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diff --git a/17269.txt b/17269.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c64ad83 --- /dev/null +++ b/17269.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2246 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Weather and Folk Lore of Peterborough and +District, by Charles Dack + +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: Weather and Folk Lore of Peterborough and District + +Author: Charles Dack + +Release Date: December 9, 2005 [EBook #17269] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WEATHER AND FOLK LORE OF *** + + + + +Produced by Julie Barkley, Janet Blenkinship and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + WEATHER AND FOLK LORE + OF + PETERBOROUGH AND DISTRICT. + + + BY + CHARLES DACK. + + + PUBLISHED BY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE + + PETERBOROUGH + NATURAL HISTORY, SCIENTIFIC, + AND + ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. + + 1911. + + PETERBOROUGH: + CHARLES HAWKINS, PRINTER, KING STREET + + [Illustration: MAY DAY, AT GLATTON, HUNTS. + 1856. + FROM A DRAWING BY + THE REV. E. Bradley, (_Cuthbert Bede_).] + + + _Old Customs! Oh! I love the sound. + However simple they may be, + What e'er with time hath sanction found, + Is welcome and is dear to me. + John Clare._ + + + + +WEATHER AND FOLK LORE OF PETERBOROUGH AND DISTRICT. + +(Second Series). + + +This is a continuation of a Paper on the "Survival of Old Customs" in +Peterborough and the neighbourhood which was read at the Royal +Archaeological Society's meeting in 1898, with an addition of a few more +old customs, and more particulars of others, to which I have also added +a collection of the quaint Weather and Folk Lore of this district. Being +at a point where four counties are almost within a stone's throw, +Peterborough possesses the traditions of the Counties of Huntingdon, +Cambridge, and Lincoln, as well as Northampton. It is rather difficult +to locate these sayings to one particular County, so I have taken those +current within a radius of about fifteen miles. + +Most of them have been repeated to me personally and only in a very few +cases have I copied any which have been printed and then only to make +the collection more complete. + +The two Northamptonshire Poets, Dryden and John Clare, often notice the +phases of the Weather, and John Clare, especially, describes the Rural +Customs and weather Lore of this district with a true Poets feeling and +amongst his M.S.S., now the property of the Peterborough Museum, are +many unpublished poems and also his Diary which, at present, is unknown +to the general public. John Clare was well styled the English Burns and +his notes and Memoranda on the various local events are most valuable to +those who take an interest in the sayings and doings of the early part +of the 19th century. + +Many charms are used at the present time and, altho' reticent, the +villagers, (when you have gained their confidence), will tell you of +their belief in the various whims and of the successful results of their +practice. + +In almost every proverb where Peterborough is mentioned it is associated +with pride, and some people say that they are still applicable. + +The first and second of the following rhymes date from before the +Reformation: + + Crowland as courteous, as courteous may be, + Thorney the bane of many a good tree, + Ramsey the rich and Peterborough the proud, + Sawtry, by the way, that poor Abbey, + Gave more alms than all they. + + Ramsey the rich of gold and of fee, + Thorney the flower of the Fen Country, + Crowland so courteous of meat and of drink, + Peterborough the proud, as all men do think, + And Sawtry by the way, that poor Abbaye, + Gave more alms in one day, than all they. + + Peterborough the proud of their ancient See, + Thorney the flower of many a fair tree, + Crowland the courteous of their meat and drink, + Spalding the gluttons as all men do think, + Sawtry by the way, that old Abbaye, + Gave more in one day than all they. + + Peterborough poor and proud. + +Another version gives Peterborough: + + Famous for pride and Stamford for poor. + +The next two belong exclusively to Peterborough, and the first I have +only just obtained from a lady who remembers the verses, as they were +repeated early in the 19th Century: + + When the Clock of the Abbey strikes three minutes fast, + There will be a gay wedding before the month's past; + When the Clock of the Abbey strikes three minutes slow, + The river's bright waters will soon overflow; + When the Church Clock and Abbey Clock strike both together, + There will soon be a death or a change of the weather. + +The Abbey or Cathedral is dedicated to St. Peter, and the Parish Church +to St. John. The Head Verger of the Cathedral until recently had charge +of both clocks, and St. John's Clock was always kept slightly faster +than the Cathedral Clock. Canon Jones, when Vicar of St. John's, one day +met the late Verger, (Mr. H. Plowman, Senr.) and asked him why St John's +Clock was always faster than the Cathedral Clock, and the Verger +replied:--"Well Vicar, you know, the other disciple did outrun St. Peter +on the way to the Tomb, so St. John has always kept in front ever +since." + +Sometimes the coincidences mentioned in the verses occur and maintain +their reputation for veracity: + + If in the Minster Close a Hare, + Should for herself have made a lair, + Be sure before the week is down, + A fire will rage within the town + +It is very strange but these two events have sometimes happened. + + One fire brings two more. + +This too has often occurred and in April of this year (1911) three fires +occurred in this district within a week. + +These are all I can remember which refer to Peterborough. + +Beginning with the County of Northampton we have: + +Northamptonshire, more Spires, more Squires, more haughtiness, and less +hospitality than any other County in England. + +Northamptonshire for Spires and Squires. + +Northamptonshire for Springs and Spinsters. + +Thack and Dyke Northamptonshire like. + +Marholm, a village near Peterborough. + +"They held together like the men of Marholm when they lost their +Common." + +This is used when people are divided one against another. + +Caster where the woman is master. + +"To lose a hog for a ha'porth of tar." The hog referred to is a yearling +sheep. + +"To live by the penny." Buying only when anything is absolutely +required. + +"As cross as two sticks." + +"As cross as old Wilks." Who old Wilks was and why he was cross is lost +in oblivion. + +"As wise as Walton's calf who ran nine miles to suck a bull." + +"Black as the pot." + +"Topsy turvey Moses Webster." Used when things are in a disorderly +state. + +"Dance a jig, then come back and buy a pig." + +"Go to Farcet." This is a village near Peterborough and the expression +is used instead of advising people to go to Jericho or any other place. + +"As fat as moles." + +"You've gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick," was a common +expression when I was a school boy, when anyone was relating something +which was incorrect. + + Come day, Go day, God sends Sunday. + Sunday moon, flood before it is out. + Singing before breakfast on Monday, cry before the week is out. + As Friday so Sunday. + Friday is either the fairest or foulest day of the week. + Sun always shines on Saturday little or much. + + Saturday new moon and Sunday full, + Never good and never wull. + + + JANUARY. + + On corner walls, + A glittering row, + Hang pit irons less for use than show, + With horse-shoe brightened as a spell, + Witchcraft's evil powers to quell. + _John Clare._ + +The first thing on New Year's morning, open your Bible and the first +verse your finger or thumb touches that verse, will betoken what will +occur during the year. + +On New Year's morning if a sprig of green is placed in the Bible, the +verse on which it lies fortells the events of the year. + +It is lucky for a dark man to enter the house first on New Year's +morning, and I know a man who used to see the Old Year out and the New +Year in with a friend who always arranged for a very dark man to wait +for him outside his own house until he returned. The man then entered +the house first, and after a glass of something warm and good wishes, he +left. + +It is also a custom on New Year's Eve for some people to hide a +sovereign or half-sovereign outside the house and when leaving the house +on New Year's morning to pick up the piece of gold which is said to +ensure their having gold in their pockets all that year. + +Whatever is done on New Year's day, you will do throughout the year. + +As the weather is the first twelve days of January so it will be for the +twelve months. Each day's weather is taken for the corresponding month. + +Plough Monday, First Monday after Epiphany. This custom has almost +passed away. Only two lots of men were seen in Peterborough this year, +the Stores no doubt not encouraging them as the tradesmen did in the old +times. In Northampton, in 1910, I saw numerous groups of children with +blackened faces and grotesque dresses going about the streets on this +day as Plough witches. + + When the day lengthens, + Then the cold strengthens, + +On Old Christmas day (7th January new style) the day has lengthened a +cock's skip. + +January White. + +If the grass grows in January it grows the worse for it all the year. + + + ST. PAUL'S DAY, 25TH JANUARY. + +In some verses dedicated To all my worthy Masters and Mistresses, by +_John Small_, Bell-man, Stamford, 1850, is the following:-- + + If Saint Paul's day be fair and clear, + It doth betide a happy year; + If blustering winds do blow aloft, + Then wars will trouble our realm full oft, + And if by chance to snow or rain, + Then will be dear all sorts of grain. + + + FEBRUARY. + +February fill dyke. + + + ST. VALENTINE'S DAY. + +Children used to go round the villages and city on this day and sing: + + Good Morrow, Valentine; + Please to give me a valentine; + I'll be yourn, if you'll be mine; + Good Morrow, Valentine. + + Good Morrow, Valentine + First its yourn and then tis mine + So please give me a valentine. + Holly and ivy tickle my toe + Give me red apple and let me go. + + Good Morrow, Valentine, + Parsley grows by savoury + Savoury grows by thyme + A new pair of gloves on Easter Day + