May 12.

From a rare Engraving, by an unknown Artist.

Here we see that some of the tricks and dexterities of Mazurier and Gouffe were performed centuries ago; and here, too, we have an illustration that the horizontal bars of our correspondent, the “Parallel Barrister,” though novelties now, were known before our grandfathers were grandchildren. The print from whencethisis copied, is from sir Mark Sykes’s collection: it is produced here as a curiosity.

Mean Temperature 54·74.

[180]The information relative to the exercise so crudely conveyed throughout this hasty letter, is derived from observation of the gymnasium in the New Road, under the excellent management of professor Voelker.

The Month.Hail, May! lovely May! how replenished my pails!The young dawn o’erspreads the broad east, streaked with gold!My glad heart beats time to the laugh of the vales,And Colin’s voice rings through the wood from the fold.The wood to the mountain submissively bends,Whose blue misty summit first glows with the sun!See! thence a gay train by the wild rill descendsTo join the mixed sports:—Hark! the tumult’s begun.Be cloudless, ye skies!—And be Colin but there;Not dew-spangled bents on the wide level dale,Nor morning’s first smile can more lovely appearThan his looks, since my wishes I cannot conceal.Swift down the mad dance, while blest health prompts to move,We’ll court joys to come, and exchange vows of truth:And haply, when age cools the transports of love,Decry, like good folks, the vain follies of youth.Bloomfield.

The Month.

Hail, May! lovely May! how replenished my pails!The young dawn o’erspreads the broad east, streaked with gold!My glad heart beats time to the laugh of the vales,And Colin’s voice rings through the wood from the fold.The wood to the mountain submissively bends,Whose blue misty summit first glows with the sun!See! thence a gay train by the wild rill descendsTo join the mixed sports:—Hark! the tumult’s begun.Be cloudless, ye skies!—And be Colin but there;Not dew-spangled bents on the wide level dale,Nor morning’s first smile can more lovely appearThan his looks, since my wishes I cannot conceal.Swift down the mad dance, while blest health prompts to move,We’ll court joys to come, and exchange vows of truth:And haply, when age cools the transports of love,Decry, like good folks, the vain follies of youth.

Be cloudless, ye skies!—And be Colin but there;Not dew-spangled bents on the wide level dale,Nor morning’s first smile can more lovely appearThan his looks, since my wishes I cannot conceal.Swift down the mad dance, while blest health prompts to move,We’ll court joys to come, and exchange vows of truth:And haply, when age cools the transports of love,Decry, like good folks, the vain follies of youth.

Bloomfield.

Mean Temperature 54·22.

1826. Oxford Term ends.

To the Editor of the Every-Day Book.

Sir,—I confess I was not a little astonished a few days ago, on becoming acquainted with a custom evidently heathenish in its origin, which exists in the united kingdom, where, it must be admitted, great advances have been made in morals and religion, as well as in science and general knowledge.

The fact I allude to is in Dr. Jamieson’s “Dictionary of the Scottish Language.” He mentions a festival calledBeltane, orBeltein, annually held in Scotland on old May-day. A town in Perthshire is called “Tillee Beltein;” i. e. the eminence (or high place) of the fire of Baal. Near this are two druidical temples of upright stones with a well, adjacent to one of them, still held in great veneration for its sanctity, and on that account visited by vast numbers of superstitious people. In the parish of Callander (same county) upon “Beltein day,” they cut a circular trench in the ground, sufficient to enclose the whole company assembled. “They kindle a fire and dress a repast of eggs and milk in the consistence of a custard; they knead a cake of oatmeal, which is toasted at the embers against a stone.” After the custard is eaten, they divide the cake into as many equal parts as there are persons present, and one part is madeperfectly blackwith charcoal.

The bits of cake are put into a bonnet and are drawn blindfold, and he who draws the black bit is considered as “devoted to be sacrificed to Baal, and is obliged toleap three times through the flame.”

Mr. Pennant in his “Tour in Scotland, 1769,” gives a similar account with varying ceremonies.

“In Ireland,” says Mr. Macpherson, “Belteinis celebrated on the twenty-first of June at the time of the solstice. There they make fires on the tops of the hills, and every member of the family is made topass through the fire, as they reckon this ceremony to ensure good fortune during the succeeding year. This resembles the rite used by the Romans in Palilia.”—“Beltein(adds Mr. M.) is also observed in Lancashire.”

This “custom” being entirely new to me, and appearing so much to illustrate many passages in the Bible which refer to the idolatry of the ancients, I forward it to you agreeably to your printed invitation.

I am, &c.J. K. S.

To the Editor of the Every-Day Book.

Sir,—In your account of the Maypole which stood in the Strand, you have stated that the said Maypole upon its decay was obtained of the parish by sir I. Newton, and placed at Wanstead for support of his telescope; but in the preface to the ninth edition of Derham’s “Astro-Theology,” published 1750, he says, “And now for a close I shall take this opportunity of publicly owning, with all honour and thankfulness, the generous offer made me by some of my friends, eminent in their stations, as well as skill and abilities in the laws, who would have made me a present of the Maypole in the Strand, (which was to be taken down,) or any other pole I thought convenient for the management of Mr. Huygens’s glass; but as my incapacity of accepting the favour of those noble Mecænates hath been the occasion of that glass being put into better hands, so I assure myself their expectations are abundantly answered by the number and goodness of the observations that have been and will be made therewith.”

As you will perceive by the expression “which was to be taken down,” it must have been standing at the time of publication of his book, and as sir I. Newton died in 1726, the “compilation” from which you extracted your account must be erroneous. The name of the philosopher to whom the glass belonged, you will also perceive to be misspelled. I should not have troubled you with these trifling corrections, but as I am sure your admirable work will pass through many editions, you may not in the future ones refuse to make the alteration.

I am, Sir,Your obedient servant,J. S.

May 17, 1826.

I am obliged to J. S. for his endeavour to rectify what he deems an error; but it rather corroborates than invalidates the fact stated in vol. i. p. 560, on the authority of the work there referred to.

J. S. quotes “theninthedition of Derham’s ‘Astro-Theology,’ published 1750,” and infers that the Strand Maypole “must have been standing at the time of publishing his book;” and so it was; but it was no more in being when the “ninth edition” of his book was published, than Derham himself was, who died in 1735. The first edition of “his book” was published in 1714, and Derhamthenwrote of it asthenstanding, and the citation of J. S. shows that it wasthencontemplated to present Derham with the Maypole for Huygens’s glass, which from “incapacity” he could not accept, and was therefore the occasion of the glass “being put into better hands.” These “better hands” were sir Isaac Newton’s; the object of the intended present of the Maypole to Derham was for Huygens’s glass; and it is reasonable to believe that as sir Isaac had the glass, so also he had the Maypole to appropriate to the purpose of the glass.

Nevertheless, though I think J. S. has failed in proving my authority to be erroneous, and that he himself is mistaken, I repeat that I am obliged by his intention; and I add, that I shall feel obliged to any one who will take the trouble of pointing out any error. I aim to be accurate, and can truly say that it costs me more time to establish the facts I adduce, than to write and arrange the materials after I have convinced myself of their authority.

May Morning.But who the melodies of morn can tell?The wild brook babbling down the mountain side;The lowing herd; the sheepfold’s simple bell;The pipe of early shepherd dim descriedIn the lone valley; echoing far and wideThe clamorous horn along the cliffs above;The hollow murmur of the ocean tide;And the full choir that wakes the universal grove.The cottage curs at early pilgrim bark;Crown’d with her pail the tripping milk-maid sings;The whistling ploughman stalks afield; and, hark!Down the rough slope the ponderous waggon rings;Through rustling corn the hare astonished springs;Slow tolls the village clock the drowsy hour;The partridge bursts away on whirring wings;Deep mourns the turtle in sequestered bower;The shrill lark carols clear from her aërial tow’r.Beattie.

