys, another volley.' No sooner said than
+done, and even with more fury than before. Like men driven to despair,
+who expect no quarter on surrendering, the little urchins daringly
+mounted the window seat, which was a broad, old-fashioned one, and
+pointed the fire arms and heated poker at him; whilst others advanced
+with the squibs and missiles. 'Come on, my lads,' said the captain,
+'let this be our Thermopylæ, and I will be your Leonidas.' And,
+indeed, so daring were they, that each seemed ready to emulate the
+Spartans of old. The master, perceiving their determined obstinacy,
+turned round, without further remonstrance, and indignantly walked
+away.
+
+"Relieved from our terrors, we now became intoxicated with joy. The
+walls rang with repeated hurrahs! In the madness of enthusiasm, some
+of the boys began to tear up the forms, throw the books about, break
+the slates, locks, and cupboards, and act so outrageously that the
+captain called them to order; not, however, before the master's desk
+and drawers had been broken open, and every play thing which had been
+taken from the scholars restored to its owner.
+
+"We now began to think of provisions. They were all placed on one
+table and dealt out in rations by the Captains of each company. In the
+meantime, we held a council of war, as we called it, to determine on
+what was to be done.
+
+"In a recess at the east end of the school there stood a large oak
+chest, black with age, whose heavy hinges had become corroded with
+years of rust. It was known to contain the records and endowments of
+the school; and, as we presumed, the regulations for the treatment of
+the scholars. The oldest boy had never seen its inside. Attempts,
+dictated by insatiable curiosity, had often been made to open it; but
+it was deemed impregnable. It was guarded by three immense locks, and
+each key was in the possession of different persons. The wood appeared
+to be nearly half a foot thick, and every corner was plaited with
+iron. All eyes were instinctively directed to this mysterious chest.
+Could any means be devised for effecting an entrance? was the natural
+question. We all proceeded to reconnoitre; we attempted to move it,
+but in vain: we made some feeble efforts to force the lid; it was firm
+as a block of marble. At length, one daring urchin brought, from the
+fire-place, a red-hot poker, and began to bore through its sides. A
+universal shout was given. Other pokers were brought, and to work they
+went. The smoke and tremendous smell which the old wood sent forth
+rather alarmed us. We were apprehensive that we might burn the records
+instead of obtaining a copy of them. This arrested our progress for a
+few minutes.
+
+"At this critical moment a shout was set up that the parson
+and a constable was coming! Down went the pokers; and, as if
+conscience-stricken, we were all seized with consternation. The
+casement window was so shattered that it could easily be entered by
+any resolute fellow. In the desperation of the moment we seized the
+desks, forms, and stools to block it up; but, in some degree, our
+courage had evaporated, and we felt reluctant to act on the offensive.
+The old gentleman and his attendant deliberately inspected the windows
+and fastenings: but, without making any attempt to enter, they
+retreated for the purpose, we presumed, of obtaining additional
+assistance. What was now to be done? The master appeared obdurate, and
+we had gone too far to recede. Some proposed to drill a hole in the
+window seat, fill it with gunpowder, and explode it if any one
+attempted to enter. Others thought we had better prepare to set fire
+to the school sooner than surrender unconditionally. But the majority
+advised what was, perhaps, the most prudent resolution, to wait for
+another attack; and, if we saw no hopes of sustaining a longer
+defence, to make the best retreat we could.
+
+"The affair of the Barring Out had now become known, and persons began
+to assemble round the windows, calling out that the master was coming
+with assistance, and saying everything to intimidate us. Many of us
+were completely jaded with the over-excitement we had experienced
+since the previous evening. The school was hot, close, and full of
+smoke. Some were longing for liberty and fresh air; and most of us
+were now of opinion that we had engaged in an affair which it was
+impossible to accomplish. In this state of mind we received another
+visit from our dreaded master. With his stick he commenced a more
+furious attack than before; and, observing us less turbulent, he
+appeared determined to force his way in spite of the barricadoes. The
+younger boys thought of nothing but flight and self-preservation, and
+the rush to the back windows became general. In the midst of this
+consternation our Captain exclaims, 'Let us not fly like cowards; if
+we must surrender, let the gates of the citadel be thrown open: the
+day is against us; but let us bravely face the enemy, and march out
+with the honours of war.' Some few had already escaped; but the rest
+immediately ranged themselves on each side of the school, in two
+extended lines, with their weapons in hand. The door was thrown
+open--the master instantly entered, and passed between the two lines,
+denouncing vengeance on us all. But, as he marched in we marched out
+in military order; and, giving three cheers, we dispersed into the
+neighbouring fields.
+
+"We shortly met again, and, after a little consultation, it was
+determined that none of the leaders should come to school until sent
+for, and a free pardon given.
+
+"The defection, however, was so general that no corporal punishments
+took place. Many of the boys did not return till after the holidays:
+and several of the elder ones never entered the school again."
+
+This curious custom can hardly be considered as dead, for a writer,
+mentioning it in _Notes and Queries_ for December 22, 1888 (7th
+series, vi. p. 484), says: "This old custom, strange to say, still
+exists, in spite of the schoolmaster and the Board School. It may be
+of interest to some of your readers if I give an extract from a letter
+to the Dalston (Carlisle) School Board in reference to this subject,
+received at their last meeting on December 7th. 'I would ask the
+sanction of the Board for the closing of the school for the Vacation
+on the evening of Thursday the 20th. If we open on the Friday we
+shall, most likely, have a poor attendance. My principal reason for
+asking is that we should be thus better able to effectually put a stop
+to the old barbarous custom of Barring Out. Some of the children might
+possibly be persuaded by outsiders to make the attempt on Friday, and
+in such a case I should feel it my duty to inflict an amount of
+castigation on offenders such as neither they nor myself would
+relish.'
+
+"The majority of the Board sympathised with the Master's difficulty
+and granted his request; though as Chairman I expressed my curiosity
+to see the repetition of a custom I had heard so much about."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+     The Bellman--Descriptions of him--His verses. The
+     Waits--Their origin--Ned Ward on them--Corporation
+     Waits--York Waits (17th Century)--Essay on
+     Waits--Westminster Waits--Modern Waits.
+
+
+Before the advent of Christmas the Bellman, or Watchman, left at each
+house a copy of verses ostensibly breathing good-will and a happy
+Christmas to the occupants, but in reality as a reminder to them of
+his existence, and that he would call in due time for his Christmas
+box. The date of the institution of the Bellman is not well defined.
+In Tegg's _Dictionary of Chronology_, 1530 is given, but no authority
+for the statement is adduced; Machyn, in his diary, is more definite
+"[the xij. day of January 1556-7, in Alderman Draper's ward called]
+chordwenerstrett ward, a belle man [went about] with a belle at evere
+lane, and at the ward [end to] gyff warnyng of ffyre and candyll
+lyght, [and to help the] poure, and pray for the ded." Their cry
+being, "Take care of your fire and candle, be charitable to the poor,
+and pray for the dead."
+
+Shakespeare knew him, for in _Macbeth_ (Act II. sc. 2) he says:
+
+     It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bell man,
+     Which gives the stern'st good night.
+
+And Milton mentions him in _Il Penseroso_:
+
+     Or the bellman's drowsy charm,
+     To bless the doors from nightly harm.
+
+Herrick also celebrates _The Bellman_:
+
+     From noise of Scare-fires rest ye free,
+     From Murders _Benedicite_.
+     From all mischances, that may fright
+     Your pleasing slumbers in the night;
+     Mercie secure ye all, and keep
+     The Goblin from ye, while ye sleep.
+     Past one o'clock, and almost two,
+     My Masters all, _Good day to you_.
+
+On the title page of Decker's _Belman of London_ (ed. 1608) we have a
+woodcut giving a vivid portrait of the Bellman going his nightly
+rounds with his pike upon his shoulder, a horn lanthorn, with a candle
+inside, in one hand, and his bell, which is attached by a strap to his
+girdle, in the other hand, his faithful dog following him in his
+nightly rounds. In his _Lanthorne and Candle light; or The Bell-man's
+second Night's walke_, ed. 1608, the title page gives us a totally
+different type of Bellman, carrying both bell and lanthorn, but
+bearing no pike, nor is he accompanied by a dog. In his _O per se O_,
+ed. 1612, is another type of Bellman, with lanthorn, bell, and brown
+bill on his shoulder, but no dog. And in his _Villanies Discovered by
+Lanthorne and Candle Light_, etc., ed. 1620, we have two more and yet
+different Bellmen, one with bell, lanthorn, and bill, followed by a
+dog; the other (a very rough wood cut) does not give him his
+four-footed friend. This is the heading to the "Belman's Cry":
+
+     Men and Children, Maides and Wives,
+     'Tis not late to mend your lives:
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+     When you heare this ringing Bell,
+     Think it is your latest knell:
+     When I cry, Maide in your Smocke,
+     Doe not take it for a mocke:
+     Well I meane, if well 'tis taken,
+     I would have you still awaken:
+     Foure a Clocke, the Cock is crowing
+     I must to my home be going:
+     When all other men doe rise,
+     Then must I shut up mine eyes.
+
+He was a person of such importance, that in 1716 Vincent Bourne
+composed a long Latin poem in praise of one of the fraternity: "Ad
+Davidem Cook, Westmonasterii Custodem Nocturnum et Vigilantissimum,"
+a translation of which runs thus, in the last few lines:
+
+     Should you and your dog ever call at my door,
+     You'll be welcome, I promise you, nobody more.
+     May you call at a thousand each year that you live,
+     A shilling, at least, may each householder give;
+     May the "Merry Old Christmas" you wish us, befal,
+     And your self, and your dog, be the merriest of all!
+
+At Christ-tide it was their custom to leave a copy of verses, mostly
+of Scriptural character, and generally very sorry stuff, at every
+house on their beat, with a view to receiving a Christmas box; and
+this was an old custom, for Gay notices it in his _Trivia_ (book ii.)
+written in 1715:
+
+     Behold that narrow street which steep descends,
+     Whose building to the slimy shore extends;
+     Here Arundel's fam'd structure rear'd its frame,
+     The street, alone, retains the empty name;
+     Where Titian's glowing paint the canvass warm'd,
+     And Raphael's fair design, with judgment, charm'd,
+     Now hangs the _bellman's song_, and pasted here
+     The coloured prints of Overton appear.
+
+Another ante-Christmas custom now falling into desuetude is the waits,
+who originally were musical watchmen, who had to give practical
+evidence of their vigilance by playing on the hautboy, or flageolet,
+at stated times during the night. In the household of Edward IV. there
+is mentioned in the _Liber niger Domus Regis_, "A Wayte, that nightely
+from Mychelmas to Shreve Thorsdaye, _pipe the watch_ within this
+courte fowere tymes; in the Somere nightes three tymes, and maketh
+_bon gayte_ at every chambre doare and offyce, as well for feare of
+pyckeres and pillers."[25]
+
+[Footnote 25: Pickers and stealers.]
+
+These waits afterwards became bands of musicians, who were ready to
+play at any festivities, such as weddings, etc., and almost every city
+and town had its band of waits; the City of London had its Corporation
+Waits, which played before the Lord Mayor in his inaugural procession,
+and at banquets and other festivities. They wore blue gowns, red
+sleeves and caps, and every one had a silver collar about his neck.
+Ned Ward thus describes them in his _London Spy_ (1703).
+
+"At last bolted out from the corner of a street, with an _ignis
+fatuus_ dancing before them, a parcel of strange hobgoblins, covered
+with long frieze rugs and blankets, hooped round with leather girdles
+from their cruppers to their shoulders, and their noddles buttoned up
+into caps of martial figure, like a Knight Errant at tilt and
+tournament, with his wooden head locked in an iron helmet; one, armed,
+as I thought with a lusty faggot-bat, and the rest with strange wooden
+weapons in their hands, in the shape of clyster pipes, but as long
+almost as speaking trumpets. Of a sudden they clapped them to their
+mouths, and made such a frightful yelling that I thought _he_ would
+have been dissolving, and the terrible sound of the last trumpet to be
+within an inch of my ears.... 'Why, what,' says he, 'don't you love
+musick? These are the topping tooters of the town, and have gowns,
+silver chains and salaries for playing _Lilli-borlero_ to my Lord
+Mayor's horse through the City.'"
+
+That these Corporation Waits were no mean musicians we have the
+authority of Morley, who, in dedicating his _Consort Lessons_ to the
+Lord Mayor and Aldermen in 1599, says:
+
+"As the ancient custom of this most honourable and renowned city hath
+been ever to retain and maintain excellent and expert musicians to
+adorn your Honours' favours, feasts and solemn meetings--to these,
+your Lordships' Wayts, I recommend the same--to your servants' careful
+and skilful handling."
+
+These concert lessons were arranged for six instruments--viz. two
+viols (treble and bass), a flute, a cittern (a kind of guitar, strung
+with wire), a treble lute, and a pandora, which was a large
+instrument, similar to a lute, but strung with wire in lieu of catgut.
+
+The following is a description of the York Waits, end of seventeenth
+century:
+
+     In a Winter's morning,
+     Long before the dawning,
+     'Ere the cock did crow,
+     Or stars their light withdraw,
+     Wak'd by a hornpipe pretty,
+     Play'd along York City,
+     By th' help of o'er night's bottle
+     Damon made this ditty....
+     In a winter's night,
+     By moon or lanthorn light,
+     Through hail, rain, frost, or snow
+     Their rounds the music go;
+     Clad each in frieze or blanket
+     (For either, heav'n be thanked),
+     Lin'd with wine a quart,
+     Or ale a double tankard.
+     Burglars send away,
+     And, bar guests dare not stay;
+     Of claret, snoring sots
+     Dream o'er their pipes and pots,
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+     Candles, four in the pound,
+     Lead up the jolly Round,
+     While Cornet shrill i' th' middle
+     Marches, and merry fiddle,
+     Curtal with deep hum, hum,
+     Cries we come, come,
+     And theorbo loudly answers,
+     Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum.
+     But, their fingers frost-nipt,
+     So many notes are o'erslipt,
+     That you'd take sometimes
+     The Waits for the Minster chimes:
+     Then, Sirs, to hear their musick
+     Would make both me and you sick,
+     And much more to hear a roopy fiddler call
+     (With voice, as Moll would cry,
+     "Come, shrimps, or cockles buy").
+     "Past three, fair frosty morn,
+     Good morrow, my masters all."
+
+With regard to their modern practice of playing during the night-tide,
+we find the following explanation in an _Essay on the Musical Waits at
+Christmas_, by John Cleland, 1766. Speaking of the Druids, he says:
+"But, whatever were their reasons for this preference, it is out of
+doubt that they generally chose the dead of night for the celebration
+of their greatest solemnities and festivals. Such assemblies, then,
+whether of religion, of ceremony, or of mere merriment, were
+promiscuously called _Wakes_, from their being nocturnal. The master
+of the _Revels_ (_Reveils_) would, in good old English, be termed the
+Master of the _Wakes_. In short, such nocturnal meetings are the
+_Wakes_ of the Britons; the _Reveillons_ of the French; the
+_Medianoche_ of the Spaniards; and the _Pervigilia_ of the Romans. The
+Custom of _Wakes_ at burials (_les vigiles des morts_) is at this
+moment, in many parts, not discontinued.
+
+"But, at the antient _Yule_ (or Christmas time, especially), the
+dreariness of the weather, the length of the night, would naturally
+require something extraordinary, to wake and rouse men from their
+natural inclination to rest, and to a warm bed, at that hour. The
+summons, then, to the _Wakes_ of that season were given by music,
+going the rounds of invitation to the mirth or festivals which were
+awaiting them. In this there was some propriety, some object; but
+where is there any in such a solemn piece of banter as that of music
+going the rounds and disturbing people in vain? For, surely, any
+meditation to be thereby excited on the holiness of the ensuing day
+could hardly be of great avail, in a bed, between sleeping and waking.
+But such is the power of custom to perpetuate absurdities.
+
+"However, the music was called _The Wakeths_, and, by the usual
+tendency of language to euphony, softened into _Waits_, as _workth_
+into _wort_, or _checkths_ into _chess_, etc."
+
+Another authority, Jones, in his _Welsh Bards_, 1794, says: "Waits are
+musicians of the lower order, who commonly perform on Wind
+instruments, and they play in most towns under the windows of the
+chief inhabitants, at midnight, a short time before Christmas; for
+which they collect a Christmas box, from house to house. They are said
+to derive their name of _Waits_, for being always in waiting to
+celebrate weddings and other joyous events happening within their
+district. There is a building at Newcastle called _Waits' Tower_,
+which was, formerly, the meeting-house of the town band of musicians."
+
+The town waits certainly existed in Westminster as late as 1822, and
+they were elected by the Court of Burgesses of that city--_vide_ a
+magazine cutting of that date: "_Christmas Waits_.--Charles Clapp,
+Benjamin Jackson, Denis Jelks, and Robert Prinset, were brought to Bow
+Street Office by O. Bond, the constable, charged with performing on
+several musical instruments in St. Martin's Lane, at half-past twelve
+o'clock this morning, by Mr. Munroe, the authorized principal Wait,
+appointed by the Court of Burgesses for the City and Liberty of
+Westminster, who alone considers himself entitled, by his appointment,
+to apply for Christmas boxes. He also urged that the prisoners, acting
+as Minstrels, came under the meaning of the Vagrant Act, alluded to in
+the 17th Geo. II.; however, on reference to the last Vagrant Act of
+the present king, the word 'minstrels' is omitted; consequently, they
+are no longer cognizable under that Act of Parliament; and, in
+addition to that, Mr. Charles Clapp, one of the prisoners, produced
+his indenture of having served seven years as an apprentice to the
+profession of a musician to Mr. Clay, who held the same appointment as
+Mr. Munroe does under the Court of Burgesses. The prisoners were
+discharged, after receiving an admonition from Mr. Halls, the sitting
+magistrate, not to collect Christmas boxes."
+
+In an article, "Concerning Christmas," in _Belgravia_ (vol. 6, new
+series, p. 326), we read: "It may not, perhaps, be generally known
+that, in the year of grace 1871, 'Waits' are regularly sworn before
+the Court of Burgesses at Westminster, and act under the authority of
+a warrant, signed by the clerk, and sealed with the arms of the city
+and liberty; in addition to which they are bound to provide themselves
+with a silver badge, also bearing the arms of Westminster."
+
+The modern waits have entirely departed from any pretence of allusion
+to Christ-tide, and play indifferently the last things out in dance
+music, operatic airs, or music-hall songs; and they act upon people
+according to their various temperaments, some liking to "hear the
+waits," whilst others roundly anathematise them for disturbing their
+slumbers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+     Christ-tide Carols--The days of Yule--A Carol for
+     Christ-tide--"Lullaby"--The Cherry-tree Carol--Dives and
+     Lazarus.
+
+
+The singing of carols is now confined to Christmas day; but it was not
+always so, appropriate carols being sung during the Christ-tide
+preceding the day of the Nativity--such, for instance, as the
+following examples. The first is taken from Sloane MS. 2593, in the
+British Museum, and in this one I have preserved the old spelling,
+which is ascribed to the time of Henry VI. It will be seen that
+Christ-tide is prolonged till Candlemas day, the Feast of the
+Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is kept on the 2nd of
+February, on which day all Christ-tide decorations are taken down.
+
+     Make we myrth
+     For Crystes byrth,
+       And syng we 3ole[26] tyl Candelmes.
+
+     The fyrst day of 3ole have we in mynd,
+     How God was man born of oure kynd:
+     For he the bondes wold onbynd
+       Of all oure synnes and wykednes.
+
+     The secund day we syng of Stevene,
+     That stoned and steyyd up even
+     To God that he saw stond in hevyn,
+       And crounned was for hys prouesse.
+
+     The iij day longeth to sent Johan,
+     That was Cristys darlyng, derer non,
+     Whom he betok, whan he shuld gon,
+       Hys moder der for hyr clennesse,
+
+     The iiij day of the chyldren 3ong,
+     That Herowd to deth had do with wrong,
+     And Crist thei coud non tell with tong,
+       But with ther blod bar hym wytnesse.
+
+     The v day longeth to sent Thomas,[27]
+     That as a strong pyller of bras,
+     Held up the chyrch, and sclayn he was,
+       For he sted with ry3twesnesse.
+
+     The viij day tok Jhesu hys name,
+     That saved mankynd fro syn and shame,
+     And circumsysed was for no blame,
+       But for ensample of meknesse.
+
+     The xij day offerd to hym kynges iij,
+     Gold, myr, and cence, thes gyftes free,
+     For God, and man, and kyng was he,
+       Thus worschyppyd thei his worthynes.
+
+     On the xl day cam Mary myld,
+     Unto the temple with hyr chyld,
+     To shew hyr clen that never was fylyd,
+       And therwith endyth Chrystmes.
+
+[Footnote 26: Yule.]
+
+[Footnote 27: St. Thomas à Becket, of Canterbury, was commemorated on
+29th December.]
+
+The following is taken from a MS. of the latter half of the fifteenth
+century, which Mr. Thomas Wright edited for the Percy Society in 1847.
+The spelling is even more archaic than the above, so that it is
+modernised, and a gloss given for all those words which may not be
+easily understood wherever possible:--
+
+         This endris[28] night
+         I saw a sight,
+           A star as bright as day;
+         And ever among
+         A maiden sung,
+           Lullay, by by, lullay.
+
+     The lovely lady sat and sang, and to her Child said--
+     My son, my brother, my father dear, why lyest Thou thus in hayd.
+         My sweet bird,
+         Thus it is betide
+           Though Thou be King veray;[29]
+         But, nevertheless,
+         I will not cease
+           To sing, by by, lullay.
+
+     The Child then spake in His talking, and to His mother said--
+     I bekyd[30] am King, in Crib[31] there I be laid;
+         For Angels bright
+         Down to Me light,
+           Thou knowest it is no nay;
+         And of that sight
+         Thou mays't be light
+           To sing, by by, lullay.
+
+     Now, sweet Son, since Thou art King, why art Thou laid in stall?
+     Why not Thou ordained Thy bedding in some great King his hall?
+         Me thinketh it is right
+         That King or Knight
+           Should lie in good array;
+         And then among
+         It were no wrong
+           To sing, by by, lullay.
+
+     Mary, mother, I am thy child, though I be laid in stall,
+     Lords and dukes shall worship Me, and so shall Kings all;
+         Ye shall well see
+         That Kings three
+           Shall come the twelfth day;
+         For this behest
+         Give me thy breast
+           And sing, by by, lullay.
+
+     Now tell me, sweet Son, I pray Thee, Thou art my love and dear,
+     How should I keep Thee to Thy pay,[32] and make Thee glad of cheer;
+         For all Thy will
+         I would fulfil
+           Thou witest[33] full well, in fay,[34]
+         And for all this
+         I will Thee kiss
+           And sing, by by, lullay.
+
+     My dear mother, when time it be, thou take Me up aloft,
+     And set Me upon thy knee, and handle Me full soft;
+         And in thy arm,
+         Thou wilt Me warm,
+           And keep night and day;
+         If I weep,
+         And may not sleep,
+           Thou sing, by by, lullay.
+
+     Now, sweet Son, since it is so, that all thing is at Thy will,
+     I pray Thee grant me a boon, if it be both right and skill.[35]
+         That child or man,
+         That will or can
+           Be merry upon my day;
+         To bliss them bring,
+         And I shall sing
+           Lullay, by by, lullay.
+
+[Footnote 28: Last.]
+
+[Footnote 29: True.]
+
+[Footnote 30: I am renowned as.]
+
+[Footnote 31: Manger.]
+
+[Footnote 32: Satisfaction.]
+
+[Footnote 33: Knowest.]
+
+[Footnote 34: In faith.]
+
+[Footnote 35: Reasonable.]
+
+A very popular carol, too, was that of the Legend of the Cherry Tree,
+which is very ancient, and is one of the scenes in the fifteenth of
+the Coventry Mysteries, which were played in the fifteenth century, on
+_Corpus Christi Day_.
+
+     Joseph was an old man,
+       And an old man was he,
+     And he married Mary
+       The Queen of Galilee.
+
+     When Joseph was married,
+       And Mary home had brought,
+     Mary proved with child,
+       And Joseph knew it not.
+
+     Joseph and Mary walked
+       Through a garden gay,
+     Where the cherries they grew
+       Upon every tree.
+
+     O, then bespoke Mary,
+       With words both meek and mild,
+     "O, gather me cherries, Joseph,
+       They run so in my mind."
+
+     And then replied Joseph,
+       With his words so unkind,
+     "Let him gather thee cherries,
+       That got thee with child."
+
+     O, then bespoke our Savior,
+       All in His mother's womb,
+     "Bow down, good cherry tree,
+       To My mother's hand."
+
+     The uppermost sprig
+       Bowed down to Mary's knee,
+     "Thus you may see, Joseph,
+       These cherries are for me."
+
+     "O, eat your cherries, Mary,
+       O, eat your cherries now,
+     O, eat your cherries, Mary,
+       That grow upon the bow."
+
+The parable of Dives and Lazarus was a great favourite at Christ-tide,
+as, presumably, it served to stir up men to deeds of charity towards
+their poorer brethren; but the following carol, parts of which are
+very curious, has nothing like the antiquity of the foregoing
+examples:--
+
+     As it fell out upon a day,
+       Rich Dives made a feast,
+     And he invited all his guests,
+       And gentry of the best.
+
+     Then Lazarus laid him down, and down,
+       And down at Dives' door,
+     "Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
+       Bestow upon the poor."
+
+     "Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
+       That lies begging at my door,
+     No meat, nor drink will I give thee,
+       Nor bestow upon the poor."
+
+     Then Lazarus laid him down, and down,
+       And down at Dives' wall,
+     "Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
+       Or with hunger starve I shall."
+
+     "Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
+       That lies begging at my wall,
+     No meat, nor drink will I give thee,
+       But with hunger starve you shall."
+
+     Then Lazarus laid him down, and down,
+       And down at Dives' gate,
+     "Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
+       For Jesus Christ, His sake."
+
+     "Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
+       That lies begging at my gate,
+     No meat, nor drink I'll give to thee,
+       For Jesus Christ, His sake."
+
+     Then Dives sent out his merry men,
+       To whip poor Lazarus away,
+     But they had no power to strike a stroke,
+       And flung their whips away.
+
+     Then Dives sent out his hungry dogs,
+       To bite him as he lay.
+     But they had no power to bite at all,
+       So licked his sores away.
+
+     As it fell upon a day,
+       Poor Lazarus sickened and died,
+     There came an Angel out of heaven,
+       His soul there for to guide.
+
+     "Rise up, rise up, brother Lazarus,
+       And come along with me,
+     For there's a place in heaven provided
+       To site on an Angel's knee."
+
+     As it fell upon a day,
+       Rich Dives sickened and died,
+     There came a serpent out of hell,
+       His soul there for to guide.
+
+     "Rise up, rise up, brother Dives,
+       And come along with me,
+     For there's a place in hell provided,
+       To sit on a serpent's knee."
+
+     Then Dives lifting his eyes to heaven,
+       And seeing poor Lazarus blest,
+     "Give me a drop of water, brother Lazarus,
+       To quench my flaming thirst.
+
+     "Oh! had I as many years to abide,
+       As there are blades of grass,
+     Then there would be an ending day;
+       But in hell I must ever last.
+
+     "Oh! was I now but alive again,
+       For the space of one half hour,
+     I would make my will, and then secure
+       That the devil should have no power."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+     Christmas Eve--Herrick thereon--The Yule Log--Folk-lore
+     thereon--The Ashen Faggot--Christmas Candles--Christmas Eve
+     in the Isle of Man--Hunting the Wren--Divination by Onions
+     and Sage--A Custom at Aston--"The Mock"--Decorations and
+     Kissing Bunch--"Black Ball"--Guisers and Waits--Ale Posset.
+
+
+All the festivals of the Church are preceded by a vigil, or eve, and,
+considering the magnitude of the festival of Christmas, it is no
+wonder that the ceremonial attaching to the eve of the Nativity
+outvies all others. What sings old Herrick of it?
+
+       Come, bring with a noise,
+       My merrie, merrie boyes,
+     The Christmas Log to the firing;
+       While my good Dame, she
+       Bids ye all be free;
+     And drink to your hearts' desiring.
+
+       With the last yeere's brand,
+       Light the new block, And
+     For good successe in his spending,
+       On your Psalterie play,
+       That sweet luck may
+     Come while the Log is teending.[36]
+
+       Drink now the strong Beere,
+       Cut the white loafe heere,
+     The while the meat is a shredding;
+       For the rare Mince pie,
+       And the Plums stand by
+     To fill the Paste that's a-kneading.
+
+[Footnote 36: Lighting, burning.]
+
+Bringing in the Yule log, clog, or block--for it is indifferently
+called by any of these names, was a great function on Christmas
+eve--and much superstitious reverence was paid to it, in order to
+insure good luck for the coming year. It had to be lit "with the last
+yeere's brand," and Herrick gives the following instructions in _The
+Ceremonies for Candlemasse day_.
+
+     Kindle the Christmas Brand, and then
+       Till Sunne-set, let it burne;
+     Which quencht, then lay it up agen,
+       Till Christmas next returne.
+
+     Part must be kept, wherewith to teend
+       The Christmas Log next yeare;
+     And, where 'tis safely kept, the Fiend
+       Can do no mischief there.
+
+But, even if lit with the remains of last year's log, it seems to be
+insufficient, unless the advice to the maids who light it be followed.
+
+     Wash your hands, or else the fire
+     Will not teend to your desire;
+     Unwasht hands, ye Maidens, know,
+     Dead the Fire, though ye blow.
+
+In some parts of Devonshire a curious custom in connection with the
+Yule log is still kept up, that of burning the Ashton or ashen faggot.
+It is well described by a writer in _Notes and Queries_.[37]
+
+[Footnote 37: Sixth series, vol. ii. p. 508.]
+
+"Of the olden customs, so many of which are dying out, that of burning
+an 'ashen faggot' on Christmas Eve, still holds its own, and is kept
+up at many farm houses.
+
+"Among the various gleanings of the Devon Association Folk-Lore
+Committee is recorded a notice of this custom. We are there informed
+that, on Christmas eve, 1878, the customary faggot was burned at
+_thirty-two_ farms and cottages in the Ashburton postal district
+alone.
+
+"The details of the observance vary in different families; but some,
+being common to all, may be considered as held necessary to the due
+performance of the rite. For example, the faggot must contain as
+large a log of ash as possible, usually the trunk of a tree, remnants
+of which are supposed to continue smouldering on the hearth the whole
+of the twelve days of Christmas. This is the Yule dog of our
+forefathers, from which a fire can be raised by the aid of a pair of
+bellows, at any moment day or night, in token of the ancient custom of
+open hospitality at such a season. Then the faggot must be bound
+together with as many binders of twisted hazel as possible.
+Remembering that the Ash and Hazel were sacred trees with the
+Scandinavians, their combined presence in forming the faggot may once
+have contained some mystic signification. Also, as each binder is
+burned through, a quart of cider is claimed by the Company. By this,
+some hidden connexion between the pleasures of the party and the
+loosening bands of the faggot is typified. While the fire lasts, all
+sorts of amusements are indulged in--all distinction between master
+and servant, neighbour and visitor, is for the time set aside.
+
+     "The heir, with roses in his shoes,
+     That night might village partner choose;
+     The lord, underogating, share
+     The vulgar game of 'post and pair.'
+     All hailed, with uncontrolled delight,
+     And general voice, the happy night,
+     That to the cottage, as the crown,
+     Brought tidings of Salvation down.
+
+"In some houses, when the faggot begins to burn up, a young child is
+placed on it, and his future pluck foretold by his nerve or timidity.
+May not this be a remnant of the dedication of children to the Deity
+by passing them through the sacred fire?
+
+"Different reasons are given for burning Ash. By some, it is said that
+when our Saviour was born, Joseph cut a bundle of Ash, which, every
+one knows, burns very well when green; that, by this, was lighted a
+fire, by which He was first dressed in swaddling clothes.
+
+"The gipsies have a legend that our Saviour was born out in a field
+like themselves, and brought up by an Ash fire. The holly, ivy, and
+pine, they say, hid him, and so, now, are always green, whilst the ash
+and the oak showed where He was hiding, and they remain dead all the
+winter. Therefore the gipsies burn Ash at Christmas.
+
+"We can well understand how the pleasures of the ashen faggot are
+looked forward to with delight by the hard-working agricultural
+labourer, for whom few social enjoyments are provided. The harvest
+home, in these days of machinery, seems lost in the usual routine of
+work, and the shearing feast, when held, is confined to the farmer's
+family, or shepherd staff, and is not a general gathering. Moreover,
+these take place in the long busy days of summer, when extra hands and
+strangers are about the farm doing job work. But, with Christmas,
+things are different. Work is scarce; only the regular hands are on
+the farm, and there is nothing to prevent following out the good old
+custom of our ancestors, of feasting, for once, those among whom one's
+lot is cast.
+
+     "England was Merry England, when
+     Old Christmas brought his sports again.
+     'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale;
+     'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale:
+     A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
+     The poor man's heart through half the year."
+
+To add to the festivity and light, large candles are burnt, the bigger
+the better; but, as the custom of keeping Christmas descended from
+"Children of a larger growth" to those of lesser, so did the size of
+the candles decrease in proportion, until they reached the minimum at
+which we now know them. In the Isle of Man they had a custom which
+has, probably, dropped into desuetude, of all going to church on
+Christmas eve, each bearing the largest candle procurable. The
+churches were well decorated with holly, and the service, in
+commemoration of the Nativity, was called _Oiel Verry_. Waldron, in
+his _Description of the Isle of Man_, says, "On the 24th of December,
+towards evening, all the servants in general have a holiday; they go
+not to bed all night, but ramble about till the bells ring in all the
+churches, which is at twelve o'clock: prayers being over, they go to
+hunt the wren; and, after having found one of these poor birds, they
+kill her and lay her on a bier, with the utmost solemnity, bringing
+her to the parish church, and burying her with a whimsical kind of
+solemnity, singing dirges over her in the Manks language, which they
+call her knell; after which Christmas begins."
+
+There are many peculiar customs appertaining to Christmas eve. Burton,
+in his _Anatomy of Melancholy_, says, "'Tis their only desire, if it
+may be done by art, to see their husband's picture in a glass; they'll
+give anything to know when they shall be married; how many husbands
+they shall have, by _Cromnyomantia_, a kind of divination, with onions
+laid on the altar at Christmas eve." This seems to be something like
+that which we have seen practised on St. Thomas's day--or that
+described in Googe's _Popish Kingdome_.
+
+     In these same days, young wanton gyrles that meet for marriage be,
+     Doe search to know the names of them that shall their husbands be;
+     Four onyons, five, or eight, they take, and make in every one
+     Such names as they doe fancie most, and best to think upon.
+     Then near the chimney them they set, and that same onyon then
+     That firste doth sproute doth surely beare the name of their good man.
+
+In Northamptonshire another kind of divination, with the same object,
+used to be practised: the girl who was anxious to ascertain her lot in
+the married state, went into the garden and plucked twelve sage
+leaves, under the firm conviction that she would be favoured with a
+glimpse of the shadowy form of her future husband as he approached her
+from the opposite end of the ground; but she had to take great care
+not to damage or break the sage stock, otherwise the consequences
+would be fearful. But then, in this county, the ghosts of people who
+had been buried at cross roads had liberty to walk about and show
+themselves on Christmas eve, so that the country folk did not care to
+stir out more than necessary on the vigil. At Walton-le-Dale, in
+Lancashire, the inmates of most of the houses sat up on Christmas eve,
+with their doors open, whilst one of the party read the narrative of
+St. Luke, the saint himself being supposed to pass through the house.
+
+A contributor to the _Gentleman's Magazine_, 7th February 1795, gives
+the following account of a custom which took place annually on the
+24th of December, at the house of a gentleman residing at Aston, near
+Birmingham. "As soon as supper is over, a table is set in the hall. On
+it is placed a brown loaf, with twenty silver threepences stuck on
+the top of it, a tankard of ale, with pipes and tobacco; and the two
+oldest servants have chairs behind it, to sit as judges, if they
+please. The steward brings the servants, both men and women, by one at
+a time, covered with a winnow sheet, and lays their right hand on the
+loaf, exposing no other part of the body. The oldest of the two judges
+guesses at the person, by naming a name, then the younger judge, and,
+lastly, the oldest again. If they hit upon the right person, the
+steward leads the person back again; but, if they do not, he takes off
+the winnow sheet, and the person receives a threepence, makes a low
+obeisance to the judges, but speaks not a word. When the second
+servant was brought, the younger judge guessed first and third; and
+this they did alternately, till all the money was given away. Whatever
+servant had not slept in the house the preceding night forfeited his
+right to the money. No account is given of the origin of this strange
+custom, but it has been practised ever since the family lived there.
+When the money is gone, the servants have full liberty to drink,
+dance, sing, and go to bed when they please."
+
+In Cornwall, in many villages, Christmas merriment begins on the
+vigil, when the "mock" or Yule log is lighted by a portion saved from
+last year's fire. The family gather round the blaze, and amuse
+themselves with various games; and even the younger children are
+allowed, as a special favour, to sit up till a late hour to see the
+fun, and afterwards "to drink to the mock." In the course of the
+evening the merriment is increased by the entry of the "goosey
+dancers" (guised dancers), the boys and girls of the village, who have
+rifled their parents' wardrobes of old coats and gowns and, thus
+disguised, dance and sing, and beg money to make merry with. They are
+allowed, and are not slow to take, a large amount of license in
+consideration of the season. It is considered to be out of character
+with the time, and a mark of an ill-natured churlish disposition, to
+take offence at anything they do or say. This mumming is kept up
+during the week.
+
+A very graphic description of Christmas eve in a Derbyshire cottage is
+given in _Notes and Queries_.[38] "For several weeks before Christmas
+the cottager's household is much busier than usual in making
+preparations for the great holiday. The fatted pig has been killed, as
+a matter of course, and Christmas pies, mince pies, and many other
+good things made from it in readiness for the feast. The house has
+been thoroughly cleaned, and all made 'spick and span.' The lads of
+the house, with those of their neighbours, have been learning their
+parts, and getting ready their dresses for the 'Christmas guising,'
+and the household daily talk is full flavoured of Christmas.
+
+[Footnote 38: Fifth series, viii. p. 481.]
+
+"The lasses have made their own special preparations, and for two or
+three days before Christmas Eve have been getting ready the accustomed
+house decorations--short garlands of holly and other evergreens for
+the tops of cupboards, pictures, and other furniture--and making up
+the most important decoration of all, 'the kissing-bunch.'
+
+"This 'kissing-bunch' is always an elaborate affair. The size depends
+upon the couple of hoops--one thrust through the other--which form its
+skeleton. Each of the ribs is garlanded with holly, ivy, and sprigs of
+other greens, with bits of coloured ribbons and paper roses, rosy
+cheeked apples, specially reserved for this occasion, and oranges.
+Three small dolls are also prepared, often with much taste, and these
+represent our Saviour, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph. These dolls
+generally hang within the kissing-bunch by strings from the top, and
+are surrounded by apples, oranges tied to strings, and various
+brightly coloured ornaments. Occasionally, however, the dolls are
+arranged in the kissing-bunch to represent a manger scene.
+
+"When the preparations are completed, the house is decorated during
+the day of Christmas eve. Every leaded window-pane holds its sprig of
+holly, ivy, or box; the ornaments on and over the mantel-shelf receive
+like attention, and every ledge and corner is loaded with green stuff.
+Mistletoe is not very plentiful in Derbyshire; but, generally, a bit
+is obtainable, and this is carefully tied to the bottom of the
+kissing-bunch, which is then hung in the middle of the house-place,
+the centre of attraction during Christmas-tide.
+
+"While all this is going on, the housewife is very busy. 'Black-ball'
+has to be made; the 'elderberry wine' to be got out; 'sugar, spice,
+and all that's nice' and needful placed handy. The shop has to be
+visited, and the usual yearly gift of one, two, or three Christmas
+candles received. With these last, as every one knows, the house is
+lit up at dusk on Christmas Eve.
+
+"Without the 'black-ball' just mentioned, the Christmas rejoicings in
+a cottage would not be complete. 'Black-ball' is a delicacy compounded
+of black treacle and sugar boiled together in a pan, to which, when
+boiling, is added a little flour, grated ginger, and spices. When it
+is boiled enough, it is poured into a large shallow dish, and, when
+partially cooled, is cut into squares and lengths, then rolled or
+moulded into various shapes. When quite cool, it is very hard, and
+very toothsome to young Derbyshire.
+
+"After an early tea-meal, the fire is made up with a huge Yule-log;
+all the candles, oil and fat lamps lit, and everything is bright and
+merry-looking. The head of the family sits in the chimney corner with
+pipe and glass of ale, or mulled elder wine. The best table is set
+out, and fairly loaded with Christmas and mince pies, oranges, apples,
+nuts, 'black-baw,' wine, cakes, and green cheese, and the whole
+family, with the guests, if any, set about enjoying themselves.
+Romping games are the order of the eve, broken only when the
+'guisers'--of whom there are always several sets--or waits arrive. The
+'guisers' are admitted indoors, and go through the several acts of
+their play. At the conclusion 'Betsy Belzebub' collects coppers from
+the company, and glasses of ale and wine are given to the players. The
+Waits, or 'Christmas Singers' as they are mostly called, sing their
+carols and hymns outside the house, and during the performance cakes
+and ale, wine, and other cheer are carried out to them. So the Eve
+passes on.
+
+"At nine or ten o'clock is brewed a large bowl of 'poor man's
+punch'--ale posset! This is the event of the night. Ale posset, or
+milk and ale posset as some call it, is made in this wise. Set a quart
+of milk on the fire. While it boils, crumble a twopenny loaf into a
+deep bowl, upon which pour the boiling milk. Next, set two quarts of
+good ale to boil, into which grate ginger and nutmeg, adding a
+quantity of sugar. When the ale nearly boils, add it to the milk and
+bread in the bowl, stirring it while it is being poured in.
+
+"The bowl of ale posset is then placed in the centre of the table. All
+the single folks gather round, each provided with a spoon. Then
+follows an interesting ceremony. A wedding ring, a bone button, and a
+fourpenny piece are thrown into the bowl, and all begin to eat, each
+dipping to the bottom of the bowl. He or she who brings up the ring
+will be the first married; whoever brings up the button will be an old
+maid or an old bachelor; and he or she who brings out the coin will
+become the richest. As may be imagined, this creates great fun. When
+seven shilling gold pieces were in circulation, this was the coin
+always thrown into the posset.
+
+"The games are resumed when the posset is eaten, or possibly all
+gather round the fire, and sing or tell stories, whiling away the
+hours till the stroke of twelve, when all go outside the house to
+listen, whilst the singers, who have gathered at some point in the
+village, sing 'Christians, awake!' or 'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing';
+and so comes to an end the cottager's one hearth-stone holiday of the
+whole year."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+     Christmas Eve in North Notts--Wassailing the Fruit
+     Trees--Wassail Songs--Wassailing in Sussex--Other
+     Customs--King at Downside College--A Christ-tide
+     Carol--Midnight Mass--The Manger--St. Francis of Assisi.
