PREFACE. In presenting the following pages to the Public I do not lay claim to any originality, my object simply having been to collect together, into a readable and condensed form, from various sources within my reach, accounts of Customs which, if not already obsolete, are quickly becoming so. With regard to the general plan of the book, it speaks for itself. It should, however, be stated that the movable feasts are placed under the earliest days on which they can fall. In conclusion, I would only add that I am much indebted to Mr. James Britten, of the British Museum, for the valuable help and suggestions which he has given me whilst passing the proof-sheets through the Press. September 15th, 1875. T. F. THISELTON DYER. POPULAR CUSTOMS. JAN. 1.] NEW YEAR'S DAY. NEW Year's Day has always been a time of general rejoicing and festivity, its observance being characterised by many a curious custom and superstitious practice. History tells us how on this day the Druids were accustomed, with much pomp and ceremony, to distribute branches of the sacred nistletoe amongst the people; those precious gifts having the night before been cut from the oak-tree in a forest ledicated to the gods. Among the Saxons of the northern ations the new year was ushered in by friendly gifts, and celebrated with such extraordinary festivity that people actually used to reckon their age by the numbers of annual nerry-makings in which they had participated. Fosbroke, n his Encyclopædia of Antiquities, notices the continuaion of the Roman practice of interchanging gifts during he middle and later ages; a custom which prevailed especially amongst our kings, queens, and the nobility. According to Matthew Paris, Henry III., following the liscreditable example of some of the Roman emperors, even xtorted them from his subjects. In Rymer's Foedera (vol. x. p. 387) a list is given of the ifts received by Henry VI. between Christmas Day and Tebruary 4th, 1428, consisting of sums of 40s., 208., 138. 4d., Os., 68. 8d., and 3s. 4d. In the reign of Henry VII. the reception of the New Year's gifts presented by the king and queen to each other |