May Morning.

But who the melodies of morn can tell?The wild brook babbling down the mountain side;The lowing herd; the sheepfold’s simple bell;The pipe of early shepherd dim descriedIn the lone valley; echoing far and wideThe clamorous horn along the cliffs above;The hollow murmur of the ocean tide;And the full choir that wakes the universal grove.The cottage curs at early pilgrim bark;Crown’d with her pail the tripping milk-maid sings;The whistling ploughman stalks afield; and, hark!Down the rough slope the ponderous waggon rings;Through rustling corn the hare astonished springs;Slow tolls the village clock the drowsy hour;The partridge bursts away on whirring wings;Deep mourns the turtle in sequestered bower;The shrill lark carols clear from her aërial tow’r.

The cottage curs at early pilgrim bark;Crown’d with her pail the tripping milk-maid sings;The whistling ploughman stalks afield; and, hark!Down the rough slope the ponderous waggon rings;Through rustling corn the hare astonished springs;Slow tolls the village clock the drowsy hour;The partridge bursts away on whirring wings;Deep mourns the turtle in sequestered bower;The shrill lark carols clear from her aërial tow’r.

Beattie.

May Evening.Sweet was the sound when oft at evening’s close,By yonder hill the village murmur rose;There, as I passed with careless steps and slow,The mingling notes came softened from below;The swain responsive as the milk-maid sung,The sober herd that lowed to meet their young,The noisy geese that gabbled o’er the pool,The playful children just let loose from school,The watch-dog’s voice that bayed the whispering wind,And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind,These all in sweet confusion sought the shade,And filled each pause the nightingale had made.Goldsmith.

May Evening.

Sweet was the sound when oft at evening’s close,By yonder hill the village murmur rose;There, as I passed with careless steps and slow,The mingling notes came softened from below;The swain responsive as the milk-maid sung,The sober herd that lowed to meet their young,The noisy geese that gabbled o’er the pool,The playful children just let loose from school,The watch-dog’s voice that bayed the whispering wind,And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind,These all in sweet confusion sought the shade,And filled each pause the nightingale had made.

Goldsmith.

Mean Temperature 54·12.

This is the annual commemoration of the feast of Pentecost. In the catholic times of England it was usual to dramatise the descent of the Holy Ghost in the churches; and hence we have Barnaby Googe’srhymes:—

On Whitsunday whyte pigeons tame in strings from heauen flie,And one that framed is of wood still hangeth in the skie.Thou seest how they with idols play, and teach the people too;None otherwise then little gyrles with pvppets vse to do.Naogeorgus.

Naogeorgus.

These celebrations are noticed in vol. i. p. 685.

In an old tract printed against church ceremonies during “the troubles of England,” there is an account of “fearfull judgements that God hath shewed upon churches,” one whereof is alleged by the puritan author to have been manifested on this day. His account is curious, and the fact being historical, is here related in his own words, viz.

OnVVhitsundaylast, 1640, in the parish ofAnthonyinCornwall, when people were kneeling at theCommunion, great claps of thunder were heard, as though divers Cannons had been shot off at once, and extraordinary, and most fearfull flashes of Lightnings, and a terrible and unspeakable strange sound, to the great amazement of the people; and when theMinisterwas turning towards theCommunion Table, to give theCup, after he had given theBread, he saw (to his thinking) a flaming fire about his body, and withall, heard a terrible and unspeakable sound, and had no hurt, save that the outside of one of his legs was scalded: presently after, divers balls of fire came into theChurchand struck oneFerdinando Reepeon the sole of his left foot, with such a violence, as he thought his foot had been split in pieces, and was for a while deprived of his senses: OneJohn Hodgewas stricken in the knees and thighs, and lower parts of his body, so as he thought every part of his body to be unjoynted: OneDorothy Tubbewas stricken so, as she thought her legs and knees were struck off from her body: OneAnthony Peekewas fearfully struck in all the lower parts of his body, and thought that he had been shot thorow, and was lift up from kneeling, and set upon the form by which hee kneeled: OneSusan Collinswas struck in the lower parts of her body, so as it seemed to her, to be struck off from the upper part, and was scalded on the wrist of the right hand: A great fire, far redder then any lightning, came into theChurch, and struck oneNicholas Sheltonon both sides of his head, as though he had been struck with two flat stones, and did shake his body, as though it would shake it in pieces, whereby he lost his sight and his senses: OneRoger Nilewas struck on the backbone, on the right side, and on the anckle on the inside of his left leg, so as for a while, he was not able to stand; after the fire, there was heard in theChurch, as it were, the hissing of a great shot; and after that a noise, as though divers Cannons had been shot off at once, to make one single and terrible report; the noise did not descend from above, but was heard, and seemed to begin close at the Northside of theCommunion Table: After this fire and noise, then followed a loathsome smell ofGunpowderandBrimstone, and a great smoak. TheChurchhad no harm, save that seven or eight holes and rents were made in the wall of the Steeple, some on the inside, and some on the outside; impressions on the stones in divers places, as if they were made by force of shot, discharged out of a great Ordnance, so as in divers places, light might be seen through the walls. In this storm was no body kill’d, save one Dog in the Belfree, and another at the feet of one kneeling to receive theCup; As soon as this fearfull storm was over, they that were weak, not able to stand, were (through the mercy of God) restored to their strength; and they that were frantick, to their senses; and he that was blind, was restored to his sight; and came all to theLords Table, and received theVVine, and went all in the afternoon to give God thanks.

Mean Temperature 53·47.

This second season of annual holidays in England, with the humours of Greenwich fair, and the sports in the park, is described in vol. i. p. 687, &c.

It is a universal festival in the humble ranks of life throughout the kingdom.

Hark, how merrily, from distant tower,Ring round the village bells; now on the galeThey rise with gradual swell, distinct and loud,Anon they die upon the pensive ear,Melting in faintest music. They bespeakA day of jubilee, and oft they bear,Commixt along the unfrequented shore,The sound of village dance and tabor loud,Startling the musing ear of solitude.Such is the jocund wake of Whitsuntide,When happy superstition, gabbling eld,Holds her unhurtful gambols. All the dayThe rustic revellers ply the mazy danceOn the smooth shaven green, and then at eveCommence the harmless rites and auguries;And many a tale of ancient days goes round.They tell of wizard seer, whose potent spellsCould hold in dreadful thrall the labouring moon,Or draw the fixed stars from their eminence,And still the midnight tempest; then, anon,Tell of uncharnelled spectres, seen to glideAlong the lone wood’s unfrequented path,Startling the nighted traveller; while the soundOf undistinguished murmurs, heard to comeFrom the dark centre of the deepening glen,Struck on his frozen ear.H. K. White.

H. K. White.

To the Editor of the Every-Day Book.

Sir,—The approaching Whitsuntide brings to my remembrance a custom which I believe to be now quite obsolete.

I remember when I was a boy that it was usual in Devonshire, at Easter and Whitsuntide, for young people of both sexes to form a ring at fairs and revels, and play at what was termed “drop handkerchief.” After the ring was formed, which used to be done with little difficulty, a young man would go round it once or twice, examining all the time with curious eye each well formed blooming maiden; the favoured fair was selected by the handkerchief being thrown over her shoulders, and at the same time saluted with a kiss. The young man then took his place in the ring, and the young woman proceeded round it as he had done before, until she dropped the handkerchief behind one of the young men. As soon as this was done she would bound away with the swiftness of a roe, followed by the young man, and if, as was sometimes the case, she proved to be the lightest of foot, considerable merriment was afforded to the bystanders in witnessing the chase through its different windings, dodgings, and circumlocutions, which ended in the lady’s capture, with a kiss for the gentleman’s trouble.