+
+
+As these old customs are fast dying out, and should be chronicled, I
+must be pardoned if I give another and very similar illustration of
+how Christmas eve was spent in North Notts fifty years ago.[39]
+
+[Footnote 39: _Notes and Queries_, seventh series, ii. 501.]
+
+"None keep Christmas nowadays as was the fashion fifty to a hundred
+years ago in this part of the country. Here and there are to be met
+the customs, or bits of the customs, which were then observed: but, as
+a rule, the old ways have given place to new ones. Here in North
+Notts, every house is more or less decked in the few days before
+Christmas Day with holly, ivy, and evergreens, nor is mistletoe
+forgotten, which would scarcely be likely by any one living within a
+dozen miles of Sherwood Forest, where mistletoe grows in rare
+profusion on thorn bushes, the oak, and other trees, and under certain
+conditions may be had for the asking.
+
+"Fifty years ago, at any rate, in all the villages and towns of North
+Notts, the preparations among farmers, tradesmen, and poor folks for
+keeping Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were always on a bountiful
+scale. Fat pigs were killed a week or so previously, portions of which
+were made into Christmas pies of various kinds. Plum puddings were
+made, and the mince meat, cunningly prepared some weeks beforehand,
+was made into mince pies of all sorts, sizes, and shapes. Yule
+'clogs,' as they are here called, were sawn or chopped in readiness,
+and a stock laid in sufficient to last the whole of one or two
+evenings.
+
+"In well-regulated houses it was usual to have all the preparations
+and the housework completed by early in the afternoon of Christmas
+Eve, and after an early tea in parlour and kitchen--the servants,
+clean and neat, piled up the Yule clogs in the rooms, getting the
+large ones well alight, and keeping them going by smaller knots of
+wood. Long, large, white Christmas Candles were lighted, set in
+old-fashioned, time-honoured, brass candlesticks, accompanied by
+equally old and honoured brass snuffers and trays, all bright and
+shining. Of candles, there was no lack, and when all were fairly
+going, parlour and kitchen presented a blaze of warm, ruddy light,
+only seen once in the year. In both rooms the Christmas Eve tables
+were laid with snowy linen, and set for feasting, with all the good
+things provided. On each table would be a large piece of beef, and a
+ham, flanked by the pies and other good things, including a Christmas
+Cheese.
+
+"About six in the evening, the chief item of the feast was prepared.
+This was hot spiced ale, usually of a special brew. This was prepared
+by the gallon in a large kettle, or iron pot, which stood, for the
+purpose, on the hob. The ale was poured in, made quite hot, but not
+allowed to boil, and then sugar and spice were added according to
+taste, some women having a special mode of making the brew. When
+ready, the hot ale was ladled into bowls,--the large earthenware ones
+now so rare. A white one, with blue decorations, was used in the
+parlour, a commoner one, of the yellowish earthenware kind, with rough
+blue or other coloured bands for ornamentation, being for the kitchen.
+These, nearly full of the steaming brew, were carried to the tables.
+Whoever then dropped in, and usually there were many, to see parlour
+or kitchen company, had to drink from these bowls, lifting the bowl to
+the lips with both hands, expressing a good seasonable wish, and
+taking a hearty drink. The visitors then partook of anything on the
+table they liked, and one and all were treated bountifully. Soon, as
+the company arrived, the fun increased in parlour and kitchen,
+particularly in the latter, as the womenkind went through the
+old-fashioned ceremony under the mistletoe, which was hung aloft from
+a highly-decorated 'kissing-bunch.'
+
+"All sorts of games and fun went on till about ten o'clock, as a rule,
+about which time the master, mistress, and family, with the rest of
+the parlour company, visited the kitchen. Then the steaming ale bowl
+was refilled, and all, beginning with the master and the mistress, in
+turn drank from the bowl. This over, the parlour company remained, and
+entered into the games for a time. There was always some one who could
+sing a suitable song; and one, if song it can be called, was:
+
+     "_The Folks' Song._
+
+     "When me an' my folks
+     Come to see you an' your folks,
+     Let you an' your folks
+     Treat me an' my folks
+     As kind, as me an' my folks
+     Treated you an' your folks,
+     When you an' your folks
+     Came to see me an' my folks,
+     Sure then! never were such folks
+     Since folks were folks!
+
+"This was sung several times over with the last two lines as a chorus.
+The proceedings in the kitchen closed with another general sup from
+the replenished bowl, the parlour folks returning to the parlour.
+During the evening the proceedings were varied by visits from
+Christmas singers and the mummers, all of whom were well entertained.
+Usually, if the weather was fit, the kitchen folks wound up the night
+with a stroll, dropping in to see friends at other houses. As a rule,
+soon after midnight the feastings were over, but most folks never
+thought of retiring till they heard the bands of singers in the
+distance singing the morning hymn, 'Christians, awake!'"
+
+A very old custom was that of "wassailing" the fruit trees on
+Christmas eve, although it obtained on other days, such as New Year's
+day and Twelfth day. Herrick says:
+
+     Wassaile the Trees that they may beare
+     You many a Plum and many a Peare;
+     For more or lesse fruits they will bring,
+     As you do give them Wassailing.
+
+This custom of drinking to the trees and pouring forth libations to
+them differs according to the locality. In some parts of Devonshire it
+used to be customary for the farmer, with his family and friends,
+after partaking together of hot cakes and cider (the cakes being
+dipped in the liquor previous to being eaten), to proceed to the
+orchard, one of the party bearing hot cake and cider as an offering to
+the principal apple tree. The cake was formally deposited on the fork
+of the tree, and the cider thrown over it.
+
+In the neighbourhood of the New Forest the following lines are sung at
+the wassailing of the trees:
+
+     Apples and pears, with right good corn
+     Come in plenty to every one;
+     Eat and drink good cake and hot ale,
+     Give earth to drink, and she'll not fail.
+
+Horsfield, who wrote of Sussex, speaks somewhat at length of this
+subject, and says that the wassail bowl was compounded of ale, sugar,
+nutmeg, and roasted apples, the latter called "lambs' wool." The
+wassail bowl is placed on a small round table, and each person present
+is furnished with a silver spoon to stir. They then walk round the
+table as they go, and stirring with the right hand, and every
+alternate person passes at the same time under the arm of his
+preceding neighbour. The wassailing (or "worsling," as it is termed in
+West Sussex) of the fruit trees is considered a matter of grave
+importance, and its omission is held to bring ill luck, if not the
+loss of all the next crop. Those who engage in the ceremony are called
+"howlers."
+
+The farm labourers, or boys (says Horsfield), after the day's toil is
+ended, assemble in a group to wassail the apple trees, etc. The
+trumpeter of the party is furnished with a cow's horn, with which he
+makes sweet music. Thus equipped, they call on the farmer, and
+inquire, "please, sir, do you want your trees worsled?" They then
+proceed to the orchard, and encircling one of the largest and
+best-bearing trees, chant in a low voice a certain doggerel rhyme; and
+this ended, all shout in chorus, with the exception of the trumpeter,
+who blows a loud blast. During the ceremony they rap the trees with
+their sticks. "Thus going from tree to tree, or group to group, they
+wassail the whole orchard; this finished, they proceed to the house of
+the owner, and sing at his door a song common on the occasion. They
+are then admitted, and, placing themselves around the kitchen fire,
+enjoy the sparkling ale and the festivities of the season."
+
+There are two wassail rhymes in Sussex:
+
+     "Stand fast, root; bear well, top;
+     Pray the God send us a good howling crop.
+     Every twig, apples big;
+     Every bough, apples enow.
+     Hats full, caps full,
+     Full quarters, sacks full.
+          Holloa, boys, holloa! Hurrah!"
+
+The other is:
+
+     "Here's to thee, old apple tree;
+     May'st thou bud, may'st thou blow,
+     May'st thou bear apples enow!
+     Hats full! Caps full!
+     Bushel, bushel sacks full!
+     And my pockets full, too!
+                        Hurrah!"
+
+In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ (January 1820, p. 33) mention is made of
+"an ancient superstitious custom obtaining at Tretyre, in
+Herefordshire, upon Christmas Eve. They make a cake, poke a stick
+through it, fasten it upon the horn of an ox, and say certain words,
+begging a good crop of corn for the master. The men and boys attending
+the oxen range themselves around. If the ox throws the cake behind it
+belongs to the men; if before, to the boys. They take with them a
+wooden bottle of cyder, and drink it, repeating the charm before
+mentioned."
+
+There is a curious custom at Downside College, near Bath. On Christmas
+eve the scholars of this well-known institution proceed to the
+election of their king and other officers of his household, consisting
+of the mayor of the palace, etc. His reign lasts fourteen days, during
+which period there are many good feasts; a room in the college being
+fitted up in fine style, and used by his Majesty as his palace. At
+Oxford, too, in pre-Reformation time, at Merton College, they had a
+king of Christmas, or misrule; at St. John's he was styled lord, and
+at Trinity he was emperor!
+
+There is a rather rough but pretty west country carol for Christmas
+eve, which is to be found in Davies Giddy, or Gilbert's _Ancient
+Christmas Carols, etc._, and which, he says, was chanted in private
+houses on Christmas eve throughout the west of England up to the
+latter part of the last century.
+
+     The Lord at first did Adam make
+       Out of the dust and clay,
+     And in his nostrils breathed life,
+       E'en as the Scriptures say.
+     And then in Eden's Paradise
+       He placed him to dwell,
+     That he, within it, should remain,
+       To dress and keep it well.
+         _Now let good Christians all begin
+         An holy life to live,
+         And to rejoice and merry be,
+         For this is Christmas Eve._
+
+     And then within the garden he
+       Commanded was to stay,
+     And unto him in commandment
+       These words the Lord did say:
+     "The fruit which in the garden grows
+       To thee shall be for meat,
+     Except the tree in the midst thereof,
+       Of which thou shall not eat."
+         _Now let good Christians, etc._
+
+     "For in the day that thou shall eat,
+       Or to it then come nigh;
+     For if that thou doth eat thereof,
+       Then surely thou shalt die."
+     But Adam he did take no heed
+       Unto the only thing,
+     But did transgress God's holy law,
+       And so was wrapt in sin.
+         _Now let good Christians, etc._
+
+     Now, mark the goodness of the Lord,
+       Which He for mankind bore,
+     His mercy soon He did extend,
+       Lost man for to restore;
+     And then, for to redeem our souls
+       From death and hellish thrall,
+     He said His own dear Son should be
+       The Saviour of us all.
+         _Now let good Christians, etc._
+
+     Which promise now is brought to pass,
+       Christians, believe it well;
+     And by the coming of God's dear Son
+       We are redeemed from thrall.
+     Then, if we truly do believe,
+       And do the thing aright;
+     Then, by His merits, we, at last,
+       Shall live in heaven bright
+         _Now let good Christians, etc._
+
+     And now the Tide is nigh at hand
+       In which our Saviour came;
+     Let us rejoice, and merry be,
+       In keeping of the same.
+     Let's feed the poor and hungry souls,
+       And such as do it crave;
+     Then, when we die, in heaven sure
+       Our reward we shall have.
+         _Now let good Christians, etc._
+
+Christmas eve is notable in the Roman Catholic Church for the unique
+fact that mass is celebrated at midnight. I say, advisably, _is_
+celebrated, because, although Cardinal Manning abolished public mass
+at that hour within the diocese of Westminster about 1867, yet in
+conventual establishments it is still kept up, and in every church
+three masses are celebrated. The ancient, and, in fact, the modern
+use, until interrupted by Cardinal Manning, was to celebrate mass at
+midnight, at daybreak, and at the third hour (9 a.m.) This use is very
+old; for Thelesphorus, who was Pope A.D. 127, decreed that three
+masses should be sung _in Festo Nativitatis_, to denote that the birth
+of Christ brought salvation to the fathers of three periods--viz. the
+fathers before, under, and after the law.
+
+Another Roman Catholic custom on Christmas eve is the preparation of
+"the Manger," which in some places is a very elaborate affair. The
+Christ is lying on straw between the ox and ass, Mary and Joseph
+bending over Him; the shepherds are kneeling in adoration, and the
+angels, hovering above, are supposed to be singing the _gloria in
+excelsis_. A writer in the _Catholic World_ (vol. xxxiv. p. 439)
+says:--"Christmas Dramas are said to owe their origin to St. Francis
+of Assisi. Before his death he celebrated the sacred Birth-night in
+the woods, where a stable had been prepared with an ox and an ass, and
+a crib for an altar. A great number of people came down from the
+mountains, singing joyful hymns and bearing torches in their hands;
+for it was not fitting that a night that had given light to the whole
+world, should be shrouded in darkness. St. Francis, who loved to
+associate all nature with his ministry, was filled with joy. He
+officiated at the Mass as deacon. He sang the Gospel, and then
+preached in a dramatic manner on the birth of Christ. When he spoke of
+the Lamb of God, he was filled with a kind of divine frenzy, and
+imitated the plaintive cry of the sacrificial lamb; and, when he
+pronounced the sweet name of Jesus, it was as if the taste of honey
+were on his lips. One soul before the rural altar, that night, with
+purer eyes than the rest, saw the Divine Babe, radiant with eternal
+beauty, lying in the manger."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+     Decorating with Evergreens--Its Origin and
+     Antiquity--Mistletoe in Churches--The permissible
+     Evergreens--The Holly--"Holly and Ivy"--"Here comes
+     Holly"--"Ivy, chief of Trees"--"The Contest of the Ivy and
+     the Holly"--Holly Folk-lore--Church Decorations--To be kept
+     up till Candlemas day.
+
+
+Christmas Eve is especially the time for decorating houses and
+churches with evergreens, a custom which seems to have come from
+heathen times; at least, no one seems to know when it commenced.
+Polydore Vergil[40] says:--"Trymming of the temples with hangynges,
+floures, boughes, and garlondes, was taken of the heathen people,
+whiche decked their idols and houses with such array." That it is an
+old custom in England to deck houses, churches, etc., at Christ-tide
+with evergreens is undoubted--the only question is, how old is it?
+Stow, in his _Survey_, says: "Against the Feast of Christmas, every
+man's house, as also their parish churches, were decked with holme,
+ivy, bayes, and whatsoever the season of the year afforded to be
+green. The Conduits and Standards in the streets were, likewise,
+garnished; among the which I read that, in the year 1444, by tempest
+of thunder and lightning, towards the morning of Candlemas day, at the
+Leadenhall in Cornhill, a standard of tree, being set up in the midst
+of the pavement, fast in the ground, nailed full of holme and ivie,
+for disport of Christmass to the people, was torne up and cast down by
+the malignant Spirit (as was thought), and the stones of the pavement
+all about were cast in the streets, and into divers houses, so that
+the people were sore aghast at the great tempests."
+
+[Footnote 40: Langley's _Abridg._, p. 100.]
+
+Stow, we see, makes no mention of mistletoe, nor do we find it in old
+churchwardens' accounts, because mistletoe was accounted a heathen
+plant, on account of its association with the Druids, and not only was
+therefore unsuitable to bedeck a place of Christian worship, but the
+old rite of kissing beneath it rendered it inadmissible. Still, in
+Queen Anne's time, it was recognised as a Christmas decoration, for
+Gay in his _Trivia_ has sung--
+
+     When _Rosemary_ and _Bays_, the poet's crown,
+     Are bawl'd in frequent cries through all the town;
+     Then judge the festival of Christmas near,
+     Christmas, the joyous period of the year!
+     Now with bright _Holly_ all the temples strow
+     With _Laurel_ green, and sacred MISTLETOE.
+
+The mistletoe is found in several counties in England, but the bulk of
+that which we have now at Christ-tide comes from Brittany. There is a
+popular belief that it grows on oaks, possibly on account of Druidical
+tradition to that effect, but, as a matter of fact, its connection
+with that tree in England is very rare, Dr. Ball, in a paper in the
+_Journal of Botany_, only mentioning seven authentic instances of its
+growth on the oak tree in this country. It principally makes its
+_habitat_ on the apple, poplar, hawthorn, lime, maple, and mountain
+ash, and has been found on the cedar of Lebanon and the laurel.
+
+The bay tree was believed to have the property of protection against
+fire or lightning. The ivy was considered to prevent intoxication, and
+for this reason Bacchus is represented as being crowned with ivy
+leaves. The holly was originally the Holy Tree, and tradition says
+that, unknown before, it sprang up in perfection and beauty beneath
+the footsteps of Christ when he first trod the earth, and that, though
+man has forgotten its attributes, the beasts all reverence it, and are
+never known to injure it.
+
+The four following carols are all of the fifteenth century:
+
+     HOLLY AND IVY
+
+     Holly and Ivy made a great party,
+     Who should have the mastery
+       In lands where they go.
+
+     Then spake Holly, "I am fierce and jolly,
+     I will have the mastery
+       In lands where we go."
+
+     Then spake Ivy, "I am loud and proud,
+     And I will have the mastery
+       In lands where we go."
+
+     Then spake Holly, and set him down on his knee,
+       "I pray thee, gentle Ivy, say[41] me no villany
+       In lands where we go."
+
+[Footnote 41: Do.]
+
+
+     HERE COMES HOLLY
+
+       Alleluia, Alleluia,
+       Alleluia, now sing we.
+     Here comes Holly, that is so gent,[42]
+     To please all men is his intent,
+         Alleluia.
+
+     But Lord and Lady of this Hall,
+     Whosoever against Holly call.
+         Alleluia.
+
+     Whosoever against Holly do cry,
+     In a lepe[43] he shall hang full high.
+         Alleluia.
+
+     Whosoever against Holly doth sing,
+     He may weep and hands wring.
+         Alleluia.
+
+[Footnote 42: Pretty.]
+
+[Footnote 43: A large basket.]
+
+
+     IVY, CHIEF OF TREES
+
+     The most worthy she is in town,
+       He that saith other, doth amiss;
+     And worthy to bear the crown;
+       _Veni coronaberis._
+
+     Ivy is soft and meek of speech,
+       Against all bale she is bliss;
+     Well is he that may her reach,
+       _Veni coronaberis._
+
+     Ivy is green with colour bright,
+       Of all trees best she is;
+     And that I prove well now be right,
+       _Veni coronaberis._
+
+     Ivy beareth berries black.
+       God grant us all His bliss;
+     For there shall we nothing lack,
+       _Veni coronaberis._
+
+
+     THE CONTEST OF THE IVY AND THE HOLLY
+
+       _Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wis,
+       Let Holly have the mastery as the manner is._
+
+     Holly standeth in the hall, fair to behold,
+     Ivy stands without the door; she is full sore a cold.
+       _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc.
+
+     Holly and his merry men, they dancen and they sing;
+     Ivy and her maidens, they weepen and they wring.
+       _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc.
+
+     Ivy hath a lybe, she caught it with the cold,
+     So may they all have, that with Ivy hold.
+       _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc.
+
+     Holly hath berries, as red as any rose,
+     The foresters, the hunters, keep them from the does.
+       _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc.
+
+     Ivy hath berries, as black as any sloe,
+     There comes the owl and eats them as she go.
+       _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc.
+
+     Holly hath birds, a full fair flock,
+     The nightingale, the poppinjay, the gentle laverock.
+       _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc.
+
+     Good Ivy, good Ivy, what birds hast thou?
+     None but the owlet that cries How! How!
+       _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc.
+
+It is just as well to be particular as to the quality of the holly
+used in Christmas decorations; for on that depends who will be the
+ruler of the house during the coming year--the wife or the husband. If
+the holly is smooth the wife will get the upper hand, but if it be
+prickly, then the husband will gain the supremacy. It is also unlucky
+to bring holly into the house before Christmas Eve. And, please, if
+you are doing at home any decorations for the church, be sure and make
+them on the ground floor, for it is specially unlucky to make anything
+intended for use in a church in an upper chamber.
+
+The custom of church decoration may possibly have been suggested by a
+verse in the first lesson appointed to be read on Christmas eve--lx.
+Isaiah, 13. "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree,
+the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my
+sanctuary." Some years ago, at the commencement of the great Church
+revival, the Christmas decorations in churches were very elaborate,
+but they are now, as a rule, much quieter, and the only admissible
+evergreens are contained in the following distich--
+
+     Holly and Ivy, Box and Bay,
+     Put in the Church on Christmas day.
+
+These decorations, both in church and in private houses, ought to be
+kept up until the 1st of February, Candlemas eve, when they should be
+burnt--a proceeding which set fire to the hall of Christ Church,
+Oxford, in 1719. Herrick gives the following:--
+
+     CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMASSE EVE
+
+     Down with the Rosemary and Bayes,
+       Down with the Mistleto;
+     Instead of Holly, now upraise
+       The greener Box (for show).
+
+     The Holly, hitherto did sway;
+       Let Box now domineere;
+     Untill the dancing Easter day,
+       Or Easter's Eve appeare.
+
+     The youthfull Box, which now hath grace,
+       Your houses to renew;
+     Grown old, surrender must his place,
+       Unto the crisped Yew.
+
+     When Yew is out, then Birch comes in,
+       And many Flowers beside;
+     Both of a fresh and fragrant kinne
+       To honour Whitsuntide.
+
+     Green Rushes then, and sweetest Bents,
+       With cooler Oken boughs;
+     Come in for comely ornaments,
+       To readorn the house
+     Thus times do shift; each thing his turn do's hold;
+     _New things succeed, as former things grow old._
+
+And with Candlemas day ends all festivity connected with Christ-tide.
+
+     End now the White-loafe, and the Pye,
+     And let all sports with Christmas dye.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+     Legends of the Nativity--The Angels--The Birth--The
+     Cradles--The Ox and Ass--Legends of Animals--The Carol of
+     St. Stephen--Christmas Wolves--Dancing for a
+     Twelve-months--Underground Bells--The Fiddler and the Devil.
+
+
+It would indeed be singular if an event of such importance as the
+birth, as man, of the Son of God had not been specially marked out by
+signs and wonders, and that many legends concerning these should be
+rife. Naturally He was welcomed by the heavenly host; and Abraham a
+Sancta Clara, in one of his sermons, gives a vivid description of the
+wonders that happened on the Nativity. "At the time when God's Son was
+born, there came to pass a great many wonderful circumstances. First
+of all, a countless multitude of angels flew from heaven, and paid
+their homage to the Celestial Child in various loving hymns, instead
+of the usual lullabie, sung to babies. Next, the deep snow, which had
+covered the ground in the same neighbourhood, at once disappeared;
+and, in its place were to be seen trees covered with a thick foliage
+of leaves, whilst the earth was decorated with a rich and luxuriant
+crop of the most beautiful flowers."
+
+This visitation of the angels is represented in nearly every old
+painting of the Nativity, some, like Botticelli, giving a whole band
+of angels, others contenting themselves with two or three, sufficient
+to indicate their presence. Fra Jacopone da Todi sings:
+
+     Little angels all around
+       Danced and Carols flung;
+     Making verselets sweet and true,
+       Still of love they sung;
+     Calling saints and sinners too,
+       With love's tender tongue.
+
+Lope de Vega makes Our Lady caution the angels as they come through
+the palm trees--
+
+     Holy angels, and blest,
+       Through these palms as ye sweep,
+     Hold their branches at rest,
+       For my Babe is asleep.
+
+     And ye, Bethlehem palm-trees,
+       As stormy winds rush
+     In tempest and fury,
+       Your angry noise hush;--
+
+     Move gently, move gently,
+       Restrain your wild sweep;
+     Hold your branches at rest,
+       My Babe is asleep.
+
+Mrs. Jameson[44] says that "one legend relates that Joseph went to
+seek a midwife, and met a woman coming down from the mountains, with
+whom he returned to the stable. But, when they entered, it was filled
+with light greater than the sun at noonday; and, as the light
+decreased, and they were able to open their eyes, they beheld Mary
+sitting there with her Infant at her bosom. And the Hebrew woman,
+being amazed, said: 'Can this be true?' and Mary answered, 'It is
+true; as there is no child like unto my son, so there is no woman like
+unto his mother.'"
+
+[Footnote 44: _Legends of the Madonna_, p. 205.]
+
+Le Bon,[45] speaking of the cradle of Jesus, says: "According to
+tradition, the stone cradle contained one of wood. That of stone still
+exists at Bethlehem, not in its primitive state, but decorated with
+white marble, and enriched with magnificent draperies. The wooden one
+was, in the seventh century, at the time of the Mahometan Invasion in
+the East, transported to Rome, then become the new Jerusalem, the
+Bethlehem of a new people. It there reposes in the superb basilica of
+Santa Maria Maggiore, where it is guarded by the eternal city with
+more affection than the Ark of the Covenant, and with more respect
+than the cottage of Romulus. Centuries have not been able to enfeeble
+the veneration and the love with which this trophy of the love of God
+for his creatures has been surrounded. This cradle, this sacred
+monument, reposes in a shrine of crystal, mounted on a stand of silver
+enamelled with gold and precious stones, the splendid offering of
+Philip IV., King of Spain. This shrine is preserved in a brazen
+coffer, and is only exposed for veneration--on the grand altar, once a
+year, on Christmas Day."
+
+[Footnote 45: _Fleurs de Catholicisme_, vol. iii. p. 236.]
+
+The ox and ass are indispensable accessories to a picture of the
+Nativity, and it is said that their introduction rests on an old
+tradition mentioned by St. Jerome, and also on a text of prophecy:
+"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib."[46]
+Tradition says that these animals recognised and worshipped their
+Divine Master.
+
+[Footnote 46: Isaiah i. 3.]
+
+     In præsepe ponitur,
+     Sub foeno asinorum,
+     Cognoverunt Dominum,
+     Christum, Regem coelorum.
+
+     Et a brutis noscitur,
+     Matris velo tegitur.
+
+So also it is believed in many places that at midnight on Christmas
+eve all cattle bowed their knees; and Brand gives an instance of this
+legend, and says "that a Cornish peasant told him in 1790 of his
+having, with some others, watched several oxen in their stalls on the
+Eve of old Christmas Day, and that at twelve o'clock, they observed
+the two oldest oxen fall upon their knees and (as he expressed it in
+the idiom of the country) make a cruel moan like Christian creatures."
+
+There is another legend which relates how other animals took part in
+the announcement of the Saviour's coming on earth. Prætorius says:
+
+     Vacca _puer natus_ clamabat nocte sub ipsa,
+       Qua Christus purâ virgine natus homo est;
+     Sed, quia dicenti nunquam bene creditur uni,
+       Addebat facti testis, asellus; _ita_.
+     Dumque aiebat; _ubi?_ clamoso guttere gallus;
+       _In Betlem, Betlem_, vox geminabat ovis.
+     Felices nimium pecudes, pecorumque magistri,
+       Qui norunt Dominum concelebrare suum.
+
+Hone describes a curious sheet of carols printed in London in 1701.
+"It is headed 'CHRISTUS NATUS EST; _Christ is born_,' with a wood-cut
+10 inches high by 8-1/2 inches wide, representing the stable of
+Bethlehem; Christ in the crib, watched by the Virgin and Joseph;
+shepherds kneeling, angels attending; a man playing on the bagpipes; a
+woman with a basket of fruit on her head; a sheep bleating, and an ox
+lowing on the ground; a raven croaking, and a crow cawing, on the hay
+rack; a cock crowing above them; and angels singing in the sky. The
+animals have labels from their mouths bearing Latin inscriptions. Down
+the side of the wood-cut is the following account and explanation:--'A
+religious man inventing the concerts of both birds and beasts drawn in
+the picture of our Saviour's birth, doth thus express them: The cock
+croweth, _Christus natus est_--Christ is born. The raven asked
+_Quando_?--When? The crow replied, _Hac nocte_--this night. The ox
+crieth out, _Ubi? Ubi?_--Where? Where? The sheep bleateth out
+_Bethlehem_. A voice from heaven sounded, _Gloria in Excelsis_--Glory
+be on high!'"
+
+Another pictorial representation of this legend is mentioned by the
+Rev. Dr. John Mason Neale in _The Unseen World_ (p. 27). An example
+which, in modern times, would be considered ludicrous, of the manner
+in which our ancestors made external Nature bear witness to our Lord,
+occurs in what is called the Prior's Chamber in the small Augustinian
+house of Shulbrede, in the parish of Linchmere, in Sussex. On the wall
+is a fresco of the Nativity; and certain animals are made to give
+their testimony to that event in words which somewhat resemble, or may
+be supposed to resemble, their natural sounds. A cock, in the act of
+crowing, stands at the top, and a label, issuing from his mouth, bears
+the words, _Christus natus est_. A duck inquires, _Quando? Quando?_ A
+raven hoarsely answers, _In hac nocte_. A cow asks, _Ubi? Ubi?_ And a
+lamb bleats out _Bethlehem_.
+
+This idea that beasts were endowed with human speech on Christmas
+night was very widespread, as the following legend well instances, it
+being common both to Switzerland and Suabia. One Christmas night, in
+order to test the truth of this legend, a peasant crept slyly upon
+that solemn and holy night into the stable, where his oxen were
+quietly chewing the hay set before them. An instant after the peasant
+had hidden himself, one of the oxen said to another "We are going to
+have a hard and heavy task to do this week." "How is that? the harvest
+is got in and we have drawn home all the winter fuel." "That is so,"
+was the reply, "but we shall have to drag a coffin to the churchyard,
+for our poor master will most certainly die this week." The peasant
+shrieked, and fell back, senseless, was taken home, and the ox's
+prophecy was duly fulfilled.
+
+It is also thought that the cocks crow all night at Christmas, and
+Bourne says, anent this belief, that it was about the time of cock
+crowing when our Saviour was born, and the heavenly host had then
+descended to sing the first Christmas carol to the poor shepherds in
+the fields of Bethlehem.
+
+Shakespeare mentions this popular tradition in Hamlet, act i. sc.
+i.:--
+
+     Some say, that ever 'gainst that season comes
+     Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
+     The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
+     And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;
+     The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
+     No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
+     So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.
+
+But there is yet another legend of cock-crowing which is found in a
+carol for St. Stephen's Day, temp. Henry VI.:--
+
+     Saint Stephen was a clerk
+       In King Herod his hall,
+     And served him of bread and cloth,
+       As ever King befall.
+
+     Stephen out of kitchen came
+       With boar his head on hand,
+     He saw a star was fair and bright
+       Over Bethlem stand.
+
+     He cast adown the boar his head,
+       And went into the hall.
+     "I forsake thee, King Herod,
+       And thy works all.
+
+     "I forsake thee, King Herod,
+       And thy works all,
+     There is a Child in Bethlem born,
+       Is better than we all."
+
+     "What aileth thee, Stephen,
+       What is thee befall?
+     Lacketh thee either meat or drink,
+       In King Herod his hall?"
+
+     "Lacketh me neither meat nor drink,
+       In King Herod his hall;
+     There is a Child in Bethlem born,
+       Is better than we all."
+
+     "What aileth thee, Stephen,
+       Art thou wode,[47] or ginnest to brede[48]
+     Lacketh thee either gold or fee,
+       Or any rich weed?"[49]
+
+     "Lacketh me neither gold nor fee,
+       Nor none rich weed,
+     There is a child in Bethlem born
+       Shall help us at our need."
+
+     "That is all so sooth, Stephen,
+       All so sooth, I wis,
+     As this capon crow shall,
+       That lyeth here in my dish."
+
+     That word was not so soon said,
+       That word in that hall,
+     The Capon crew, _Christus natus est_!
+       Among the lords, all.
+
+     Riseth up my tormentors,
+       By two, and all by one,
+     And leadeth Stephen out of this town
+       And stoneth him with stone.
+
+     Tooken they Stephen
+       And stoned him in the way,
+     And therefore is his even,
+       On Christ his own day.
+
+[Footnote 47: Mad.]
+
+[Footnote 48: Beginnest to upbraid.]
+
+[Footnote 49: Dress.]
+
+There are several minor legends of animals and Christ-tide--for
+instance, at this time the bees are said to hum the Old Hundredth
+Psalm, but this is mild to what Olaus Magnus tells us _Of the
+Fiercenesse of Men, who by Charms are turned into Wolves_:--"In the
+Feast of Christ's Nativity, in the night, at a certain place, that
+they are resolved upon amongst themselves, there is gathered together
+such a huge multitude of Wolves changed from men, that dwell in divers
+places, which afterwards, the same night, doth so rage with wonderfull
+fiercenesse, both against mankind, and other creatures that are not
+fierce by nature, that the Inhabitants of that country suffer more
+hurt from them than ever they do from the true natural Wolves. For, as
+it is proved, they sit upon the houses of men that are in the Woods,
+with wonderfull fiercenesse, and labour to break down the doors,
+whereby they may destroy both men and other creatures that remain
+there.
+
+"They go into the Beer-Cellars, and there they drink out some Tuns of
+Beer or Mede, and they heap al the empty vessels one upon another in
+the midst of the Cellar, and so leave them; wherin they differ from
+the natural and true Wolves. But the place, where, by chance they
+stayed that night, the Inhabitants of those Countries think to be
+prophetical; Because, if any ill successe befall a Man in that place;
+as if his Cart overturn, and he be thrown down in the Snow, they are
+fully persuaded that man must die that year, as they have, for many
+years, proved it by experience. Between _Lituania_, _Samogetia_ and
+_Curonia_, there is a certain wall left, of a Castle that was thrown
+down; to this, at a set time, some thousands of them come together,
+that each of them may try his nimblenesse in leaping. He that cannot
+leap over this wall, as commonly the fat ones cannot, are beaten with
+whips by their Captains."
+
+There is a story told of another Magnus, only in this case it was a
+Saint of that name. On Christmas eve, in the year 1012, a party of
+about thirty-three young men and women were merrily dancing in the
+churchyard of a certain church, dedicated to St. Magnus. A priest was
+at his devotions inside the church, and was so much disturbed by their
+merriment that he sent to them, asking them to desist for a while. But
+of this they took no heed, although the message was more than once
+repeated. Thereupon, waxing indignant, the holy man prayed his patron
+saint, St. Magnus, to visit the offenders with condign punishment. His
+prayer was heard, and the result was that the festive crew could not
+leave off dancing. For twelve whole months they continued dancing;
+night and day, winter and summer, through sunshine or storm, they had
+to prance. They knew no weariness, they needed no rest, nor did their
+clothes or boots wear out; but they wore away the surface of the earth
+so much that at the end of the twelvemonths they were in a hole up to
+their middles. The legend goes on to say, that on the expiration of
+their Terpsichorean punishment they slept continuously for three days
+and nights.
+
+There are some curious legends of underground bells which sound only
+at Christmas. A writer in _Notes and Queries_ (5 series, ii. 509)
+says--"Near Raleigh, Notts, there is a valley said to have been caused
+by an earthquake several hundred years ago, which swallowed up a whole
+village, together with the Church. Formerly, it was a custom of the
+people to assemble in this valley every Christmas Day morning to
+listen to the ringing of the bells of the Church beneath them. This,
+it was positively stated, might be heard by placing the ear to the
+ground, and hearkening attentively. As late as 1827 it was usual on
+this morning for old men and women to tell their children and young
+friends to go to the valley, stoop down, and hear the bells ring
+merrily. The villagers heard the ringing of the bells of a
+neighbouring church, the sound of which was communicated by the
+surface of the ground. A similar belief exists, or did, a short time
+ago, at Preston, Lancashire."
+
+This legend is not peculiar to England, for there is the same told of
+a place in the Netherlands, named Been, near Zoutleeuw, now engulphed
+in the ocean. It was a lovely and a stately city, but foul with sin,
+when our Lord descended to earth upon a Christmas night to visit it.
+All the houses were flaming with lights, and filled with luxury and
+debauchery; and, as our Lord, in the guise of a beggar, passed from
+door to door, there was not found a single person who would afford Him
+the slightest relief. Then, in His wrath, He spoke one word, and the
+waves of the sea rushed over the wicked city, and it was never seen
+more; but the place where it was immersed is known by the sound of the
+church bells coming up through the waters on a Christmas night.
+
+In spite of Shakespeare's dictum that "no spirit dares stir abroad,"
+the rule would not seem to obtain in the Isle of Man--for there is a
+legend there, how a fiddler, having agreed with a stranger to play,
+during the twelve days of Christmas, to whatever company he should
+bring him, was astonished at seeing his new master vanish into the
+earth as soon as the bargain had been made. Terrified at the thought
+of having agreed to work for such a mysterious personage, he quickly
+resorted to the clergyman, who ordered him to fulfil his engagement,
+but to play nothing but psalms. Accordingly, as soon as Christ-tide
+arrived, the weird stranger made his appearance, and beckoned the
+fiddler to a spot where some company was assembled. On reaching his
+destination, he at once struck up a psalm tune, which so enraged his
+audience that they instantly vanished, but not without so violently
+bruising him that it was with difficulty that he reached home to tell
+his novel Christmas experience.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+     The Glastonbury Thorn, its Legend--Cuttings from it--Oaks
+     coming into leaf on Christmas day--Folk-lore--Forecast,
+     according to the days of the week on which Christmas
+     falls--Other Folk-lore thereon.
+
+
+Even the vegetable world contributed to the wonders of Christmas, for
+was there not the famous Glastonbury Thorn which blossomed on old
+Christmas day? Legend says that this was the walking staff of Joseph
+of Arimathæa, who, after Christ's death, came over to England and
+settled at Glastonbury, where, having planted his staff in the ground,
+it put forth leaves, and miraculously flowered on the festival of the
+Nativity; and it is a matter of popular belief, not always followed
+out by practice, that it does so to this day. The fact is that this
+thorn, the _Cratægus præcox_, will, in a mild and suitable season,
+blossom before Christmas. It is not a particularly rare plant. Aubrey
+thus speaks of it in his _Natural History of Wiltshire_.
+
+"Mr. Anthony Hinton, one of the Officers of the Earle of Pembroke, did
+inoculate, not long before the late civill warres (ten yeares or
+more), a bud of Glastonbury Thorne, on a thorne, at his farm house, at
+Wilton, which blossoms at Christmas, as the other did. My mother has
+had branches of them for a flower-pott, several Christmasses, which I
+have seen. Elias Ashmole, Esq., in his notes upon _Theatrum Chymicum_,
+saies that in the churchyard of Glastonbury grew a walnutt tree that
+did putt out young leaves at Christmas, as doth the King's Oake in the
+New Forest. In Parham Park, in Suffolk (Mr. Boutele's), is a pretty
+ancient thorne, that blossomes like that at Glastonbury; the people
+flock hither to see it on Christmas Day. But in the rode that leades
+from Worcester to Droitwiche is a black thorne hedge at Clayes, half
+a mile long or more, that blossoms about Christmas day, for a week or
+more together. Dr. Ezerel Tong sayd that about Rumly-Marsh, in Kent,
+are thornes naturally like that near Glastonbury. The Soldiers did
+cutt downe that near Glastonbury; the stump remaines."
+
+Several trees which are descended by cuttings from the Holy Thorn
+still exist in and about Glastonbury. One of them, of somewhat scanty
+and straggling growth, occupies the site of the original thorn, on the
+summit of Weary-all Hill. Another, a much finer tree, compact and
+healthy, stands on private premises, near the entrance of a house that
+faces the abbot's kitchen. These descendants of the Holy Thorn inherit
+the famous peculiarity of that tree.
+
+The _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1753, has the following in its
+"Historical Chronicle" for January. "_Quainton in Buckinghamshire,
+Dec. 24._ Above 2000 people came here this night, with lanthorns and
+candles, to view a black thorn which grows in the neighbourhood, and
+which was remembered (this year only) to be a slip from the famous
+_Glastonbury_ Thorn, that it always budded on the 24th, was full blown
+the next day, and went all off at night; but the people, finding no
+appearance of a bud, 'twas agreed by all that Decemb. 25, N.S., could
+not be the right _Christmas Day_,[50] and, accordingly, refused going
+to Church, and treating their friends on that day, as usual: at length
+the affair became so serious that the ministers of the neighbouring
+villages, in order to appease the people, thought it prudent to give
+notice that the old _Christmas Day_ should be kept holy as before.
+
+[Footnote 50: This was the first Christmas day, New Style: the change
+taking place Sept. 2, 1752, which became Sept. 14.]
+
+"_Glastonbury._ A vast concourse of people attended the noted thorns
+on _Christmas Eve_, New Stile; but, to their great disappointment,
+there was no appearance of its blowing, which made them watch it
+narrowly the 5th of _Jan._, the _Christmas-day_, Old Stile, when it
+blow'd as usual."
+
+A writer in _Notes and Queries_ (3 series ix. 33) says, "A friend of
+mine met a girl on Old Christmas Day, in a village of North Somerset,
+who told him that she was going to see the Christmas Thorn in
+blossom. He accompanied her to an orchard, where he found a tree,
+propagated from the celebrated Glastonbury Thorn, and gathered from it
+several sprigs in blossom. Afterwards, the girl's mother informed him
+that it had, formerly, been the custom for the youth of both sexes to
+assemble under the tree at midnight, on Christmas Eve, in order to
+hear the bursting of the buds into flower; and, she added, 'As they
+com'd out, you could hear 'em haffer.'"[51]
+
+[Footnote 51: Crackle.]
+
+This celebration of Christ-tide was not confined to this thorn--some
+oaks put forth leaves on Christmas day. Aubrey says that an oak in the
+New Forest "putteth forth young leaves on Christmas-day, for about a
+week at that time of the yeare. Old Mr. Hastings, of Woodlands, was
+wont to send a basket full of them to King Charles I. I have seen of
+them several Christmasses brought to my father. But Mr. Perkins, who
+lives in the New Forest, sayes that there are two other oakes besides
+that, which breed green buddes after Christmas day (pollards also),
+but not constantly."
+
+There is yet another bit of Folk-lore anent flowers and Christ-tide
+which may be found in _The Connoisseur_, No. 56, Feb. 20, 1755. "Our
+maid, Betty, tells me that, if I go backwards, without speaking a
+word, into the garden, upon Midsummer Eve, and gather a Rose, and keep
+it in a clean sheet of paper, without looking at it, 'till Christmas
+day, it will be as fresh as in June; and, if I then stick it in my
+bosom, he that is to be my husband will come and take it out."
+
+It is perhaps as well to know what will happen to us if the Feast of
+the Nativity falls on a particular day in the week--as, according to
+the proverb, "forewarned is fore armed."
+
+     Nowe takethe heed, euery man,
+     That englisshe vnderstonde can,
+     If that Crystmasse day falle
+     Vpon Sonday, wittethe weel alle,
+     That wynter saysoun shal been esy,
+     Save gret wyndes on lofft shal flye.
+     The somer affter al-so bee drye,
+     And right saysounable, I seye.
+     Beestis and sheepe shal threue right weel,
+     But other vytayle shal fayle, mooste deel.[52]
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+     Be kynde shal, with-outen lees,
+     Alle landes thanne shal haue pees.
+     But offt-tymes, for synne that is doone,
+     Grace is wyth-drawen from many oone
+     And goode tyme alle thinges for to do;
+     But who-so feelethe, is sone for-do.
+     What chylde that day is borne,
+     Gret and ryche he shal be of Corne.
+
+     If Cristmasse day on Monday bee,
+     Gret wynter that yeer shal ghee see,
+     And ful of wynde lowde and scille;[53]
+     But the somer, truwly to telle,
+     Shal bee sterne with wynde also,
+     Ful of tempeste eeke ther-too;
+     And vitayles shal soo multeplye,
+     And gret moryne of bestes shal hye.
+     They that bee borne, with-outen weene,
+     Shoulle be strong men and kene.
+
+     If Crystmasse day on Tuysday be,
+     Wymmen shal dye gret plentee.
+     That wynter shal shewe gret merveylle
+     Shippes shal bee in gret parayle;
+     That yeer shal kynges and lordes bee sleyne,
+     In lande, of werre gret woone,[54] certayne.
+     A drye somer shal be that yeere;
+     Alle that been borne that day in-feere,
+     They been stronge and coveytous,
+     But theyre ende shal be petous;[55]
+     They shal dye with swerd or knyff.
+     If thou stele ought, hit leesethe thy lyfe;
+     But if thou falle seeke, certayne,
+     Thou shalt tourne to lyf ageyne.
+
+     If that the Cristmasse day
+     Falle vpon a Weddensday,
+     That yeere shal be hardee and strong,
+     And many huge wyndes amonge.
+     The somer goode and mury shal be,
+     And that yeere shal be plentee.
+     Yonge folkes shal dye alsoo;
+     Shippes in the see, tempest and woo.
+     What chylde that day is borne is his
+     Fortune to be doughty and wys,
+     Discrete al-so and sleeghe of deede,
+     To fynde feel[56] folkes mete and weede.[57]
+
+     If Cristmasse day on therusday bee,
+     A wonder wynter yee shoule see,
+     Of wyndes, and of weders wicke,[58]
+     Tempestes eeke many and thicke.
+     The somer shal bee strong and drye,
+     Corne and beestes shal multeplye,
+     Ther as the lande is goode of tilthe;
+     But kynges and lordes shal dye by filthe
+     What chylde that day eborne bee,
+     He shal no dowte Right weel ethee,[59]
+     Of deedes that been good and stable.
+     Of speeche ful wyse and Raysonable.
+     Who-so that day bee thefft aboute,
+     He shall bee shent,[60] with-outen doute;
+     But if seeknesse that day thee felle,
+     Hit may not long with thee dwelle.
+
+     If Cristmasse day on fryday be,
+     The frost of wynter harde shal be,
+     The frost, snowe and the floode;
+     But at the eende hit shal bee goode.
+     The somer goode and feyre alsoo,
+     Folke in eerthe shal haue gret woo.
+     Wymmen with chylde, beestes and corne,
+     Shal multeplye, and noon be lorne.[61]
+     The children that been borne that day,
+     Shoule longe lyve, and lechcherous ay.
+
+     If Cristmasse day on saturday falle,
+     That wynter wee most dreeden alle.
+     Hit shal bee ful of foule tempest,
+     That hit shal slee bothe man and beest.
+     Fruytes and corne shal fayle, gret woone,
+     And eelde folk dye many oon.
+     What woman that of chylde travayle,
+     They shoule bee boothe in gret parayle.
+     And children that been borne that day,
+     With June half yeere shal dy, no nay.
+
+[Footnote 52: There seems to be a hiatus here.]
+
+[Footnote 53: Shrill.]
+
+[Footnote 54: Abundance.]
+
+[Footnote 55: Piteous.]
+
+[Footnote 56: Many.]
+
+[Footnote 57: Clothing.]
+
+[Footnote 58: Wicked, foul.]
+
+[Footnote 59: Thrive.]
+
+[Footnote 60: Brought to confusion.]
+
+[Footnote 61: Lost.]
+
+The _Shepherd's Kalendar_ says: "If the sun shines clear and bright on
+Christmas day, it promises a peaceful year, free from clamours and
+strife, and foretells much plenty to ensue; but if the wind blows
+stormy towards sunset, it betokens sickness in the spring and autumn
+quarters."
+
+Another authority, _Husband-man's Practice_, warns us that "when
+Christmas day cometh while the moon waxeth, it shall be a very good
+year, and the nearer it cometh to the new moon, the better shall that
+year be. If it cometh when the moon decreaseth, it shall be a hard
+year, and the nearer the latter end thereof it cometh, the worse and
+harder shall the year be."
+
+The same book says: "The wise and cunning masters in Astrology have
+found that men may see and mark the weather of the holy Christmas
+night, how the whole year after shall be in his working and doing, and
+they shall speak on this wise:
+
+"When on the Christmas night and evening it is very fair and clear
+weather, and is without wind and rain, then it is a token that this
+year will be plenty of wine and fruite.
+
+"But if the contrariwise, foul weather and windy, so shall it be very
+scant of wine and fruite.
+
+"But if the wind arise at the rising of the sun, then it betokeneth
+great dearth among beasts and cattle this year.
+
+"But if the wind arise at the going down of the same, then it
+signifieth death to come among kings and other great lords."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+     Withholding Light--"Wesley Bob"--Wassail Carol--Presents in
+     Church--Morris Dancers--"First Foot"--Red-haired
+     Men--Lamprey Pie--"Hodening"--Its Possible Origin--The "Mari
+     Lhoyd."
+
+
+There was a curious tradition in the north of England, which is
+practically done away with in these days of lucifer matches. In the
+old days of tinder boxes, if any one failed to get a light, it was of
+no use his going round to the neighbours to get one, for even his
+dearest friends would refuse him, it being considered _most unlucky_
+to allow any light to leave the house between Christmas eve and New
+Year's day, both inclusive. No reason has been found for this singular
+and somewhat churlish custom.
+
+Another north country custom, especially at Leeds, was for the
+children to go from house to house carrying a "Wessel (or Wesley)
+bob," a kind of bower made of evergreens, inside which were placed a
+couple of dolls, representing the Virgin and Infant Christ. This was
+covered with a cloth until they came to a house door, when it was
+uncovered. At Huddersfield, a "wessel bob" was carried about,
+gorgeously ornamented with apples, oranges, and ribbons, and when they
+reached a house door they sung the following carol:
+
+     Here we come a wassailing
+       Among the leaves so green,
+     Here we come a wandering
+       So fair to be seen.
+
+     _Chorus._
+
+     For it is in Christmas time
+       Strangers travel far and near,
+     So God bless you, and send you a happy New Year.
+
+     We are not daily beggars,
+       That beg from door to door,
+     But we are neighbours' children,
+       Whom you have seen before.
+
+     Call up the butler of this house,
+       Put on his golden ring,
+     Let him bring us a glass of beer,
+       And the better we shall sing.
+
+     We have got a little purse
+       Made of stretching leather skin,
+     We want a little of your money
+       To line it well within.
+
+     Bring us out a Table,
+       And spread it with a cloth;
+     Bring out a mouldy cheese,
+       Also your Christmas loaf.
+
+     God bless the Master of the house,
+       Likewise the Mistress too,
+     And all the little children
+       That round the table go.
+
+     Good master and mistress,
+       While you're sitting by the fire,
+     Pray think of us poor children
+       Who are wand'ring in the mire.[62]
+
+[Footnote 62: Those who went round thus were called "Vessel Cup
+women."]
+
+At Aberford, near Leeds, two dolls were carried about in boxes in a
+similar manner, and they were called "wesley (_wassail_) boxes."
+
+Whilst on the subject of Yorkshire Christmas customs, I may mention
+that a correspondent of the _Gentleman's Magazine_ (1790, vol. 60, p.
+719), says that at Ripon the singing boys came into the church with
+large baskets of red apples, with a sprig of rosemary stuck in each,
+which they present to all the congregation, and generally have a
+return made to them of 2d., 4d., or 6d., according to the quality of
+the lady or gentleman.
+
+In the _History of Yorkshire_ (1814, p. 296) it tells how, during the
+Christmas holidays, the Sword or Morisco Dance used to be practised at
+Richmond by young men dressed in shirts ornamented with ribbons folded
+into roses, having swords, or wood cut in the form of that weapon.
+They exhibited various feats of activity, attended by an old fiddler,
+by "Bessy," in the grotesque habit of an old woman, and by the fool,
+almost covered with skins, a hairy cap on his head, and the tail of a
+fox hanging from his head. These led the festive throng, and diverted
+the crowd with their droll antic buffoonery. The office of one of
+these characters was to go about rattling a box, and soliciting money
+from door to door to defray the expenses of a feast, and a dance in
+the evening.[63]
+
+[Footnote 63: This dance is thus described in _Notes and Queries_ (5th
+series, xii. 506). "Six youths, called sword dancers, dressed in white
+and decked with ribbons, accompanied by a fiddler, a boy in fantastic
+attire, the Bessy, and a doctor, practised a rude dance till New
+Year's day, when they ended with a feast. The Bessy interfered, whilst
+the dancers, surrounded him with swords, and he was killed."]
+
+In Sheffield the custom of "first-foot" is kept up on Christmas day
+and New Year's day, but there is no distinction as to complexion or
+colour of hair of the male who first enters the house.
+
+A correspondent in _Notes and Queries_ (3rd series, i. 223), writes:
+"The object of desire is that the first person who enters a house on
+the morning of Christmas day or that of New Year's day, should have
+black or dark hair. Many make arrangements by special invitation that
+some man or boy of dark hair, and otherwise approved, should present
+himself at an early hour to wish the compliments of the season, and
+the door is not opened to let any one else in until the arrival of the
+favoured person. He is regaled with spice cake and cheese, and with
+ale or spirits, as the case may be. All the 'ill luck'--that is, the
+untoward circumstances of the year, would be ascribed to the accident
+of a person with light hair having been the first to enter a dwelling
+on the mornings referred to. I have known instances where such
+persons, innocently presenting themselves, have met with anything but
+a Christmas welcome. The great object of dread is a red-haired man or
+boy (women or girls of any coloured hair or complexion are not
+admissible as the first visitors at all), and all light shades are
+objectionable.
+
+"I have not been able to trace the origin of the custom, nor do I
+remember having read any explanation of its meaning. I once heard an
+aged woman, who was a most stern observer of all customs of the
+neighbourhood, especially those which had an air of mystery or a
+superstition attached to them, attempt to connect the observance with
+the disciple who sold the Saviour. In her mind all the observances of
+Christmas were associated with the birth or death of Christ, and she
+made no distinction whatever between the events which attended the
+Nativity, and those which preceded and followed the Crucifixion. She
+told me that Judas had red hair, and it was in vain to argue with her
+that he had no connection whatever with the events which our Christmas
+solemnities and festivities were intended to commemorate. It satisfied
+her mind, and that was enough. After many inquiries, I was not able to
+obtain any answer more reasonable."
+
+More than twenty-two years after the above, another correspondent
+writing on the subject to the same periodical (6th series, x. 482)
+says (speaking of Yorkshire): "The first person to enter the house on
+a Christmas morning must be a male, and the first thing brought in
+must be green. Some folks used to lay a bunch of holly on the doorstep
+on Christmas Eve, so as to be ready. Some say you must not admit a
+_strange_ woman on Christmas day; but I have heard of one old
+gentleman near York who would never permit _any_ woman to enter his
+house on a Christmas Day."
+
+It was formerly the custom of the city of Gloucester to present a
+lamprey pie to the king at Christmas. This custom was kept up until
+early in this century, when it fell into desuetude. It was revived in
+1893, not at Christmas, but in May, when a beautiful pie, with finely
+moulded paste, and enamelled silver skewers, which also served as
+spoons, was presented to Her Majesty.
+
+There was, or is, a curious custom in Kent at Christ-tide called
+"Hodening," the best account of which that I have seen is in the
+_Church Times_ of January 23, 1891: "Hodening was observed on
+Christmas Eve at Walmer in 1886, which was the last time I spent the
+festival there," writes one antiquary. Another writes: "When I was a
+lad, about forty-five years since, it was always the custom, on
+Christmas Eve, with the male farm servants from every farm in our
+parish of Hoath (Borough of Reculver), and neighbouring parishes of
+Herne and Chislet, to go round in the evening from house to house with
+the hoodining horse, which consisted of the imitation of a horse's
+head made of wood, life size, fixed on a stick about the length of a
+broom handle, the lower jaw of the head was made to open with hinges,
+a hole was made through the roof of the mouth, then another through
+the forehead, coming out by the throat; through this was passed a cord
+attached to the lower jaw, which, when pulled by the cord at the
+throat, caused it to close and open; on the lower jaw large-headed
+hobnails were driven in to form the teeth. The strongest of the lads
+was selected for the horse; he stooped, and made as long a back as he
+could, supporting himself by the stick carrying the head; then he was
+covered with a horsecloth, and one of his companions mounted his
+back. The horse had a bridle and reins. Then commenced the kicking,
+rearing, jumping, etc., and the banging together of the teeth. As soon
+as the doors were opened the 'horse' would pull his string
+incessantly, and the noise made can be better imagined than described.
+I confess that, in my very young days, I was horrified at the approach
+of the hoodining horse, but, as I grew older, I used to go round with
+them. I was at Hoath on Thursday last, and asked if the custom was
+still kept up. It appears it is now three or four years since it has
+taken place. I never heard of it in the Isle of Thanet. There was no
+singing going on with the hoodining horse, and the party was strictly
+confined to the young men who went with the horses on the farms. I
+have seen some of the wooden heads carved out quite hollow in the
+throat part, and two holes bored through the forehead to form the
+eyes. The lad who played the horse would hold a lighted candle in the
+hollow, and you can imagine how horrible it was to any one who opened
+the door to see such a thing close to his eyes. Carollers in those
+days were called hoodiners in the parishes I have named."
+
+And the following communication is interesting and valuable: "Some
+such custom prevailed in the seventh century. In the _Penitential_ of
+Archbishop Theodore (d. 690) penances are ordained for 'any who, on
+the Kalends of January, clothe themselves with the skins of cattle and
+carry heads of animals.' The practice is condemned as being
+_dæmoniacum_ (see Kemble's _Saxons_, vol. i., p. 525). The custom
+would, therefore, seem to be of pagan origin, and the date is
+practically synchronous with Christmas, when, according to the rites
+of Scandinavian mythology, one of the three great annual festivals
+commenced. At the sacrifices which formed part of these festivals, the
+horse was a frequent victim in the offerings to Odin for martial
+success, just as in the offerings to Frey for a fruitful year the hog
+was the chosen animal. I venture, therefore, to suggest that
+_hodening_ (or probably _Odening_) is a relic of the Scandinavian
+mythology of our forefathers."
+
+Brand says: "It has been satisfactorily shown that the _Mari Lhoyd_,
+or horse's skull decked with ribbons, which used to be carried about
+at Christmas in Wales, was not exclusively a Welsh custom, but was
+known and practised in the border counties. It was undoubtedly a form
+of the old English Hobby Horse, one universally prevalent as a popular
+sport, and conducted, as the readers of Strutt, Douce, and others are
+already well aware, with all kinds of grotesque and whimsical
+mummery."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+     Curious Gambling Customs in Church--Boon granted--Sheaf of
+     Corn for the Birds--Crowning of the Cock--"The Lord Mayor of
+     Pennyless Cove"--"Letting in Yule"--Guisards--Christmas in
+     the Highlands--Christmas in Shetland--Christmas in Ireland.
+
+
+In 1570 was published "The Popish Kingdome, or, Reigne of Antichrist,
+written in Latin Verse by Thomas Naogeorgus (Kirchmayer) and englished
+by Barnabe Googe," and in it we have some curious Christmas customs
+and folk-lore.
+
+     Then comes the day wherein the Lorde did bring his birth to passe;
+     Whereas at midnight up they rise, and every man to Masse.
+     This time so holy counted is, that divers earnestly
+     Do thinke the waters all to wine are chaunged sodainly;
+     In that same houre that Christ himselfe was borne, and came to light,
+     And unto water streight againe transformde and altred quight.
+     There are beside that mindfully the money still do watch,
+     That first to aultar commes, which then they privily do snatch.
+     The priestes, least other should it have, takes oft the same away,
+     Whereby they thinke, throughout the yeare to have good lucke in play,
+     And not to lose: then straight at game till day-light do they strive,
+     To make some present proofe how well their hallowde pence wil thrive.
+     Three Masses every priest doth sing upon that solemne day,
+     With offrings unto every one, that so the more may play.
+     This done, a woodden child in clowtes is on the aultar set,
+     About the which both boyes and gyrles do daunce and trymly jet,
+     And Carrols sing in prayse of Christ, and, for to helpe them heare,
+     The organs aunswere every verse with sweete and solemne cheere.
+     The priestes doe rore aloude; and round about the parentes stande,
+     To see the sport, and with their voyce do helpe them and their hande.
+
+Another old Christmas belief may be found in the _Golden Legend_,
+printed by Wynkyn de Worde, where it is said, "that what persone
+beynge in clene lyfe desyre on thys daye (_Christmas_) a boone of God:
+as ferre as it is ryghtfull and good for hym, our lorde at reuerence
+of thys blessid and hye feste of his natiuite wol graunt it to hym."
+
+Most English Christmas customs, save the Christmas Tree, cards, and
+the stocking hung up to receive gifts, are old, but one of the
+prettiest modern ones that I know of was started by the Rev. J.
+Kenworthy, Rector of Ackworth, in Yorkshire, about forty years since,
+of hanging a sheaf of corn outside the church porch, on Christmas eve,
+for the special benefit of the birds. It seems a pity that it is not
+universally practised in rural parishes.
+
+To be spoken of in the past tense also are, I fear, the Christ-tide
+customs of Wales--the _Mari Lhoyd_, or _Lwyd_, answering to the
+Kentish _Hodening_, and the _Pulgen_, or the Crowning of the Cock,
+which was a simple religious ceremony. About three o'clock on
+Christmas morning the Welsh in many parts used to assemble in church,
+and, after prayers and a sermon, continue there singing psalms and
+hymns with great devotion till it was daylight; and if, through age or
+infirmity, any were disabled from attending, they never failed having
+prayers at home and carols on our Saviour's nativity.
+
+At Tenby it was customary at four o'clock on Christmas morning for
+the young men of the town to escort the rector with lighted torches
+from his residence to the church. Sometimes also, before or after
+Christmas day, the fishermen of Tenby dressed up one of their number,
+whom they called the "Lord Mayor of Pennyless Cove," with a covering
+of evergreens and a mask over his face; they would then carry him
+about, seated in a chair, with flags flying, and a couple of violins
+playing before him. Before every house the "Lord Mayor" would address
+the occupants, wishing them a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. If
+his good wishes were responded to with money his followers gave three
+cheers, the masquer would himself give thanks, and the crowd again
+cheered.
+
+In Scotland, Christ-tide is not observed as much as in England, the
+Scotch reserving all their festive energy for the New Year. Yet, in
+some parts of Scotland, he who first opens the door on Yule day is
+esteemed more fortunate during the coming year than the remainder of
+the family, because he "lets in Yule." And Yule is treated as a real
+person, as some people set a table or chair, covered with a clean
+cloth, in the doorway, and set upon it bread and cheese for Yule. It
+is common also to have a table covered in the house from morning till
+night with bread and drink upon it, that every one who calls may take
+a portion, and it is considered particularly inauspicious if any one
+comes into a house and leaves it without doing so. However many be the
+callers during the day, all must partake of the good cheer.
+
+In Chambers's _Popular Rhymes_ (ed. 1870, p. 169), it is said that the
+doings of the guisards (masquers) form a conspicuous feature in the
+New Year proceedings throughout Scotland. The evenings on which these
+persons are understood to be privileged to appear are those of
+Christmas, Hogmanay, New Year's day, and Handsel Monday. Dressed in
+quaint and fantastic attire, they sing a selection of songs which have
+been practised by them some weeks before. There were important doings,
+however--one of a theatrical character. There is one rude and
+grotesque drama (called Galatian) which they are accustomed to perform
+on each of the four above-mentioned nights; and which, in various
+fragments or versions, exists in every part of Lowland Scotland. The
+performers, who are never less than three, but sometimes as many as
+six, having dressed themselves, proceed in a band from house to house,
+generally contenting themselves with the kitchen as an arena, whither,
+in mansions presided over by the spirit of good humour, the whole
+family will resort to witness the scene of mirth.
+
+Grant, in his _Popular Superstitions of the Highlands_, says that as
+soon as the brightening glow of the eastern sky warns the anxious
+housemaid of the approach of Christmas day, she rises, full of anxiety
+at the prospect of her morning labours. The meal, which was steeped in
+the _sowans bowie_ a fortnight ago to make the _Prechdacdan sour_, or
+_sour scones_, is the first object of her attention. The gridiron is
+put on the fire, and the sour scones are soon followed by hard cakes,
+soft cakes, buttered cakes, bannocks, and _pannich perm_. The baking
+being once over, the sowans pot succeeds the gridiron, full of new
+sowans, which are to be given to the family, agreeably to custom, this
+day in their beds. The sowans are boiled into the consistency of
+molasses, when the _lagan-le-vrich_, or yeast bread, to distinguish it
+from boiled sowans, is ready. It is then poured into as many bickers
+as there are individuals to partake of it, and presently served to the
+whole, both old and young. As soon as each despatches his bicker, he
+jumps out of bed--the elder branches to examine the ominous signs of
+the day, and the younger to enter into its amusements.
+
+Flocking to the swing--a favourite amusement on this occasion, the
+youngest of the family gets the first "shouder," and the next oldest
+to him, in regular succession. In order to add more to the spirit of
+the exercise, it is a common practice with the person in the swing,
+and the person appointed to swing him, to enter into a very warm and
+humorous altercation. As the swung person approaches the swinger, he
+exclaims, "_Ei mi tu chal_"--"I'll eat your kail." To this the swinger
+replies, with a violent shove, "_Cha ni u mu chal_"--"You shan't eat
+my kail." These threats and repulses are sometimes carried to such a
+height as to break down or capsize the threatener, which generally
+puts an end to the quarrel.
+
+As the day advances those minor amusements are terminated at the
+report of the gun, or the rattle of the ball-clubs--the gun inviting
+the marksmen to the _Kiavamuchd_, or prize-shooting, and the latter to
+_Luchd-vouil_, or the ball combatants--both the principal sports of
+the day. Tired at length of the active amusements of the field, they
+exchange them for the substantial entertainment of the table. Groaning
+under the "_Sonsy Haggis_" and many other savoury dainties, unseen for
+twelve months before, the relish communicated to the company by the
+appearance of the festive board is more easily conceived than
+described. The dinner once despatched, the flowing bowl succeeds, and
+the sparkling glass flies to and fro like a weaver's shuttle. The rest
+of the day is spent in dancing and games.
+
+An old Shetlander, telling about Yule-time in Shetland[64] in his
+boyhood, says: "I daresay Yule--the dear Yule I remember so well--will
+ere long be known and spoken of only as a tradition; for, altogether,
+life in those islands is now very different from what it was some
+fifty or sixty years ago." Yule, it seems, was then kept on old
+Christmas day, and great were the preparations made for it. Everybody
+had to have a new suit of clothes for the season, and the day began
+with a breakfast at nine--a veritable feast of fat things; and "before
+we rise from the table, we have yet to partake of the crowning glory
+of a Yule breakfast, and without which we should not look upon it as a
+Yule breakfast at all. From the sideboard are now brought and set
+before our host a large china punch-bowl, kept expressly for the
+purpose; a salver, with very ancient, curiously-shaped large
+glasses--also kept sacred to the occasion--and a cake-basket heaped
+with rich, crisp shortbread. The bowl contains _whipcol_, the
+venerable and famous Yule breakfast beverage. I do not know the origin
+or etymology of the name _whipcol_. I do not think it is to be found
+in any of the dictionaries. I do not know if it was a Yule drink of
+our Viking ancestors in the days of paganism. I do not know if there
+was any truth in the tradition that it was the favourite drink of the
+dwellers in Valhalla, gods and heroes, when they kept their high Yule
+festival. But this I know, there never was, in the old house, a Yule
+breakfast without it. It had come down to us from time immemorial, and
+was indissolubly connected with Yule morning. That is all I am able to
+say about it, except that I am able to give the constituents of this
+luscious beverage, which is not to be confounded with egg-flip. The
+yelks of a dozen fresh eggs are whisked for about half an hour with
+about a pound of sifted loaf sugar; nearly half a pint of old rum is
+added, and then a pint of rich, sweet cream. A bumper of this, tossed
+off to many happy returns of Yule day, together with a large square of
+shortbread, always rounded up our Yule breakfast."
+
+[Footnote 64: _Chambers' Journal_, Dec. 21, 1881.]
+
+Football was the only game played at, and at this they continued till
+3 P.M., when they sat down to a dinner which entirely eclipsed the
+breakfast. After tea, there was dancing to the music of a fiddler
+until eleven, when a substantial supper was partaken of, then several
+glasses of potent punch, before retiring to rest. For a whole week
+this feasting and football playing was kept up, and wonderful must
+have been the constitutions of the Shetlanders who could stand it.
+
+In Catholic Ireland, as opposed to Presbyterian Scotland, we might
+expect a better observance of Christ-tide; and the best account I can
+find of Christmas customs in Ireland is to be met with in _Notes and
+Queries_ (3rd series, viii. 495).
+
+"Many of what are called 'the good old customs' are not now observed
+in the rural districts of Ireland; and I have heard ignorant old men
+attribute the falling off to the introduction of railways, the
+improvement of agricultural operations, and cattle shows! Amongst some
+of the customs that I remember in the south-east of Ireland were the
+following:
+
+"A week or two before Christmas landed proprietors would have
+slaughtered fine fat bullocks, the greater portion of which would be
+distributed to the poor; and farmers holding from ten acres of land
+upwards, were sure to kill a good fat pig, fed up for the purpose, for
+the household; but the poorer neighbours were also certain of
+receiving some portions as presents. When the hay was made up in the
+farm yards, which was generally about the time that apples became
+ripe, quantities of the fruit would be put in the hayricks, and left
+there till Christmas. The apples thus received a fine flavour, no
+doubt from the aroma of the new-mown hay. In localities of rivers
+frequented by salmon, which came up with the floods of August and
+September, the inhabitants used to select the largest fish, pickle
+them in vinegar, whole ginger, and other spices, and retain them till
+Christmas, when they formed a most delicious dish at the breakfast
+table. Large trout were preserved in like manner for the same purpose.
+Eggs were collected in large quantities, and were preserved in corn
+chaff, after having been first rubbed over with butter. I have eaten
+eggs, so preserved, after three or four months and they tasted as
+fresh as if only a day old.
+
+"In districts where the farmers were well-to-do, and in hamlets and
+villages, young men used to go about fantastically dressed, and with
+fifes and drums serenade and salute the inhabitants, for which they
+were generally rewarded with eggs, butter, and bacon. These they would
+afterwards dispose of for money, and then have a 'batter,' which, as
+Dr. Todd, of Trinity College, Dublin, truly says, is a 'drinking
+bout.' These bands of itinerant minstrels were called 'Mummers.' They
+are not now to be met with. It was usual for people to send presents
+to each other, which consisted chiefly of spirits (_potheen_,
+home-made whisky), beer, fine flour, geese, turkeys, and hares. A
+beverage called 'Mead,' which was extracted from honeycomb, was also a
+favourite liquor, and when mixed with a little alcoholic spirit, was
+an agreeable drink, but deceitful and seductive, as well as
+intoxicating. This used to pass in large quantities amongst
+neighbours. 'Christmas cakes' and puddings were extensively made and
+sent as presents. The latter were particularly fine, and made with
+fine flour, eggs, butter, fruit, and spices. I have never met anything
+in cities and large towns to equal them in their way, both as regards
+wholesomeness and flavour.
+
+"Of course, the houses were all decorated with holly and ivy, winter
+natural flowers, and other emblems of joy. People hardly went to bed
+at all on Christmas eve, and the first who announced the crowing of
+the Cock, if a male, was rewarded with a cup of tea, in which was
+mixed a glass of spirits; if a female, the tea only; but, as a
+substitute for the whisky, she was saluted with half a dozen kisses,
+which was the greatest compliment that could be paid her. The
+Christmas block for the fire, or Yule log, was indispensable. The
+last place in which I saw it was the hall of Lord Ward's mansion, near
+Downpatrick, in Ireland; and although it was early in the forenoon,
+his lordship (then a young man) insisted on my tasting a glass of
+whisky, not to break the custom of the country, or the hall. He did
+the same himself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+     Ordinance against out-door Revelry--Marriage of a Lord of
+     Misrule--Mummers and Mumming--Country Mummers--Early
+     Play--Two modern Plays.
+
+
+These Christmas revelries were sometimes carried to excess, and needed
+curbing with the strong hand of the law, an early instance of which we
+find in Letter Book I. of the Corporation of the City of London, fol.
+223, 6 Henry V., A.D. 1418.
+
+"The Mair and Aldermen chargen on þe kynges byhalf, and þis Cite, þat
+no manere persone, of what astate, degre, or condicoun þat euere he
+be, duryng þis holy tyme of Christemes be so hardy in eny wyse to walk
+by nyght in eny manere mommyng, pleyes, enterludes, or eny oþer
+disgisynges with eny feynyd berdis,[65] peyntid visers, diffourmyd or
+colourid visages in eny wyse, up peyne of enprisonement of her bodyes
+and makyng fyne after þe discrecioun of þe Mair and Aldremen;
+ontake[66] þat hit be leful to eche persone for to be honestly mery as
+he can, within his owne hous dwellyng. And more ouere þei charge on þe
+Kynges byhalf, and þe Cite, þat eche honest persone, dwellyng in eny
+hye strete or lane of þis Citee, hang out of her house eche night,
+duryng þis solempne Feste, a lanterne with a candell þer in, to
+brenne[67] as long as hit may endure, up[68] peyne to pay ivd, to þe
+chaumbre at eche tyme þat hit faillith."
+
+[Footnote 65: False beards.]
+
+[Footnote 66: Except that it shall be.]
+
+[Footnote 67: Burn.]
+
+[Footnote 68: Upon pain of paying.]
+
+And to cite another case, much later in date, the Commissioners for
+Causes Ecclesiastical kept strict watch on some of the Christmas
+revellers of 1637. They had before them one Saunders, from
+Lincolnshire, for carrying revelry too far. Saunders and others, at
+Blatherwick, had appointed a Lord of Misrule over their festivities.
+This was perfectly lawful, and could not be gainsaid. But they had
+resolved that he should have a lady, or Christmas wife; and probably
+there would have been no harm in that, if they had not carried the
+matter too far. They, however, brought in as bride one Elizabeth
+Pitto, daughter of the hog-herd of the town. Saunders received her,
+disguised as a parson, wearing a shirt or smock for a surplice. He
+then married the Lord of Misrule to the hog-herd's daughter, reading
+the whole of the marriage service from the Book of Common Prayer. All
+the after ceremonies and customs then in use were observed, and the
+affair was carried to its utmost extent. The parties had time to
+repent at leisure in prison.
+
+The old English disport of mumming at Christmas is of great
+antiquity--so great that its origin is lost. Fosbroke, in his
+_Encyclopædia of Antiquities_ (ed. 1843, ii. 668), says, under the
+heading "Mummers: These were amusements derived from the Saturnalia,
+and so called from the Danish _mumme_, or Dutch _momme_--disguise in a
+mask. Christmas was the grand scene of mumming, and some mummers were
+disguised as bears, others like unicorns, bringing presents. Those who
+could not procure masks rubbed their faces with soot, or painted them.
+In the Christmas mummings the chief aim was to surprise by the oddity
+of the masks, and singularity and splendour of the dresses. Everything
+was out of nature and propriety. They were often attended with an
+exhibition of gorgeous machinery.[69] It was an old custom also to
+have mummeries on Twelfth night. They were the common holiday
+amusements of young people of both sexes; but by 6 Edward III. the
+mummers, or masqueraders, were ordered to be whipped out of London."
+
+[Footnote 69: Fosbroke here seems to have mixed up masquers and
+mummers.]
+
+The original mumming was in dumb show, and was sometimes of
+considerable proportions, _vide_ one in 1348, where there were "eighty
+tunics of buckram, forty-two visors, and a great variety of other
+whimsical dresses were provided for the disguising at court at the
+Feast of Christmas." A most magnificent mummery or disguising was
+exhibited by the citizens of London in 1377, for the amusement of
+Richard, Prince of Wales, in which no fewer than 130 persons were
+disguised; which, with that in 1401, I have already described. Philip
+Stubbes, the Puritan, says: "In 1440, one captain John Gladman, a man
+ever true and faithful to God and the King, and constantly sportive,
+made public disport with his neighbours at Christmas. He traversed the
+town on a horse as gaily caparisoned as himself, preceded by the
+twelve months, each dressed in character. After him crept the pale
+attenuated figure of Lent, clothed in herring skins, and mounted on a
+sorry horse, whose harness was covered with oyster shells. A train,
+fantastically garbed, followed. Some were clothed as bears, apes, and
+wolves; others were tricked out in armour; a number appeared as
+harridans, with blackened faces and tattered clothes, and all kept up
+a promiscuous fight. Last of all marched several carts, whereon a
+number of fellows, dressed as old fools, sat upon nests, and pretended
+to hatch young fools."
+
+We still have our mummers in very many a country village; but the
+sport is now confined to the village boys, who, either masked or with
+painted faces, ribbons, and other finery (I have known them tricked
+out with paper streamers, obtained from a neighbouring paper mill),
+act a play(!), and, of course, ask for money at its conclusion. By
+some, it is considered that this play originated in the commemoration
+of the doughty deeds of the Crusaders.
+
+The earliest of these plays that I can find is in a fifteenth century
+MS.--_temp._ Edward IV.--and the characters are the nine worthies:
+
+_Ector de Troye._     Thow Achylles in bataly me slow,
+                           Of my worthynes men speken I now.
+
+_Alisander._          And in romaunce often am I leyt,
+                           As conqueror gret thow I seyt.
+
+_Julius Cæsar._       Thow my cenatoures me slow in c[=o]llory,
+                           Fele londes byfore by conquest wan I.
+
+_Josue._              In holy Chyrche 3e mowen here and rede,
+                           Of my worthynes and of my dede.
+
+_Dauit._              After y^{t} slayn was Golyas,
+                           By me the sawter than made was.
+
+_Judas Macabeus._     Of my wurthynesse 3yf 3e wyll wete,
+                           Secke the byble, for ther it is wrete.
+
+_Arthour._            The round tabyll I sette w^{t} Knyghtes strong,
+                           Zyt shall I come a3en, thow it be long.
+
+_Charles._            With me dwellyd Rouland Olyvere,
+                           In all my conquest fer and nere.
+
+_Godefry de Boleyn._  And I was Kyng of Jherusalem,
+                           The crowne of thorn I wan fro hem.
+
+Of the comparatively modern play acted by the mummers space only
+enables me to give two examples, although I could give many more. The
+first is the simplest, and only requires three principal actors, and
+this is still played in Oxfordshire.[70]
+
+[Footnote 70: _Notes and Queries_, 6th series xii. 489.]
+
+_A Knight enters with his sword drawn, and says:_
+
+     Room, room, make room, brave gallants all,
+     For me and my brave company!
+     Where's the man that dares bid me stand?
+     I'll cut him down with my bold hand!
+
+_St. George._  Here's the man that dares bid you stand;
+                    He defies your courageous hand!
+
+_The Knight._  Then mind your eye, to guard the blow,
+                    And shield your face, and heart also.
+
+(_St. George gets wounded in the combat, and falls._)
+
+     Doctor, Doctor, come here and see,
+     St. George is wounded in the knee;
+     Doctor, Doctor, play well your part.
+     St. George is wounded in the heart!
+
+(_The Doctor enters._)
+
+     I am a Doctor, and a Doctor good,
+     And with my hand I'll stop the blood.
+
+_The Knight._  What can you cure, Doctor?
+
+_The Doctor._  I can cure coughs, colds, fevers, gout,
+                    Both pains within and aches without;
+                    I will bleed him in the thumb.
+
+_St. George._  O! will you so? then I'll get up and run!
+
+_Some more Mummers or Minstrels come in, and they sing the following
+stanza, accompanied by the Hurdy Gourdy_:--
+
+     My father, he killed a fine fat hog,
+       And that you may plainly see;
+     My mother gave me the guts of the hog,
+       To make a hurdy gourdy.
+
+_Then they repeat the song in full chorus, and dance._
+
+The other example is far more elaborate, and was read by J.S. Udal,
+Esquire, in a paper on Christmas Mummers in Dorsetshire before the
+Folk-lore Society, 13th April 1880. He said: "I will now proceed to
+give the entire rendering of the first version as it was obtained for
+me, some few years ago, by an old Dorsetshire lady, who is now dead,
+and in this the _dramatis personæ_ are as follow:--
+
+     "OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+     ROOM.
+     ANTHONY, the Egyptian King.
+     ST. GEORGE.
+     ST. PATRICK.
+     CAPTAIN BLUSTER.
+     GRACIOUS KING.
+     GENERAL VALENTINE.
+     COLONEL SPRING.
+     OLD BETTY.
+     DOCTOR.
+     SERVANT-MAN."
+
+_Enter_ OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+     Here comes I, Father Christmas, welcome, or welcome not,
+     I hope Old Father Christmas will never be forgot.
+     Although it is Old Father Christmas, he has but a short time to stay
+     I am come to show you pleasure, and pass the time away.
+     I have been far, I have been near,
+     And now, I am come to drink a pot of your Christmas beer;
+     And, if it is your best,
+     I hope, in heaven your soul will rest.
+     If it is a pot of your small,
+     We cannot show you no Christmas at all.
+     Walk in, Room, again I say,
+     And, pray, good people, clear the way.
+     Walk in, Room.
+
+_Enter_ ROOM.
+
+     God bless you all, Ladies and Gentlemen,
+     It's Christmas time, and I am come again.
+     My name is Room, one sincere and true,
+     A merry Christmas I wish to you.
+     King of Egypt is for to display,
+     A noble champion without delay.
+     St. Patrick too, a charming Irish youth,
+     He can fight, or dance, or love a girl with truth.
+     A noble Doctor, I do declare, and his surprising tricks, bring up
+       the rear.
+     And let the Egyptian King straightway appear.
+
+_Enter_ EGYPTIAN KING.
+
+     Here comes I, Anthony, the Egyptian King.
+     With whose mighty acts, all round the globe doth ring;
+     No other champion but me excels,
+     Except St. George, my only son-in-law.
+     Indeed, that wondrous Knight, whom I so dearly love,
+     Whose mortal deeds the world dost well approve,
+     The hero whom no dragon could affright,
+     A whole troop of soldiers couldn't stand in sight.
+     Walk in, St. George, his warlike ardour to display,
+     And show Great Britain's enemies dismay.
+     Walk in, St. George.
+
+_Enter_ ST. GEORGE.
+
+     Here am I, St. George, an Englishman so stout,
+     With those mighty warriors I long to have a bout;
+     No one could ever picture me the many I have slain,
+     I long to fight, it's my delight, the battle o'er again.
+     Come then, you boasting champions,
+     And here, that in war I doth take pleasure,
+     I will fight you all, both great and small,
+     And slay you at my leisure.
+     Come, haste, away, make no delay,
+     For I'll give you something you won't like,
+     And, like a true-born Englishman,
+     I will fight you on my stumps.
+     And, now, the world I do defy,
+     To injure me before I die.
+     So, now, prepare for war, for that is my delight.
+
+_Enter_ ST. PATRICK, _who shakes hands with_ ST. GEORGE.
+
+     My worthy friend, how dost thou fare, St. George?
+     Answer, my worthy Knight.
+
+ST. GEORGE.
+
+     I am glad to find thee here;
+     In many a fight that I have been in, travelled far and near,
+     To find my worthy friend St. Patrick, that man I love so dear.
+     Four bold warriors have promised me
+     To meet me here this night to fight.
+     The challenge did I accept, but they could not me affright.
+
+ST. PATRICK.
+
+     I will always stand by that man that did me first enlarge,
+     I thank thee now, in gratitude, my worthy friend, St. Geärge;
+     Thou did'st first deliver me out of this wretched den,
+     And now I have my liberty, I thank thee once again.
+
+_Enter_ CAPTAIN BLUSTER.
+
+     I'll give St. George a thrashing, I'll make him sick and sore,
+     And, if I further am disposed, I'll thrash a dozen more.
+
+ST. PATRICK.
+
+     Large words, my worthy friend,
+     St. George is here,
+     And likewise St. Patrick too;
+     And he doth scorn such men as you.
+     I am the man for thee,
+     Therefore, prepare yourself to fight with me;
+     Or, else, I'll slay thee instantly.
+
+CAPTAIN BLUSTER.
+
+     Come on, my boy! I'll die before
+     I yield to thee, or twenty more.
+
+(_They fight, and_ ST. PATRICK _kills_ CAPTAIN BLUSTER.)
+
+ST. PATRICK.
+
+     Now one of St. George's foes is killed by me,
+     Who fought the battle o'er,
+     And, now, for the sake of good St. George,
+     I'll freely fight a hundred more.
+
+ST. GEORGE.
+
+     No, no, my worthy friend,
+     St. George is here,
+     I'll fight the other three;
+     And, after that, with Christmas beer,
+     So merry we will be.
+
+_Enter_ GRACIOUS KING.
+
+     No beer, or brandy, Sir, I want, my courage for to rise,
+     I only want to meet St. George, or take him by surprise;
+     But I am afraid he never will fight me,
+     I wish I could that villain see.
+
+ST. GEORGE.
+
+     Tremble, thou tyrant, for all thy sin that's past,
+     Tremble to think that this night will be thy last.
+     Thy conquering arms shall quickly by thee lay alone
+     And send thee, passing, to eternal doom.
+     St. George will make thy armour ring;
+     St. George will soon despatch the Gracious King.
+
+GRACIOUS KING.
+
+     I'll die before I yield to thee, or twenty more.
+
+(_They fight_, ST. GEORGE _kills the_ GRACIOUS KING.)
+
+ST. GEORGE.
+
+     He was no match for me, he quickly fell.
+
+_Enter_ GENERAL VALENTINE.
+
+     But I am thy match, and that my sword shall tell,
+     Prepare thyself to die, and bid thy friends farewell.
+     I long to fight such a brave man as thee,
+     For it's a pleasure to fight so manfully
+                     (_a line missing._)
+     Rations so severe he never so long to receive.
+     So cruel! for thy foes are always killed;
+     Oh! what a sight of blood St. George has spilled!
+     I'll fight St. George the hero here,
+     Before I sleep this night.
+     Come on, my boy, I'll die before
+     I yield to thee, or twenty more.
+     St. George, thou and I'll the battle try,
+     If thou dost conquer I will die.
+
+(_They fight_, ST. GEORGE _kills the_ GENERAL.)
+
+ST. GEORGE.
+
+     Where now is Colonel Spring? he doth so long delay,
+     That hero of renown, I long to show him play.
+
+_Enter_ COLONEL SPRING.
+
+     Holloa! behold me, here am I!
+     I'll have thee now prepare,
+     And by this arm thou'lt surely die,
+     I'll have thee this night, beware.
+     So, see, what bloody works thou'st made,
+     Thou art a butcher, sir, by trade.
+     I'll kill, as thou did'st kill my brother,
+     For one good turn deserves another.
+
+(_They fight_, ST. GEORGE _kills the_ COLONEL.)
+
+ST. PATRICK.
+
+Stay thy hand, St. George, and slay no more; for I feel for the wives
+and families of those men thou hast slain.
+
+ST. GEORGE.
+
+So am I sorry. I'll freely give any sum of money to a doctor to
+restore them again. I have heard talk of a mill to grind old men
+young, but I never heard of a doctor to bring dead men to life again.
+
+ST. PATRICK.
+
+There's an Irish doctor, a townsman of mine, who lived next door to
+St. Patrick, he can perform wonders. Shall I call him, St. George?
+
+ST. GEORGE.
+
+With all my heart. Please to walk in, Mr. Martin Dennis. It's an ill
+wind that blows no good work for the doctor. If you will set these men
+on
+
+_Enter_ DOCTOR.
+
+their pins, I'll give thee a hundred pound, and here is the money.
+
+DOCTOR.
+
+So I will, my worthy knight, and then I shall not want for whiskey for
+one twelvemonth to come. I am sure, the first man I saw beheaded, I
+put his head on the wrong way. I put his mouth where his poll ought to
+be, and he's exhibited in a wondering nature.
+
+ST. GEORGE.
+
+Very good answer, Doctor. Tell me the rest of your miracles, and raise
+those warriors.
+
+DOCTOR.
+
+I can cure love-sick maidens, jealous husbands, squalling wives,
+brandy-drinking dames, with one touch of my triple liquid, or one sly
+dose of my Jerusalem balsam, and that will make an old crippled dame
+dance the hornpipe, or an old woman of seventy years of age conceive
+and bear a twin. And now to convince you all of my exertions,--Rise,
+Captain Bluster, Gracious King, General Valentine, and Colonel Spring!
+Rise, and go to your father!
+
+(_On the application of the medicine they all rise and retire._)
+
+_Enter_ OLD BET.
+
+     Here comes dame Dorothy,
+     A handsome young woman, good morning to ye.
+     I am rather fat, but not very tall,
+     I'll do my best endeavour to please you all.
+     My husband, he is to work, and soon he will return,
+     And something for our supper bring,
+     And, perhaps, some wood to burn.
+     Oh! here he comes!
+
+_Enter_ JAN, _or_ OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+Well! Jan.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+Oh! Dorothy.
+
+OLD BET.
+
+What have you been doing all this long day, Jan?
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+I have been a-hunting, Bet.
+
+OLD BET.
+
+The devil! a-hunting is it? Is that the way to support a wife? Well,
+what have you catched to-day, Jan?
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+A fine jack hare, and I intend to have him a-fried for supper; and
+here is some wood to dress him.
+
+OLD BET.
+
+Fried! no, Jan, I'll roast it nice.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+I say, I'll have it fried.
+
+OLD BET.
+
+Was there ever such a foolish dish!
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+     No matter for that. I'll have it a-done; and if you don't do as I
+       do bid,
+     I'll hit you in the head.
+
+OLD BET.
+
+     You may do as you like for all I do care,
+     I'll never fry a dry jack hare.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+Oh! you won't, wooll'ee?
+
+(_He strikes her and she falls._)
+
+     Oh! what have I done! I have murdered my wife!
+     The joy of my heart, and the pride of my life.
+     And out to the gaol I quickly shall be sent.
+     In a passion I did it, and no malice meant.
+     Is there a doctor that can restore?
+     Fifty pounds I'll give him, or twice fifty more.
+
+(_Some one speaks._)
+
+Oh! yes, Uncle Jan, there is a doctor just below, and for God's sake
+let him just come in. Walk in, Doctor.
+
+_Enter_ DOCTOR.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+Are you a doctor?
+
+DOCTOR.
+
+Yes, I am a doctor--a doctor of good fame. I have travelled through
+Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and by long practice and experience
+I have learned the best of cures for most disorders instant
+(_incident?_) to the human body; find nothing difficult in restoring a
+limb, or mortification, or an arm being cut off by a sword, or a head
+being struck off by a cannon-ball, if application have not been
+delayed till it is too late.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+     You are the very man, I plainly see,
+     That can restore my poor old wife to me.
+     Pray tell me thy lowest fee.
+
+DOCTOR.
+
+     A hundred guineas, I'll have to restore thy wife,
+     'Tis no wonder that you could not bring the dead to life.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+That's a large sum of money for a dead wife!
+
+DOCTOR.
+
+Small sum of money to save a man from the gallows. Pray what big stick
+is that you have in your hand?
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+That is my hunting pole.
+
+DOCTOR.
+
+Put aside your hunting pole, and get some assistance to help up your
+wife.
+
+(OLD BET _is raised up to life again._)
+
+Fal, dal, lal! fal, dal, lal! my wife's alive!
+
+_Enter_ SERVANT MAN _who sings._
+
+     Well met, my brother dear!
+     All on the highway
+     Sall and I were walking along,
+     So I pray, come tell to me
+     What calling you might be.
+     I'll have you for some serving man.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+     I'll give thee many thanks,
+     And I'll quit thee as soon as I can;
+     Vain did I know
+     Where thee could do so or no,
+     For to the pleasure of a servant man.
+
+SERVANT MAN.
+
+     Some servants of pleasure
+     Will pass time out of measure,
+     With our hares and hounds
+     They will make the hills and valleys sound
+     That's a pleasure for some servant man.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+     My pleasure is more than for to see my oxen grow fat,
+     And see them prove well in their kind,
+     A good rick of hay, and a good stack of corn to fill up my barn,
+     That's a pleasure of a good honest husband man.
+
+SERVANT MAN.
+
+     Next to church they will go with their livery fine and gay,
+     With their cocked-up hat, and gold lace all round,
+     And their shirt so white as milk,
+     And stitched so fine as silk,
+     That's a habit for a servant man.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+     Don't tell I about thee silks and garments that's not fit to
+       travel the bushes.
+     Let I have on my old leather coat,
+     And in my purse a groat,
+     And there, that's a habit for a good old husband man.
+
+SERVANT MAN.
+
+     Some servant men doth eat
+     The very best of meat,
+     A cock, goose, capon, and swan;
+     After lords and ladies dine,
+     We'll drink strong beer, ale, and wine;
+     That's a diet for some servant man.
+
+OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS.
+
+Don't tell I of the cock, goose, or capon, nor swan; let I have a good
+rusty piece of bacon, pickled pork, in the house, and a hard crust of
+bread and cheese once now and then; that's a diet for a good old
+honest husband man.
+
+     So we needs must confess
+     That your calling is the best,
+     And we will give you the uppermost hand;
+     So no more we won't delay,
+     But we will pray both night and day,
+     God bless the honest husband man. Amen.
+
+[_Exeunt_ OMNES.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+     A Christmas jest--Ben Jonson's Masque of Christmas--Milton's
+     Masque of Comus--Queen Elizabeth and the Masters of Defence.
+
+
+This is rather sorry stuff; but then in purely rural places, untouched
+by that great civiliser, the railroad, a little wit goes a great way,
+as we may see by the following story told in Pasquil's "Jests," 1604.
+"There was some time an old knight, who, being disposed to make
+himself merry on a Christmas time, sent for many of his tenants and
+poore neighbours, with their wives to dinner; when, having made meat
+to be set on the table, he would suffer no man to drinke till he that
+was master over his wife should sing a carrol; great niceness there
+was who should be the musician. Yet with much adoe, looking one upon
+another, after a dry hemme or two, a dreaming companion drew out as
+much as he durst towards an ill-fashioned ditty. When, having made an
+end, to the great comfort of the beholders, at last it came to the
+women's table, when, likewise, commandment was given that there should
+no drinkes be touched till she that was master over her husband had
+sung a Christmas carroll, whereupon they fell all to such a singing
+that there never was heard such a catterwauling piece of musicke.
+Whereat the knight laughed so heartily that it did him halfe as much
+good as a corner of his Christmas pie."
+
+Of Masques I have already written, in describing Royal Christ-tides,
+but there is one, a notice of which must not be omitted, Ben Jonson's
+Masque of Christmas, as it was presented at Court 1616. The _dramatis
+personæ_ are:--
+
+CHRISTMAS, attired in round hose, long stockings, a closed doublet, a
+high-crowned hat, with a brooch, a long thin beard, a truncheon,
+little ruffs, white shoes, his scarfs and garters tied cross, and his
+drum beaten before him.
+
+HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS (ten in number) led in, in a string, by CUPID,
+who is attired in a flat cap, and a prentice's coat, with wings at his
+shoulders.
+
+MISRULE, in a velvet cap, with a sprig, a short cloak, great yellow
+ruff, his torch-bearer bearing a rope, a cheese, and a basket.
+
+CAROL, a long tawney coat, with a red cap, and a flute at his girdle,
+his torch-bearer carrying a song-book open.
+
+MINCED PIE, like a fine cook's wife, drest neat; her man carrying a
+pie, dish, and spoons.
+
+GAMBOL, like a tumbler, with a hoop and bells; his torch-bearer arm'd
+with a colt staff and a binding staff.
+
+POST AND PAIR, with a pair-royal of aces in his hat; his garment all
+done over with pairs and purs; his squire carrying a box, cards, and
+counters.
+
+NEW YEAR'S GIFT, in a blue coat, serving man like, with an orange, and
+a sprig of rosemary gilt, on his head, his hat full of brooches, with
+a collar of gingerbread; his torch-bearer carrying a march pane with a
+bottle of wine on either arm.
+
+MUMMING, in a masquing pied suit, with a vizard; his torch-bearer
+carrying the box, and ringing it.
+
+WASSEL, like a neat sempster and songster; her page bearing a brown
+bowl, drest with ribands, and rosemary, before her.
+
+OFFERING, in a short gown, with a porter's staff in his hand, a wyth
+borne before him, and a bason, by his torch-bearer.
+
+BABY CAKE (_Twelfth cake_), dressed like a boy, in a fine long coat,
+biggin bib, muckender, and a little dagger; his usher bearing a great
+cake, with a bean and a pease.
+
+After some dialogue, Christmas introduces his family in the following
+song:--
+
+     Now, their intent, is above to present,
+       With all the appurtenances,
+     A right Christmas, as, of old, it was,
+       To be gathered out of the dances.
+
+     Which they do bring, and afore the king,
+       The queen, and prince, as it were now
+     Drawn here by love; who over and above,
+       Doth draw himself in the geer too.
+
+[_Here the drum and fife sounds, and they march about once. In the
+second coming up_, Christmas _proceeds to his_ Song.]
+
+     Hum drum, sauce for a coney;
+       No more of your martial music;
+     Even for the sake o' the next new stake,
+       For there I do mean to use it.
+
+     And now to ye, who in place are to see
+       With roll and farthingale hoopèd;
+     I pray you know, though he want his bow,
+       By the wings, that this is CUPID.
+
+     He might go back, for to cry _What you lack?_
+       But that were not so witty:
+     His cap and coat are enough to note,
+       That he is the Love o' the City.
+
+     And he leads on, though he now be gone,
+       For that was only his rule:
+     But now comes in, Tom of Bosom's-Inn,
+       And he presenteth MIS-RULE.
+
+     Which you may know, by the very show,
+       Albeit you never ask it:
+     For there you may see, what his ensigns be,
+       The rope, the cheese, and the basket.
+
+     This CAROL plays, and has been in his days
+       A chirping boy, and a kill-pot.
+     Kit cobler it is, I'm a father of his,
+       And he dwells in the lane called Fill-pot.
+
+     But, who is this? O, my daughter Cis,
+       MINCED PIE; with her do not dally
+     On pain o' your life; she's an honest cook's wife,
+       And comes out of Scalding-alley.
+
+     Next in the trace, comes GAMBOL in place;
+       And to make my tale the shorter,
+     My son Hercules, tane out of Distaff lane,
+       But an active man and a porter.
+
+     Now, POST AND PAIR, old Christmas's heir,
+       Doth make and a gingling sally;
+     And wot you who, 'tis one of my two
+       Sons, card makers in Pur-alley.
+
+     Next, in a trice, with his box and his dice,
+       Mac' pipin my son, but younger,
+     Brings MUMMING in; and the knave will win
+       For he is a costermonger.
+
+     But NEW YEAR'S GIFT, of himself makes shift
+       To tell you what his name is;
+     With orange on head, and his gingerbread,
+       Clem Waspe of Honey lane 'tis.
+
+     This, I you tell, is our jolly WASSEL,
+       And for Twelfth night more meet too;
+     She works by the ell, and her name is Nell,
+       And she dwells in Threadneedle street too.
+
+     Then OFFERING, he, with his dish and his tree,
+       That in every great house keepeth,
+     Is by my son, young Little-worth, done,
+       And in Penny-rich street he sleepeth.
+
+     Last BABY CAKE, that an end doth make
+       Of Christmas merry, merry vein-a,
+     Is child Rowlan, and a straight young man,
+       Though he comes out of Crooked lane-a.
+
+     There should have been, and a dozen, I ween,
+       But I could find but one more
+     Child of Christmas, and a LOG it was,
+       When I had them all gone o'er.
+
+     I prayed him, in a tune so trim,
+       That he would make one to prance it:
+     And I myself would have been the twelfth,
+       O! but LOG was too heavy to dance it.
+
+Nor must we forget a Masque by Milton, "Comus, a Masque, at Ludlow
+Castle, 1634," in which appeared the Lord Brockley, Mr. Thomas
+Egerton, his brother, and the Lady Alice Egerton.
+
+But all Christmas sports were not so gentle as was the Masque, as the
+following account of the Virgin Queen's amusements shows us. Amongst
+the original letters preserved by the descendants of Sir John Kytson,
+of Hengrave Hall, is one addressed by Christopher Playter to Mr.
+Kytson, in 1572, which contains the following: "At Chris-time here
+were certayne ma^{rs} of defence, that did challenge all comers at all
+weapons, as long sworde, staff, sword and buckler, rapier with the
+dagger: and here was many broken heads, and one of the ma^{rs} of
+defence dyed upon the hurt which he received on his head. The
+challenge was before the quenes Ma^{tie}, who seemes to have pleasure
+therein; for when some of them would have sollen a broken pate, her
+Majesty bade him not to be ashamed to put off his cap, and the blood
+was spied to run about his face. There was also at the corte new
+plays, w^{h} lasted almost all night. The name of the play was huff,
+suff, and ruff, with other masks both of ladies and gents."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+     The Lord of Misrule--The "Emperor" and "King" at
+     Oxford--Dignity of the Office--Its abolition in the City of
+     London--The functions of a Lord of Misrule--Christmas at the
+     Temple--A grand Christmas there.
+
+
+We have seen in the account of historic Christ-tides how a Lord of
+Misrule was nominated to amuse Edward VI., and with what honour he was
+received at the Mansion house. The popular idea of the Lord of Misrule
+is that he was a buffoon; but this is far from being the case. Warton
+says that, in an original draught of the Statutes of Trinity College,
+Cambridge, founded in 1546, one of the chapters is entitled "De
+Præfecto Ludorum, qui IMPERATOR dicitur." And it was ordered, as
+defining the office of "Emperor," that one of the Masters of Arts
+should be placed over the juniors every Christmas for the regulation
+of their games and diversions at that season. His sovereignty was to
+last during the twelve days of Christmas, and also on Candlemas day,
+and his fee was forty shillings. Warton also found a disbursement in
+an audit book of Trinity Coll. Oxon. for 1559. "Pro prandio _Principis
+Natalicii_."
+
+Anthony à Wood, in his _Athenæ_, speaking of the "Christmas Prince of
+St. John's College, whom the Juniors have annually, for the most part,
+elected from the first foundation of that College," says: "The custom
+was not only observed in that College, but in several other Houses,
+particularly in Merton College, where, from the first foundation, the
+fellows annually elected, about St. Edmund's Day, in November, a
+Christmas Lord, or Lord of Misrule, styled in the Registers _Rex
+Fabarum_, and _Rex Regni Fabarum_: which custom continued till the
+Reformation of Religion, and then that producing Puritanism, and
+Puritanism Presbytery, the possession of it looked upon such laudable
+and ingenious customs as popish, diabolical, and anti-Christian."
+
+The office was one of dignity, as we may see by Henry Machyn's diary,
+1551-52: "The iiij day of Januarii was made a grett skaffold in chepe,
+hard by the crosse, agaynst the kynges lord of myssrule cummyng from
+Grenwyche and (he) landyd at Toure warff, and with hym yonge knyghts
+and gentyllmen a gret nombur on hosse bake sum in gownes and cotes and
+chaynes abowt ther nekes, and on the Toure hyll ther they went in
+order, furst a standard of yelow and grene sylke with Saint George,
+and then gounes and skuybes (squibs) and trompets and bagespypes, and
+drousselars and flutes, and then a gret company all in yelow and gren,
+and docturs declaryng my lord grett, and then the mores danse, dansyng
+with a tabret," etc.
+
+But so popular were these Lords of Misrule that every nobleman and
+person of position had one. Henry Percy, fifth Earl of Northumberland,
+had one certainly in 1512, whose fee was 30s. Nor did Sir Thomas More,
+when attached to the household of Cardinal Morton, object to "stepp in
+among the players." That they were usual adjuncts to great houses is
+evidenced by an extract from Churchyard's _Lamentacion of
+Freyndshypp_, a ballad printed about 1565:--
+
+     Men are so used these dayes wyth wordes,
+     They take them but for jestes and boordes,
+     That _Christmas Lordes_ were wont to speke.
+
+Stow tells us that, by an Act of Common Council, 12, Philip and Mary,
+for retrenching expenses, among other things it was ordered that the
+Lord Mayor or Sheriffs shall not keep any Lord of Misrule in any of
+their houses. But it still seems to have been customary for Sheriffs,
+at least, to have them, for Richard Evelyn, Esq. (father of the
+diarist), who kept his Shrievalty of Surrey and Sussex in 1634, in a
+most splendid manner, did not forego his Lord of Misrule, as the
+following shows:--
+
+     "Articles made and appoynted by the Right Wo^{ll} Richard
+     Evelyn Esq., High Sheriffe and Deputie Leavetenaunt to the
+     Kinge's Ma^{tie} for the Counties of Surrey and Sussex.
+
+"IMPRIMIS. I give free leave to Owen Flood my Trumpeter, gent. to be
+Lo^{d} of Misrule of all good Orders during the twelve dayes. And also
+I give free leave to the said Owen Flood to co[=m]and all and every
+person whatsoev^{r}, as well servants as others, to be at his
+co[=m]and whensoev^{r} he shall sound his Trumpett or Musick, and to
+do him good service as though I were present my selfe at their
+perills.
+
+"His Lo^{pp} commaunds every person or persons whatsoev^{r} to appeare
+at the Hall at seaven of the Clocke in the morninge, to be at prayers,
+and afterwards to be at his Lo^{pps} commaunds, upon paine of
+punishment, accordinge as his Lo^{pp} shall thinke fitt.
+
+"If any person shall sware any oath w^{th}in the precinct of the ...
+shall suffer punishment at his Lo^{pps} pleasure.
+
+"If any man shall come into the Hall, and sett at dinner or supper
+more than once, he shall endure punishment at his Lo^{pps} pleasure.
+
+"If any man shal bee drunke, or drinke more than is fitt, or offer to
+sleepe during the time abovesaid, or do not drinke up his bowle of
+beere, but flings away his snuffe (that is to say) the second draught,
+he shall drinke two, and afterwards be excluded.
+
+"If any man shall quarrell, or give any ill language to any person
+duringe the abovesaid twelve dayes w^{th}in the gates or precinct
+thereof, he is in danger of his Lo^{pps} displeasure.
+
+"If any person shall come into the kitchen whiles meate is a
+dressinge, to molest the cookes, he shall suffer the rigor of his
+Lo^{pps} law.
+
+"If any man shall kisse any maid, widdow or wife, except to bid
+welcome or farewell, w^{th}out his Lo^{pps} consent, he shall have
+punishment as his Lo^{pp} shall thinke convenient.
+
+"The last article: I give full power and authoritie to his Lo^{pp} to
+breake up all lockes, bolts, barres, doores, and latches, and to
+flinge up all doores out of hendges to come at those whoe presume to
+disobey his Lo^{pps} commaunds.
+
+     "God save the King."
+
+These somewhat whimsical articles of agreement were evidently intended
+to prevent mirth relapsing into licence, which, unfortunately, was too
+often the case, especially with the Lord of Misrule or Prince of Love,
+who directed the revels of the law students. Gerard Legh, in _The
+Accidens of Armory_, 1562, says that Christmas was inaugurated with
+"the shot of double cannon, in so great a number, and so terrible,
+that it darkened the whole air," and meeting "an honest citizen,
+clothed in a long garment," he asked him its meaning, "who friendly
+answered, 'It is,' quoth he, 'a warning to the Constable Marshall of
+the Inner Temple to prepare the dinner.'"
+
+Sir William Dugdale, in _Origines Juridiciales_ (ed. 1666, p. 163,
+etc.), gives us the following account of a grand Christmas in the
+Inner Temple, "extracted out of the Accompts of the House":--
+
+"First, it hath been the duty of the Steward to provide five fat
+Brawns, Vessells, Wood, and other necessaries belonging to the
+Kitchin: As also all manner of Spices, Flesh, Fowl, and other Cates
+for the Kitchin.
+
+"The Office of the Chief Butler to provide a rich Cupboard of Plate,
+Silver and Parcel gilt; Seaven dozen of Silver and gilt Spoons; Twelve
+fair Salt-cellars, likewise Silver and gilt; Twenty Candlesticks of
+the like.
+
+"Twelve fine large Table Cloths of Damask and Diaper. Twenty dozen of
+Napkins suitable, at the least. Three dozen of fair large Towells;
+whereof the Gentlemen Servers and Butlers of the House to have, every
+of them, one at meal times, during their attendance. Likewise to
+provide Carving Knives: Twenty dozen of white Cups and green Potts; a
+Carving Table; Torches; Bread; Beer, and Ale. And the chief of the
+Butlers was to give attendance on the highest Table in the Hall, with
+Wine, Ale, and Beer; and all the other Butlers to attend at the other
+Tables in like sort.
+
+"The Cupboard of Plate is to remain in the Hall on _Christmass_ day,
+_St. Stephan's_ day, and _New Year's_ day. Upon the Banquetting night
+it was removed into the Buttry; which, in all respects, was very
+laudably performed.
+
+"The Office of the Constable Marshall to provide for his imployment, a
+fair gilt compleat Harneys, with a nest of Fethers in the Helm; a
+fair Poleaxe to bear in his hand, to be chevalrously ordered on
+_Christmass_ day, and other days, as, afterwards, is shewed: touching
+the ordering and setling of all which ceremonies, during the said
+_grand Christmass_, a solempn consultation was held at their
+Parliament in this House, in form following:--
+
+"First, at the Parliament kept in their Parliament Chamber of this
+House, on the even at night of _St. Thomas_ the Apostle, Officers are
+to attend, according as they had been, long before that time, at a
+former Parliament named and elected to undergo several offices for
+this time of solempnity, honour, and pleasance: Of which Officers,
+these are the most eminent; namely the _Steward_, _Marshall_,
+_Constable Marshall_, _Butler_, and _Master of the Game_. These
+Officers are made known, and elected in _Trinity Term_ next before;
+and to have knowledg thereof by Letters, if in the Country, to the end
+that they may prepare themselves against _All Hallow-tide_; that, if
+such nominated Officers happen to fail, others may then be chosen in
+their rooms. The other Officers are appointed at other times neerer
+_Christmass_ day.
+
+"If the Steward, or any of the said Officers named in _Trinity Term_,
+refuse, or fail, he, or they, were fined, every one, at the discretion
+of the Bench; and the Officers aforenamed agreed upon. And at such a
+Parliament, if it be fully resolved to proceed with such a _grand
+Christmass_, then the two youngest Butlers must light two Torches, and
+go before the Bench to the Upper end of the Hall; who, being set down,
+the ancientest Bencher delivereth a Speech, briefly to the whole
+society of gentlemen then present, touching their Consent, as afore;
+which ended, the eldest Butler is to publish all the Officers names,
+appointed in Parliament; and then in token of joy and good liking, the
+Bench and Company pass beneath the Harth, and sing a Carol, and so to
+Boyer (drink).
+
+[Sidenote: _Christmas Eve._]
+
+"The _Marshall_ at Dinner is to place at the highest Table's end, and
+next to the Library, all on one side thereof, the most ancient persons
+in the Company present: the Dean of the Chapell next to him; then an
+Antient, or Bencher, beneath him. At the other end of the Table, the
+Server, Cup-bearer and Carver. At the upper end of the Bench Table,
+the King's Serjeant and Chief Butler: and, when the Steward hath
+served in, and set on the Table, the first Mess, then he, also, is to
+sit down.
+
+"Also, at the upper end of the other Table, on the other side of the
+Hall, are to be placed the three Masters of the Revells; and at the
+lower end of the Bench Table, are to sit, the King's Attorney, the
+Ranger of the Forest, and the Master of the Game. And, at the lower
+end of the Table, on the other side of the Hall, the fourth Master of
+the Revells, the Common Sergeant, and Constable Marshall. And, at the
+upper end of the Utter Barister's Table, the Marshall sitteth, when he
+hath served in the first Mess: The Clark of the Kitchin, also, and the
+Clark of the Sowce-tub, when they have done their offices in the
+Kitchin, sit down. And, at the upper end of the Clark's Table, the
+Lieutenant of the Tower, and the attendant to the Buttry are placed.
+
+"At these two Tables last rehersed, the persons there, may sit on both
+sides of the Table: but, of the other three Tables, all are to sit
+upon one side. And then, the Butlers, or Christmas servants, are first
+to cover the Tables with fair linnen Table-Cloths; and furnish them
+with Salt-cellars, Napkins and Trenchers, and a Silver Spoon. And
+then, the Butlers of the House must place at the Salt-cellar, at every
+the said first three highest Tables, a stock of Trenchers, and Bread:
+and, at the other Tables, Bread only, without Trenchers.
+
+"At the first Course the Minstrells must sound their Instruments, and
+go before; and the Steward and Marshall are, next, to follow together;
+and, after them, the Gentlemen Server; and, then, cometh the meat.
+Those three Officers are to make, altogether, three solempn Curtesies,
+at three several times, between the Skreen and the upper Table;
+beginning with the first, at the end of the Bencher's table; the
+second at the midst; and the third at the other end; and then,
+standing by, the Server performeth his Office.
+
+"When the first Table is set and served, the Steward's Table is next
+to be served. After him, the Master's table of the Revells; then that
+of the Master of the Game, the High Constable-Marshall: Then the
+Lieutenant of the Tower; then the Utter Barister's table; and lastly,
+the Clerk's table. All which time the Musick must stand right above
+the Harthside, with the noise of their Musick, their faces direct
+towards the highest Table: and, that done, to return into the Buttry,
+with their Musick sounding.
+
+"At the second course, every Table is to be served, as at the first
+Course, in every respect, which performed, the Servitors and Musicians
+are to resort to the place assigned them to dine at; which is the
+Valect's, or Yeoman's Table, beneath the Skreen. Dinner ended, the
+Musicians prepare to sing a Song, at the highest Table; which ceremony
+accomplished, then the Officers are to address themselves, every one
+in his office, to avoid the Tables in fair and decent manner, they
+beginning at the Clerk's Table; thence proceed to the next; and thence
+to all the others, till the highest Table be solempnly avoided.
+
+"Then, after a little repose, the persons at the highest Table arise,
+and prepare to Revells: in which time, the Butlers and other Servitors
+with them, are to dine in the Library.
+
+"At both the dores in the Hall, are Porters to view the Comers in and
+out at meal times: To each of them is allowed a Cast of Bread and a
+Candle nightly, after Supper.
+
+"At night, before Supper, are Revells and Dancing; and so also after
+Supper, during the twelve days of Christmass. The antientest Master of
+the Revells is, after Dinner and Supper, to sing a Caroll, or Song;
+and command other Gentlemen then there present, to sing with him and
+the Company, and so it is very decently performed.
+
+"A Repast at Dinner is viii^{d.}
+
+[Sidenote: _Christmass day._]
+
+"Service in the Church ended, the Gentlemen presently repair into the
+Hall, to Breakfast, with Brawn, Mustard, and Malmsey.
+
+"At Dinner, the Butler appointed for the _grand Christmass_, is to see
+the Tables covered and furnished: and the ordinary Butlers of the
+House are decently to set Bread, Napkins, and Trenchers in good form,
+at every Table; with Spoones and Knives.
+
+"At the first Course is served in, a fair and large Bore's head, upon
+a Silver Platter, with Minstralsye. Two Gentlemen in Gownes are to
+attend at Supper, and to bear two fair Torches of Wax, next before the
+Musicians and Trumpeters, and stand above the Fire with the Musick,
+till the first Course be served in, through the Hall. Which performed,
+they, with the Musick, are to return to the Buttry. The like course is
+to be observed in all things, during the time of Christmass. The like
+at Supper.
+
+"At Service time this Evening, the two youngest Butlers are to bear
+Torches in the Genealogia. A Repast at Dinner is xii^{d.} which
+Strangers of worth are admitted to take in the Hall; and such are to
+be placed at the discretion of the Marshall.
+
+[Sidenote: _St. Stephan's day._]
+
+"The Butler appointed for Christmass is to see the Tables covered, and
+furnished with Salt-cellars, Napkins, Bread, Trenchers and Spoones.
+Young gentlemen of the House are to attend and serve till the latter
+Dinner, and then dine themselves.
+
+"This day, the Server, Carver and Cup-bearer are to serve, as afore.
+After the first Course served in, the Constable Marshall cometh into
+the Hall, arrayed with a fair, rich, compleat Harneys, white and
+bright, and gilt; with a Nest of Fethers of all Colours upon his Crest
+or Helm, and a gilt Poleaxe in his hand: to whom is associate the
+Lieutenant of the Tower, armed with a fair white Armour, a Nest of
+Fethers in his Helm, and a like Poleaxe in his hand; and with them
+sixteen Trumpetters; four Drums and Fifes going in rank before them:
+and, with them, attendeth four men in white Harneys, from the middle
+upwards, and Halberds in their hands, bearing on their shoulders the
+Tower; which persons, with the Drums, Trumpets and Musick, go three
+times about the Fire. Then the Constable Marshall, after two or three
+Curtesies made, kneeleth down before the Lord Chancellor; behind him
+the Lieutenant; and they kneeling, the Constable Marshall pronounceth
+an Oration of a quarter of an hour's length, thereby declaring the
+purpose of his coming; and that his purpose is, to be admitted into
+his Lordship's service.
+
+"The Lord Chancellor saith, He will take farther advice thereon.
+
+"Then the Constable Marshall, standing up, in submissive manner,
+delivereth his naked Sword to the Steward, who giveth it to the Lord
+Chancellour: and, thereupon, the Lord Chancellour willeth the Marshall
+to place the Constable Marshall in his Seat; and so he doth, with the
+Lieutenant, also, in his Seat or Place. During this ceremony, the
+Tower is placed beneath the fire.
+
+"Then cometh in the Master of the Game apparalled in green Velvet: and
+the Ranger of the Forest also, in a green suit of Satten; bearing in
+his hand a green Bow, and divers Arrows; with, either of them, a
+Hunting Horn about their Necks; blowing together three blasts of
+Venery, they pace round about the fire three times. Then the Master of
+the Game maketh three Curtesies, as aforesaid; and kneeleth down
+before the Lord Chancellour, declaring the cause of his coming, and
+desireth to be admitted into his service, &c. All this time, the
+Ranger of the Forest standeth directly behind him. Then the Master of
+the Game standeth up.
+
+"This ceremony also performed, a Huntsman cometh into the Hall, with a
+Fox and a Purse-net; with a Cat, both bound at the end of a staff;
+and, with them, nine or ten Couple of Hounds, with the blowing of
+Hunting Hornes. And the Fox and Cat are, by the Hounds, set upon, and
+killed beneath the Fire. This sport finished, the Marshall placeth
+them in their several appointed places.
+
+"Then proceedeth the second Course; which done, and served out, the
+Common Serjeant delivereth a plausible Speech to the Lord Chancellour,
+and his Company, at the highest Table, how necessary a thing it is to
+have Officers at this present; the Constable Marshall, and Master of
+the Game, for the better honour and reputation of the Common-Wealth;
+and wisheth them to be received, &c.
+
+"Then the King's Serjeant at Law declareth and inferreth the
+necessity; which heard, the Lord Chancellour desireth respite of
+farther advice. Then the antientist of the Masters of the Revells
+singeth a Song, with assistance of others there present.
+
+"At Supper, the Hall is to be served with all solempnity, as upon
+Christmass day, both the first and second Course to the highest
+Table. Supper ended, the Constable Marshall presenteth himself with
+Drums afore him, mounted upon a Scaffold, borne by four men; and goeth
+three times round about the Harthe, crying out aloud, _A Lord, A
+Lord_, &c. Then he descendeth and goeth to dance, &c., and, after, he
+calleth his Court, every one by name, one by one, in this Manner:--
+
+     "_Sir Francis Flatterer_, of FOWLESHURST, in the County of
+     BUCKINGHAM.
+
+     _Sir Randle Backbite_, of RASCALL HALL, in the County of RAKE
+     HELL.
+
+     _Sir Morgan Mumchance_, of MUCH MONKERY, in the County of MAD
+     MOPERY.
+
+     _Sir Bartholomew Baldbreech_, of BUTTOCKSBURY, in the County
+     of BREKE NECK.
+
+"This done, the Lord of Misrule addresseth himself to the Banquet:
+which ended with some Minstralsye, mirth and dancing, every man
+departeth to rest.
+
+"At every Mess is a pot of Wine allowed. Every Repast is vi^{d.}
+
+[Sidenote: _St. John's day._]
+
+"About Seaven of the Clock in the Morning, the Lord of Misrule is
+abroad, and, if he lack any Officer or Attendant, he repaireth to
+their Chambers, and compelleth them to attend in person upon him after
+Service in the Church, to breakfast, with Brawn, Mustard and Malmsey.
+After Breakfast ended, his Lordship's power is in suspence, untill his
+personal presence at night; and then his power is most potent.
+
+"At Dinner and Supper is observed the Diet and service performed on
+_St. Stephan's_ day. After the second Course served in, the King's
+Serjeant, Oratour like, declareth the disorder of the Constable
+Marshall, and of the Common Serjeant; which complaint is answered by
+the Common Serjeant, who defendeth himself and the Constable Marshall
+with words of great efficacy: Hereto the King's Serjeant replyeth.
+They rejoyn &c., and whoso is found faulty, committed to the Tower &c.
+
+"If any Officer be absent at Dinner or Supper Times; if it be
+complained of, he that sitteth in his place is adjudged to have like
+punishment, as the Officer should have had, being present: and then,
+withall, he is enjoyned to supply the Office of the true absent
+Officer, in all points. If any offendor escape from the Lieutenant,
+into the Buttery, and bring into the Hall a Manchet upon the point of
+a knife, he is pardoned. For the Buttry, in that case, is a Sanctuary.
+After Cheese served to the Table, not any is commanded to sing.
+
+[Sidenote: _Childermass day._]
+
+"In the Morning, as afore, on Monday, the Hall is served; saving that
+the Server, Carver and Cup bearer do not attend any service. Also like
+Ceremony at Supper.
+
+[Sidenote: _Wednsday._]
+
+"In the Morning no Breakfast at all; but like service as afore is
+mentioned, both at Dinner and Supper.
+
+[Sidenote: _Thursday._]
+
+"At Breakfast, Brawn, Mustard and Malmsey. At Dinner, Roast Beef,
+Venison-Pasties, with like solempnities as afore. And at Supper,
+Mutton and Hens roasted.
+
+[Sidenote: _New Year's day._]
+
+"In the Morning, Breakfast, as formerly. At Dinner like solempnity as
+on Christmass Eve.
+
+"_The Banquetting Night._
+
+"It is proper to the Butler's Office to give warning to every House of
+Court, of this Banquet; to the end that they, and the Innes of
+Chancery be invited thereto, to see a Play and Mask. The Hall is to be
+furnished with Scaffolds to sit on, for Ladies to behold the Sports,
+on each side. Which ended, the Ladies are to be brought into the
+Library, unto the Banquet there; and a Table is to be covered and
+furnished with all Banquetting Dishes, for the Lord Chancellour, in
+the Hall; where he is to call to him the Ancients of other Houses, as
+many as may be on the one side of the Table. The Banquet is to be
+served in, by Gentlemen of the House.
+
+"The Marshall and Steward are to come before the Lord Chancellour's
+Mess. The Butlers for Christmas must serve Wine; and the Butlers of
+the House, Beer and Ale &c. When the Banquet is ended, then cometh
+into the Hall, the Constable Marshall, fairly mounted on his Mule;
+and deviseth some sport, for passing away the rest of the night.
+
+[Sidenote: _Twelf Day._]
+
+"At Breakfast, Brawn, Mustard and Malmsey, after Morning Prayer ended:
+And, at Dinner, the Hall is to be served as upon _St. John's_ Day."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+     A riotous Lord of Misrule at the Temple--Stubbes on Lords of
+     Misrule--The Bishops ditto--Mumming at Norwich,
+     1440--Dancing at the Inns of Court--Dancing at
+     Christmas--The Cushion Dance.
+
+
+The high spirits of the "Temple Sparks" occasionally led them to
+licence, as the author of _The Reign of King Charles_ (1655) tells us
+was the case in 1627. "That Christmas the Temple Sparks had enstalled
+a Lieutenant, which we country folk call a Lord of Misrule. The
+Lieutenant had, on Twelfth eve, late in the night, sent out to collect
+his rents in Ramme Alley and Fleet Street, limiting five shillings to
+every house. At every door they winded their Temple horn, and if it
+procured not entrance at the second blast or summons, the word of
+command was then 'Give fire, gunner.' This gunner was a robustious
+Vulcan, and his engine a mighty smith's hammer. The next morning the
+Lord Mayor of London was made acquainted therewith, and promised to be
+with them next night; commanding all that ward, and also the watch, to
+attend him with their halberds. At the hour prefixt, the Lord Mayor
+and his train marched up in martial equipage to Ramme Alley.
+
+"Out came the Lieutenant with his suit of Gallants, all armed _in
+cuerpo_. One of the Halberdiers bade the Lieutenant come to my Lord
+Mayor. 'No,' said the Lieutenant, 'let the Lord Mayor come to me.' But
+this controversy was soon ended, they advancing each to other, till
+they met half way; then one of the Halberdiers reproved the Lieutenant
+for standing covered before the Lord Mayor. The Lieutenant gave so
+crosse an answere, as it begat as crosse a blow; which, the Gentlemen,
+not brooking, began to lay about them; but in fine the Lieutenant was
+knockt down and sore wounded, and the Halberdiers had the better of
+the swords. The Lord Mayor being master of the field, took the
+Lieutenant, and haled rather than led him to the Counter, and with
+indignation thrust him in at the prison gate, where he lay till the
+Attorney General mediated for his enlargement, which the Lord Mayor
+granted upon condition he should submit and acknowledge his fault. The
+Lieutenant readily embraced the motion; and, the next day, performing
+the condition, so ended this Christmas Game."
+
+We can hardly expect an unbiassed opinion on the subject of Lords of
+Misrule, or any other merriment, from Phillip Stubbes, the Puritan,
+who, in _The Anatomie of Abuses_ (ed. 1583), speaking of these
+"Christmas Lords," says: "The name, indeed, is odious both to God and
+good men, and such as the very heathen people would have blushed at
+once to have named amongst them. And, if the name importeth some evil,
+then, what may the thing it selfe be, judge you? But, because you
+desire to know the manner of them, I will showe you as I have seen
+them practised myself.
+
+"First, all the wilde-heds of the parish, conventing togither, chuse
+them a graund-captain (of all mischeefe) whom they innoble with the
+title of my Lord of Mis-rule, and him they crowne with great
+solemnitie, and adopt for their king. This king anointed chuseth forth
+twentie, fortie, three score, or a hundred lustie guttes, like to him
+self, to waight uppon his lordlie Majestie, and to guarde his noble
+person. Then, everie one of these his men, he investeth with his
+liveries of green, yellow, or some other light wanton colour; and, as
+though they were not gaudie enough, I should say, they bedecke them
+selves with scarfs, ribons and laces, hanged all over with golde
+rings, precious stones, and other jewels; this doon, they tye about
+either leg xx or xl bels, with rich handkerchiefs in their hands, and
+sometimes laid a crosse over their shoulders and necks, borrowed for
+the most parte of their pretie Mopsies and looving Besses, for bussing
+them in the dark.
+
+"Thus, al things set in order, then have they their hobby horses,
+dragons and other antiques, togither with their baudie pipers and
+thundering drummers, to strike up the devil's daunce withall. Then
+marche these heathen company towards the church and church yard, their
+pipers piping, their drummers thundring, their stumps dauncing, their
+bels jyngling, their handkerchefs swinging about their heds like
+madmen, their hobbie horses and other monsters skirmishing amongst the
+route; and in this sorte they go to the church (I say), and into the
+church (though the minister be at praier, or preaching), dancing and
+swinging their handkercheifs over their heds in the church, like
+devils incarnate, with such a confuse noise, that no man can hear his
+own voice. Then, the foolish people, they looke, they stare, they
+laugh, they fleer, and mount upon fourmes and pewes, to see these
+goodly pageants solemnized in this sort. Then, after this, about the
+church they goe againe and again, and so foorth into the churchyard,
+where they have commonly their sommer haules, their bowers, arbors,
+and banqueting houses set up, wherin they feast, banquet and daunce al
+that day, and (peradventure) all the night too. And thus these
+terrestriall furies spend the Sabaoth day.
+
+"They have, also, certain papers, wherein is painted some babblerie or
+other, of imagery woork, and these they call My Lord of Misrule's
+badges: these they give to every one that wil give money for them, to
+maintaine them in their heathenrie, devilrie, whordome, drunkennes,
+pride, and what not. And who will not be buxom to them, and give them
+money for these their devilish cognizances, they are mocked and
+flouted at not a little. And, so assotted are some, that they not only
+give them monie, to maintain their abhomination withall, but also
+weare their badges and cognizances in their hats and caps openly. But
+let them take heede; for these are the badges, seales, brands, and
+cognizances of the devil, whereby he knoweth his servants and clyents
+from the children of God; and so long as they weare them, _Sub vexillo
+diaboli militant contra Dominum et legem suam_: they fight under the
+banner and standerd of the Devil against Christ Jesus, and all his
+lawes. Another sorte of fantasticall fooles bring to these hel-hounds
+(the Lord of Mis-rule and his complices) some bread, some good ale,
+some new cheese, some olde, some custards and fine Cakes; some one
+thing, some another; but, if they knew that as often as they bring
+anything to the maintenance of these execrable pastimes, they offer
+sacrifice to the devil and Sathanas, they would repent and withdraw
+their hands, which God graunt they may!"
+
+Although Stubbes wrote with exceeding bitterness and party bias, he
+had some warrant for his diatribe. In the _Injunctions_ of Parkhurst,
+Bishop of Norwich[71] (1569), he says: "Item, that no person or
+persons calling themselves lords of misrule in the Christmas tyme, or
+other vnreuerent persons at any other tyme, presume to come into the
+church vnreuerently playing their lewd partes, with scoffing, iesting,
+or rebaldry talke, and, if any such haue alredy offended herein, to
+present them and their names to the ordinary."
+
+[Footnote 71: _Second Report of Ritual Comm._, from which the examples
+following are also taken.]
+
+Grindal, Archbishop of York, in his _Injunctions_ (1571) also says:
+"Item, that the Minister and Churchwardens shall not suffer any lordes
+of misrule, or sommer lordes or ladies, or any disguised persons or
+others, in Christmas or ... at rish bearings, or any other times to
+come vnreuerently into any Church, or Chapell, or Churchyarde, and
+there daunce ... namely, in the time of diuine service, or of anie
+sermon." And so say Overton, Bishop of Lichfield (1584); Bancroft,
+Bishop of London (1601); and Howson, Bishop of Oxford (1619).
+
+Merely to show how general throughout England were these Rulers of
+Christmas Festivities, I will give one more example, taken from the
+_Records of Norwich_, re what happened there at Christ-tide 1440.
+"John Hadman,[72] a wealthy citizen, made disport with his neighbours
+and friends, and was crowned King of Christmas. He rode in state
+through the City, dressed forth in silks and tinsel, and preceded by
+twelve persons habited as the twelve months of the year. After King
+Christmas followed Lent, clothed in white garments, trimmed with
+herring skins, on horseback, the horse being decorated with trappings
+of oyster shells, being indicative that sadness and a holy time should
+follow Christmas revelling. In this way they rode through the City,
+accompanied by numbers in various grotesque dresses, making disport
+and merriment; some clothed in armour, others, dressed as devils,
+chased the people, and sorely affrighted the women and children;
+others wearing skin dresses, and counterfeiting bears, wolves, lions,
+and other animals, and endeavouring to imitate the animals they
+represented, in roaring and raving, alarming the cowardly, and
+appalling the stoutest hearts."
+
+[Footnote 72: Probably the John Gladman spoken of by Stubbes (see p.
+127).]
+
+Naturally, among the pastimes of this festive season dancing was not
+the least. And it was reckoned as a diversion for staid people. We
+know how--
+
+     The grave Lord Keeper led the braules,
+       The mace and seals before him.
+
+It was a practice for the bar to dance before the Judges at Lincoln's
+Inn at Christmas, and in James I.'s time the under barristers were, by
+decimation, put out of Commons, because they did not dance, as was
+their wont, according to the ancient custom of the Society.[73] This
+practice is also mentioned in a book published about 1730, called
+_Round About our Coal Fire_, etc. "The dancing and singing of the
+Benchers in the great Inns of Court at Christmas is, in some sort,
+founded upon interest, for they hold, as I am informed, some
+priviledge by dancing about the fire in the middle of their Hall, and
+singing the song of _Round About our Coal Fire_." In the prologue to
+the same book we have the following song:--
+
+     O you merry, merry Souls,
+       Christmas is a coming,
+     We shall have flowing bowls,
+       Dancing, piping, drumming.
+
+     Delicate minced pies,
+       To feast every virgin,
+     Capon and goose likewise,
+       Brawn, and a dish of sturgeon.
+
+     Then, for your Christmas box,
+       Sweet plumb cakes and money,
+     Delicate Holland smocks,
+       Kisses sweet as honey.
+
+     Hey for the Christmas Ball,
+       Where we shall be jolly,
+     Coupling short and tall,
+       Kate, Dick, Ralph, and Molly.
+
+     Then to the hop we'll go,
+       Where we'll jig and caper,
+     _Cuckolds all a-row_,
+       Will shall pay the scraper.
+
+     Hodge shall dance with Prue,
+       Keeping time with kisses,
+     We'll have a jovial crew
+       Of sweet smirking Misses.
+
+[Footnote 73: Dugdale's _Orig. Jurid._ cap. 64.]
+
+We still keep up the custom of dancing at Christ-tide, and no
+Christmas party is complete without it; but of all the old tunes,
+such as _Sellinger's Rounds_, the one mentioned in the above song,
+with many others, but one remains to us, and that is peculiar to this
+season--_Sir Roger de Coverly_.
+
+_Notes and Queries_, 19th December 1885, gives an account of a very
+curious dance. "One of the most popular indoor games at Christmas time
+was, in Derbyshire, that of the 'Cushion Dance,' which was performed
+at most of the village gatherings and farm-house parties during the
+Christmas holidays upwards of forty years ago. The following is an
+account of the dance as it was known amongst the farmer's sons and
+daughters and the domestics, all of whom were on a pretty fair
+equality, very different from what prevails in farm-houses of to-day.
+The dance was performed with boisterous fun, quite unlike the game as
+played in higher circles, where the conditions and rules of procedure
+were of a more refined order.
+
+"The company were seated round the room, a fiddler occupying a raised
+seat in a corner. When all were ready, two of the young men left the
+room, returning presently, one carrying a large square cushion, the
+other an ordinary drinking horn, china bowl, or silver tankard,
+according to the possessions of the family. The one carrying the
+cushion locked the door, putting the key in his pocket. Both gentlemen
+then went to the fiddler's corner, and, after the cushion-bearer had
+put a coin in the vessel carried by the other, the fiddler struck up a
+lively tune, to which the young men began to dance round the room,
+singing or reciting to the music:--
+
+     "'Frinkum, frankum is a fine song,
+     An' we will dance it all along;
+     All along and round about
+     Till we find the pretty maid out.'
+
+"After making the circuit of the room, they halted on reaching the
+fiddler's corner, and the cushion-bearer, still to the music of the
+fiddle, sang or recited:--
+
+     "'Our song it will no further go!'
+
+"_The Fiddler_--
+
+     "'Pray, kind sir, why say you so?'
+
+"_The Cushion-Bearer_--
+
+     "'Because Jane Sandars won't come to.'
+
+"_The Fiddler_--
+
+     "'She must come to, she shall come to,
+     An' I'll make her, whether she will or no!'
+
+"The cushion-bearer and vessel-holder then proceeded with the dance,
+going as before round the room, singing 'Frinkum, frankum,' etc., till
+the cushion-bearer came to the lady of his choice, before whom he
+paused, placed the cushion on the floor at her feet, and knelt upon
+it. The vessel-bearer then offered the cup to the lady, who put money
+in it, and knelt on the cushion in front of the kneeling gentleman.
+The pair kissed, arose, and the gentleman, first giving the cushion to
+the lady with a bow, placed himself behind her, taking hold of some
+portion of her dress. The cup-bearer fell in also, and they danced on
+to the fiddler's corner, and the ceremony was again gone through as at
+first, with the substitution of the name of John for Jane, thus:--
+
+"_The Lady_--
+
+     "'Our song it will no further go!'
+
+"_The Fiddler_--
+
+     "'Pray, kind Miss, why say you so?'
+
+"_The Lady_--
+
+     "'Because John Sandars won't come to.'
+
+"_The Fiddler_--
+
+     "'He must come to, he shall come to,
+     An' I'll make him, whether he will or no.'
+
+"The dancing then proceeded, and the lady, on reaching her choice (a
+gentleman, of necessity), placed the cushion at his feet. He put money
+in the horn and knelt. They kissed and rose, he taking the cushion and
+his place in front of the lady, heading the next dance round; the lady
+taking him by the coat tails, the first gentleman behind the lady,
+with the horn-bearer in the rear. In this way the dance went on till
+all present, alternately a lady and gentleman, had taken part in the
+ceremony. The dance concluded with a romp in file round the room, to
+the quickening music of the fiddler, who, at the close, received the
+whole of the money collected by the horn-bearer."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+     Honey Fairs--Card-playing at Christmas--Throwing the
+     Hood--Early Religious Plays--Moralities--Story of a Gray's
+     Inn Play--The first Pantomime--Spectacular Drama--George
+     Barnwell--Story respecting this Play.
+
+
+_Time's Telescope_ (1824, p. 297) notes that in Cumberland, and in all
+the great towns in the north of England, about a week before
+Christmas, what are called _Honey fairs_ were held, in which dancing
+forms the leading amusement.
+
+Card-playing, too, was justifiable at Christ-tide. An ordinance for
+governing the household of the Duke of Clarence in the reign of Edward
+IV. forbade all games at dice, cards, or other hazard for money
+"_except during the twelve days at Christmas_." And, again, in the
+reign of Henry VII. an Act was passed against unlawful games, which
+expressly forbids artificers, labourers, servants, or apprentices to
+play at any such, _except at Christmas_, and at some of the colleges
+cards are introduced in the Combination Rooms during the twelve days
+of Christmas, but never appear there during the remainder of the year.
+
+Cards are not much patronised by the present generation, yet dignity
+is occasionally sunk in a romping round game at Christ-tide. But it is
+a question as to who knows such games as My Lady Coventry, All Fours,
+Snip Snap Snorum, Old Maid, Commerce, Put, Pope Joan, Brag, Blind
+Hookey, Loo, etc., etc., without reference to a manual on the subject.
+
+Timbs[74] gives a very curious custom or game which, he says, is still
+observed on Old Christmas day in the village of Haxey, in
+Lincolnshire. It is traditionally said to have originated from a lady
+of the De Mowbrays, who, a few years after the Conquest, was riding
+through Craize Lound, an adjoining hamlet, when the wind blew her
+riding hood from her head, and so amused her, that she left twelve
+acres of land to twelve men who ran after the hood, and gave them the
+strange name of Boggoners; to them, however, the land, with the
+exception of about a quarter of an acre, has for centuries been lost.
+The Throwing of the Hood now consists of the villagers of West
+Woodside and Haxey trying who can get to the nearest public-house in
+each place, the Hood, which is made of straw covered with leather,
+about two feet long and nine inches round. The twelve Boggoners are
+pitched against the multitude, which has been known to exceed two
+thousand persons from all parts of the neighbourhood; and as soon as a
+Boggoner touches the hood or catches it the game is won.
+
+[Footnote 74: _Garland for the Year_, p. 151.]
+
+There was another amusement at Christmas, before Mumming and the
+comparatively modern play of St. George--the Religious plays, the
+first of which is mentioned by Matthew Paris, who says that Geoffrey,
+a learned Norman, and Master of the school of the Abbey of Dunstable,
+composed the play of St. Catharine, which was acted by his scholars in
+1110. Fitzstephen, writing later in the same century, remarks that
+"London, for its theatrical exhibitions has religious plays, either
+the representations of miracles wrought by holy confessors or the
+sufferings of martyrs." Then came the Interlude, which was generally
+founded on a single event, and was of moderate length, but not always,
+for in the reign of Henry IV. one was exhibited in Smithfield which
+lasted eight days; but then this began with the creation of the world,
+and contained the greater part of the Old and New Testament.
+
+Being originally devised by the clergy to withdraw the minds of the
+people from the profane and immoral buffooneries to which they were
+accustomed, ecclesiastics did not hesitate to join in the performance,
+and even to permit the representation to take place in churches and
+chapels. Afterwards the ordering and arrangement of them fell into the
+hands of the gilds, or different trading companies.
+
+In process of time the rigid religious simplicity of these
+performances was broken in upon, and the devil and a circle of
+infernal associates were introduced to relieve the performance, and to
+excite laughter by all sorts of strange noises and antics. By and by,
+abstract personifications, such as Truth, Justice, Mercy, etc., found
+their way into these plays, and they then became moral plays, or
+"Moralities." These were in their highest vogue in the reigns of
+Henries VII. and VIII., and Holinshed tells a story of one played at
+Christ-tide 1526-27.
+
+"This Christmasse was a goodlie disguising plaied at Graies In, which
+was compiled for the most part by maister John Roo, sergeant at the
+law manie yeares past, and long before the cardinall had any
+authoritie. The effect of the plaie was that lord gouernance was ruled
+by dissipation and negligence, by whose misgouernance and evill order
+ladie publike weale was put from gouernance; which caused rumor
+populi, inwarde grudge and disdaine of wanton souereignetie to rise,
+with a great multitude, to expell negligence and dissipation, and to
+restore publike weale againe to hir estate, which was so doone.
+
+"This plaie was so set foorth with riche and costlie apparell, with
+strange devises of Maskes and morrishes, that it was highlie praised
+of all men, sauing of the cardinall, which imagined that the play had
+been devised of him, and in a great furie sent for the said maister
+Roo, and took from him his coife, and sent him to the Fleet; and
+after, he sent for the yoong gentlemen that plaied in the plaie, and
+them highlie rebuked and threatned, and sent one of them, called
+Thomas Moile, of Kent, to the Fleet; but by means of friends, maister
+Roo and he were deliuered at last. This plaie sore displeased the
+cardinall, and yet it was neuer meant to him, as you haue heard.
+Wherfore manie wise men grudged to see him take it so hartilie, and
+euer the cardinall said that the king was highlie displeased with it,
+and spake nothing of himselfe."
+
+J.P. Collier, in his _Annals of the Stage_ (ed. 1879, pp. 68, 69),
+gives an account of two Interludes played before royalty at Richmond,
+Christ-tide 1514-15, which he found in a paper folded up in a roll in
+the Chapter House. "The Interlud was callyd the tryumpe of Love and
+Bewte, and yt was wryten and presented by Mayster Cornyshe and
+oothers of the Chappell of our soverayne lorde the Kynge, and the
+chyldern of the sayd Chapell. In the same, Venus and Bewte dyd tryumpe
+over al ther enemys, and tamyd a salvadge man and a lyon, that was
+made very rare and naturall, so as the Kynge was gretly plesyd
+therwyth, and gracyously gaf Mayster Cornysshe a ryche rewarde owt of
+his owne hand, to be dyvyded with the rest of his felows. Venus did
+synge a songe with Beawte, which was lykyd of al that harde yt, every
+staffe endyng after this sorte--
+
+     "Bowe you downe, and doo your dutye
+     To Venus and the goddes Bewty:
+     We tryumpe hye over all,
+     Kyngs attend when we doo call.
+
+"Inglyshe, and the oothers of the Kynges pleyers, after pleyed an
+Interluyt, whiche was wryten by Mayster Midwell, but yt was so long,
+yt was not lykyd: yt was of the fyndyng of Troth, who was caryed away
+by ygnoraunce and ypocresy. The foolys part was the best, but the kyng
+departyd befor the end to hys chambre."
+
+Of Christ-tide Masques I have already written, and after they fell
+into desuetude there was nothing theatrical absolutely peculiar to
+Christmas until Rich, in 1717, introduced the comic pantomime at his
+theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, where, on 26th December of that year,
+he produced _Harlequin Executed_. Davies says: "To retrieve the credit
+of his theatre, Rich created a species of dramatic composition,
+unknown to this, and I believe to any other country, which he called a
+pantomime; it consisted of two parts--one serious, and the other
+comic. By the help of gay scenes, fine habits, grand dances,
+appropriate music, and other decorations, he exhibited a story from
+Ovid's _Metamorphoses_, or some other fabulous writer. Between the
+pauses, or acts, of this serious, representation he interwove a comic
+fable; consisting chiefly of the courtship of Harlequin and Columbine,
+with a variety of surprizing adventures and tricks, which were
+produced by the magic wand of Harlequin; such as the sudden
+transformation of palaces and temples to huts and cottages, of men and
+women into wheelbarrows and joint stools, of trees turned into
+houses, colonades to beds of tulips, and mechanics' shops into
+serpents and ostriches." From 1717 until 1761, the date of his death,
+he brought out a succession of pantomimes, all of which were eminently
+successful, and ran at least forty or fifty nights each. That the
+pantomime, very slightly altered from Rich's first conception, still
+is attractive, speaks for itself.
+
+No other style of entertainment for Christ-tide was ever so popular.
+Garrick tried spectacular drama, and failed. Walpole, writing to Lady
+Ossory, 30th December 1772, says: "Garrick has brought out what he
+calls a _Christmas tale_, adorned with the most beautiful scenes, next
+to those in the Opera at Paradise, designed by Loutherbourg. They have
+much ado to save the piece from being sent to the Devil. It is
+believed to be Garrick's own, and a new proof that it is possible to
+be the best actor and the worst author in the world, as Shakspeare was
+just the contrary." Some of us are old enough to remember with delight
+Planche's extravaganzas, _The King of the Peacocks_, etc., which were
+so beautifully put on the stage of the Lyceum Theatre by Madame
+Vestris, but I do not think they were a financial success, and they
+have never been repeated by other managers.
+
+Up to a very recent date a stock piece at the minor theatres on Boxing
+Night was the tragedy of _The London Merchant; or, The History of
+George Barnwell_, acted at Drury Lane in 1731, which was so successful
+that the Queen sent for the MS. to read it, and Hone (_Every-Day
+Book_, ii. 1651) remarks as a notable circumstance that "the
+representation of this tragedy was omitted in the Christmas holidays
+of 1819 at both the theatres for the first time."
+
+It was considered a highly moral play, and was acted for the
+particular benefit of apprentices, to deter them from the crime of
+theft, and from keeping company with bad women. David Ross, the actor,
+wrote in 1787 the following letter to a friend:--
+
+"In the year 1752, during the Christmas holidays, I played George
+Barnwell, and the late Mrs. Pritchard played Millwood. Doctor
+Barrowby, physician to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, told me he was sent
+for by a young gentleman in Great St. Helen's, apprentice to a very
+capital merchant. He found him very ill with a slow fever, a heavy
+hammer pulse, that no medicine could touch. The nurse told him he
+sighed at times so very heavily that she was sure something lay heavy
+on his mind. The Doctor sent every one out of the room, and told his
+patient he was sure there was something that oppressed his mind, and
+lay so heavy on his spirits, that it would be in vain to order him
+medicine, unless he would open his mind freely. After much
+solicitation on the part of the Doctor, the youth confessed there was
+something lay heavy at his heart; but that he would sooner die than
+divulge it, as it must be his ruin if it was known. The Doctor assured
+him, if he would make him his confidant, he would, by every means in
+his power, serve him, and that his secret, if he desired it, should
+remain so to all the world, but to those who might be necessary to
+relieve him.
+
+"After much conversation he told the Doctor he was the second son of a
+gentleman of good fortune in Hertfordshire; that he had made an
+improper acquaintance with a kept mistress of a captain of an Indiaman
+then abroad; that he was within a year of being out of his time, and
+had been intrusted with cash, drafts, and notes, which he had made
+free with, to the amount of two hundred pounds. That, going two or
+three nights before to Drury Lane to see Ross and Mrs. Pritchard in
+their characters of George Barnwell and Milwood, he was so forcibly
+struck, he had not enjoyed a moment's peace since, and wished to die,
+to avoid the shame he saw hanging over him. The Doctor asked where his
+father was? He replied he expected him there every minute, as he was
+sent for by his master upon his being taken so very ill. The Doctor
+desired the young man to make himself perfectly easy, as he would
+undertake his father should make all right; and, to get his patient in
+a promising way, assured him, if his father made the least hesitation,
+he should have the money of him.
+
+"The father soon arrived. The Doctor took him into another room, and
+after explaining the whole cause of his son's illness, begged him to
+save the honour of his family and the life of his son. The father,
+with tears in his eyes, gave him a thousand thanks, said he would step
+to his banker and bring the money. While the father was gone Dr.
+Barrowby went to his patient, and told him everything would be settled
+in a few minutes to his ease and satisfaction; that his father was
+gone to his banker for the money, and would soon return with peace and
+forgiveness, and never mention or even think of it more. What is very
+extraordinary, the Doctor told me that, in a few minutes after he
+communicated this news to his patient, upon feeling of his pulse,
+without the help of any medicine, he was quite another creature. The
+father returned with notes to the amount of £200, which he put into
+his son's hands. They wept, kissed, embraced. The son soon recovered,
+and lived to be a very eminent merchant.
+
+"Dr. Barrowby never told me the name; but the story he mentioned often
+in the green-room of Drury Lane Theatre; and after telling it one
+night when I was standing by, he said to me, 'You have done some good
+in your profession--more, perhaps, than many a clergyman who preached
+last Sunday,' for the patient told the Doctor the play raised such
+horror and contrition in his soul that he would, if it would please
+God to raise a friend to extricate him out of that distress, dedicate,
+the rest of his life to religion and virtue. Though I never knew his
+name or saw him, to my knowledge, I had, for nine or ten years, at my
+benefit a note sealed up, with ten guineas, and these words--'_A
+tribute of gratitude from one who was highly obliged, and saved from
+ruin, by seeing Mr. Ross's performance of Barnwell._'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+     Profusion of Food at Christ-tide--Old English
+     Fare--Hospitality--Proclamations for People to spend
+     Christ-tide at their Country Places--Roast Beef--Boar's
+     Head--Boar's Head Carol--Custom at Queen's Coll.
+     Oxon.--Brawn--Christmas Pie--Goose Pie--Plum Pudding--Plum
+     Porridge--Anecdotes of Plum Pudding--Large one--Mince
+     Pies--Hackin--Folk-lore--Gifts at Christ-tide--Yule
+     Doughs--Cop-a-loaf--Snap-dragon.
+
+
+If any exception can be taken to Christ-tide in England, it is to the
+enormous amount of flesh, fowl, etc., consumed. To a sensitive mind,
+the butchers' shops, gorged with the flesh of fat beeves, or the
+poulterers, with their hecatombs of turkeys, are repulsive, to say the
+least. It is the remains of a coarse barbarism, which shows but little
+signs of dying out. Profusion of food at this season is traditional,
+and has been handed down from generation to generation. A Christmas
+dinner must, if possible, be every one's portion, down to the pauper
+in the workhouse, and even the prisoner in the gaol. Tusser, who,
+though he could write--
+
+     At Christmas we banket, the riche with the poore,
+     Who then (but the miser) but openeth his doore.
+     At Christmas, of Christ, many Carols we sing;
+     And give many gifts, for the joy of that King,
+
+could also sing of "Christmas husbandly fare"--
+
+     Good husband and huswife, now chiefly be glad,
+     Things handsome to have, as they ought to be had.
+     They both do provide against Christmas do come,
+     To welcome their neighbor, good chere to have some.
+     Good bread and good drinke, a good fier in the hall,
+     Brawne, pudding, and souse, and good mustard withall.
+     Biefe, Mutton, and Porke, shred pies of the best,
+     Pig, veale, goose, and capon, and Turkey well drest.
+     Cheese, apples, and nuttes, ioly Carols to here,
+     As then, in the countrey, is compted good chere.
+     What cost to good husband is any of this?
+     Good houshold provision, only, it is.
+     Of other, the like I do leave out a meny,
+     That costeth the husband man never a peny.
+
+But his intention in this provision is not for personal
+gratification--
+
+     At Christmas, be mery, and thankfull withall,
+     And feast thy poore neighbours, the great with y^{e} small.
+     Yea, al the yere long, to the poore let us give,
+     God's blessing to follow us while we do live.
+
+This hospitality in the country was made the subject of legislation,
+for James I. much disliked the flocking of the gentry, etc., to
+London, as he said in his address to the council of the Star Chamber:
+"And therefore, as every fish lives in his own place, some in the
+fresh, some in the salt, some in the mud, so let every one live in his
+own place--some at Court, some in the city, some in the country;
+specially at festival times, as Christmas, and Easter, and the rest."
+Nay, he issued a proclamation ordering the landed gentry to repair to
+their country seats at Christmas, which is thus noticed in a letter
+from Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton (21st December 1622):
+"Diverse Lords and personages of quality have made means to be
+dispensed withall for going into the country this Christmas, according
+to the proclamation; but it will not be granted, so that they pack
+away on all sides for fear of the worst." And Charles I. inherited his
+father's opinions on this matter, for he also proclaimed that "every
+nobleman or gentleman, bishop, rector, or curate, unless he be in the
+service of the Court or Council, shall in forty days depart from the
+cities of London and Westminster, and resort to their several counties
+where they usually reside, and there keep their habitations and
+hospitality."
+
+As to Christmas fare, place must be given, I think, to "The Roast Beef
+of Old England," which used to be a standing dish on every table--from
+the "Sir Loin," said to have been knighted by Charles II. when in a
+merry mood, to the "Baron of Beef," which is, like a "saddle" of
+mutton, two loins joined together by the backbone. This enormous dish
+is not within the range of ordinary mortals; but the Queen always
+keeps up the custom of having one wherever she may be, at Windsor, or
+Osborne. Beef may be said to be the staple flesh of England, and is
+procurable by every one except the very poorest, whilst it is not
+given to all to obtain the lordly boar's head, which used to be an
+indispensable adjunct to the Christmas feast. One thing is, that wild
+boars only exist in England either in zoological gardens or in a few
+parks--notably Windsor--in a semi-domesticated state. The bringing in
+the boar's head was conducted with great ceremony, as Holinshed tells
+us that in 1170, when Henry I. had his son crowned as joint-ruler with
+himself, "Upon the daie of coronation King Henrie, the father, served
+his sonne at the table, as server, bringing up the bore's head with
+trumpets before it, according to the maner."
+
+In "Christmasse carolles, newely enprinted at Lond[=o], in the
+fletestrete at the Sygne of the Sonne, by Wynkyn de Worde. The Yere of
+our lorde M.D.XXI.," is the following, which, from its being "newely
+enprinted," must have been older than the date given:--
+
+     A carol bringyng in the bores heed.
+         Caput apri differo[75]
+         Reddens laudes domino.
+     The bores heed in hande bring I,
+     With garlands gay and rosemary.
+     I praye you all synge merely
+         Qui estis in conuiuio.
+     The bores heed I understande
+     Is the chefe servyce in this lande
+     Loke where euer it be fande[76]
+         Servite cum cantico.
+     Be gladde lordes bothe more and lasse,[77]
+     For this hath ordeyned our stewarde
+     To chere you all this Christmasse
+     The bores heed with mustarde.
+                    Finis.
+
+[Footnote 75: Defero.]
+
+[Footnote 76: Found.]
+
+[Footnote 77: Great and small.]
+
+The custom of ceremoniously introducing the boar's head at Christ-tide
+was, at one time, of general use among the nobility, and still
+obtains at Queen's College, Oxford; and its _raison d'être_ is said to
+be that at some remote time a student of this College was walking in
+the neighbouring forest of Shotover (_Chateau vert_), and whilst
+reading Aristotle was attacked by a wild boar. Unarmed, he did not
+know how to defend himself; but as the beast rushed on him with open
+mouth he rammed the Aristotle down its throat, exclaiming, "_Græcum
+est_," which ended the boar's existence. Some little ceremony is still
+used when it is brought in; the head is decorated, as saith the carol,
+and it is borne into the hall on the shoulders of two College
+servants, followed by members of the College and the choir. The carol,
+which is a modification of the above, is generally sung by a Fellow,
+assisted by the choir, and the boar's head is solemnly deposited
+before the Provost, who, after helping those sitting at the high
+table, sends it round to all the other tables.
+
+Dr. King, in his _Art of Cookery_, gives the following recipe for
+dishing up a boar's head:--
+
+     Then if you would send up the Brawner's head,
+     Sweet rosemary and bays around it spread;
+     His foaming tusks let some large pippin grace,
+     Or midst these thundering spears an orange place.
+     Sauce, like himself, offensive to its foes,
+     The roguish mustard, dangerous to the nose.
+     Sack, and the well-spic'd Hippocras the wine,
+     Wassail the bowl with ancient ribbons fine,
+     Porridge with plums, and turkies with the chine.
+
+Of the boar's head was made _brawn_, which, when well made, is good
+indeed; and this was another Christmas dish. Sandys says: "The French
+do not seem to have been so well acquainted with brawn; for on the
+capture of Calais by them they found a large quantity, which they
+guessed to be some dainty, and tried every means of preparing it; in
+vain did they roast it, bake it, boil it; it was impracticable and
+impenetrable to their culinary arts. Its merits, however, being at
+length discovered, 'Ha!' said the monks, 'what delightful fish!' and
+immediately added it to their stock of fast day viands. The Jews,
+again, could not believe it was procured from that impure beast, the
+hog, and included in their list of clean animals."
+
+Then there was a dish, "the Christmas pie," which must have been very
+peculiar, if we can trust Henri Misson, who was in England in the
+latter end of the seventeenth century. Says he: "Every Family against
+_Christmass_ makes a famous Pye, which they call _Christmass_ Pye: It
+is a great Nostrum the composition of this Pasty; it is a most learned
+Mixture of Neats-tongues, Chicken, Eggs, Sugar, Raisins, Lemon and
+Orange Peel, various kinds of Spicery, etc." Can this be the pie of
+which Herrick sang?--
+
+     Come, guard this night the Christmas pie,
+     That the thiefe, though ne'r so slie,
+     With his flesh hooks don't come nie
+              To catch it;
+     From him, who all alone sits there,
+     Having his eyes still in his eare,
+     And a deale of nightly feare,
+              To watch it.
+
+Fletcher, in his poem _Christmas Day_,[78] thus describes the pie:--
+
+     Christmas? give me my beads; the word implies
+     A plot, by its ingredients, beef and pyes.
+     The cloyster'd steaks, with salt and pepper, lye
+     Like Nunnes with patches in a monastrie.
+     Prophaneness in a conclave? Nay, much more
+     Idolatrie in crust! Babylon's whore
+     Rak'd from the grave, and bak'd by hanches, then
+     Serv'd up in _coffins_ to unholy men:
+     Defil'd with superstition like the Gentiles
+     Of old, that worship'd onions, roots, and lentils.
+
+[Footnote 78: _Ex Otio Negotium_, etc., ed. 1656, p. 114.]
+
+The _Grub Street Journal_ of 27th December 1733 has an essay on
+Christmas Pye; but it is only a political satire, and not worth
+quoting here. There was once a famous Christmas pie which obtained the
+following notice in the _Newcastle Chronicle_, 6th January 1770:
+"Monday last, was brought from Howick to Berwick, to be shipp'd for
+London, for sir Hen. Grey, bart., a pie, the contents whereof are as
+follows: viz. 2 bushels of flour, 20 lbs. of butter, 4 geese, 2
+turkies, 2 rabbits, 4 wild ducks, 2 woodcocks, 6 snipes, and 4
+partridges, 2 neats' tongues, 2 curlews, 7 blackbirds, and 6 pigeons;
+it is supposed a very great curiosity, was made by Mrs. Dorothy
+Patterson, house keeper at Howick. It was near nine feet in
+circumference at bottom, weighs about twelve stones, will take two men
+to present it to table; it is neatly fitted with a case, and four
+small wheels to facilitate its use to every guest that inclines to
+partake of its contents at table."
+
+Brand says that in the north of England a goose is always the chief
+ingredient in the composition of a Christmas pie. Ramsay, in his
+_Elegy on Lucky Wood_, tells us that, among other baits by which the
+good ale-wife drew customers to her house, she never failed to tempt
+them at Christmas with a _Goose pie_--
+
+     Than ay at _Yule_ whene'er we came,
+            _A bra' Goose Pye_;
+     And was na that a good Belly baum?
+              Nane dare deny.
+
+A writer in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ (May 1811, p. 423), speaking of
+Christmas in the North Riding of Yorkshire, says: "On the feast of St.
+Stephen large goose pies are made, all which they distribute among
+their needy neighbours, except one, which is carefully laid up, and
+not tasted till the purification of the Virgin, called Candlemas Day."
+
+Plum pudding is a comparatively modern dish--not two centuries old;
+but, nowadays, wherever an Englishman travels--even when engaged in
+war--be he in any of our colonies, a plum pudding must be had. If an
+explorer, some loving hand has presented him with one. Were not our
+soldiers, in the latter part of the Crimean War, bountifully supplied
+with plum puddings? Was there ever a Christmas on board a man-of-war
+without one? It is now a national institution, and yet none can tell
+of its genesis. It has been evolved from that dish of which Misson
+gives us a description: "They also make a Sort of Soup with Plums,
+which is not at all inferior to the Pye, which is in their language
+call'd Plum porridge." We can find no reference to plum pudding in the
+diaries either of Evelyn or Pepys, and perhaps as early an instance as
+any of a _Christmas_ plum pudding is in _Round about our Coal Fire_
+(1730?): "In Christmas holidays the tables were all spread from the
+first to the last; the sirloins of beef, the minced pies, the plum
+porridge, the capons, geese, turkeys, and plum puddings, were all
+brought upon the board."
+
+Plum porridge is very frequently mentioned, and Brand gives an
+instance (vol. i. p. 296, note) of it being eaten in this century.
+"Memorandum. I dined at the Chaplain's Table at St. James's on
+Christmas Day 1801, and partook of the first thing served up and eaten
+on that festival at table, _i.e._ a tureen full of rich luscious plum
+porridge. I do not know that the custom is anywhere else retained."
+"Plum porridge was made of a very strong broth of shin of beef, to
+which was added crumb of bread, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, mace,
+currants, raisins, and dates. It was boiled gently, and then further
+strengthened with a quart of canary and one of red port; and when
+served up, a little grape verjuice or juice of orange was popped in as
+a zest."--_Daily Telegraph_, 21st January 1890.
+
+Plum pudding is a peculiarly _English_ dish, and foreigners, as a
+rule, do not know how to make it properly, and many are the stories
+told thereanent. In a leading article in the _Daily Telegraph_, 21st
+January 1890, a recipe is given, copied from the _Kreuz Zeitung_, for
+making a plum pudding: "The cook is to take dough, beer in the course
+of fermentation, milk, brandy, whiskey, and gin in equal parts; bread,
+citronate, large and small raisins in profusion. This must be stirred
+by the whole family for at least three days, and it is then to be hung
+up in a linen bag for six weeks '_in order thoroughly to ferment_.'"
+
+There is a somewhat amusing story told in vol. i. of _Anecdotes and
+Biographical Sketches_ by Lady Hawkins, widow of Sir John Hawkins, the
+friend of Johnson. Dr. Schomberg, of Reading, in the early part of his
+life spent a Christmas at Paris with some English friends. They were
+desirous to celebrate the season, in the manner of their own country,
+by having, as one dish on their table, an English plum pudding; but no
+cook was found equal to the task of making it. A clergyman of the
+party had, indeed, a receipt-book, but this did not sufficiently
+explain the process. Dr. Schomberg, however, supplied all that was
+wanting by throwing the recipe into the form of a prescription, and
+sending it to an apothecary to be made up. To prevent any chance of
+error, he directed that it should be boiled in a cloth, and sent home
+in the same cloth. At the specified hour it arrived, borne by the
+apothecary's assistant, and preceded by the apothecary himself,
+dressed according to the professional formality of the time, with a
+sword. Seeing, on his entry into the apartment, instead of signs of
+sickness, a table well filled, and surrounded by very merry faces, he
+perceived that he was made a party to a joke that turned on himself,
+and indignantly laid his hand on his sword; but an invitation to taste
+his own cookery appeased him, and all was well.
+
+There is a good plum pudding story told of Lord Macartney when he was
+on his embassy to China, and wished to give gratification to a
+distinguished mandarin. He gave instructions to his Chinese _chef_,
+and, no doubt, they were carried out most conscientiously, but it came
+to table in a soup tureen, for my Lord _had forgotten all about the
+cloth_.
+
+I cannot verify the following, nor do I know when it occurred. At
+Paignton Fair, near Exeter, a plum pudding of vast dimensions was
+drawn through the town amid great rejoicings. No wonder that a
+brewer's copper was needed for the boiling, seeing that the pudding
+contained 400 lbs. of flour, 170 lbs. of beef suet, 140 lbs. of
+raisins, and 240 eggs. This eight hundred pounder or so required
+continuous boiling from Saturday morning till the following Tuesday
+evening. It was finally placed on a car decorated with ribbons and
+evergreens, drawn through the streets by eight oxen, cut up, and
+distributed to the poor.
+
+Every housewife has her own pet recipe for her Christmas pudding, of
+undoubted antiquity, none being later than that left as a precious
+legacy by grandmamma. Some housewives put a thimble, a ring, a piece
+of money, and a button, which will influence the future destinies of
+the recipients. It is good that every person in the family should take
+some part in its manufacture, even if only to stir it; and it should
+be brought to table hoarily sprinkled with powdered sugar, with a fine
+piece of berried holly stuck in it, and surrounded on all sides by
+blazing spirits.
+
+Mince pie, as we have seen in Ben Jonson's masque, is one of the
+daughters of Father Christmas, but the mince pie of his day was not
+the same as ours; they were made of meat, and were called _minched_
+pies, or _shrid_ pies. The meat might be either beef or mutton, but it
+was chopped fine, and mixed with plums and sugar. It is doubtful
+whether it was much known before the time of Elizabeth, although
+Shakespeare knew it well; but with poetic licence he makes it as known
+at the siege of Troy (_Troilus and Cressida_, Act i. sc. 2).
+
+"_Pandarus_--Is not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood,
+learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and such like, the
+spice and salt that season a man?
+
+"_Cressida_--Ay, a minced man; and then to be baked with no date[79]
+in the pie,--for then the man's date's out."
+
+[Footnote 79: Dates were an ingredient in most kinds of pastry. See
+_All's Well that Ends Well_, Act i. sc. 1--"Your date is better in
+your pie and your porridge than in your cheek."]
+
+Gradually the meat was left out, and more sweets introduced, until the
+product resulted in the modern mince pie, in which, however, some
+housewives still introduce a little chopped meat. There is no luck for
+the wight who does not eat a mince pie at Christmas. If he eat one, he
+is sure of one happy month; but if he wants a happy twelve months, he
+should eat one on each of the twelve days of Christmas.
+
+There was another form of eating the minced or shrid meat, in the form
+of a great sausage, called "the hackin," so called from to _hack_, or
+chop; and this, by custom, must be boiled before daybreak, or else the
+cook must pay the penalty of being taken by the arms by two young men,
+and by them run round the market-place till she is ashamed of her
+laziness.
+
+A writer in _Notes and Queries_ (5 ser. x. 514) gives a very peculiar
+superstition prevalent in Derbyshire: "A neighbour had killed his
+Christmas pig, and his wife, to show her respect, brought me a goodly
+plate of what is known as 'pig's fry.' The dish was delivered covered
+with a snowy cloth, with the strict injunction, 'Don't wash the plate,
+please!' Having asked why the plate was to be returned unwashed, the
+reply was made, 'If _you_ wash the plate upon which the fry was
+brought to you, the pig won't take the salt.'"
+
+A very pretty custom obtained, as we learn by the records of Evelyn's
+father's shrievalty. In those days of hospitality, when the hall of
+the great house was open to the neighbours during Christ-tide, they
+used to contribute some trifle towards the provisions; a list has been
+kept of this kindly help on this occasion. Two sides of venison, two
+half brawns, three pigs, ninety capons, five geese, six turkeys, four
+rabbits, eight partridges, two pullets, five sugar loaves, half pound
+nutmegs, one basket of apples and eggs, three baskets of apples, two
+baskets of pears.
+
+At one time the bakers used to make and present to their customers two
+little images of dough, called Yule doughs, or doos, and it seems
+probable that these were meant to represent our Lord and His mother.
+At Alnwick, in Northumberland, a custom existed of giving sweetmeats
+to children at Christ-tide, called Yule Babies, in commemoration of
+our Saviour's nativity. There are various other cakes peculiar to this
+season. At Llantwit Major, Co. Glamorgan, they make "finger cakes"--or
+cakes in the form of a hand, on the back of which is a little bird;
+but what its symbolism is I know not. In some parts of Cornwall it is
+customary for each household to make a batch of currant cakes on
+Christmas eve. These cakes are made in the ordinary manner, and
+coloured with a decoction of saffron, as is the custom in those parts.
+On this occasion the peculiarity of the cakes is, that a small portion
+of the dough in the centre of the top of each is pulled up, and made
+into a form which resembles a very small cake on the top of a large
+one, and this centre-piece is specially called "The Christmas." Each
+person in the house has his or her special cake, and every one ought
+to taste a small piece of every other person's cake. Similar cakes are
+also bestowed on the hangers-on of the establishment, such as
+laundresses, sempstresses, charwomen, etc.
+
+Another correspondent (Wiltshire) of _Notes and Queries_ (6 ser. xii.
+496) says: "Can any one tell me the origin of a cake called a
+cop-a-loaf or cop loaf? It was a piece of paste made in the shape of a
+box or casket, ornamented at the top with the head of a cock or
+dragon, with currants for eyes. It was always placed, in my young
+days, at the bedside on Christmas morning, and, it is scarcely
+necessary to say, eaten before breakfast. Inside was an apple." Brand
+says: "In Yorkshire (Cleveland) the children eat, at the present
+season, a kind of gingerbread, baked in large and thick cakes, or flat
+loaves, called _Pepper Cakes_. They are also usual at the birth of a
+child. One of these cakes is provided, and a cheese; the latter is on
+a large platter or dish, and the pepper cake upon it. The cutting of
+the Christmas cheese is done by the master of the house on Christmas
+Eve, and is a ceremony not to be lightly omitted. All comers to the
+house are invited to partake of the pepper cake and Christmas cheese."
+
+Any notice of Christmas cheer would be incomplete without mention
+being made of _Snap-dragon_. It is an old sport, and is alluded to by
+Shakespeare in _Henry IV._, part ii. Act ii. sc. 4, where Falstaff
+says--
+
+     And drinks off candles' ends for flap-dragons.
+
+And in _Loves Labours Lost_, Act v. sc. 1--
+
+     Thou art easier swallowed than a flap-dragon.
+
+It is a kind of game, in which brandy is poured over a large dish full
+of raisins, and then set alight. The object is to snatch the raisins
+out of the flame and devour them without burning oneself. This can be
+managed by sharply seizing them, and shutting the mouth at once. It is
+suggested that the name is derived from the German _schnapps_, spirit,
+and _drache_, dragon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+     The First Carol--Anglo-Norman Carol--Fifteenth-Century
+     Carol--"The Twelve Good Joys of Mary"--Other Carols--"A
+     Virgin most Pure"--"Noel"--Festive Carol of Fifteenth
+     Century--"A Christenmesse Carroll."
+
+
+Bishop Jeremy Taylor very appropriately said that the first Christmas
+carol was sung by the angels at the Nativity of our Saviour--"GLORY TO
+GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN." No man
+knows when the custom began of singing carols, or hymns on Christmas
+day in honour of the Nativity; but there can be no doubt that it was
+of very ancient date in the English Church, and that it has been an
+unbroken custom to this day, when the practice is decidedly on the
+increase, as may be judged from the many collections of ancient
+carols, and of modern ones as well. It would be impossible for me to
+give anything like a representative collection of Christmas carols,
+because of space, but I venture to reproduce a few old ones, and
+first, perhaps the oldest we have, an Anglo-Norman carol, which is in
+the British Museum, and with it I give Douce's very free translation.
+It will be seen by this that all carols were not of a religious kind,
+but many were songs appropriate to the festive season:--
+
+     Seignors ore entendez a nus,
+     De loinz sumes venuz a wous,
+       Pur quere Noel;
+     Car lun nus dit que en cest hostel
+     Soleit tenir sa feste anuel
+       Ahi cest iur.
+         Deu doint a tuz icels joie d'amurs
+         Qi a DANZ NOEL ferunt honors.
+
+     Seignors io vus di por veir
+     KE DANZ NOEL ne uelt aveir
+       Si joie non:
+     E replein sa maison
+     De payn, de char, e de peison,
+       Por faire honor.
+         Deu doint, etc.
+
+     Seignors il est crie en lost
+     Qe cil qui despent bien e tost,
+       E largement;
+     E fet les granz honors sovent
+     Deu li duble quanque il despent
+       Por faire honor.
+         Deu doint, etc.
+
+     Seignors escriez les malveis,
+     Car vus nel les troverez jameis
+       De bone part;
+     Botun, batun, ferun groinard,
+     Car tot dis a le quer cunard
+       Por faire honor.
+         Deu doint, etc.
+
+     NOEL beyt bein li vin Engleis
+     E li Gascoin e li Franceys
+       E l'Angeuin;
+     NOEL fait beivre son veisin,
+     Si quil se dort, le chief en clin,
+       Sovent le ior.
+         Deu doint, etc.
+
+     Seignors io vus di par NOEL,
+     E par li sires de cest hostel,
+       Car benez ben:
+     E io primes beurai le men,
+     E pois apres chescon le soen,
+       Par mon conseil.
+     Si io vus di trestoz Wesseyl
+     Dehaiz eil qui ne dirra Drincheyl.
+
+
+     TRANSLATION.
+
+     Now, lordings, listen to our ditty,
+       Strangers coming from afar;
+     Let poor minstrels move your pity,
+       Give us welcome, soothe our care:
+     In this mansion, as they tell us,
+       Christmas wassell keeps to-day;
+     And, as the king of all good fellows,
+       Reigns with uncontrouled sway.
+
+     Lordings, in these realms of pleasure,
+       Father Christmas yearly dwells;
+     Deals out joy with liberal measure,
+       Gloomy sorrow soon dispels:
+     Numerous guests, and viands dainty,
+       Fill the hall and grace the board;
+     Mirth and beauty, peace and plenty,
+       Solid pleasures here afford.
+
+     Lordings, 'tis said the liberal mind,
+       That on the needy much bestows,
+     From Heav'n a sure reward shall find;
+       From Heav'n, whence ev'ry blessing flows.
+     Who largely gives with willing hand,
+       Or quickly gives with willing heart,
+     His fame shall spread throughout the land,
+       His mem'ry thence shall ne'er depart.
+
+     Lordings, grant not your protection
+       To a base unworthy crew,
+     But cherish, with a kind affection,
+       Men that are loyal, good, and true.
+     Chase from your hospitable dwelling
+       Swinish souls that ever crave;
+     Virtue they can ne'er excel in,
+       Gluttons never can be brave.
+
+     Lordings, Christmas loves good drinking.
+       Wines of Gascoigne, France, Anjou,
+     English ale that drives out thinking,
+       Prince of liquors, old or new.
+     Every neighbour shares the bowl,
+       Drinks of the spicy liquor deep,
+     Drinks his fill without controul,
+       Till he drowns his care in sleep.
+
+     And now--by Christmas, jolly soul!
+       By this mansion's generous sieur!
+     By the wine, and by the bowl,
+       And all the joys they both inspire!
+     Here I'll drink a health to all:
+       The glorious task shall first be mine:
+     And ever may foul luck befall
+       Him that to pledge me shall decline.
+
+     THE CHORUS.
+
+     Hail, Father Christmas! hail to Thee!
+     Honour'd ever shalt thou be!
+     All the sweets that love bestows,
+     Endless pleasures, wait on those
+     Who, like vassals brave and true,
+     Give to Christmas homage due.
+
+Wynkyn de Worde first printed Christmas carols in 1521, but there were
+many MS. carols in existence before then. Here is a very pretty one
+from Mr. Wright's fifteenth-century MS.:--
+
+     To blys God bryng us al and sum.
+     _Christe, redemptor omnium._
+
+     In Bedlem, that fayer cyte,
+     Was born a chyld that was so fre,
+     Lord and prince of hey degre,
+         _Jam lucis orto sidere._
+
+     Jhesu, for the lowe of the,
+     Chylder wer slayn grett plente
+     In Bedlem, that fayer cyte,
+         _A solis ortus cardine._
+
+     As the sune schynyth in the glas,
+     So Jhesu of hys moder borne was;
+     Hym to serve God gyffe us grace,
+         _O Lux beata Trinitas._
+
+     Now is he oure Lord Jhesus;
+     Thus hath he veryly vysyt us;
+     Now to mak mery among us
+       _Exultet coelum laudibus._
+
+The next carol I give has always been a popular favourite, and can be
+traced back to the fourteenth century, when it was called "Joyes
+Fyve." In Mr. Wright's fifteenth-century MS. it is "Off the Five Joyes
+of Our Lady." It afterwards became the "Seven Joys of Mary," and has
+expanded to
+
+     THE TWELVE GOOD JOYS OF MARY.
+
+     The first good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of One,
+     To see her own Son Jesus
+       To suck at her breast-bone.
+         To suck at her breast-bone, good man,
+           And blessed may he be,
+         Both Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
+           To all eternity.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Two,
+     To see her own Son Jesus
+       To make the lame to go.
+         To make the lame, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Three,
+     To see her own Son Jesus
+       To make the blind to see.
+         To make the blind to see, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Four,
+     To see her own Son Jesus
+       To read the Bible o'er.
+         To read, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Five,
+     To see her own Son Jesus
+       To raise the dead alive.
+         To raise, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Six,
+     To see her own Son Jesus
+       To wear the crucifix.
+         To wear, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Seven,
+     To see her own Son Jesus
+       To wear the Crown of Heaven.
+         To wear, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Eight,
+     To see our blessed Saviour
+       Turn darkness into light.
+         Turn darkness, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Nine,
+     To see our blessed Saviour
+       Turn water into wine.
+         Turn water, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Ten,
+     To see our blessed Saviour
+       Write without a pen.
+         Write without, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Eleven,
+     To see our blessed Saviour
+       Shew the gates of Heaven.
+         Shew the gates, etc.
+
+     The next good joy our Mary had,
+       It was the joy of Twelve,
+     To see our blessed Saviour
+       Shut close the gates of Hell.
+         Shut close, etc.
+
+"On Christmas Day in the Morning" and "God rest You, Merry Gentlemen,"
+are both very old and popular, the latter extremely so; in fact, it is
+the carol most known. The next example was first printed by the Rev.
+Arthur Bedford, who wrote many books and published sermons between
+1705 and 1743, but his version began somewhat differently:--
+
+     A Virgin unspotted, the Prophets did tell,
+     Should bring forth a Saviour, as now it befell.
+
+     A VIRGIN MOST PURE.
+
+     A Virgin most pure, as the Prophets did tell,
+     Hath brought forth a Baby, as it hath befell,
+     To be our Redeemer from death, hell and Sin,
+     Which Adam's transgression hath wrapped us in.
+         Rejoice and be merry, set sorrow aside,
+         Christ Jesus, our Saviour, was born on this tide.
+
+     In Bethlehem, a city in Jewry it was--
+     Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
+     And there to be taxed, with many ane mo,
+     For Cæsar commanded the same should be so.
+         Rejoice, etc.
+
+     But when they had entered the city so fair,
+     A number of people so mighty was there,
+     That Joseph and Mary, whose substance was small,
+     Could get in the city no lodging at all.
+         Rejoice, etc.
+
+     Then they were constrained in a stable to lie,
+     Where oxen and asses they used to tie;
+     Their lodging so simple, they held it no scorn,
+     But against the next morning our Saviour was born.
+         Rejoice, etc.
+
+     Then God sent an Angel from heaven so high,
+     To certain poor shepherds in fields where they lie,
+     And bid them no longer in sorrow to stay,
+     Because that our Saviour was born on this day.
+         Rejoice, etc.
+
+     Then presently after, the shepherds did spy
+     A number of Angels appear in the sky,
+     Who joyfully talked, and sweetly did sing,
+     "To God be all Glory, our Heavenly King."
+         Rejoice, etc.
+
+     Three certain Wise Princes they thought it most meet
+     To lay their rich offerings at our Saviour's feet;
+     So then they consented, and to Bethlehem did go,
+     And when they came thither they found it was so.
+         Rejoice, etc.
+
+But all Christmas carols were not religious--many of them were of the
+most festive description; but here is one, temp. Henry VIII., which is
+a mixture of both:--
+
+     Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
+     Who is there, that singeth so, Noel,
+         Noel, Noel?
+
+     I am here, Sir Christhismass,
+     Welcome, my lord Christhismass,
+     Welcome to all, both more and less.
+         Come near, Noel.
+
+     _Dieu vous garde, beau Sire_, tidings I you bring,
+     A maid hath born a Child full young,
+     The which causeth for to sing,
+         Noel.
+
+     Christ is now born of a pure maid,
+     In an ox stall He is laid,
+     Wherefore sing we all at a braid,[80]
+         Noel.
+
+     _Buvez bien par toute la compagnie_,
+     Make good cheer, and be right merry,
+     And sing with us, now, joyfully,
+         Noel.
+
+[Footnote 80: Suddenly.]
+
+Of the purely festive carols here is an example of the fifteenth
+century, from Mr. Wright's MS.:--
+
+     At the begynnyng of the mete
+     Of a borejs hed 3e schal hete;
+     And in the mustard 3e xal wete;
+         And 3e xal syngyn, or 3e gon.
+
+     Wolcom be 3e that ben here,
+     And 3e xal have ryth gud chere,
+     And also a ryth gud face;
+         And 3e xal syngyn, or 3e gon.
+
+     Welcum be 3e everychon,
+     For 3e xal syngyn ryth anon;
+     Hey 3ow fast that 3e had don,
+         And 3e xal syngyn, or 3e gon.
+
+The last I give is of the sixteenth century, and is in the British
+Museum (MS. Cott. Vesp. A. xxv.):--
+
+     A CHRISTENMESSE CARROLL
+
+       A bonne, God wote!
+       Stickes in my throate,
+     Without I have a draught,
+       Of cornie aile,
+       Nappy and staile,
+     My lyffe lyes in great wanste.
+       Some ayle or beare,
+       Gentell butlere,
+     Some lycoure thou hus showe,
+       Such as you mashe,
+       Our throtes to washe
+     The best were that you brew.
+
+       Saint, master and knight,
+       That Saint Mault hight,
+     Were prest between two stones;
+       That swet humour
+       Of his lycoure
+     Would make us sing at once.
+
+       Mr. Wortley,
+       I dar well say,
+     I tell you as I thinke,
+       Would not, I say,
+       Byd hus this day,
+     But that we shuld have drink.
+
+       His men so tall
+       Walkes up his hall,
+     With many a comly dishe;
+       Of his good meat
+       I cannot eate,
+     Without a drink i-wysse.
+       Now gyve hus drink,
+       And let cat wynke,
+     I tell you all at once,
+       Yt stickes so sore,
+       I may sing no more,
+     Tyll I have dronken once.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+     Christmas Gifts forbidden in the City of London--Charles II.
+     and Christmas Gifts--Christmas Tree--Asiatic
+     Descent--Scandinavian Descent--Candles on the Tree--Early
+     Notices of in England--Santa Claus--Krishkinkle--Curious
+     Tenures of Land at Christmas.
+
+
+The presentation of gifts on Christmas day was an English custom of
+very great antiquity; so great that, in 1419, the practice had become
+much corrupted, and the abuse had to be sternly repressed. Hence we
+find the following[81] "_Regulation made that the Serjeants and other
+officers of the Mayor, Sheriffs, or City, shall not beg for Christmas
+gifts._
+
+[Footnote 81: _Corporation Letter-book_, i. fol. 238.]
+
+"Forasmuch as it is not becoming or agreeable to propriety that those
+who are in the service of reverend men, and from them, or through
+them, have the advantage of befitting food and raiment, as also of
+reward, or remuneration, in a competent degree, should, after a
+perverse custom, be begging aught of people, like paupers; and seeing
+that in times past, every year at the feast of our Lord's Nativity
+(25th December), according to a certain custom, which has grown to be
+an abuse, the vadlets of the Mayor, the Sheriffs and the Chamber of
+the said city--persons who have food, raiment, and appropriate
+advantages, resulting from their office,--under colour of asking for
+an oblation, have begged many sums of money of brewers, bakers, cooks,
+and other victuallers; and, in some instances, have, more than once,
+threatened wrongfully to do them an injury if they should refuse to
+give them something; and have frequently made promises to others that,
+in return for a present, they would pass over their unlawful doings
+in mute silence; to the great dishonour of their masters, and to the
+common loss of all the city: therefore, on Wednesday, the last day of
+April, in the 7th year of King Henry the Fifth, by William Sevenok,
+the Mayor, and the Aldermen of London, it was ordered and established
+that no vadlet, or other sergeant of the Mayor, Sheriffs, or City,
+should in future beg or require of any person, of any rank, degree, or
+condition whatsoever, any moneys, under colour of an oblation, or in
+any other way, on pain of losing his office."
+
+Royalty was not above receiving presents on this day, and as, of
+course, such presents could not be of small value, it must have been
+no small tax on the nobility. Pepys (23rd February 1663) remarks:
+"This day I was told that my Lady Castlemaine hath all the King's
+Christmas presents, made him by the Peers, given to her, which is a
+most abominable thing." He records his own Christmas gifts (25th
+December 1667): "Being a fine, light, moonshine morning, home round
+the city, and stopped and dropped money at five or six places, which I
+was the willinger to do, it being Christmas day."
+
+But the prettiest method of distributing Christmas gifts was reserved
+for comparatively modern times, in the Christmas tree. Anent this
+wonderful tree there are many speculations, one or two so curious that
+they deserve mention. It is said of a certain living Professor that he
+deduces everything from an Indian or Aryan descent; and there is a
+long and very learned article by Sir George Birdwood, C.S.I., in the
+_Asiatic Quarterly Review_ (vol. i. pp. 19, 20), who endeavours to
+trace it to an eastern origin. He says: "Only during the past thirty
+or forty years has the custom become prevalent in England of employing
+the Christmas tree as an appropriate decoration, and a most delightful
+vehicle for showering down gifts upon the young, in connection with
+domestic and public popular celebrations of the joyous ecclesiastical
+Festival of the Nativity. It is said to have been introduced among us
+from Germany, where it is regarded as indigenous, and it is, probably,
+a survival of some observance connected with the pagan Saturnalia of
+the winter solstice, to supersede which, the Church, about the fifth
+century of our era, instituted Christmas day.
+
+"It has, indeed, been explained as being derived from the ancient
+Egyptian practice of decking houses at the time of the winter solstice
+with branches of the date palm, the symbol of life triumphant over
+death, and therefore of perennial life in the renewal of each
+bounteous year; and the supporters of this suggestion point to the
+fact that pyramids of green paper, covered all over with wreaths and
+festoons of flowers, and strings of sweetmeats, and other presents for
+children, are often substituted in Germany for the Christmas Tree.
+
+"But similar pyramids, together with similar trees, the latter,
+usually, altogether artificial, and often constructed of the costliest
+materials, even of gems and gold, are carried about at marriage
+ceremonies in India, and at many festivals, such as the Hoolee, or
+annual festival of the vernal equinox. These pyramids represent Mount
+Meru and the earth; and the trees, the Kalpadruma, or 'Tree of Ages,'
+and the fragrant Parajita, the tree of every perfect gift, which grew
+on the slopes of Mount Meru; and, in their enlarged sense, they
+symbolise the splendour of the outstretched heavens, as of a tree,
+laden with golden fruit, deep-rooted in the earth. Both pyramids and
+trees are also phallic emblems of life, individual, terrestrial, and
+celestial. Therefore, if a relationship exists between the Egyptian
+practice of decking houses at the winter solstice with branches of the
+date palm, and the German and English custom of using gift-bearing and
+brilliantly illuminated evergreen trees, which are, nearly always,
+firs, as a Christmas decoration, it is most probably due to collateral
+rather than to direct descent; and this is indicated by the Egyptians
+having regarded the date palm, not only as an emblem of immortality,
+but, also, of the starlit firmament."
+
+Others attempt to trace the Christmas tree to the Scandinavian legend
+of the mystic tree Yggdrasil, which sprang from the centre of
+Mid-gard, and the summit of As-gard, with branches spreading out over
+the whole earth, and reaching above the highest heavens, whilst its
+three great roots go down into the lowest hell.
+
+A writer in the _Cornhill Magazine_, December 1886, thus accounts for
+the candles on the tree--
+
+"But how came the lights on the Christmas tree?
+
+"In the ninth month of the Jewish year, corresponding nearly to our
+December, and on the twenty-fifth day, the Jews celebrated the Feast
+of the Dedication of their Temple. It had been desecrated on that day
+by Antiochus; it was rededicated by Judas Maccabeus; and then,
+according to the Jewish legend, sufficient oil was found in the Temple
+to last for the seven-branched candlestick for seven days, and it
+would have taken seven days to prepare new oil. Accordingly, the Jews
+were wont, on the twenty-fifth of Kislen, in every house, to light a
+candle, on the next day, two, and so on, till on the seventh and last
+day of the feast, seven candles twinkled in every house. It is not
+easy to fix the exact date of the Nativity, but it fell, most
+probably, on the last day of Kislen, when every Jewish house in
+Bethlehem and Jerusalem was twinkling with lights. It is worthy of
+notice that the German name for Christmas is _Weihnacht_, the Night of
+Dedication, as though it were associated with this feast. The Greeks
+also call Christmas the Feast of Lights; and, indeed, this also was a
+name given to the Dedication Festival, _Chanuka_, by the Jews."
+
+That this pretty Christ-tide custom came to us from Germany there can
+be no doubt, and all the early notices of it show that it was so. Thus
+the first mention of it that I can find is in _Court and Private Life
+in the Time of Queen Charlotte, being the Journals of Mrs. Papendiek_,
+vol. ii. 158. Speaking of Christ-tide 1789, she says: "This Christmas
+Mr. Papendiek proposed an illuminated tree, according to the German
+fashion, but the Blagroves being at home for their fortnight, and the
+party at Mrs. Roach's for the holidays, I objected to it. Our eldest
+girl, Charlotte, being only six the 30th of this November, I thought
+our children too young to be amused at so much expense and trouble."
+
+A.J. Kempe, Esq., in a footnote to p. 75 of the Losely MSS., edited by
+him in 1836, says: "We remember a German of the household of the late
+Queen Caroline making what he termed a _Christmas tree_ for a juvenile
+party at that festive season. The tree was a branch of some evergreen
+fastened to a board. Its boughs bent under the weight of gilt oranges,
+almonds, &c., and under it was a neat model of a farm house,
+surrounded by figures of animals, &c., and all due accompaniments."
+
+Charles Greville, in his _Memoirs_, writes thus of Christ-tide 1829
+as celebrated at Panshanger. "The Princess Lieven got up a little
+_fête_ such as is customary all over Germany. Three trees in great
+pots were put upon a long table covered with pink linen; each tree was
+illuminated with three circular tiers of coloured wax candles--blue,
+green, red, and white. Before each tree was displayed a quantity of
+toys, gloves, pocket handkerchiefs, work boxes, books, and various
+articles--presents made to the owner of the tree. It was very pretty.
+Here it was only for the children; in Germany the custom extends to
+persons of all ages."
+
+One more extract, to show about what time it became popular, and I
+have done. It is from _Mary Howitt, an Autobiography_ (vol. i. 298).
+"Our practical knowledge of the Christmas tree was gained in this
+first winter at Heidelberg. Universal as the custom now is, I believe
+the earliest knowledge which the English public had of it was through
+Coleridge in his _Biographia Literaria_. It had, at the time I am
+writing of--1840--been introduced into Manchester by some of the
+German merchants established there. Our Queen and Prince Albert
+likewise celebrated the festival with its beautiful old German
+customs. Thus the fashion spread, until now even our asylums, schools,
+and workhouses have, through friends and benefactors, each its
+Christmas tree."
+
+Another pretty Christ-tide custom has also come to us from Germany,
+that of putting presents into stockings left out for the purpose
+whilst the children sleep on Christmas eve. St. Nicholas (or Santa
+Claus, as he is now called), the patron of children, ought to get the
+credit of it. In America the presents are supposed to be brought by a
+fabulous personage called _Krishkinkle_, who is believed to come down
+the chimney laden with good things for those children whose conduct
+had been exemplary during the past year; for peccant babies the
+stocking held a birch rod. _Krishkinkle_ is a corruption of
+_Christ-kindlein_ or Child Christ.
+
+There are some very curious tenures of lands and manors connected with
+Christmas which must not be passed over. I have taken them from
+Blount's book on the subject, as being the best authority.
+
+BONDBY, Lincolnshire.--Sir Edward Botiler, knight, and Ann, his wife,
+sister and heir of Hugh le Despencer, hold the manor of Bondby, in
+the county of Lincoln, by the service of bearing a white rod before
+our Lord the King on the Feast of Christmas, if the King should be in
+that county at the said feast.
+
+BRIDSHALL, Staffordshire.--Sir Philip de Somerville, knight, holdeth
+of his lord, the Earl of Lancaster, the manor of Briddeshalle by these
+services, that at such time as his lord holdeth his Christmas at
+Tutbury, the said Sir Philip shall come to Tutbury upon Christmas
+Even, and shall be lodged in the town of Tutbury, by the marshal of
+the Earl's house, and upon Christmas Day he himself, or some other
+knight, his deputy, shall go to the dresser, and shall sew[82] his
+lord's mess, and then shall he carve the same meat to his said lord,
+and this service shall he do as well at supper as at dinner, and, when
+his lord hath eaten, the said Sir Philip shall sit down in the same
+place where his lord sat, and shall be served at his table by the
+steward of the Earl's house. And upon St. Stephen's day, when he hath
+dined, he shall take his leave of his lord and shall kiss him; and all
+these services to-fore rehearsed, the said Philip hath done by the
+space of xlviii years, and his ancestors before him, to his lords,
+Earls of Lancaster.
+
+[Footnote 82: Place the dishes before him, and remove them.]
+
+BRIMINGTON, Derbyshire.--Geoffery, son of William de Brimington, gave,
+granted, and confirmed to Peter, son of Hugh de Brimington, one toft
+with the buildings, and three acres of land in the fields there, with
+twenty pence yearly rent, which he used to receive of Thomas, son of
+Gilbert de Bosco, with the homages, etc., rendering yearly to him and
+his heirs a pair of white gloves, of the price of a halfpenny, at
+Christmas yearly, for all services.
+
+BROOK HOUSE, Yorkshire.--A farm at Langsett, in the parish of Peniston
+and county of York, pays yearly to Godfrey Bosville, Esqre., a
+snowball at Midsummer, and a red rose at Christmas.
+
+BURGE, Derbyshire.--Hugh, son and heir of Philip de Stredley, made
+fine with the King by two marks for his relief for the Mill of Burge,
+in the county of Derby, which the said Philip held of the King _in
+capite_, by the service of finding one man bearing a heron falcon,
+every year in season, before the King, when he should be summoned,
+and to take for performing the said service, at the cost of the King,
+two robes at Whitsuntide and Christmas.
+
+GREENS-NORTON, Northamptonshire.--This, so named of the Greens
+(persons famed in the sixteenth century for their wealth), called
+before Norton-Dauncy, was held of the King _in capite_ by the service
+of lifting up their right hands towards the King yearly, on Christmas
+day, wheresoever the King should then be in England.
+
+HAWARDEN AND BOSELE, Cheshire.--The manors of Hawarden and Bosele,
+with the appurtenances in the county of Cheshire, are held of the King
+_in capite_ by Robert de Monhault, Earl of Arundel, by being steward
+of the county of Cheshire, _viz._ by the service of setting down the
+first dish before the Earl of Chester at Chester on Christmas day.
+
+HEDSOR, Bucks.--An estate in this parish, called Lambert Farm, was
+formerly held under the manor by the service of bringing in the first
+dish at the lord's table on St. Stephen's day, and presenting him with
+two hens, a cock, a gallon of ale, and two manchets of white bread;
+after dinner the lord delivered to the tenant a sparrow hawk and a
+couple of spaniels, to be kept at his costs and charges for the lord's
+use.
+
+HEMINGSTON, Suffolk.--Rowland le Sarcere held one hundred and ten
+acres of land in Hemingston by serjeanty; for which, on Christmas day
+every year, before our sovereign lord the King of England, he should
+perform altogether, and at once, a leap, puff up his cheeks, therewith
+making a sound, and let a crack.
+
+LEVINGTON, Yorkshire.--Adam de Bras, lord of Skelton, gave in marriage
+with his daughter Isabel, to Henry de Percy, eldest son and heir of
+Joceline de Lovain (ancestor to the present Duke of Northumberland),
+the manor of Levington, for which he and his heirs were to repair to
+Skelton Castle every Christmas day, and lead the lady of that castle
+from her chamber to the chapel to mass, and thence to her chamber
+again, and after dining with her, to depart.
+
+REDWORTH, Co. Durham.--In the fourth year of Bishop Skirlawe, 1391,
+John de Redworth died, seised in his demesne, &c. of two messuages and
+twenty-six acres of land and meadow, with the appurtenances, in
+Redworth, held of the said Lord Bishop _in capite_ by homage and
+fealty, and the service of four shillings and ten pence a year, to be
+paid at the Exchequer at Durham, and the rent of one hen and two parts
+of a hen to be paid at the same Exchequer yearly at Christmas.
+
+STAMFORD, Lincolnshire.--William, Earl Warren, lord of this town in
+the time of King John, standing upon the castle walls, saw two bulls
+fighting for a cow in the Castle Meadow, till all the butchers' dogs
+pursued one of the bulls (maddened with noise and multitude) clean
+through the town. This sight so pleased the Earl that he gave the
+Castle Meadow, where the bulls' duel had begun, for a common to the
+butchers of the town, after the first grass was mown, on condition
+that they should find a mad bull the day six weeks before Christmas
+day, for the continuance of the sport for ever.
+
+THURGARTON AND HORSEPOLL, Notts.--The tenants of these manors held
+their lands by these customs and services. Every native and villein
+(which were such as we call husbandmen) paid each a cock and a hen,
+besides a small rent in money, for a toft and one bovate of land, held
+of the Priory of Thurgarton. These cocks and hens were paid the second
+day in Christmas, and that day every one, both cottagers and natives,
+dined in the hall; and those who did not had a white loaf and a flagon
+of ale, with one mess from the kitchen. And all the reapers in
+harvest, which were called hallewimen, were to eat in the hall one day
+in Christmas, or afterwards, at the discretion of the cellarer.
+
+There is a curious custom still carried out at Queen's College,
+Oxford. On the feast of the Circumcision the bursar gives to every
+member a needle and thread, adding the injunction, "Take this and be
+thrifty." It is said, I know not with what truth, that it is to
+commemorate the name of the founder, Robert Egglesfield--by the
+visible pun, _aiguille_ (needle) and _fil_ (thread).
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+     Christ-tide Literature--Christmas Cards--Their
+     Origin--Lamplighter's Verses--Watchman's Verses--Christmas
+     Pieces.
+
+
+The literature specially designed nowadays for Christmas reading is
+certainly not of a high order, whether we take books--which are issued
+at this time by the hundred--or the special numbers of magazines and
+newspapers, all of which have rubbishing stories with some tag in them
+relating to Christ-tide. Tales of ghosts, etc., were at one time very
+fashionable, and even Dickens pandered to this miserable style of
+writing, not enhancing his reputation thereby.
+
+Akin in merit to this literature are the mottoes we find in the _bon
+bon_ crackers, and the verses on Christmas cards, which are on a par
+with those which adorned the defunct valentine. When first Christmas
+cards came into vogue they were expensive and comparatively good; now
+they are simply rubbish, and generally have no allusion either in the
+design, or doggrel to Christ-tide, to which they owe their existence.
+Their origin was thoroughly threshed out in _Notes and Queries_, and I
+give the correspondence thereon (6th series, v. 155).
+
+"Christmas cards were first published and issued from Summerly's _Home
+Treasury_ Office, 12 Old Bond Street, in the year 1846. The design was
+drawn by J.C. Horsley, R.A., at the suggestion of Sir Henry Cole,
+K.C.B., and carried out by De la Rue and Co."
+
+(_Ib._ 376) "Mr. Platt is somewhat in error in stating that the first
+Christmas card was carried out by De la Rue and Co. This firm
+republished it last year (1881) in chromo-lithography, but in 1846 it
+was produced in outline by lithography, and coloured by hand by a
+colourer of that time named Mason, when it could not have been sold
+for less than a shilling. Last year chromo-lithography enabled it to
+be produced for two pence. The original publisher was Mr. Joseph
+Cundall. It may be well to place the design on record. A trellis of
+rustic work in the Germanesque style divided the card into a centre
+and two side panels. The sides were filled by representations of the
+feeding of the hungry and the clothing of the naked; in the central
+compartment a family party was shown at table--an old man and woman, a
+maiden and her young man, and several children,--and they were
+pictured drinking healths in wine. On this ground certain total
+abstainers have called in question the morality of Mr. Horsley's
+design."
+
+_The Publishers' Circular_, 31st December 1883 (p. 1432), says:
+"Several years ago, in the Christmas number of _The Publishers'
+Circular_, we described the original Christmas card, designed by Mr.
+J.C. Horsley, R.A., at the suggestion of Sir Henry Cole, and no
+contradiction was then offered to our theory that this must have been
+the real and original card. On Thursday, however, Mr. John Leighton,
+writing under his _nom de plume_, 'Luke Limner,' comes forward to
+contest the claim of priority of design, and says: 'Occasional cards
+of a purely private character have been done years ago, but the
+Christmas card pure and simple is the growth of our town and our time.
+It began in 1862, the first attempts being the size of the ordinary
+gentleman's address card, on which were simply put "A Merry Christmas"
+and "A Happy New Year"; after that there came to be added robins and
+holly branches, embossed figures and landscapes. Having made the
+original designs for these, I have the originals before me now; they
+were produced by Goodall and Son. Seeing a growing want, and the great
+sale obtained abroad, this house produced (1868) a "Little Red Riding
+Hood," a "Hermit and his Cell," and many other subjects in which snow
+and the robin played a part.' We fail to see how a card issued in 1862
+can ante-date the production of 1846, a copy of which is in our
+possession; and although there is no copyright in an idea, the title
+to the honour of originating the pretty trifle now so familiar to us
+seems to rest with Sir Henry Cole."
+
+_The Times_ of 2nd January 1884 has the following letter:--
+
+"SIR--The writer of the article on Christmas Cards in _The Times_ of
+December 25th is quite right in his assertion. The first Christmas
+card ever published was issued by me in the usual way, in the year
+1846, at the office of _Felix Summerly's Home Treasury_, at 12 Old
+Bond Street. Mr. Henry Cole (afterwards Sir Henry) originated the
+idea. The drawing was made by J.C. Horsley, R.A.; it was printed in
+lithography by Mr. Jobbins of Warwick Court, Holborn, and coloured by
+hand. Many copies were sold, but possibly not more than 1000. It was
+of the usual size of a lady's card. Those my friend Luke Limner speaks
+of were not brought out, as he says, till many years after.--JOSEPH
+CUNDALL."
+
+As works of art--compared with the majority of Christmas cards, which
+are mostly "made in Germany"--the card almanacs presented by tradesmen
+to their customers are generally of a very superior character.
+
+In the old days, when there were oil lamps in the streets, the
+lamplighter, like the bellman and the watchman, used annually at
+Christmas to leave some verses at every house to remind its occupier
+that Boxing day drew nigh. One example will suffice, and its date is
+1758:--
+
+     THE LAMPLIGHTER'S POEM:
+
+     Humbly Presented to all His worthy Masters and Mistresses.
+
+     _Compos'd by a Lamplighter._
+
+     Revolving Time another Glass has run,
+     Since I, last year, this Annual Task begun,
+     And Christmas now beginning to appear
+     (Which never comes, you know, but once a year),
+     I have presum'd to bring my Mite once more,
+     Which, tho' it be but small, is all my Store;
+     And I don't doubt you'll take it in good Part,
+     As 'tis the Tribute of a grateful Heart.
+       Brave Prussia's king, that true Protestant Prince,
+     For Valour Fam'd, endow'd with Martial Sense;
+     Against three mighty Potentates did stand,
+     Who would have plundered him of all his Land:
+     But God, who knew his Cause was Just and Right,
+     Gave him such Courage and Success in Fight:
+     Born to oppose the Pope's malignant clan,
+     He'll do whatever Prince or Hero can;
+     Retrieve that martial Fame by Britons lost,
+     And prove that Faith which graceless Christians boast.
+     O! make his Cause, ye Powers above! your Care;
+     Let Guilt shrink back, and Innocence appear.
+       But, now, with State Affairs I must have done,
+     And to the Business of my Lamps must run;
+     When Sun and Moon from you do hide their Head,
+     Your busy Streets with artful Lights are spread,
+     And gives you Light with great indulgent Care,
+     Makes the dark Night like the bright Day appear;
+     Then we poor useful Mortals nimbly run
+     To light your Lamps before the Day is gone:
+     With strictest Care, we to each Lamp give Fire,
+     The longest Night to burn: you do require
+     Of us to make each Lamp to burn that time,
+     But, oft, we do fall short of that Design:
+     Sometimes a Lamp goes out at Master's Door,
+     This happens once which ne'er did so before:
+     The Lamp-man's blamed, and ask'd the reason why
+     That should go out, and others burning by?
+     Kind, worthy Sirs, if I may be so bold,
+     A truer Tale to you was never told;
+     We trim, we give each Lamp their Oil alike,
+     Yet some goes out, while others keep alight:
+     Why they do so, to you we can't explain,
+     It ne'er did sink into our shallow Brain:
+     Nor have we heard that any one could tell,
+     That secret Place where Life of Fire does dwell,
+     Such various Motions in it we do find,
+     And a hard Task with it to please Mankind.
+       Now, our kind Master, who Contractor is,
+     If a Complaint he hears of Lamps amiss,
+     With strictest Care the Streets looks round about,
+     And views the Lamps, takes Notice which are out;
+     Then, in great Fury, he to us replies,
+     Such Lamps were out, why have I all this Noise?
+     Go fetch those Burners all down here to me,
+     That where the Fault is I may plainly see:
+     Then straight he views them, with Remains of Oil,
+     Crys, ah! I thought you did these Lamps beguile;
+     But now the thing I do more plainly see,
+     The Burning Oil is a great Mystery:
+     Then come, my Boys, to work, make no delay,
+     Keep from Complaints, if possible you may;
+     Clean well each Glass, I'll spare for no Expence
+     Where I contract, to please th' Inhabitants.
+       Since Time still flies, and Life is but a Vapour,
+     'Tis now high time that I conclude my Paper,
+     And, if my Verses have the Luck to Please,
+     My Mind will be exceedingly at ease;
+     But, if this shouldn't Please, I know what will,
+     And that's with Diligence to serve you still.
+                 FINIS.
+
+Hone, in his _Every-Day Book_ (vol. i. p. 1627), gives, date 1823:--
+
+     A COPY OF CHRISTMAS VERSES,
+
+     presented to the
+
+     INHABITANTS OF BUNGAY
+
+     By their Humble Servants, the late Watchmen,
+
+     JOHN PYE and JOHN TYE.
+
+     Your pardon, Gentles, while we thus implore,
+     In strains not less _awakening_ than of yore,
+     Those smiles we deem our best reward to catch,
+     And, for the which, we've long been on the _Watch_;
+     Well pleas'd if we that recompence obtain,
+     Which we have ta'en so many _steps_ to gain.
+     Think of the perils in our _calling past_,
+     The chilling coldness of the midnight blast,
+     The beating rain, the swiftly-driving snow,
+     The various ills that we must undergo,
+     Who roam, the glow-worms of the human race,
+     The living Jack-a-Lanthorns of the place.
+       'Tis said by some, perchance to mock our toil,
+     That we are prone to "_waste the midnight oil_!"
+     And that a task thus idle to pursue
+     Would be an idle _waste of money_, too!
+     How hard that we the _dark_ designs should rue
+     Of those who'd fain make _light_ of all we do!
+     But such the fate which oft doth merit greet,
+     And which now drives us fairly off our beat!
+     Thus it appears from this, our dismal plight,
+     That _some_ love _darkness_ rather than the _light_.
+       Henceforth, let riot and disorder reign,
+     With all the ills that follow in their train;
+     Let TOMS and JERRYS unmolested brawl
+     (No _Charlies_ have they now to _floor_ withal).
+     And "rogues and vagabonds" infest the Town,
+     Far cheaper 'tis to _save_ than _crack a crown_.
+       To brighter scenes we now direct our view--
+     And, first, fair Ladies, let us turn to you.
+     May each NEW YEAR new joys, new pleasures bring,
+     And Life for you be one delightful spring!
+     No summer's sun annoy with fev'rish rays,
+     No winter chill the evening of your days!
+       To you, kind Sirs, we next our tribute pay:
+     May smiles and sunshine greet you on your way!
+     If married, calm and peaceful be your lives;
+     If single, may you, forthwith, get you wives!
+       Thus, whether Male or Female, Old or Young
+     Or Wed, or Single, be this burden sung:
+     Long may you live to hear, and we to call,
+     "_A Happy Christmas and New Year to all._"
+
+The present generation has never seen, and probably never heard of,
+"Christmas pieces," or specimens of handwriting, which went out of
+vogue fifty years ago. It was very useful, as the boy took great pride
+in its writing, and parents could judge of their children's
+proficiency in penmanship. Sometimes these sheets were surrounded with
+elaborate flourishings of birds, pens, scrolls, etc., such as the
+writing-master of the last century delighted in; others were headed
+with copper-plate engravings, sometimes coloured. Here are a few of
+the subjects: Ruth and Boaz, Measuring the Temple (Ezekiel), Philip
+Baptising the Eunuch, The Good Samaritan, Joshua's Command, John the
+Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness, The Seven Wonders of the World,
+King William III., St. Paul's Shipwreck, etc., etc.
+
+A publisher, writing to _Notes and Queries_ in 1871 (4 series, vi.
+462) about these "Christmas Pieces," says: "As a youngster, some
+thirty years ago, in my father's establishment, the sale of 'school
+pieces,' or 'Christmas pieces,' as they were called, was very large.
+My father published some thirty different subjects (a new one every
+year, one of the old ones being let go out of print). There were also
+three other publishers of them. The order to print used to average
+about 500 of each kind, but double of the Life of our Saviour. Most of
+the subjects were those of the Old Testament. I only recollect four
+subjects not sacred. Printing at home, we generally commenced the
+printing in August from the copper-plates, as they had to be coloured
+by hand. They sold, retail, at sixpence each, and we used to supply
+them to the trade at thirty shillings per gross, and to schools at
+three shillings and sixpence per dozen, or two dozen for six shillings
+and sixpence. Charity boys were large purchasers of these pieces, and
+at Christmas time used to take them round their parish to show, and,
+at the same time, solicit a trifle. The sale never began before
+October in the country, and December in London; and early in January
+the stock left used to be put by until the following season. It is
+over fifteen years since any were printed by my firm, and the last new
+one I find was done in lithography."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+     Carol for St. Stephen's Day--Boxing Day--Origin of
+     Custom--Early Examples--The Box--Bleeding Horses--Festivity
+     on this Day--Charity at Bampton--Hunting the Wren in
+     Ireland--Song of the Wren Boys.
+
+
+On the day succeeding Christmas day the Church commemorates the death
+of the proto-martyr Stephen, and in honour of this festival the
+following carol is sung:--
+
+     In friendly Love and Unity,
+       For good _St. Stephen's_ Sake,
+     Let us all, this blessed Day,
+       To Heaven our Prayers make:
+     That we with him the Cross of Christ
+       May freely undertake.
+         _And_ Jesus _will send you his Blessing._
+
+     Those accursed Infidels
+       That stoned him to Death,
+     Could not by their cruelties
+       Withhold him from his Faith,
+     In such a godly Martyrdom
+       Seek we all the Path.
+         _And_ Jesus, etc.
+
+     And whilst we sit here banqueting,
+       Of dainties having Store,
+     Let us not forgetful be
+       To cherish up the Poor;
+     And give what is convenient
+       To those that ask at Door.
+         _And_ Jesus, etc.
+
+     For God hath made you Stewards here,
+       Upon the Earth to dwell;
+     He that gathereth for himself,
+       And will not use it well,
+     Lives far worse than _Dives_ did,
+       That burneth now in Hell.
+         _And_ Jesus, etc.
+
+     And, now, in Love and Charity,
+       See you your Table spread,
+     That I may taste of your good Cheer,
+       Your _Christmas_ Ale and Bread:
+     Then I may say that I full well
+       For this, my Carol, sped.
+         _And_ Jesus, etc.
+
+     For Bounty is a blessed Gift,
+       The Lord above it sends,
+     And he that gives it from His Hands,
+       Deserveth many Friends:
+     I see it on my Master's Board,
+       And so my Carol ends.
+         _Lord_ Jesus, etc.
+
+But St. Stephen's day is much better known in England as "Boxing Day,"
+from the kindly custom of recognising little services rendered during
+the year by giving a Christmas box--a custom which, of course, is
+liable to abuse, and especially when, as in many instances, it is
+regarded as a right, in which case it loses its pleasant significance.
+No one knows how old this custom is, nor its origin. Hutchinson, in
+his _History of Northumberland_ (vol. ii. p. 20), says: "The Paganalia
+of the Romans, instituted by Servius Tullius, were celebrated in the
+beginning of the year; an altar was erected in each village, where all
+persons gave money." There is a somewhat whimsical account of its
+origin in the first attempt at _Notes and Queries_, _The_ Athenian
+_Oracle_, by John Dunton (1703, vol. i. 360).
+
+"Q. _From whence comes the custom of gathering of_ Christmas Box
+Money? _And how long since?_
+
+"A. It is as Ancient as the word _Mass_, which the Romish Priests
+invented from the _Latin_ word _Mitto_, to send, by putting People in
+Mind to send Gifts, Offerings, Oblations, to have Masses said for
+everything almost, that a Ship goes not out to the _Indies_, but the
+Priest have a Box in that Ship, under the Protection of some Saint.
+And for Masses, as they Cant, to be said for them to that Saint, etc.,
+the Poor People must put something into the Priest's Box, which is not
+to be Opened till the Ship Return. Thus the Mass at that time was
+called _Christ's Mass_, and the Box, _Christ's Mass Box_, or Money
+gathered against that time, that Masses might be made by the Priests
+to the Saints, to forgive the People the Debaucheries of that time;
+and from this, Servants had the Liberty to get Box-money, because they
+might be able to pay the Priest for his Masses, because _No Penny, No
+Paternoster_."
