British Popular Customs, Present and Past. T. F. Thiselton-Dyer

to the bed of the river Jed, and there fought it out amidst a scene of fearful splash and dabblement, to the infinite amusement of a multitude looking on from the bridge.—Book of Days, vol. i. p. 214.

Western Isles of Scotland.

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      As Candlemas Day comes round, the mistress and servants of each family taking a sheaf of oats, dress it up in woman’s apparel, and after putting it in a large basket, beside which a wooden club is placed, they cry three times, “Briid is come! Briid is welcome!” This they do just before going to bed, and as soon as they rise in the morning, they look among the ashes, expecting to see the impression of Briid’s club there, which if they do, they reckon it a true presage of a good crop and prosperous year, and the contrary they take as an ill-omen.—Description of the Western Isles of Scotland, Martin, 1703, p. 119.

COLLOP MONDAY.

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      The Monday before Shrove Tuesday is so called because it was the last day of flesh-eating before Lent, and our ancestors cut their fresh meat into collops or steaks, for salting or hanging up until Lent was over; and hence in many places it is customary to have eggs and collops, or slices of bacon at dinner on this day.—Every Day Book, vol. i. p. 241.

Buckinghamshire.

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      At Eton it was the custom for the scholars to write verses either in praise or dispraise of Father Bacchus, poets being considered as immediately under his protection. He was therefore sung on this occasion in all kinds of metres, and the verses of the boys of the seventh and sixth, and some of the fifth forms, were affixed to the inner doors of the college. Verses are still written and put up on this day, but the young poets are not confined to the subject of writing eulogiums on the God of Wine. It retains, however, the name of Bacchus.—Brand’s Pop. Antiq., vol. i. p. 62. Status Scholæ Etonensis, A.D. 1560, fol. 423.

Cornwall.

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      On the day termed Hall’ Monday, which precedes Shrove Tuesday, about the dusk of the evening it is the custom for boys, and in some cases for those who are above the age of boys, to prowl about the streets with short clubs, and to knock loudly at every door, running off to escape detection on the slightest sign of a motion within. If, however, no attention be excited, and especially if any article be discovered negligently exposed, or carelessly guarded, then the things are carried away; and on the following morning are discovered displayed in some conspicuous place, to expose the disgraceful want of vigilance supposed to characterise the owner. The time when this is practised is called “Nickanan night;” and the individuals concerned are supposed to represent some imps of darkness, who seize on and expose unguarded moments.

      On the following eve (Shrove Tuesday), the clubs are again in requisition; but on this occasion the blows on the door keep time to the following chant:

      “Nicka, nicka nan;

       Give me some pancake, and then I’ll be gone.

       But if you give me none,

       I’ll throw a great stone,

       And down your doors shall come.”

      Report of the Royal Institution of Cornwall for 1842; N. & Q. 1st S. vol. xii. p. 297.

Devonshire.

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      In the neighbourhood of Bridestow, Okehampton, the children go round to the different houses in the parish on the Monday before Shrove Tuesday, generally by twos and threes, and chant the following verses, by way of extracting from the inmates sundry contributions of eggs, flour, butter, halfpence, &c., to furnish out the Tuesday’s feast:

      “Lent Crock, give a pancake,

       Or a fritter, for my labour,

       Or a dish of flour, or a piece of bread,

       Or what you please to render.

       I see, by the latch,

       There’s something to catch;

       I see, by the string,

       There’s a good dame within.

       Trap, trapping throw,

       Give me my mumps, and I’ll be go” (gone).

      The above is the most popular version, and the one indigenous to the place; but there is another set, which was introduced some years ago by a late schoolmistress, who was a native of another part of the country, where her version was customary:

      “Shrovetide is nigh at hand,

       And we are come a-shroving;

       Pray, Dame, give something,

       An apple, or a dumpling,

       Or a piece of crumple cheese,

       Of your own making,

       Or a piece of pancake.

       Trip, trapping throw;

       Give me my mumps, and I’ll be go.”

      This custom existed also in the neighbourhood of Salisbury.—N. & Q. 1st S. vol. v. p. 77. Pop. Antiq. 1849, vol. i. p. 62.

Feb. 3.] ST. BLAIZE’S DAY.

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      Feb. 3.]

      ST. BLAIZE’S DAY.

      St. Blasius was Bishop of Sebaste, a city of Cappadocia, in the Lesser Asia, and is said to have suffered martyrdom in the persecution of Licinus in 316. The fact of iron combs having been used in tearing the flesh of the martyr appears to be the reason for his having been adopted by the wool-combers as their patron saint. The large flourishing communities engaged in this business in Bradford, and other English towns, are accustomed to hold a septennial jubilee on the 3rd of February, in honour of Jason of the Golden Fleece and St. Blaize; and not many years ago the fête was conducted with considerable state and ceremony.—Book of Days, vol. i. p. 219.

      In 1825 the procession was drawn up in the following order:

      Herald bearing a flag.

      Woolstaplers on horseback, each horse caparisoned with a fleece.

      Worsted Spinners and manufacturers on horseback, in white stuff waistcoats, with each a sliver over the shoulder, and a white stuff sash; the horses’ necks covered with nets made of thick yarn.

      Merchants on horseback, with coloured sashes.

      Three guards. Masters’ Colours. Three guards.

      Apprentices and Masters’ Sons, on horseback, with ornamented caps, scarlet stuff coats, white stuff waistcoats, and blue pantaloons.

      Bradford