I believe many matches in the humble walks of life may date their origin from this custom; and however the opulent and refined may be disposed to object to a promiscuous assemblage of the sexes, I am doubtful whether they can point out any plan which shall rival in innocence and gaiety those of our forefathers, many of which are gone, and aspseudo-delicacy and refinement are now the order of the day, I fear that they never can return again.

Cannon-street.

R. S.

The editor saw “Drop-handkerchief” in Greenwich-park at Whitsuntide, 1825, and mentioned it as “Kiss in the ring” in vol. i. p. 692.

To the Editor of the Every-Day Book.

Sir,—In the pleasant little city of Lichfield (celebrated for the neatness of its streets, and the beauty of its splendid cathedral) the annual fair for the exhibition of shows, &c. is held on Whit Monday, and it is the custom on that day for a procession, accompanied with musicians, flags, &c. to be formed, composed of part of the corporation, with its inferior officers, &c. who are joined by several of the best mechanics of the place, each of whom carries a representation in miniature of his separate workshop and mode of trade, the figures being so formed as to be put in motion by machinery, and worked by a single wheel. These representations are about two feet square, and are fixed at the top of a pole about two yards high, decorated with flowers, &c. The procession walks from the guildhall to a high hill in the vicinity of the city, called Greenhill, (but which is now nearly surrounded by houses,) where a temporary booth has been erected, with a small space of ground enclosed at the front with boards. This booth is also decorated with flowers, and hence the fair has derived the appellation of “The Greenhill Bower.” On arriving at this booth, the gates of the enclosed park are opened and the procession enters. The different little machines are placed around the enclosure, and then put in motion by the separate “operatives,” in the presence of the higher portion of the corporation, who award which of the machines presents the greatest ingenuity, and prizes are distributed accordingly. This takes place about the middle of the day. The machines remain, and are put in motion and exhibited by their owners until the evening. The booth itself is filled with refreshments; and men being stationed at the gates to prevent the entrance of the disorderlies, every well-dressed person is admitted at once, and some cakes, &c. are given gratuitously away; the corporation I believe being at this expense. The various shows are ranged in different parts of the hill, and as none make their appearance there but such as have already graced “Bartholomew,” it will be endless for me to say another word on this part of the subject, as by reference to your notices of September 3, 1825, will more fully and at large appear, and where your reader will find, although enough, yet “not to spare.”I am, &c. J. O. W.

To the Editor of the Every-Day Book.

May 3, 1826.

Sir,—If you think the annexed worth a place in your invaluable and entertaining work, you will extremely oblige me by inserting it.

I am, Sir, &c.Henry Wm. Dewhurst.

63, Upper Thornhaugh-street,Bedford-square.

The “hirings” for farmers’ servants half yearly at Whitsuntide and Martinmass, though not altogether peculiar to the county of Cumberland, are however, I conceive, entitled to notice. Those who come to be hired stand in a body in the market-place, and to distinguish themselves hold a bit of straw or green sprig in their mouths. When the market is over the girls begin to file off and gently pace the streets, with a view of gaining admirers, whilst the young men with similar designs follow them; and having “eyed the lasses,” each picks up a sweetheart, conducts her to a dancing-room, and treats her with punch, wine, and cake. Here they spend their afternoon, and part of their half-year’s wages, in drinking and dancing, unless, as it frequently happens, a girl becomes the subject of contention, when the harmony of the meeting is interrupted, and the candidates for her love settle the dispute by blows. When the diversions of the day are concluded, the servants generally return to their homes for a few holidays before they enter on their new servitude. At fairs, as well as hirings, it is customary for all the young people in the neighbourhood to assemble and dance at the inns and alehouses. In their dances, which are jigs and reels, exertion and agility are more regarded than ease and grace. But little order is observed in these rustic assemblies: disputes frequently arise, and are generally terminated by blows. During these combats the weaker portion of the company, with the minstrels, get on the benches, or cluster in corners, whilst the rest support the combatants; even the lasses will often assist in the battle in support of their relations or lovers, and in the last cases they are desperate. When the affray is over the bruised pugilists retire to wash, and the tattered nymphs to re-adjust their garments. Fresh company arrives, the fiddles strike up, the dancing proceeds as before, and the skirmish which had commencedwithout malice, is rarely remembered. In their dancing parties the attachments of the country people are generally formed.