+
+At all events, the Christmas box was a well-known institution in the
+early seventeenth century. We have already seen Pepys "dropping money"
+here and there at Christ-tide, and on 28th December 1668 he notes:
+"Called up by drums and trumpets; these things and boxes having cost
+me much money this Christmas already, and will do more." Yet the
+custom must have been much older, for in the accounts of Dame Agnes
+Merett, Cellaress of Syon Monastery, at Isleworth, in 29 Henry VIII.,
+1537-38 (_Record Office Roll_, T.G. 18,232), the following are
+entered among the _Foreigne Paymentes_: "Reward to the servauntes at
+Crystemas, with their aprons xxs. Reward to the Clerk of the Kechyn,
+xiijs. iiijd. Reward to the Baily of the Husbandry, vis. viijd. Reward
+to the Keeper of the Covent Garden, vis. viijd."
+
+As time went on we find increasing notices of Christmas boxes. In
+Beaumont and Fletcher's _Wit without Money_ (Act ii. sc. 2) "A Widow
+is a Christmas box that sweeps all."
+
+Swift, in his _Journal to Stella_, mentions them several times. 26th
+December 1710: "By the Lord Harry, I shall be undone here with
+Christmas boxes. The rogues at the Coffee-house have raised their tax,
+every one giving a crown, and I gave mine for shame, besides a great
+many half-crowns to great men's porters," etc.
+
+24th December 1711: "I gave Patrick half a crown for his Christmas
+box, on condition he would be good; and he came home drunk at
+midnight."
+
+2nd January 1712: "I see nothing here like Christmas, excepting brawn
+and mince pies in places where I dine, and giving away my half crowns
+like farthings to great men's porters and butlers."
+
+Gay, in his _Trivia_, thus mentions it:--
+
+     Some boys are rich by birth beyond all wants,
+     Belov'd by uncles, and kind, good, old aunts;
+     When Time comes round, a _Christmas Box_ they bear,
+     And one day makes them rich for all the year.
+
+But the Christmas _box_ was an entity, and tangible; it was a saving's
+box made of earthenware, which must be broken before the cash could be
+extracted, as can be proved by several quotations, and the gift took
+its name from the receptacle for it.
+
+In Mason's _Handful of Essaies_ 1621: "Like a swine, he never doth
+good till his death; as an apprentice's box of earth, apt he is to
+take all, but to restore none till hee be broken."
+
+In the frontispiece to Blaxton's _English Usurer_, 1634, the same
+simile is used:--
+
+     Both with the Christmas Boxe may well comply,
+     It nothing yields till broke; they till they die.
+
+And again, in Browne's _Map of the Microcosme_, 1642, speaking of a
+covetous man, he says, he "doth exceed in receiving, but is very
+deficient in giving; like the Christmas earthen Boxes of apprentices,
+apt to take in money, but he restores none till hee be broken, like a
+potter's vessell, into many shares."
+
+Aubrey, in his _Wiltshire Collections_, _circ._ 1670 (p. 45), thus
+describes a _trouvaille_ of Roman coins. "Among the rest was an
+earthen pott of the colour of a Crucible, and of the shape of a
+prentice's Christmas Box, with a slit in it, containing about a quart,
+which was near full of money. This pot I gave to the Repository of the
+Royal Society at Gresham College."
+
+And, to wind up these Christmas box notices, I may quote a verse from
+Henry Carey's "Sally in our Alley" (1715?).
+
+     When Christmas comes about again,
+       Oh! then I shall have money;
+     I'll hoard it up, and box and all,
+       I'll give it to my honey.
+
+There used to be a very curious custom on St. Stephen's day, which
+Douce says was introduced into this country by Danes--that of bleeding
+horses. That it was usual is, I think, proved by very different
+authorities. Tusser says:--
+
+     Yer Christmas be passed, let horsse be let blood,
+     For manie a purpose it dooth him much good;
+     The day of S. Steeven old fathers did use;
+     If that do mislike thee, some other day chuse.
+
+And Barnebe Googe, in his translation of Naogeorgus, remarks:--
+
+     Then followeth Saint Stephen's day, whereon doth every man
+     His horses iaunt and course abrode, as swiftly as he can;
+     Untill they doe extreemely sweate, and than they let them blood,
+     For this being done upon this day, they say doth do them good,
+     And keepes them from all maladies and secknesse through the yeare,
+     As if that Steuen any time tooke charge of horses heare.
+
+Aubrey, also, in his _Remains of Gentilisme_, says: "On St. Stephen's
+day the farrier came constantly, and blouded all our cart horses."
+
+It was occasionally the day of great festivity, even though it came
+so very closely after Christmas day; and Mr. J.G. Nichols, in _Notes
+and Queries_ (2 ser. viii. 484), quotes a letter, dated 2nd January
+1614, in confirmation. It is from an alderman of Leicester to his
+brother in Wood Street, Cheapside. "Yow wryte how yow reacayved my
+lettar on St. Steven's day, and that, I thanke yow, yow esteemed yt as
+welcoom as the 18 trumpytors; w^{t} in so doing, I must and will
+esteme yowres, God willing, more wellcoom then trumpets and all the
+musicke we have had since Christmas, and yet we have had prety store
+bothe of owre owne and othar, evar since Christmas. And the same day
+we were busy w^{t} hollding up hands and spoones to yow, out of
+porredge and pyes, in the remembraunce of yowre greate lyberality of
+frute and spice, which God send yow long lyffe to contynew, for of
+that day we have not myssed anny St. Steven this 47 yeare to have as
+many gas (_guests_) as my howse will holld, I thank God for yt."
+
+In Southey's _Common Place Book_ it is noted that the three Vicars of
+Bampton, Oxon., give beef and beer on the morning of St. Stephen's day
+to those who choose to partake of it. This is called St. Stephen's
+breakfast. The same book also mentions a singular custom in Wales,
+that on this day everybody is privileged to whip another person's legs
+with holly, which is often reciprocated till the blood streams down;
+and this is corroborated in Mason's _Tales and Traditions of Tenby_,
+where it is mentioned as being practised in that town.
+
+We have heard of hunting the wren in the Isle of Man; the same custom
+obtains in the south of Ireland, only it takes place on St. Stephen's
+day. There is a tradition which is supposed to account for this
+animosity against this pretty and harmless little bird. In one of the
+many Irish rebellions a night march was made by a body of rebels on a
+party of royalists, and when, about dawn of day, they neared the
+sleeping out-posts, a slumbering drummer was aroused by a tapping on
+his drum; and, giving the alarm, the rebels were repulsed. The tapping
+was caused by a wren pecking at the crumbs left on the drum-head after
+the drummer's last meal. Henceforward a grudge was nursed against the
+wren, which has existed until now.
+
+The "wren boys" go round, calling at houses, either having a dead wren
+in a box, or hung on a holly bush, and they sing a song:--
+
+     The Wran, the Wran, the king of all birds,
+     On St. Stephen's day she's cotched in the furze;
+     Although she's but wee, her family's great,
+     So come down, Lan'leddy, and gie us a trate.
+       Then up wi' the kettle, an' down wi' the pan,
+       An' let us ha' money to bury the Wran.
+
+Croker, in his _Researches in the South of Ireland_ (p. 233), gives us
+more of this song:--
+
+     The Wren, the Wren, the King of all birds,
+     St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze;
+     Although he is little, his family's great,
+     I pray you, good landlady, give us a treat.
+
+     My box would speak if it had but a tongue,
+     And two or three shillings would do it no wrong;
+     Sing holly, sing ivy--sing ivy, sing holly,
+     A drop just to drink, it would drown melancholy.
+
+     And, if you draw it of the best,
+     I hope in Heaven your soul may rest;
+     But, if you draw it of the small,
+     It won't agree with the Wren boys at all, etc. etc.
+
+"A small piece of money is usually bestowed on them, and the evening
+concludes in merrymaking with the money thus collected."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+     St. John's Day--Legend of the Saint--Carols for the
+     Day--Holy Innocents--Whipping Children--Boy
+     Bishops--Ceremonies connected therewith--The King of
+     Cockney's Unlucky Day--Anecdote thereon--Carol for the Day.
+
+
+The 27th December is set apart by the Church to commemorate St. John
+the Evangelist. Googe, in his translation of Naogeorgus, says:--
+
+     Next _John_ the sonne of _Zebedee_ hath his appoynted day,
+     Who once by cruell tyraunts will, constrayned was, they say,
+     Strong poyson up to drinke, therefore the Papistes doe beleeve
+     That whoso puts their trust in him, no poyson them can greeue.
+     The wine beside that hallowed is, in worship of his name,
+     The priestes doe giue the people that bring money for the same.
+     And, after, with the selfe same wine are little manchets made,
+     Agaynst the boystrous winter stormes, and sundrie such like trade.
+     The men upon this solemne day do take this holy wine,
+     To make them strong, so do the maydes, to make them faire and fine.
+
+In explanation of this I may quote from Mrs. Jameson's _Sacred and
+Legendary Art_ (ed. 1857, p. 159): "He (St. John) bears in his hand
+the sacramental cup, from which a serpent is seen to issue. St.
+Isidore relates that at Rome an attempt was made to poison St. John in
+the cup of the sacrament; he drank of the same, and administered it to
+the communicants without injury, the poison having, by a miracle,
+issued from the cup in the form of a serpent, while the hired assassin
+fell down dead at his feet. According to another version of this story
+the poisoned cup was administered by order of the Emperor Domitian.
+According to a third version, Aristodemus, the high priest of Diana at
+Ephesus, defied him to drink of the poisoned chalice, as a test of
+the truth of his mission. St. John drank unharmed--the priest fell
+dead."
+
+Wright gives two very pretty carols for St. John's day.
+
+     TO ALMYGHTY GOD PRAY FOR PEES.
+
+     _Amice Christi Johannes._
+
+     O glorius Johan Evangelyste,
+     Best belovyd with Jhesu Cryst,
+     _In Cena Domini_ upon hys bryst
+         _Ejus vidisti archana._
+
+     Chosen thou art to Cryst Jhesu,
+     Thy mynd was never cast frome vertu;
+     Thi doctryne of God thou dydest renu,
+         _Per ejus vestigia._
+
+     Cryst on the rod, in hys swet passyon,
+     Toke the hys moder as to hyr sone;
+     For owr synnes gett grace and pardon,
+         _Per tua sancta merita._
+
+     O most nobble of evangelystes all,
+     Grace to owr maker for us thou call,
+     And off swetenesse celestyall,
+         _Prebe nobis pocula._
+
+     And aftur the cowrs of mortalite,
+     In heven with aungels for to be,
+     Sayyng Ozanna to the Trinitye.
+         _Per seculorum secula._
+
+
+     PRAY FOR US, THOU PRYNCE OF PES.
+
+     _Amici Christi, Johannes._
+
+     To the now, Crystys der derlyng,
+     That was a mayd bothe old and 3yng,
+     Myn hert is sett for to syng
+         _Amici Christi, Johannes._
+
+     For he was so clene a maye,
+     On Crystys brest aslepe he laye,
+     The prevyteys of hevyn ther he saye.
+         _Amici Christi, Johannes._
+
+     Qwhen Cryst beforne Pilate was browte,
+     Hys clene mayd forsoke hym nowte,
+     To deye with hym was all hys thowte,
+         _Amici Christi, Johannes._
+
+     Crystys moder was hym betake,
+     Won mayd to be anodyris make,
+     To help that we be nott forsake,
+         _Amici Christi, Johannes._
+
+On 28th December the Holy Innocents, or the children slain by order of
+Herod, are borne in mind. Naogeorgus says of this day:--
+
+     Then comes the day that calles to minde the cruell _Herode's_ strife,
+     Who, seeking Christ to kill, the King of everlasting life,
+     Destroyde the little infants yong, a beast unmercilesse,
+     And put to death all such as were of two yeares age or lesse.
+     To them the sinfull wretchesse crie, and earnestly do pray,
+     To get them pardon for their faultes, and wipe their sinnes away.
+     The Parentes, when this day appeares, do beate their children all,
+     (Though nothing they deserve), and servaunts all to beating fall,
+     And Monkes do whip eche other well, or else their Prior great,
+     Or Abbot mad, doth take in hande their breeches all to beat:
+     In worship of these Innocents, or rather, as we see,
+     In honour of the cursed King, that did this crueltee.
+
+In the Rev. John Gregorie's pamphlet, _Episcopus Puerorum in die
+Innocentium_ (1683, p. 113), he says: "It hath been a Custom, and yet
+is elsewhere, to whip up the Children upon _Innocents' day_ morning,
+that the memory of this Murther might stick the closer, and, in a
+moderate proportion, to act over again the cruelty in kind."
+
+By the way, the Boy Bishop went out of office on Innocents' day, and
+the learned John Gregorie aforesaid tells us all about him. "The
+_Episcopus Choristarum_ was a Chorister Bishop chosen by his Fellow
+Children upon St. Nicholas Day.... From this Day till _Innocents' Day_
+at night (it lasted longer at the first) the _Episcopus Puerorum_ was
+to bear the name and hold up the state of a _Bishop_, answerably
+habited with a _Crosier_, or _Pastoral Staff_, in his hand, and a
+_Mitre_ upon his head; and such an one, too, some had, as was _multis
+Episcoporum mitris sumptuosior_ (saith one), very much richer than
+those of Bishops indeed.
+
+"The rest of his Fellows from the same time being were to take upon
+them the style and counterfeit of Prebends, yielding to their Bishop
+no less than Canonical obedience.
+
+"And look what service the very Bishop himself with his Dean and
+Prebends (had they been to officiate) was to have performed. The very
+same was done by the Chorister Bishop and his Canons upon the Eve and
+Holiday." Then follows the full ritual of his office, according to the
+Use of Sarum; and it was provided, "That no man whatsoever, under the
+pain of _Anathema_, should interrupt, or press upon these Children at
+the Procession spoken of before, or in any part of their _Service_ in
+any ways, but to suffer them quietly to perform and execute what it
+concerned them to do.
+
+"And the part was acted yet more earnestly, for _Molanus_ saith that
+this Bishop, in some places, did receive Rents, Capons, etc., during
+his year; And it seemeth by the statute of _Sarum_, that he held a
+kind of Visitation, and had a full correspondency of all other State
+and Prerogative.... In case the Chorister Bishop died within the
+Month, his Exequies were solemnized with an answerable glorious pomp
+and sadness. He was buried (as all other Bishops) in all his
+Ornaments, as by the Monument in stone spoken of before,[83] it
+plainly appeareth."
+
+[Footnote 83: A stone monument of a boy bishop found in Salisbury
+Cathedral.]
+
+Hone, in his _Every-Day Book_ (vol. i. pp. 1559-60), gives a facsimile
+of this monument from Gregorie's book, and says: "The ceremony of the
+boy bishop is supposed to have existed, not only in collegiate
+churches, but in almost every parish in England. He and his companions
+walked the streets in public procession. A statute of the Collegiate
+Church of St. Mary Overy, in 1337, restrained one of them to the
+limits of his own parish. On December 7, 1229, the day after St.
+Nicholas' Day, a boy bishop in the chapel at Heton, near
+Newcastle-on-Tyne, said vespers before Edward I. on his way to
+Scotland, who made a considerable present to him, and the other boys
+who sang with him. In the reign of King Edward III, a boy bishop
+received a present of nineteen shillings and sixpence for singing
+before the king in his private chamber on Innocents' day. Dean Colet,
+in the statutes of St. Paul's School, which he founded in 1512,
+expressly ordains that his scholars should, every Childermas Day,[84]
+'come to Paulis Churche, and hear the Chylde Bishop's Sermon; and,
+after, be at hygh masse, and each of them offer a penny to the
+Chylde-Bishop; and with them, the maisters and surveyors of the
+Scole.'"
+
+[Footnote 84: The Anglo-Saxons called Innocents' day Childe-mass or
+Childer-mass.]
+
+By a proclamation of Henry VIII., dated 22nd July 1542, the show of
+the boy bishop was abrogated, but in the reign of Mary it was revived
+with other Romish ceremonials. A flattering song was sung before that
+queen by a boy bishop, and printed. It was a panegyric on her
+devotion, and compared her to Judith, Esther, the Queen of Sheba, and
+the Virgin Mary.
+
+The accounts of St. Mary at Hill, London, in the 10th Henry VI., and
+for 1549 and 1550, contain charges for boy bishops for those years. At
+that period his estimation in the Church seems to have been
+undiminished; for on 13th November 1554 the Bishop of London issued an
+order to all the clergy of his diocese to have boy bishops and their
+processions; and in the same year these young sons of the old Church
+paraded St. Andrew's, Holborn, and St. Nicholas, Olaves, in Bread
+Street, and other parishes. In 1556 Strype says that "the boy bishops
+again went abroad, singing in the old fashion, and were received by
+many ignorant but well-disposed persons into their houses, and had
+much good cheer."
+
+Speaking of the Christmas festivities at Lincoln's Inn, Dugdale[85]
+says: "Moreover, that the _King of Cockneys_, on _Childermass_ Day,
+should sit and have due service; and that he and all his officers
+should use honest manner and good Order, without any wast or
+destruction making, in Wine, Brawn, Chely, or other Vitaills."
+
+[Footnote 85: _Orig. Jur._, p. 246.]
+
+In Chambers's _Book of Days_ we find that, "In consequence probably of
+the feeling of horror attached to such an act of atrocity, Innocents'
+Day used to be reckoned about the most unlucky throughout the year,
+and in former times no one who could possibly avoid it began any work,
+or entered on any undertaking on this anniversary. To marry on
+Childermas Day was specially inauspicious. It is said of the equally
+superstitious and unprincipled monarch, Louis XV., that he would never
+perform any business or enter into any discussion about his affairs on
+this day, and to make to him then any proposal of the kind was certain
+to exasperate him to the utmost. We are informed, too, that in
+England, on the occasion of the coronation of King Edward IV., that
+solemnity, which had been originally intended to take place on a
+Sunday, was postponed till the Monday, owing to the former day being,
+in that year, the festival of Childermas. The idea of the
+inauspicious nature of the day was long prevalent, and is even not yet
+wholly extinct. To the present hour, we understand, the housewives in
+Cornwall, and probably also in other parts of the country, refrain
+scrupulously from scouring or scrubbing on Innocents' Day."
+
+At the churches in several parts of the country muffled peals are rung
+on this day, and with the Irish it is called "La crosta na bliana," or
+"the cross day of the year," and also, "Diar daoin darg," or "Bloody
+Thursday," and on that day the Irish housewife will not warp thread,
+nor permit it to be warped; and the Irish say that anything begun upon
+that day must have an unlucky ending.
+
+A writer in _Notes and Queries_ (4 ser. xii. 185) says: "The following
+legend regarding the day is current in the county of Clare. Between
+the parishes of Quin and Tulla, in that county, is a lake called
+Turlough. In the lake is a little island; and among a heap of loose
+stones in the middle of the island rises a white thorn bush, which is
+called 'Scagh an Earla' (the Earl's bush). A suit of clothes made for
+a child on the 'Cross day' was put on the child; the child died. The
+clothes were put on a second and on a third child; they also died. The
+parents of the children at length put out the clothes on the 'Scag an
+Earla,' and when the waters fell the clothes were found to be full of
+dead eels."
+
+Here is a good carol for Innocents' day, published in the middle of
+the sixteenth century:--
+
+     A CAROL OF THE INNOCENTS.
+
+     Mark this song, for it is true,
+     For it is true, as clerks tell:
+     In old time strange things came to pass,
+     Great wonder and great marvel was
+         In Israel.
+
+     There was one, Octavian,
+     Octavian of Rome Emperor,
+     As books old doth specify,
+     Of all the wide world truly
+         He was lord and governor.
+
+     The Jews, that time, lack'd a king,
+     They lack'd a king to guide them well,
+     The Emperor of power and might,
+     Chose one Herod against all right,
+         In Israel.
+
+     This Herod, then, was King of Jews
+     Was King of Jews, and he no Jew,
+     Forsooth he was a Paynim born,
+     Wherefore on faith it may be sworn
+         He reigned King untrue.
+
+     By prophecy, one Isai,
+     One Isai, at least, did tell
+     A child should come, wondrous news,
+     That should be born true King of Jews
+         In Israel.
+
+     This Herod knew one born should be,
+     One born should be of true lineage,
+     That should be right heritor;
+     For he but by the Emperor
+         Was made by usurpage.
+
+     Wherefore of thought this King Herod,
+     This King Herod in great fear fell,
+     For all the days most in his mirth,
+     Ever he feared Christ his birth
+         In Israel.
+
+     The time came it pleased God,
+     It pleased God so to come to pass,
+     For man's soul indeed
+     His blessed Son was born with speed,
+         As His will was.
+
+     Tidings came to King Herod,
+     To King Herod, and did him tell,
+     That one born forsooth is he,
+     Which lord and king of all shall be
+         In Israel.
+
+     Herod then raged, as he were wode (mad),
+     As he were wode of this tyding,
+     And sent for all his scribes sure,
+     Yet would he not trust the Scripture,
+         Nor of their counselling.
+
+     This, then, was the conclusion,
+     The conclusion of his counsel,
+     To send unto his knights anon
+     To slay the children every one
+         In Israel.
+
+     This cruel king this tyranny,
+     This tyranny did put in ure (practice),
+     Between a day and years two,
+     All men-children he did slew,
+         Of Christ for to be sure.
+
+     Yet Herod missed his cruel prey,
+     His cruel prey, as was God's will;
+     Joseph with Mary then did flee
+     With Christ to Egypt, gone was she
+         From Israel.
+
+     All the while these tyrants,
+     These tyrants would not convert,
+     But innocents young
+     That lay sucking,
+         They thrust to the heart.
+
+     This Herod sought the children young,
+     The children young, with courage fell.
+     But in doing this vengeance
+     His own son was slain by chance
+         In Israel.
+
+     Alas! I think the mothers were woe,
+     The mothers were woe, it was great skill,
+     What motherly pain
+     To see them slain,
+         In cradles lying still!
+
+     But God Himself hath them elect,
+     Hath them elect in heaven to dwell,
+     For they were bathed in their blood,
+     For their Baptism forsooth it stood
+         In Israel.
+
+     Alas! again, what hearts had they,
+     What hearts had they those babes to kill,
+     With swords when they them caught,
+     In cradles they lay and laughed,
+         And never thought ill.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+     New Year's Eve--Wassail--New Year's Eve
+     Customs--Hogmany--The Cl[=a]vie--Other Customs--Weather
+     Prophecy.
+
+
+New Year's eve is variously kept--by some in harmless mirth, by others
+in religious exercises. Many churches in England have late services,
+which close at midnight with a carol or appropriate hymn, and this
+custom is especially held by the Wesleyan Methodists in their "Watch
+Night," when they pray, etc., till about five minutes to twelve, when
+there is a dead silence, supposed to be spent in introspection, which
+lasts until the clock strikes, and then they burst forth with a hymn
+of praise and joy.
+
+The wassail bowl used to hold as high a position as at Christmas eve,
+and in Lyson's time it was customary in Gloucestershire for a merry
+party to go from house to house carrying a large bowl, decked with
+garlands and ribbons, singing the following wassail song:--
+
+     Wassail! Wassail! all over the town,
+     Our toast it is white, our ale it is brown,
+     Our bowl it is made of a maplin tree;
+     We be good fellows all, I drink to thee.
+
+     Here's to our horse, and to his right ear,
+     God send our maister a happy New Year;
+     A happy New Year as e'er he did see--
+     With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.
+
+     Here's to our mare, and to her right eye,
+     God send our mistress a good Christmas pye:
+     A good Christmas pye as e'er I did see--
+     With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.
+
+     Here's to Fill-pail (cow) and to her long tail,
+     God send our measter us never may fail
+     Of a cup of good beer, I pray you draw near,
+     And our jolly wassail it's then you shall hear.
+
+     Be here any maids? I suppose there be some,
+     Sure they will not let young men stand on the cold stone
+     Sing hey, O maids, come trole back the pin,
+     And the fairest maid in the house let us all in.
+
+     Come, butler, come bring us a bowl of the best:
+     I hope your soul in heaven will rest:
+     But, if you do bring us a bowl of the small,
+     Then down fall butler, bowl, and all.
+
+Until recently, a similar custom obtained in Nottinghamshire; but, in
+that case, the young women of the village, dressed in their best,
+carried round a decorated bowl filled with ale, roasted apples, and
+toast, seasoned with nutmeg and sugar, the regulation wassail
+compound. This they offered to the inmates of the house they called
+at, whilst they sang the following, amongst other verses:--
+
+     Good master, at your door,
+       Our wassail we begin;
+     We are all maidens poor,
+       So we pray you let us in,
+     And drink our wassail.
+         All hail, wassail!
+         Wassail! wassail!
+     And drink our wassail.
+
+In Derbyshire, on this night, a cold posset used to be prepared, made
+of milk, ale, eggs, currants, and spices, and in it is placed the
+hostess's wedding ring. Each of the party takes out a ladleful, and in
+so doing tries to fish out the ring, believing that whoever shall be
+fortunate enough to get it will be married before the year is out. It
+was also customary in some districts to throw open all the doors of
+the house just before midnight, and, waiting for the advent of the New
+Year, to greet him as he approaches with cries of "Welcome!"
+
+At Muncaster, in Cumberland, on this night the children used to go
+from house to house singing a song, in which they crave the bounty
+"they were wont to have in old King Edward's time"; but what that was
+is not known.
+
+It was a custom at Merton College, Oxford, according to Pointer
+(_Oxoniensis Academia_, ed. 1749, p. 24), on the last night in the
+year, called Scrutiny Night, for the College servants, all in a body,
+to make their appearance in the Hall, before the Warden and Fellows
+(after supper), and there to deliver up their keys, so that if they
+have committed any great crime during the year their keys are taken
+away, and they consequently lose their places, or they have them
+delivered to them afresh.
+
+On this night a curious custom obtained at Bradford, in Yorkshire,
+where a party of men and women, with blackened faces, and
+fantastically attired, used to enter houses with besoms, and "sweep
+out the Old Year."
+
+Although Christmas is kept in Scotland, there is more festivity at the
+New Year, and perhaps one of the most singular customs is that which
+was told by a gentleman to Dr. Johnson during his tour in the
+Hebrides. On New Year's eve, in the hall or castle of the Laird, where
+at festal seasons there may be supposed to be a very numerous company,
+one man dresses himself in a cow's hide, upon which the others beat
+with sticks. He runs, with all this noise, round the house, which all
+the company quit in a counterfeited fright, and the door is then shut.
+On New Year's eve there is no great pleasure to be had out of doors in
+the Hebrides. They are sure soon to recover sufficiently from their
+terror to solicit for readmission, which is not to be obtained but by
+repeating a verse, with which those who are knowing and provident are
+provided.
+
+In the Orkney Islands it was formerly the custom for bands of people
+to assemble and pay a round of visits, singing a song which began--
+
+     This night it is guid New'r E'en's night,
+       We're a' here Queen Mary's men:
+     And we're come here to crave our right,
+       And that's before our Lady!
+
+In the county of Fife this night was called "Singen E'en," probably
+from the custom of singing carols then. This day is popularly known
+in Scotland as _Hogmany_, and the following is a fragment of a
+Yorkshire _Hagmena_ song:--
+
+     To-night it is the New Year's night, to-morrow is the day,
+     And we are come for our right and for our ray,
+     As we used to do in Old King Henry's day:
+         Sing, fellows! sing, Hagman-ha!
+
+     If you go to the bacon flick, cut me a good bit;
+     Cut, cut and low, beware of your maw.
+     Cut, cut and round, beware of your thumb,
+     That me and my merry men may have some:
+         Sing, fellows! sing, Hag-man-ha!
+
+     If you go to the black ark (chest), bring me ten marks;
+     Ten marks, ten pound, throw it down upon the ground,
+     That me and my merry men may have some:
+         Sing, fellows! sing, Hog-man-ha!
+
+The meaning of this word "Hogmany" is not clear, and has been a source
+of dispute among Scottish antiquaries; but two suggestions of its
+derivation are probable. One is that it comes from _Au qui menez_ (To
+the mistleto go), which mummers formerly cried in France at Christmas;
+and the other is that it is derived from _Au gueux menez_, _i.e._
+bring the beggars--which would be suitable for charitable purposes at
+such a time. In some remote parts of Scotland the poor children robe
+themselves in a sheet, which is so arranged as to make a large pocket
+in front, and going about in little bands, they call at houses for
+their Hogmany, which is given them in the shape of some oat cake, and
+sometimes cheese, the cakes being prepared some days beforehand, in
+order to meet the demand. On arriving at a house they cry "Hogmany,"
+or sing some rough verse, like--
+
+                         Hogmanay,
+                         Trollolay,
+     Give us of your white bread, and none of your grey!
+
+In _Notes and Queries_ (2 ser. ix. 38) a singular Scotch custom is
+detailed. Speaking of the village of Burghead, on the southern shore
+of the Moray Frith, the writer says: "On the evening of the last day
+of December (old style) the youth of the village assemble about dusk,
+and make the necessary preparations for the celebration of the
+'cl[=a]vie.' Proceeding to some shop, they demand a strong empty
+barrel, which is usually gifted at once; but if refused, taken by
+force. Another for breaking up, and a quantity of tar are likewise
+procured at the same time. Thus furnished, they repair to a particular
+spot close to the sea shore, and commence operations.
+
+"A hole, about four inches in diameter, is first made in the bottom of
+the stronger barrel, into which the end of a stout pole, five feet in
+length, is firmly fixed; to strengthen their hold, a number of
+supports are nailed round the outside of the former, and also closely
+round the latter. The tar is then put into the barrel, and set on
+fire; and the remaining one being broken up, stave after stave is
+thrown in, until it is quite full. The 'cl[=a]vie,' already burning
+fiercely, is now shouldered by some strong young man, and borne away
+at a rapid pace. As soon as the bearer gives signs of exhaustion,
+another willingly takes his place; and should any of those who are
+honoured to carry the blazing load meet with an accident, as sometimes
+happens, the misfortune excites no pity, even among his near
+relatives.
+
+"In making the circuit of the village they are said to confine
+themselves to their old boundaries. Formerly the procession visited
+all the fishing boats, but this has been discontinued for some time.
+Having gone over the appointed ground, the 'cl[=a]vie' is finally
+carried to a small artificial eminence near the point of the
+promontory, and, interesting as being a portion of the ancient
+fortifications, spared, probably on account of its being used for this
+purpose, where a circular heap of stones used to be hastily piled up,
+in the hollow centre of which the 'cl[=a]vie' was placed, still
+burning. On this eminence, which is termed the 'durie,' the present
+proprietor has recently erected a small round column, with a cavity in
+the centre, for admitting the free end of the pole, and into this it
+is now placed. After being allowed to burn on the 'durie' for a few
+minutes, the 'cl[=a]vie' is most unceremoniously hurled from its
+place, and the smoking embers scattered among the assembled crowd, by
+whom, in less enlightened times, they were eagerly caught at, and
+fragments of them carried home, and carefully preserved as charms
+against witchcraft." Some discussion took place on the origin of this
+custom, but nothing satisfactory was eliminated.
+
+Another correspondent to the same periodical (2 ser. ix. 322) says: "A
+practice, which may be worth noting, came under my observation at the
+town of Biggar (in the upper ward of Lanarkshire) on 31st December
+last. It has been customary there, from time immemorial, among the
+inhabitants to celebrate what is called 'Burning out the Old Year.'
+For this purpose, during the day of the 31st, a large quantity of fuel
+is collected, consisting of branches of trees, brushwood, and coals,
+and placed in a heap at the 'Cross'; and about nine o'clock at night
+the lighting of the fire is commenced, surrounded by a crowd of
+onlookers, who each thinks it a duty to cast into the flaming mass
+some additional portion of material, the whole becoming sufficient to
+maintain the fire till next, or New Year's morning is far advanced.
+Fires are also kindled on the adjacent hills to add to the importance
+of the occasion."
+
+In Ireland, according to Croker (_Researches in the South of Ireland_,
+p. 233), on the last night of the year a cake is thrown against the
+outside door of each house, by the head of the family, which ceremony
+is said to keep out hunger during the ensuing year:--
+
+     If New Year's Eve night wind blow South,
+     It betokeneth warmth and growth;
+     If West, much milk, and fish in the sea;
+     If North, much cold and storms there will be;
+     If East, the trees will bear much fruit;
+     If North-East, flee it, man and brute.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+     New Year's Day--Carol--New Year's Gifts--"Dipping"--Riding
+     the "Stang"--Curious Tenures--God Cakes--The
+     "Quaaltagh"--"First-foot" in Scotland--Highland Customs--In
+     Ireland--Weather Prophecies--Handsel Monday.
+
+
+There is a peculiar feeling of satisfaction that comes over us with
+the advent of the New Year. The Old Year, with its joys and sorrows,
+its gains and disappointments, is irrevocably dead--dead without hope
+of resurrection, and there is not one of us who does not hope that the
+forthcoming year may be a happier one than that departed.
+
+The following very pretty "Carol for New Year's Day" is taken from
+_Psalmes, Songs, and Sonnets_, composed by William Byrd, Lond. 1611:--
+
+     O God, that guides the cheerful sun
+       By motions strange the year to frame,
+     Which now, returned whence it begun,
+       From Heaven extols Thy glorious Name;
+     This New Year's season sanctify
+       With double blessings of Thy store,
+     That graces new may multiply,
+       And former follies reign no more.
+     So shall our hearts with Heaven agree,
+     And both give laud and praise to Thee. Amen.
+
+     Th' old year, by course, is past and gone,
+       Old Adam, Lord, from us expel;
+     New creatures make us every one,
+       New life becomes the New Year well.
+     As new-born babes from malice keep,
+       New wedding garments, Christ, we crave;
+     That we Thy face in Heaven may see,
+       With Angels bright, our souls to save.
+     So shall our hearts with Heaven agree,
+     And both give laud and praise to Thee. Amen.
+
+The Church takes no notice of the first of January as the beginning of
+a New Year, but only as the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord, and
+consequently, being included in the twelve days of Christ-tide
+festivity, it was only regarded as one of them, and no particular
+stress was placed upon it. There were, and are, local customs peculiar
+to the day, but, with the exception of some special festivity, general
+good wishes for health and prosperity, and the giving of presents,
+there is no extraordinary recognition of the day.
+
+Naogeorgus says of it:--
+
+     The next to this is New Yeares day, whereon to every frende,
+     They costly presents in do bring, and Newe Yeares giftes do sende.
+     These giftes the husband gives his wife, and father eke the childe,
+     And maister on his men bestowes the like, with favour milde.
+     And good beginning of the yeare, they wishe and wishe againe,
+     According to the auncient guise of heathen people vaine.
+     These eight dayes no man doth require his dettes of any man,
+     Their tables do they furnish out with all the meate they can:
+     With Marchpaynes, Tartes, and Custards great, they drink with
+       staring eyes,
+     They rowte and revell, feede and feast, as merry all as Pyes:
+     As if they should at th' entrance of this newe yeare hap to die,
+     Yet would they have theyr bellyes full, and auncient friendes allie.
+
+The custom of mutual gifts on this day still obtains in England, but
+is in great force in France. Here it was general among all classes,
+and many are the notices of presents to Royalty, but nowadays a
+present at Christmas has very greatly superseded the old custom. We
+owe the term "pin-money" to the gift of pins at this season. They were
+expensive articles, and occasionally money was given as a commutation.
+Gloves were, as they are now, always an acceptable present, but to
+those who were not overburdened with this world's goods an orange
+stuck with cloves was deemed sufficient for a New Year's gift.
+
+Among the many superstitious customs which used to obtain in England
+was a kind of "Sortes Virgilianæ," or divination, as to the coming
+year. Only the Bible was the medium, and the operation was termed
+"dipping." The ceremony usually took place before breakfast, as it was
+absolutely necessary that the rite should be performed fasting. The
+Bible was laid upon a table, and opened haphazard, a finger being
+placed, without premeditation, upon a verse, and the future for the
+coming year was dependent upon the sense of the verse pitched upon. A
+correspondent in _Notes and Queries_ (2 ser. xii. 303) writes: "About
+eight years ago I was staying in a little village in Oxfordshire on
+the first day of the year, and happening to pass by a cottage where an
+old woman lived whom I knew well, I stepped in, and wished her 'A
+Happy New Year.' Instead of replying to my salutation, she stared
+wildly at me, and exclaimed in a horrified tone, 'New Year's Day! and
+I have never dipped.' Not having the slightest idea of her meaning, I
+asked for an explanation, and gathered from her that it was customary
+to _dip_ into the Bible before twelve o'clock on New Year's Day, and
+the first verse that met the eye indicated the good or bad fortune of
+the inquirer through the ensuing year. My old friend added: 'Last year
+I dipped, and I opened on Job, and sure enough, I have had nought but
+trouble ever since.' Her consternation on receiving my good wishes was
+in consequence of her having let the opportunity of dipping go by for
+that year, it being past twelve o'clock."
+
+Another singular custom which used to obtain in Cumberland and
+Westmoreland is noted in a letter in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for
+1791, vol. lxi., part ii. p. 1169: "Early in the morning of the first
+of January the _Fæx Populi_ assemble together, carrying _stangs_[86]
+and baskets. Any inhabitant, stranger, or whoever joins not this
+ruffian tribe in sacrificing to their favourite Saint day, if
+unfortunate enough to be met by any of the band, is immediately
+mounted across the stang (if a woman, she is basketed), and carried,
+shoulder height, to the nearest public-house, where the payment of
+sixpence immediately liberates the prisoner. No respect is paid to any
+person; the cobler on that day thinks himself equal to the parson, who
+generally gets mounted like the rest of his flock; whilst one of his
+porters _boasts and prides himself_ in having, but just before, got
+the _Squire_ across the pole. None, though ever so industriously
+inclined, are permitted to follow their respective avocations on that
+day."
+
+[Footnote 86: Poles. To ride the stang was a popular punishment for
+husbands who behaved cruelly to their wives.]
+
+Blount, in his _Tenures of Land_, etc., gives a very curious tenure by
+which the Manor of Essington, Staffordshire, was held; the lord of
+which manor (either by himself, deputy, or steward) oweth, and is
+obliged yearly to perform, service to the lord of the Manor of Hilton,
+a village about a mile distant from this manor. The Lord of Essington
+is to bring a goose every New Year's day, and drive it round the fire,
+at least three times, whilst Jack of Hilton is blowing the fire. This
+Jack of Hilton is an image of brass, of about twelve inches high,
+having a little hole at the mouth, at which, being filled with water,
+and set to a strong fire, which makes it evaporate like an _æolipole_,
+it vents itself in a constant blast, so strongly that it is very
+audible, and blows the fire fiercely.
+
+When the Lord of Essington has done his duty, and the other things are
+performed, he carries his goose into the kitchen of Hilton Hall, and
+delivers it to the cook, who, having dressed it, the Lord of
+Essington, or his deputy, by way of farther service, is to carry it to
+the table of the lord paramount of Hilton and Essington, and receives
+a dish from the Lord of Hilton's table for his own mess, and so
+departs.
+
+He also gives a curious tenure at Hutton Conyers, Yorkshire: "Near
+this town, which lies a few miles from Ripon, there is a large common,
+called Hutton Conyers Moor.... The occupiers of messuages and cottages
+within the several towns of Hutton Conyers, Melmerby, Baldersby,
+Rainton, Dishforth, and Hewick have right of estray for their sheep to
+certain limited boundaries on the common, and each township has a
+shepherd.
+
+"The lord's shepherd has a pre-eminence of tending his sheep on any
+part of the common, and, wherever he herds the lord's sheep, the
+several other shepherds have to give way to him, and give up their
+hoofing place, so long as he pleases to depasture the lord's sheep
+thereon. The lord holds his court the first day in the year, and, to
+entitle those several townships to such right of estray, the shepherd
+of each township attends the court, and does fealty by bringing to
+the court a large apple-pie and a twopenny sweet cake, except the
+shepherd of Hewick, who compounds by paying sixteenpence for ale
+(which is drunk as aftermentioned) and a wooden spoon; each pie is cut
+in two, and divided by the bailiff, one half between the steward,
+bailiff, and the tenant of a coney warren, and the other half into six
+parts, and divided amongst the six shepherds of the beforementioned
+six townships. In the pie brought by the shepherd of Rainton, an inner
+one is made, filled with prunes. The cakes are divided in the same
+manner. The bailiff of the manor provides furmety and mustard, and
+delivers to each shepherd a slice of cheese and a penny roll. The
+furmety, well mixed with mustard, is put into an earthen pot, and
+placed in a hole in the ground in a garth belonging to the bailiff's
+house, to which place the steward of the court, with the bailiff,
+tenant of the warren, and six shepherds adjourn, with their respective
+wooden spoons. The bailiff provides spoons for the steward, the tenant
+of the warren, and himself. The steward first pays respect to the
+furmety by taking a large spoonful; the bailiff has the next honour,
+the tenant of the warren next, then the shepherd of Hutton Conyers,
+and afterwards the other shepherds by regular turns; then each person
+is served with a glass of ale (paid for by the sixteenpence brought by
+the Hewick shepherd), and the health of the Lord of the Manor is
+drunk; then they adjourn back to the bailiff's house, and the further
+business of the court is proceeded with."
+
+The question was asked (_Notes and Queries_, 2 ser. ii. 229), but
+never answered, Whether any reader could give information respecting
+the ancient custom in the city of Coventry of sending God Cakes on the
+first day of the year? "They are used by all classes, and vary in
+price from a halfpenny to one pound. They are invariably made in a
+triangular shape, an inch thick, and filled with a kind of mince meat.
+I believe the custom is peculiar to that city, and should be glad to
+know more about its origin. So general is the use of them on January
+1st, that the cheaper sorts are hawked about the streets, as hot Cross
+buns are on Good Friday in London."
+
+In Nottinghamshire it is considered unlucky to take anything out of a
+house on New Year's day before something has been brought in;
+consequently, as early as possible in the morning, each member of the
+family brings in some trifle. Near Newark this rhyme is sung:--
+
+     Take out, and take in,
+     Bad luck is sure to begin;
+     But take in and take out,
+     Good luck will come about.
+
+Train, in his _History of the Isle of Man_ (ed. 1845, vol. ii. 115),
+says that on 1st January an old custom is observed, called the
+_quaaltagh_. In almost every parish throughout the island a party of
+young men go from house to house singing the following rhyme:--
+
+     Again we assemble, a merry New Year
+     To wish to each one of the family here,
+     Whether man, woman, or girl, or boy,
+     That long life and happiness all may enjoy;
+     May they of potatoes and herrings have plenty,
+     With butter and cheese, and each other dainty;
+     And may their sleep never, by night or day,
+     Disturbed be by even the tooth of a flea:
+     Until at the Quaaltagh again we appear,
+     To wish you, as now, all a happy New Year.
+
+When these lines are repeated at the door, the whole party are invited
+into the house to partake of the best the family can afford. On these
+occasions a person of dark complexion always enters first, as a
+light-haired male or female is deemed unlucky to be the first-foot, or
+_quaaltagh_, on New Year's morning. The actors of the _quaaltagh_ do
+not assume fantastic habiliments like the Mummers of England, or the
+Guisards of Scotland; nor do they, like these rude performers of the
+Ancient Mysteries, appear ever to have been attended by minstrels
+playing on different kinds of musical instruments.
