Part 4 (1/2)

The day on which Harvest was finished, and the corn safely ”Hovelled”

used to be called ”Wheat Hovel Day.”

It was also the custom to decorate the last sheaf of corn with ribbons and flowers (It was only a small sheaf) and it was fastened to the wall inside the barn and left there until the next Harvest.

OCTOBER.

Hail, falling leaves! that patter round, Admonishers and friends.

Come pensive Autumn, with thy clouds and storms, And falling leaves and pastimes lost to flowers. _Clare._

MOPS.

These were a.s.semblies of people after Michaelmas in want of servants (male or female) who were not hired at the Statutes held before Michaelmas.

ST. MARTIN'S DAY.

The 11th November is generally called Martlemas Day and old people still watch for the direction of the wind at noon on this day as they believe it will continue in that quarter for the next three months.

It is also a saying that if the ice will bear a duck before Martlemas it will not bear a goose all winter.

NOVEMBER.

When Winter comes in earnest to fulfil His yearly task at bleak November's close.

Sybil of months, and wors.h.i.+pper of winds I love thee, rude and boisterous as thou art. _Clare._

ST. CECILIA'S Day. NOV. 22.

The Lay Clerks of the Cathedral and friends used to be entertained by the Dean and Chapter at a dinner at which a boiled leg of mutton was the princ.i.p.al dish. After dinner songs and glees were sung.

ST. CATHERINE'S DAY, NOV. 25TH.

The female children belonging to the Workhouse were dressed in white, trimmed with coloured ribbons, and went in a procession headed by the Workhouse Master and the tallest girl who wore a crown of gilt paper and carried a sceptre and distaff. They stopped at the houses of the princ.i.p.al inhabitants and sang this song. Money was given them and they had rump steak and onions for dinner, and a tea party, and games in the evening:

Here comes Queen Katrin as fine as any Queen, With a coach and six horses a coming to be seen, And a spinning we will go, will go, will go, And a spinning we will go.

Some say she is alive, and some say she is dead, And now she does appear with a crown upon her head, And a spinning we will go, etc.

Old Madam Marshall she takes up her pen And then she sits and calls for all her royal men.

And a spinning we will go, etc.

All that want employment though spinning is but small, Come list and don't stand still, but go and work for all.

And a spinning we will go, etc.