Till within the last century, an old custom prevailed in the parish of Ensham, Oxfordshire, by which the townspeople were allowed on Whit Monday to cut down and carry away as much timber as could be drawn by men’s hands into the abbey-yard, the churchwardens previously marking out such timber by giving the first chop; so much as they could carry out again, notwithstanding the opposition of the servants of the abbey to prevent it, they were to keep for the reparation of the church. By this service they held their right of commonage at Lammas and Michaelmas; but about the beginning of the last century, this practice was laid aside by mutualconsent.[181]

There is a custom at Kidlington, in Oxfordshire, on Monday after Whitson Week, to provide a fat live lamb; and the maids of the town, having their thumbs tied behind them, run after it, and she that with her mouth takes and holds the lamb, is declaredLady of the Lamb; which being dressed, with the skin hanging on, is carried on a long pole before the lady and her companions to the green, attended with music, and a morisco dance of men, and another of women, where the rest of the day is spent in dancing, mirth, and merry glee. The next day the lamb is part baked, boiled, and roast, for the lady’s feast, where she sits majestically at the upper end of the table, and her companions with her, with music and other attendants, which ends thesolemnity.[182]

For the Every-Day Book.

Various purse clubs, or benefit societies, annual feasts, and other merry-makings, having from time immemorial produced a Whitsuntide holiday amongst the inhabitants of numerous villages in Norfolk, in 1817, colonel, at that time major, Mason, in order to concentrate these festivities, and renderNecton, (his place of family residence,) the focus of popular attraction to the neighbouring villagers, established aguildor festival for rural sports, on Whit Monday and Tuesday. Having, during the late war, while with his regiment (the East Norfolk Militia) had an opportunity of observing the various celebrations of Whitsuntide, in different parts of the kingdom, he was thus enabled to constituteNecton guild, a superior holiday festival. Arranged under his immediate patronage, and conducted by his principal tenantry, it soon became, and still continues, the most respectable resort of Whitsuntide festivities in Norfolk.

Previous to the festival, the following printed notice is usually circulated

“Whitsun Holidays

“On the afternoons of Whit Monday and Whit Tuesday next, a guild for rural games, Maypole dances, &c. will be held in the grounds of William Mason, Esq., Necton.

“The guild being entirely distinct from a fair, no stalls, stands, or booths, or other conveniences for the sale of goods, will be suffered to be brought upon the grounds, but by those who have special leave for that purpose, in writing, given on application to John Carr, master beadle.

“The guild will open each day at twoP. M., and canteens, (where refreshments of all sorts may be had, and cold dinners supplied,) will close each night by sound of bell at eleven.

“N. B.—As this guild is regularly policed, it is hoped that the hilarity of the festival will continue to be preserved as heretofore, by the order and obliging conduct of all those who come to mix in the entertainment.

“Signed by * * * Mayor.“* * * * Past Mayor.

“God save the King.”

The field selected for the purpose is beautifully and picturesquely situated, opposite the park of Necton-hall. Near the centre is a raised mound of earth fenced round to protect it from the pressure of the crowd, on which is erected a “Maypole,” crowned with a streamer or pennant, and encircled by numerous garlands of flowers and evergreens, suspended longitudinally from the top to the bottom of the pole:—this is calledthe Maypole-stand. At a convenient distance are placed the stalls, canteens, and booths; the principal of which, tastefully decorated with evergreens, is called “the mayor’s booth,” and is solely appropriated to his friends and the select party of the company; care being taken to prevent improper intrusion.

Necton Guild.