+
+The custom of _first-footing_ is still in vogue in many parts of
+Scotland, although a very good authority, _Chambers's Book of Days_
+(vol. i. p. 28), says it is dying out:--
+
+"Till very few years ago in Scotland the custom of the wassail bowl,
+at the passing away of the old year, might be said to be still in
+comparative vigour. On the approach of twelve o'clock a _hot pint_
+was prepared--that is, a kettle or flagon full of warm, spiced, and
+sweetened ale, with an infusion of spirits. When the clock had struck
+the knell of the departed year, each member of the family drank of
+this mixture, 'A good health and a happy New Year, and many of them!'
+to all the rest, with a general hand-shaking, and perhaps a dance
+round the table, with the addition of a song to the tune of _Hey
+tuttie taitie_--
+
+     "Weel may we a' be,
+     Ill may we never see,
+     Here's to the King
+     And the gude companie! etc.
+
+"The elders of the family would then most probably sally out, with the
+hot kettle, and bearing also a competent provision of buns and short
+cakes, or bread and cheese, with the design of visiting their
+neighbours, and interchanging with them the same cordial greetings. If
+they met by the way another party similarly bent whom they knew, they
+would stop, and give and take sips from their respective kettles.
+Reaching the friends' house, they would enter with vociferous good
+wishes, and soon send the kettle a-circulating. If they were the first
+to enter the house since twelve o'clock, they were deemed the
+_first-foot_; and, as such, it was most important, for luck to the
+family in the coming year, that they should make their entry, not
+empty-handed, but with their hands full of cakes, and bread and
+cheese; of which, on the other hand, civility demanded that each
+individual in the house should partake.
+
+"To such an extent did this custom prevail in Edinburgh, in the
+recollection of persons still living, that, according to their
+account, the principal streets were more thronged between twelve and
+one in the morning than they usually were at mid-day. Much innocent
+mirth prevailed, and mutual good feelings were largely promoted. An
+unlucky circumstance, which took place on the 1st January of 1812,
+proved the means of nearly extinguishing the custom. A small party of
+reckless boys formed the design of turning the innocent festivities of
+_first-footing_ to account, for the purposes of plunder. They kept
+their counsel well. No sooner had the people come abroad on the
+principal thoroughfares of the Old Town, than these youths sallied out
+in small bands, and commenced the business which they had undertaken.
+Their previous agreement was--to _look out for the white neckcloths_,
+such being the best mark by which they could distinguish, in the dark,
+individuals likely to carry any property worthy of being taken. A
+great number of gentlemen were thus spoiled of their watches and other
+valuables. The least resistance was resented by the most brutal
+maltreatment. A policeman and a young man of the rank of a clerk in
+Leith died of the injuries they had received. An affair so singular,
+so uncharacteristic of the people among whom it happened, produced a
+widespread and lasting feeling of surprise. The outrage was expiated
+by the execution of three of the youthful rioters on the chief scene
+of their wickedness; but from that time it was observed that the old
+custom of going about with the _hot pint_--the ancient wassail--fell
+off.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"There was, in Scotland, a _first-footing_ independent of the _hot
+pint_. It was a time for some youthful friend of the family to steal
+to the door, in the hope of meeting there the young maiden of his
+fancy, and obtaining the privilege of a kiss, as her _first-foot_.
+Great was the disappointment on his part, and great the joking among
+the family, if, through accident or plan, some half-withered aunt or
+ancient grand-dame came to receive him instead of the blooming Jenny."
+
+In Sir T.D. Hardy's _Memoirs of Lord Langdale_ (1852, vol. i., p. 55)
+is the following extract from a letter dated 1st January 1802. "Being
+in Scotland, I ought to tell you of Scotch customs; and really they
+have a charming one on this occasion (_i.e._ New Year's day). Whether
+it is meant as a farewell ceremony to the old one, or an introduction
+to the New Year, I can't tell; but on the 31st of December almost
+everybody has a party, either to dine or sup. The company, almost
+entirely consisting of young people, wait together till twelve o'clock
+strikes, at which time every one begins to move, and they all fall to
+work. At what? why, kissing. Each male is successively locked in pure
+Platonic embrace with each female; and after this grand ceremony,
+which, of course, creates infinite fun, they separate and go home.
+This matter is not at all confined to these, but wherever man meets
+woman it is the peculiar privilege of this hour. The common people
+think it necessary to drink what they call _hot pint_, which consists
+of strong beer, whisky, eggs, etc., a most horrid composition, as bad
+or worse than that infamous mixture called _fig-one_,[87] which the
+English people drink on Good Friday."
+
+[Footnote 87: Or _Fig-sue_, which is a mixture of ale, sliced figs,
+bread, and nutmeg, all boiled together, and eaten hot. This mess is
+made in North Lancashire, and partaken of on Good Friday, probably by
+way of mortifying the flesh.]
+
+Pennant tells us, in his _Tour in Scotland_, that on New Year's day
+the Highlanders burned juniper before their cattle; and Stewart, in
+_Popular Superstitions of the Highlanders of Scotland_, says, as soon
+as the last night of the year sets in, it is the signal with the
+Strathdown Highlander for the suspension of his usual employment, and
+he directs his attention to more agreeable callings. The men form into
+bands, with tethers and axes, and, shaping their course to the juniper
+bushes, they return home with mighty loads, which are arranged round
+the fire to dry until morning. A certain discreet person is despatched
+to the _dead and living ford_, to draw a pitcher of water in profound
+silence, without the vessel touching the ground, lest its virtue
+should be destroyed, and on his return all retire to rest.
+
+Early on New Year's morning, the _usque-cashrichd_, or water from the
+_dead and living ford_, is drunk, as a potent charm until next New
+Year's day, against the spells of witchcraft, the malignity of evil
+eyes, and the activity of all infernal agency. The qualified
+Highlander then takes a large brush, with which he profusely asperses
+the occupants of all beds, from whom it is not unusual for him to
+receive ungrateful remonstrances against ablution. This ended, and the
+doors and windows being thoroughly closed, and all crevices stopped,
+he kindles piles of the collected juniper in the different apartments,
+till the vapour collected from the burning branches condenses into
+opaque clouds, and coughing, sneezing, wheezing, gasping, and other
+demonstrations of suffocation ensue. The operator, aware that the more
+intense the _smuchdan_, the more propitious the solemnity, disregards
+these indications, and continues, with streaming eyes and averted
+head, to increase the fumigation, until, in his own defence, he admits
+the air to recover the exhausted household and himself. He then treats
+the horses, cattle, and other bestial stock in the town with the same
+smothering, to keep them from harm throughout the year.
+
+When the gudewife gets up, and having ceased from coughing, has gained
+sufficient strength to reach the bottle _dhu_, she administers its
+comfort to the relief of the sufferers; laughter takes the place of
+complaint, all the family get up, wash their faces, and receive the
+visits of their neighbours, who arrive full of congratulations
+peculiar to the day. _Mu nase choil orst_, "My Candlemas bond upon
+you," is the customary salutation, and means, in plain words, "You owe
+me a New Year's gift." A point of great emulation is, who shall salute
+the other first, because the one who does so is entitled to a gift
+from the person saluted. Breakfast, consisting of all procurable
+luxuries, is then served, the neighbours not engaged are invited to
+partake, and the day ends in festivity.
+
+Of New Year's customs in Ireland a correspondent in _Notes and
+Queries_ (5 ser. iii. 7), writes: "On New Year's day I observed boys
+running about the suburbs at the County Down side of Belfast, carrying
+little twisted wisps of straw, which they offer to persons whom they
+meet, or throw into houses as New Year Offerings, and expect in return
+to get any small present, such as a little money, or a piece of bread.
+
+"About Glenarm, on the coast of County Antrim, the 'wisp' is not used;
+but on this day the boys go about from house to house, and are regaled
+with 'bannocks' of oaten bread, buttered; these bannocks are baked
+specially for the occasion, and are commonly small, thick, and round,
+and with a hole through the centre. Any person who enters a house at
+Glenarm on this day must either eat or drink before leaving it."
+
+It is only natural that auguries for the weather of the year should be
+drawn from that on which New Year's day falls, and not only so, but,
+as at Christmas, the weather for the ensuing year was materially
+influenced, according to the day in the week on which this
+commencement of another year happened to fall. It is, however,
+satisfactory to have persons able to tell us all about it, and thus
+saith Digges, in his _Prognosticacion Everlasting, of ryghte goode
+Effect_, Lond., 1596, 4to.
+
+"It is affirmed by some, when New Yeare's day falleth on the Sunday,
+then a pleasant winter doth ensue: a naturall summer: fruite
+sufficient: harvest indifferent, yet some winde and raine: many
+marriages: plentie of wine and honey; death of young men and cattell:
+robberies in most places: newes of prelates, of kinges; and cruell
+warres in the end.
+
+"On Monday, a winter somewhat uncomfortable; summer temperate: no
+plentie of fruite: many fansies and fables opened: agues shall reigne:
+kings and many others shall dye: marriages shall be in most places:
+and a common fall of gentlemen.
+
+"On Tuesday, a stormie winter: a wet summer: a divers harvest: corne
+and fruite indifferent, yet hearbes in gardens shall not flourish:
+great sicknesse of men, women, and yong children. Beasts shall hunger,
+starve, and dye of the botch; many shippes, gallies, and hulkes shall
+be lost; and the bloodie flixes shall kill many men; all things deare,
+save corne.
+
+"On Wednesday, lo, a warme winter; in the end, snowe and frost: a
+cloudie summer, plentie of fruite, corne, hay, wine, and honey: great
+paine to women with childe, and death to infants: good for sheepe:
+news of kinges: great warres: battell, and slaughter towards the
+middell.
+
+"On Thursday, winter and summer windie; a rainie harveste: therefore
+wee shall have overflowings: much fruite: plentie of honey: yet flesh
+shall be deare: cattell in general shall dye: great trouble; warres,
+etc.: with a licencious life of the feminine sexe.
+
+"On Friday, winter stormie: summer scant and pleasant: harvest
+indifferent: little store of fruite, of wine and honey: corne deare:
+many bleare eyes: youth shall dye: earthquakes are perceived in many
+places: plentie of thunders, lightnings and tempestes: with a sudden
+death of cattell.
+
+"On Saturday, a mean winter: summer very hot: a late harvest: good
+cheape garden hearbs: much burning: plentie of hempe, flax and honey.
+Old folke shall dye in most places: fevers and tercians shall grieve
+many people: great muttering of warres: murthers shall be suddenly
+committed in many places for light matters."
+
+In Scotland the first Monday is kept as a great holiday among servants
+and children, to whom _Handsel Monday_, as it is called, is analogous
+to _Boxing Day_ in England, when all expect some little present in
+token of affection, or in recognition of services rendered during the
+past year. In the rural districts _Auld Handsel Monday_--that is, the
+first Monday after the twelfth of the month--is kept in preference. It
+is also a day for hiring servants for another year, and at
+farm-houses, after a good substantial breakfast, the remainder of the
+day is spent as a holiday.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+     Eve of Twelfth Day--Thirteen Fires--Tossing the
+     Cake--Wassailing Apple-Trees--The Eve in Ireland--Twelfth
+     Day, or Epiphany--Carol for the Day--Royal Offerings.
+
+
+The 5th of January is the eve of the Epiphany, and the Vigil of
+Twelfth day, which used to be celebrated by the liberal use of the
+customary wassail bowl. In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1791, p.
+116, we get a good account of the customs in Herefordshire on that
+night. "On the eve of Twelfth day, at the approach of evening, the
+farmers, their friends, servants, etc., all assemble; and near six
+o'clock, all walk together to a field where wheat is growing. The
+highest part of the ground is always chosen, where twelve small fires
+and one large one are lighted up. The attendants, headed by the master
+of the family, pledge the company in old cider, which circulates
+freely on these occasions. A circle is formed round the large fire,
+when a general shout and hallooing takes place, which you hear
+answered from all the villages and fields near, as I have myself
+counted fifty or sixty fires burning at the same time, which are
+generally placed on some eminence. This being finished, the company
+all return to the house, where the good housewife and her maids are
+preparing a good supper, which on this occasion is very plentiful.
+
+"A large cake is always provided, with a hole in the middle. After
+supper, the company all attend the bailiff (or head of the oxen) to
+the Wain house, where the following particulars are observed: the
+master, at the head of his friends, fills the cup (generally of strong
+ale), and stands opposite the first or finest of the oxen (twenty-four
+of which I have often seen tied up in their stalls together); he then
+pledges him in a curious toast; the company then follow his example
+with all the other oxen, addressing each by their name. This being
+over, the large cake is produced, and is with much ceremony put on the
+horn of the first ox, through the hole in the cake; he is then tickled
+to make him toss his head: if he throws the cake behind, it is the
+mistress's perquisite; if before (in what is termed the _boosy_), the
+bailiff claims the prize. This ended, the company all return to the
+house, the doors of which are in the meantime locked, and not opened
+till some joyous songs are sung. On entering, a scene of mirth and
+jollity commences, and reigns through the house till a late hour the
+next morning. Cards are introduced, and the merry tale goes round. I
+have often enjoyed the hospitality, friendship, and harmony I have
+been witness to on these occasions."
+
+On p. 403 of the same volume another correspondent writes as to the
+custom on Twelfth day eve in Devonshire. "On the Eve of the Epiphany
+the farmer, attended by his workmen, with a large pitcher of cyder,
+goes to the orchard, and there, encircling one of the best-bearing
+trees, they drink the following toast three several times:--
+
+     "Here's to thee, old apple tree,
+     Whence thou may'st bud, and whence thou may'st blow!
+     And whence thou may'st bear apples enow!
+     Hats full!--Caps full!
+     Bushel,--bushel,--sacks full!
+     And my pockets full, too! Huzza!
+
+"This done, they return to the house, the doors of which they are sure
+to find bolted by the females, who, be the weather what it may, are
+inexorable to all entreaties to open them, till some one has guessed
+at what is on the spit, which is generally some nice little thing
+difficult to be hit on, and is the reward of him who first names it.
+The doors are then thrown open, and the lucky clodpole receives the
+tit-bit as his recompence. Some are so superstitious as to believe
+that, if they neglect this custom, the trees will bear no apples that
+year."
+
+Referring to these customs, Cuthbert Bede remarks (_Notes and
+Queries_, 2 ser. viii. 448): "A farmer's wife told me that where she
+had lived in Herefordshire, twenty years ago, they were wont, on
+Twelfth Night Eve, to light in a wheat field twelve small fires, and
+one large one.... She told me that they were designed to represent the
+blessed Saviour and his twelve Apostles. The fire representing Judas
+Iscariot, after being allowed to burn for a brief time, was kicked
+about, and put out.... The same person also told me that the ceremony
+of placing the twelfth cake on the horn of the ox was observed in all
+the particulars.... It was twenty years since she had left the farm,
+and she had forgotten all the words of the toast used on that
+occasion: she could only remember one verse out of three or four:--
+
+     "Fill your cups, my merry men all!
+     For here's the best ox in the stall;
+     Oh! he's the best ox, of that there's no mistake,
+     And so let us crown him with the Twelfth Cake."
+
+_The Derby and Chesterfield Reporter_ of 7th January 1830 gives the
+following notice of the Herefordshire customs: "On the eve of Old
+Christmas day there are thirteen fires lighted in the cornfields of
+many of the farms, twelve of them in a circle, and one round a pole,
+much longer and higher than the rest, in the centre. These fires are
+dignified by the names of the Virgin Mary and the Twelve Apostles, the
+lady being in the middle; and while they are burning, the labourers
+retire into some shed or out-house, where they can behold the
+brightness of the Apostolic flame. Into this shed they lead a cow, on
+whose horn a large plum cake has been stuck, and having assembled
+round the animal, the oldest labourer takes a pail of cider, and
+addresses the following lines to the cow with great solemnity; after
+which the verse is chaunted in chorus by all present:--
+
+     "Here's to thy pretty face and thy white horn,
+     God send thy master a good crop of corn,
+     Both wheat, rye, and barley, and all sorts of grain,
+     And, next year, if we live, we'll drink to thee again.
+
+"He then dashes the cider in the cow's face, when, by a violent toss
+of her head, she throws the plum cake on the ground; and if it falls
+forward, it is an omen that the next harvest will be good; if
+backward, that it will be unfavourable. This is the ceremony at the
+commencement of the rural feast, which is generally prolonged to the
+following morning."
+
+In Ireland,[88] "on Twelve Eve in Christmas, they use to set up, as
+high as they can, a sieve of oats, and in it a dozen of candles set
+round, and in the centre one larger, all lighted. This is in memory of
+our Saviour and His Apostles--lights of the world."
+
+[Footnote 88: Vallancey's _Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis_, vol. i.
+No. 1. p. 124.]
+
+The 6th of January, or twelfth day after Christmas, is a festival of
+the Church, called _the Epiphany_ (from a Greek word signifying
+"appearance"), or Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles; and it
+arises from the adoration of the Wise Men, or _Magi_, commonly known
+as "the Three Kings," _Gaspar_, _Melchior_, and _Balthazar_, who were
+led by the miraculous star to Bethlehem, and there offered to the
+infant Christ gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The following carol is in
+the Harl. MSS. British Museum, and is of the time of Henry VII.:--
+
+     Now is Christmas i-come,
+     Father and Son together in One,
+     Holy Ghost as ye be One,
+           In fere-a;
+     God send us a good new year-a.
+
+     I would now sing, for and I might,
+     Of a Child is fair to sight;
+     His mother bare him this enders[89] night,
+           So still-a;
+     And as it was his will-a.
+
+     There came three kings from Galilee
+     To Bethlehem, that fair citie,
+     To see Him that should ever be
+           By right-a,
+     Lord, and King, and Knight-a.
+
+     As they came forth with their offering,
+     They met with Herod, that moody king,
+     He asked them of their coming
+           This tide-a;
+     And thus to them he said-a:
+
+     "Of whence be ye, you kings three?"
+     "Of the East, as you may see,
+     To seek Him that should ever be
+           By right-a,
+     Lord, and King, and Knight-a."
+
+     "When you to this Child have been,
+     Come you home this way again,
+     Tell me the sights that ye have seen,
+           I pray-a;
+     Go not another way-a."
+
+     They took their leave, both old and young,
+     Of Herod, that moody king;
+     They went forth with their offering,
+           By light-a
+     Of the Star that shone so bright-a.
+
+     Till they came into the place
+     Where Jesus and his mother was,
+     There they offered with great solace,
+           In fere-a,
+     Gold, incense, and myrrh-a.
+
+     When they had their offering made,
+     As the Holy Ghost them bade,
+     Then were they both merry and glad,
+           And light-a;
+     It was a good fair sight-a.
+
+     Anon, as on their way they went,
+     The Father of Heaven an Angel sent,
+     To those three kings that made present,
+           That day-a,
+     Who thus to them did say-a:
+
+     "My Lord hath warned you every one,
+     By Herod King ye go not home,
+     For, an' you do, he will you slone[90]
+           And strye-a,[91]
+     And hurt you wonderly-a."
+
+     So forth they went another way,
+     Through the might of God, His lay,[92]
+     As the Angel to them did say,
+           Full right-a,
+     It was a fair good sight-a.
+
+     When they were come to their countree,
+     Merry and glad they were all three,
+     Of the sight that they had see
+           By night-a;
+     By the Star's shining light-a.
+
+     Kneel we now all here adown
+     To that Lord of great renown,
+     And pray we in good devotion
+           For grace-a,
+     In Heaven to have a place-a.
+
+[Footnote 89: Last.]
+
+[Footnote 90: Slay.]
+
+[Footnote 91: Stay, hinder.]
+
+[Footnote 92: Law.]
+
+This festival was held in high honour in England; and up to the reign
+of George III. our Kings and Queens, attended by the Knights of the
+three great Orders--the Garter, the Thistle, and the Bath--were wont
+to go in state to the Chapel Royal, St. James's, and there offer gold,
+frankincense, and myrrh, in commemoration of the _Magi_; but when
+George III. was incapacitated, mentally, from performing the functions
+of royalty, it was done by proxy, and successive sovereigns have found
+it convenient to perform this act of piety vicariously.
+
+It must have been a magnificent function in the time of Henry VII., as
+we learn by Le Neve's _Royalle Book_. "As for Twelfth Day, the King
+must go crowned, in his royal robes, kirtle, surtout, his furred hood
+about his neck, his mantle with a long train, and his cutlas before
+him; his armills upon his arms, of gold set full of rich stones; and
+no temporal man to touch it but the King himself; and the squire for
+the body must bring it to the King in a fair kerchief, and the King
+must put them on himself; and he must have his sceptre in his right
+hand, and the ball with the cross in his left hand, and the crown upon
+his head. And he must offer that day gold, myrrh, and sense; then must
+the Dean of the Chapel send unto the Archbishop of Canterbury, by
+clerk, or priest, the King's offering that day; and then must the
+Archbishop give the next benefice that falleth in his gift to the same
+messenger. And then the King must change his mantle when he goeth to
+meat, and take off his hood, and lay it about his neck; and clasp it
+before with a great rich ouche; and this must be of the same colour
+that he offered in. And the Queen in the same form as when she is
+crowned."
+
+Now the ceremonial is as simple as it can be made. In the Chapel
+Royal, St. James's, after the reading of the sentence at the
+offertory, "Let your light so shine before men," etc., while the organ
+plays, two members of Her Majesty's household, wearing the royal
+livery, descend from the royal pew, and, preceded by the usher,
+advance to the altar rails, where they present to one of the two
+officiating clergymen a red bag, edged with gold lace or braid, which
+is received in an alms dish, and then reverently placed upon the
+altar. This bag, or purse, is understood to contain the Queen's
+offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+     "The King of the Bean"--Customs on Twelfth Day--Twelfth
+     Cakes--Twelfth Night Characters--Modern Twelfth Night--The
+     Pastry Cook's Shops--Dethier's Lottery--The Song of the
+     Wren--"Holly Night" at Brough--"Cutting off the Fiddler's
+     Head."
+
+
+But another sovereign had a great deal to do with Twelfth day, "The
+King of the Bean," who takes his title from a bean, or a silver penny,
+baked in a cake, which is cut up and distributed, and he is king in
+whose slice the bean is found. Naogeorgus gives us the following
+account of Twelfth day:--
+
+     The wise men's day here foloweth, who out from _Persia_ farre,
+     Brought giftes and presents unto Christ, conducted by a starre.
+     The Papistes do beleeve that these were kings, and so them call,
+     And do affirme that of the same there were but three in all.
+     Here sundrie friendes togither come, and meete in companie,
+     And make a king amongst themselves by voyce, or destinie:
+     Who, after princely guise, appoyntes his officers alway.
+     Then, unto feasting doe they go, and long time after play:
+     Upon their hordes, in order thicke, the daintie dishes stande,
+     Till that their purses emptie be, and creditors at hande.
+     Their children herein follow them, and choosing princes here,
+     With pompe and great solemnitie, they meete and make good chere:
+     With money eyther got by stealth, or of their parents eft,
+     That so they may be traynde to knowe, both ryot here and theft.
+     Then also every housholder, to his abilitie,
+     Doth make a mightie Cake, that may suffice his companie:
+     Herein a pennie doth he put, before it comes to fire,
+     This he devides according as his housholde doth require.
+     And every peece distributeth, as round about they stand,
+     Which, in their names, unto the poore, is given out of hand:
+     But, who so chaunceth on the peece wherin the money lies,
+     Is counted king amongst them all, and is, with showtes and cries,
+     Exalted to the heavens up, who, taking chalke in hande,
+     Doth make a crosse on every beame, and rafters as they stande:
+     Great force and powre have these agaynst all injuryes and harmes
+     Of cursed devils, sprites, and bugges,[93] of coniurings and charmes.
+     So much this king can do, so much the Crosses brings to passe,
+     Made by some servant, maide, or childe, or by some foolish asse.
+     Twise sixe nightes then from Christmasse, they do count with diligence
+     Wherein eche maister, in his house, doth burne up Franckensence:
+     And on the Table settes a loafe, when night approcheth nere,
+     Before the Coles, and Franckensence, to be perfumed there:
+     First bowing downe his heade he standes, and nose, and eares, and eyes
+     He smokes, and with his mouth receyve the fume that doth arise:
+     Whom followeth streight his wife, and doth the same full solemly,
+     And of their children every one, and all their family:
+     Which doth preserve, they say, their teeth, and nose, and eyes,
+       and eare,
+     From every kind of maladie, and sicknesse all the yeare.
+     When every one receyved hath this odour, great and small,
+     Then one takes up the pan with Coales, and Franckensence, and all,
+     Another takes the loafe, whom all the rest do follow here,
+     And round about the house they go, with torch or taper clere,
+     That neither bread nor meat do want, nor witch with dreadful charme
+     Have powre to hurt their children, or to do their cattell harme.
+     There are, that three nightes onely do perfourme this foolish geare,
+     To this intent, and thinke themselves in safetie all the yeare.
+     To Christ dare none commit himselfe. And in these dayes beside,
+     They iudge what weather all the yeare shall happen and betide:
+     Ascribing to ech day a month. And, at this present time,
+     The youth in every place doe flocke, and all appareld fine,
+     With Pypars through the streetes they runne, and sing at every dore,
+     In commendation of the man, rewarded well therefore:
+     Which on themselves they do bestowe, or on the Church, as though
+     The people were not plagude with Roges and begging Fryers enough.
+     There Cities are, where boyes and gyrles togither still do runne,
+     About the streete with like, as soone as night beginnes to come,
+     And bring abrode their wassell bowles, who well rewarded bee,
+     With Cakes and Cheese, and great good cheare, and money plentiouslie.
+
+[Footnote 93: Bugbears, goblins.]
+
+The above gives us Twelfth day customs in the sixteenth century.
+Herrick tells us how it was celebrated a hundred years later, when
+they had added a queen to the festivities, as they had, previously,
+given a consort to the Lord of Misrule.
+
+     _Twelfe night, or_ King _and_ Queene.
+
+       Now, now the mirth comes
+       With the cake full of plums,
+     Where Beane's the _King_ of the sport here;
+       Besides, we must know
+       The Pea also
+     Must revell, as _Queene_, in the Court here.
+
+       Begin, then, to chuse
+       (This night, as ye use),
+     Who shall for the present delight here,
+       Be a _King_ by the lot,
+       And who shall not
+     Be Twelfe-day _Queene_ for the night here.
+
+       Which knowne, let us make
+       Joy-sops with the cake;
+     And let not a man then be seen here
+       Who un-urg'd will not drinke
+       To the base, from the brink,
+     A health to the _King_ and the _Queene_ here.
+
+       Next, crowne the bowle full
+       With gentle lamb's-wooll;
+     Adde sugar, nutmeg, and ginger,
+       With store of ale too;
+       And thus ye must doe
+     To make the wassaile a swinger.
+
+       Give then to the _King_
+       And _Queene_ wassailing;
+     And though, with ale, ye be whet here,
+       Yet part ye from hence
+       As free from offence
+     As when ye innocent met here.
+
+This custom of having a Twelfth cake and electing a king and queen has
+now died out, and is only known by tradition; so utterly died out
+indeed, that in the British Museum Library there is not a single sheet
+of "Twelfth-night Characters" to show the younger race of students
+what they were like. The nearest approach to them preserved in that
+national collection of literature are some Lottery squibs, which
+imitated them; and Hone, writing in 1838, says: "It must be admitted,
+however, that the characters sold by the pastry cooks are either
+commonplace or gross; when genteel, they are inane; when humorous,
+they are vulgar."
+
+A correspondent in the _Universal Magazine_ for 1774 thus describes
+the drawing for King and Queen at that date. He says: "I went to a
+friend's house in the country to partake of some of those innocent
+pleasures that constitute a merry Christmas. I did not return till I
+had been present at drawing King and Queen, and eaten a slice of the
+Twelfth Cake, made by the fair hands of my good friend's consort.
+After tea, yesterday, a noble cake was produced, and two bowls,
+containing the fortunate chances for the different sexes. Our host
+filled up the tickets; the whole company, except the King and Queen,
+were to be ministers of state, maids of honour, or ladies of the
+bed-chamber. Our kind host and hostess, whether by design or accident,
+became king and queen. According to Twelfth-day law, each party is to
+support their character till midnight."
+
+Here we see they had no sheets of "Twelfth-night Characters" (the loss
+of which I deplore), but they were of home manufacture. Hone, in his
+_Every-Day Book_, vol. i. p. 51, describes the drawing some fifty
+years later. "First, buy your cake. Then, before your visitors arrive,
+buy your characters, each of which should have a pleasant verse
+beneath. Next, look at your invitation list, and count the number of
+ladies you expect; and, afterwards, the number of gentlemen. Then take
+as many female characters as you have invited ladies; fold them up,
+exactly of the same size, and number each on the back, taking care to
+make the king No. 1 and the queen No. 2. Then prepare and number the
+gentlemen's characters. Cause tea and coffee to be handed to your
+visitors as they drop in. When all are assembled, and tea over, put as
+many ladies' characters in a reticule as there are ladies present;
+next, put the gentlemen's characters in a hat. Then call a gentleman
+to carry the reticule to the ladies, as they sit, from which each lady
+is to draw one ticket, and to preserve it unopened. Select a lady to
+bear the hat to the gentlemen for the same purpose. There will be one
+ticket left in the reticule, and another in the hat, which the lady
+and gentleman who carried each is to interchange, as having fallen to
+each. Next, arrange your visitors according to their numbers; the king
+No. 1, the queen No. 2, and so on. The king is then to recite the
+verse on his ticket; then the queen the verse on hers, and so the
+characters are to proceed in numerical order. This done, let the cake
+and refreshments go round, and hey! for merriment!"
+
+The Twelfth cakes themselves were, in the higher class, almost as
+beautiful as wedding cakes, but they might be had of all prices, from
+sixpence to anything one's purse might compass; and the confectioner's
+(they called them pastry cooks in those days) windows were well worth
+a visit, and crowds did visit them, sometimes a little practical
+joking taking place, such as pinning two persons together, etc.
+Quoting Hone again: "In London, with every pastry cook in the city,
+and at the west end of the town, it is 'high change' on Twelfth day.
+From the taking down the shutters in the morning, he and his men, with
+additional assistants, male and female, are fully occupied by
+attending to the dressing out of the window, executing orders of the
+day before, receiving fresh ones, or supplying the wants of chance
+customers. Before dusk the important arrangement of the window is
+completed. Then the gas is turned on, with supernumerary argand lamps
+and manifold waxlights, to illuminate countless cakes, of all prices
+and dimensions, that stand in rows and piles on the counters and
+sideboards, and in the windows. The richest in flavour and heaviest in
+weight and price are placed on large and massy salvers; one,
+enormously superior in size, is the chief object of curiosity; and all
+are decorated with all imaginable images of things animate and
+inanimate. Stars, castles, kings, cottages, dragons, trees, fish,
+palaces, cats, dogs, churches, lions, milkmaids, knights, serpents,
+and innumerable other forms in snow-white confectionery, painted with
+variegated colours, glitter by 'excess of light' from mirrors against
+the walls, festooned with artificial wonders of Flora."
+
+As the fashion of Twelfth cakes declined, the pastry cooks had to push
+their sale in every way possible, not being very particular as to
+overstepping the law, by getting rid of them by means of drawings,
+raffles, and lotteries, which for a long time were winked at by the
+authorities, until they assumed dimensions which could not be
+ignored, and M. Louis Dethier was summoned at Bow Street on 26th
+December 1860, under the Act 42 Geo. III. cap. 119, sec. 2, for
+keeping an office at the Hanover Square Rooms for the purpose of
+carrying on a lottery "under the name, device, and pretence of a
+distribution of Twelfth cakes." He had brought a similar distribution
+to a successful conclusion in 1851, but that was the exceptional year
+of the Great Exhibition, and he was not interfered with; but this was
+for £10,000 worth of cakes to be drawn for on ten successive days,
+beginning 26th December--tickets one shilling each. This was an
+undoubted lottery on a grand scale. The case was completely proved
+against Dethier, but he was not punished, as he abandoned his scheme,
+putting up with the loss.
+
+There were some curious customs in different parts of the kingdom on
+Twelfth day, but I doubt whether many are in existence now. The
+following, taken from _Notes and Queries_ (3 ser. v. 109), was in
+vogue in 1864. "It is still the custom in parts of Pembrokeshire on
+Twelfth night to carry about a wren.
+
+"The wren is secured in a small house made of wood, with door and
+windows--the latter glazed. Pieces of ribbon of various colours are
+fixed to the ridge of the roof outside. Sometimes several wrens are
+brought in the same cage; and oftentimes a stable lantern, decorated
+as above mentioned, serves for the wren's house. The proprietors of
+this establishment go round to the principal houses in the
+neighbourhood, where, accompanying themselves with some musical
+instrument, they announce their arrival by singing the 'Song of the
+Wren.' The wren's visit is a source of much amusement to children and
+servants; and the wren's men, or lads, are usually invited to have a
+draught from the cellar, and receive a present in money. The 'Song of
+the Wren' is generally encored, and the proprietors very commonly
+commence high life below stairs, dancing with the maid-servants, and
+saluting them under the kissing bush, where there is one. I have
+lately procured a copy of the song sung on this occasion. I am told
+that there is a version of this song in the Welsh language, which is
+in substance very near to the following:--
+
+     "THE SONG OF THE WREN.
+
+     "Joy health, love, and peace
+     Be to you in this place,
+     By your leave we will sing
+     Concerning our King:
+     Our King is well drest,
+     In silks of the best;
+     With his ribbons so rare,
+     No King can compare.
+     In his coach he does ride,
+     With a great deal of pride;
+     And with four footmen
+     To wait upon him.
+
+     We four were at watch,
+     And all nigh of a match;
+     With powder and ball,
+     We fired at his hall.
+     We have travelled many miles
+     Over hedges and stiles,
+     To find you this King,
+     Which we now to you bring.
+     Now Christmas is past,
+     Twelfth day is the last,
+     Th' Old Year bids adieu;
+     Great joy to the New."
+
+Hone, in his _Table Book_, p. 26, gives a description of "Holly Night"
+at Brough, Westmoreland, in 1838. "Formerly the 'Holly Tree' at Brough
+was really holly, but ash being abundant, the latter is now
+substituted. There are two head inns in the town, which provide for
+the ceremony alternately, although the good townspeople mostly lend
+their assistance in preparing the tree, to every branch of which they
+fasten a torch. About eight o'clock in the evening it is taken to a
+convenient part of the town, where the torches are lighted, the town
+band accompanying, and playing till all is completed, when it is
+removed to the lower end of the town; and after divers salutes and
+huzzas from the spectators, is carried up and down the town in stately
+procession. The band march behind it, playing their instruments, and
+stopping every time they reach the town bridge and the cross, where
+the 'holly' is again greeted with shouts of applause. Many of the
+inhabitants carry lighted branches and flambeaus; and rockets, squibs,
+etc., are discharged on the joyful occasion. After the tree is thus
+carried, and the torches are sufficiently burnt, it is placed in the
+middle of the town, when it is again cheered by the surrounding
+populace, and is afterwards thrown among them. They eagerly watch for
+this opportunity; and, clinging to each end of the tree, endeavour to
+carry it away to the inn they are contending for, where they are
+allowed their usual quantum of ale and spirits, and pass a merry
+night, which seldom breaks up before two in the morning."
+
+According to Waldron, in his _Description of the Isle of Man_, 1859,
+p. 156, the following singular custom is in force on Twelfth day. In
+this island there is not a barn unoccupied on the whole twelve days
+after Christmas, every parish hiring fiddlers at the public charge. On
+Twelfth day the fiddler lays his head in the lap of some one of the
+wenches, and the _mainstyr fiddler_ asks who such a maid, or such a
+maid, naming all the girls one after another, shall marry, to which he
+answers according to his own whim, or agreeable to the intimacies he
+has taken notice of during the time of merriment, and whatever he says
+is absolutely depended upon as an oracle; and if he couple two people
+who have an aversion to each other, tears and vexation succeed the
+mirth; this they call "cutting off the fiddler's head," for after this
+he is dead for a whole year.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+     St. Distaff's Day--Plough Monday--Customs on the Day--Feast
+     of the Purification.
+
+
+Here Christ-tide ought to end, and men and women should have returned
+to their ordinary avocations, but the long holiday demoralised them;
+and although the women were supposed to set to work on the day
+succeeding Twelfth day, thence called St. Distaff's day, or Rock[94]
+day, there was rough play, as Herrick tells us:--
+
+     Partly work, and partly play,
+     Ye must, on _St. Distaff's day_:
+     From the Plough soone free your teame;
+     Then come home and fother them.
+     If the Maides a spinning goe,
+     Burne the flax, and fire the tow:
+     Bring in pails of water then,
+     Let the Maides bewash the men.
+     Give _S. Distaffe_ all the right,
+     Then bid Christmas sport _good-night_.
+     And, next morrow, every one
+     To his owne vocation.
+
+[Footnote 94: A name for a spinning wheel.]
+
+The men, however, could not settle down to work so speedily, serious
+work not beginning till after "Plough Monday," or the Monday after
+Twelfth Day. Tusser says:
+
+     Plough Munday, next after that twelf tide is past,
+     Bids out with the plough--the worst husband is last.
+     If plowman get hatchet, or whip to the skrene,
+     Maids loseth their cocke, if no water be seen.
+
+This verse would be rather enigmatical were it not explained in
+_Tusser Redivivus_ (1744, p. 79). "After Christmas (which, formerly,
+during the twelve days, was a time of very little work) every
+gentleman feasted the farmers, and every farmer their servants and
+task-men. _Plough Monday_ puts them in mind of their business. In the
+morning, the men and the maid-servants strive who shall show their
+diligence in rising earliest. If the ploughman can get his whip, his
+ploughstaff, hatchet, or any thing that he wants in the field, by the
+fireside before the maid hath got her kettle on, then the maid loseth
+her Shrove-tide cock, and it belongs wholly to the men. Thus did our
+forefathers strive to allure youth to their duty, and provided them
+with innocent mirth as well as labour. On this Plough Monday they have
+a good supper and some strong drink."
+
+In many parts of the country it was made a regular festival, but, like
+all these old customs, it has fallen into desuetude. However, Hone's
+_Every-Day Book_ was not written so long ago, and he there says: "In
+some parts of the country, and especially in the North, they draw the
+plough in procession to the doors of the villagers and townspeople.
+Long ropes are attached to it, and thirty or forty men, stripped to
+their clean white shirts, but protected from the weather by waistcoats
+beneath, drag it along. Their arms and shoulders are decorated with
+gay coloured ribbons tied in large knots and bows, and their hats are
+smartened in the same way. They are usually accompanied by an old
+woman, or a boy dressed up to represent one; she is gaily bedizened,
+and called the _Bessy_. Sometimes the sport is assisted by a humourous
+countryman to represent a _fool_. He is covered with ribbons, and
+attired in skins, with a depending tail, and carries a box to collect
+money from the spectators. They are attended by music and Morris
+Dancers, when they can be got; but it is always a sportive dance with
+a few lasses in all their finery, and a superabundance of ribbons.
+The money collected is spent at night in conviviality."
+
+Chambers's _Book of Days_ also gives an account of this frolic. "A
+correspondent, who has borne a part (cow-horn blowing) on many a
+Plough Monday in Lincolnshire, thus describes what happened on these
+occasions under his own observation:--Rude though it was, the Plough
+procession threw a life into the dreary scenery of winter as it came
+winding along the quiet rutted lanes on its way from one village to
+another; for the ploughmen from many a surrounding thorpe, hamlet, and
+lonely farm-house united in the celebration of Plough Monday. It was
+nothing unusual for at least a score of the 'sons of the soil' to yoke
+themselves with ropes to the plough, having put on clean smock-frocks
+in honour of the day. There was no limit to the number who joined in
+the morris dance, and were partners with 'Bessy,' who carried the
+money box; and all these had ribbons in their hats, and pinned about
+them, wherever there was room to display a bunch. Many a hard-working
+country Molly lent a helping hand in decorating her Johnny for Plough
+Monday, and finished him with an admiring exclamation of--'Lawks,
+John! thou dost look smart, surely!' Some also wore small bunches of
+corn in their hats, from which the wheat was soon shaken out by the
+ungainly jumping which they called dancing. Occasionally, if the
+winter was severe, the procession was joined by threshers carrying
+their flails, reapers bearing their sickles, and carters with their
+long whips, which they were ever cracking to add to the noise, while
+even the smith and the miller were among the number, for the one
+sharpened the plough-shares, and the other ground the corn; and Bessy
+rattled his box, and danced so high that he showed his worsted
+stockings and corduroy breeches; and, very often, if there was a thaw,
+tucked up his gown-skirts under his waistcoat and shook the bonnet off
+his head, and disarranged the long ringlets that ought to have
+concealed his whiskers. For Bessy is to the procession of Plough
+Monday what the leading _figurante_ is to the opera or ballet, and
+dances about as gracefully as the hippopotami described by Dr.
+Livingstone. But these rough antics were the cause of much laughter,
+and rarely do we ever remember hearing any coarse jest that could call
+up an angry blush to a modest cheek.
+
+"No doubt they were called 'plough bullocks' through drawing the
+plough, as bullocks were formerly used, and are still yoked to the
+plough in some parts of the country. The rubbishy verses they recited
+are not worth preserving, beyond the line which graces many a
+public-house sign, of 'God speed the Plough.' At the large farm-house,
+besides money, they obtained refreshment; and, through the quantity of
+ale they thus drank during the day, managed to get what they called
+'their load' by night.
+
+"But the great event of the day was when they came before some house
+which bore signs that the owner was well-to-do in the world, and
+nothing was given to them. Bessy rattled his box, and the ploughmen
+danced, while the country lads blew their bullock's horns, or shouted
+with all their might; but if there was still no sign, no forthcoming
+of either bread and cheese or ale, then the word was given, the
+ploughshare driven into the ground before the door or window, the
+whole twenty men yoked pulling like one, and, in a minute or two, the
+ground was as brown, barren, and ridgy as a newly ploughed field. But
+this was rarely done, for everybody gave something, and, were it but
+little, the men never murmured, though they might talk of the
+stinginess of the giver afterwards amongst themselves, more especially
+if the party was what they called 'well off in the world.' We are not
+aware that the ploughmen were ever summoned to answer for such a
+breach of the law, for they believe, to use their own expressive
+language, 'they can stand by it, and no law in the world can touch
+'em, 'cause it's an old charter.'
+
+"One of the mummers generally wears a fox's skin in the form of a
+hood; but, beyond the laughter the tail that hangs down his back
+awakens by its motion when he dances, we are at a loss to find a
+meaning. Bessy formerly wore a bullock's tail behind, under his gown,
+and which he held in his hand while dancing, but that appendage has
+not been worn of late."
+
+On the 2nd of February--the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed
+Virgin Mary--all Christ-tide decorations are to be taken down, and
+with them ends all trace of that festive season.
+
+     Farwell, Crystmas fayer and fre;
+     Farwell, Newers Day with the;
+     Farwell, the Holy Epyphane;
+         And to Mary now sing we.
+
+     "_Revertere, revertere_, the queen of blysse and of beaute."
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's A Righte Merrie Christmasse, by John Ashton
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