From the “mayor’s booth,” early on Whit Monday afternoon, the ceremony of commencing or proclaiming the guild emanates in the following order ofprocession:—

Constable of Necton in a red scarf, with his staff of office.Beadles or special constables with staves, two and two.Master beadle of the guild, with a halberd.Six boys and girls, Maypole dancers, two and two, hand in hand.Band of Music.Maskers, or morris-dancers, fancifully attired, two and two.Pursuivant with a truncheon, habited in a tabard, on which is depictured an allegorical representation of the arms of Necton.Sword-bearer in grotesque dress, on horseback.Standard bearer on horseback.THE MAYOR OF THE GUILD,On horseback, in full dress suit and purple robes with his chain of office.Standard bearer on horseback.The mayor elect on horseback.Standard bearer on horseback.Principal tenantry on horseback, two and two.Beadles of the guild.Maskers or morris-dancers, fancifully attired, two and two.Six boys and girls, Maypole dancers, two and two, hand in hand.Beadles of the guild.Band of music.Man bearing a standard.Members of Royal Oak Friendly Society, with purple and light blue favours in their hats, two and two.Members of the Necton Old Club Friendly Society with light blue favours in their hats, two and two.

Taking a circuitous route through the field into the park, upon arriving at the principal entrance to the hall, where the colonel and his friends are waiting the approach of the procession, the mayor alights, and thus addresses thepatron:—

“Honourable sir,—“The period now arriv’d,In which the tokens of my mayoraltyMust be resign’d,—I make it my request,You should appoint as mayor elect, this year,Our worthy friend and colleague, Mr. * * * *But in resigning, beg best thanks to giveFor the diversion of our last year’s guild;—Hoping the festival will as much this year,By weather and kind friends be happy blest.”

To this the colonel replies, “by thanking the mayor for his past services,—for the good order and regularity observed during the last festival,—and the pleasure it will afford him to make the new appointment.”—They then enter the vestibule, where the mayor resigning his robes and tokens of office, the mayor elect is then invested with them. After returning to the door, the colonel congratulates the new mayor on entering his office, &c. to which his worship thusreplies:—

“Honourable sir,—“With pleasure I receiveTh’ official tokens of my mayoralty,Which now in place of our late worthy mayor,Alderman * * * * I do most willingly take:Be well assured, as much as in me lies,I will good rule and order strict maintain,That peace and pleasure may together tendTo make our guild, two days of even mirthHoping all here assembled at the hall,Anon will join us in the festive scene,And bidding all most welcome to our guild:I thus respectful beg to take my leave,That I may tend my duties in the field.”—

The procession then returns by the same route and in the same order, with the exception of thenewand thepastmayors who have changed places. The rustic sports then commence;—the master beadle, ringing a bell, proclaims the sportand the prize, the competitors for which are desired to “come upon the Maypole-stand.”—The sports usually selected, are

These are occasionally enlivened with Maypole dances, by the boys and girls of the village, selected and dressed for the occasion, and also by the maskers or morris-dancers. When the shades of evening prevent the continuance of these sports, the spacious “mayor’s booth” is then the object of attraction. Well lighted, and the floor boarded for the occasion, country dances commence, which are generally kept up with great spirit and harmony, till the master beadle with his bell announces the time arrived for closing the booths and canteens, “by order of the mayor.” A few minutes, and sometimes (by permission) a little longer, terminates the amusement, which is always concluded, on both evenings, by the whole company joining in the national anthem of “God save the king.”

That “Necton guild” is considered as a superior establishment to a rustic fair, or other merry-making, by the numerous, respectable, and fashionable companies who generally attend from all parts of the neighbourhood. Undisturbed by those scenes of intoxication and disorder, usually prevalent at village fairs, the greatest harmony prevails throughout, and the superior attention and accommodation afforded by the patron and directors of the festival, to all classes of well-behaved and respectable visiters, cannot fail to render “Necton guild,” a popular and attractive resort of Whitsuntide festivities.

I have attempted asketchof the Maypole stand, &c. from my own knowledge, for I have usually rambled to Necton one or two evenings of each year, since the “guild” was established, and hence I have given you the particulars from actual observation, though I am indebted to a friend, who is a diligent and accurate recorder of customs for the speeches, &c. I must further observe, that the mound of earth I have endeavoured to represent is permanent in the field, and about three feet high, though I have erroneously represented it as higher from lack of eye in drawing, to which indeed I make no pretension. The dancers are the morris-dancers in grotesque dresses; the men with fanciful figured print waistcoat and small clothes, decked with bows; and the women in coloured skirts, trimmed like stage dresses for Spanish girls, with French toques instead of caps.

I find you have removed the publishing office since I wrote last, but I hope you do not mean to withdraw yourself from the work. Should you continue “the soul” of theEvery-Day Book“body,” you shall hear from me again, whenever and as soon as I can.

⁂To obviate the possibility of misapprehension in consequence of theEvery-Day Bookbeing published by Messrs.HuntandClarke,I take this opportunity of observing, that those gentlemen have no other concern in the work than that of being its publishers, and that it has never ceased from my entire management from the time they undertook that service for me on my own solicitation. No one has any share or interest in it, or any power of influencing its management, and it will continue to be conducted and written by me, as it has been, from the first hour of its commencement. I hope that this is a full and final answer to every inquiry on the subject.

May, 1826.

W. Hone.

It is pleasant to read the notices of these ancient revels in our topographical histories. One of them gives the following account of a Cornish merriment.

“For thechurch-ale, two young men of the parish are yerely chosen by their last foregoers to be wardens, who, dividing the task, make collection among the parishioners, of whatsoever provision it pleaseth them voluntarily to bestow. This they employ in brewing, baking, andother acates, against Whitsuntide, upon which holidays the neighbours meet at the church house, and there merily feed on their owne victuals, each contributing some petty portion to the stock, which, by many smalls, groweth to a meetly greatness; for there is entertayned a kind of emulation between these wardens, who, by his graciousness in gathering, and good husbandry in expending, can best advance the churche’s profit. Besides, the neighbour parishes at those times lovingly visit one another, and frankly spend their money together. The afternoons are consumed in such exercises as olde and yonge folk (having leysure) doe accustomably weare out the time withall. When the feast is ended, the wardens yeeld in their accounts to the parishioners; and such money as exceedeth the disbursement is layd up in store, to defray any extraordinary charges arising in the parish, or imposed on them for the good of the countrey or the prince’s service; neither of which commonly gripe so much, but that somewhat stil remayneth to cover the purse’sbottom.”[183]

Another says, “There were no rates for the poor in my grandfather’s days; but for Kingston St. Michael (no small parish) the church-ale of Whitsuntide did the business. In every parish is (or was) a church-house to which belonged spits, crocks, &c. utensils for dressing provision. Here the housekeepers met, and were merry, and gave their charity. The young people were there too, and had dancing, bowling, shooting at butts, &c. the ancients sitting gravely by, and looking on. All things were civil, and withoutscandal.”[184]

Mr. Douce tells us, that “At present the Whitsun ales are conducted in the following manner. Two persons are chosen, previously to the meeting, to be lord and lady of the ale, who dress as suitably as they can, to the characters they assume. A large empty barn, or some such building, is provided for the lord’s hall, and fitted up with seats to accommodate the company. Here they assemble to dance and regale in the best manner their circumstances and the place will afford; and each young fellow treats his girl with a riband or favour. The lord and lady honour the hall with their presence, attended by the steward, sword-bearer, purse-bearer, and mace-bearer with their several badges or ensigns of office. They have likewise a train-bearer or page, and a fool or jester, drest in a party-coloured jacket, whose ribaldry and gesticulation, contribute not a little to the entertainment of some part of the company. The lord’s music, consisting of a pipe and tabor, is employed to conduct the dance. Some people think this custom is a commemoration of the ancient Drink-lean, a day of festivity, formerly observed by the tenants, and vassals of the lord of the fee, within his manor; the memory of which, on account of the jollity of those meetings, the people have thus preserved ever since. The glossaries inform us, that this Drink-lean was a contribution of tenants, towards a potation or ale, provided to entertain the lord or hissteward.”[185]

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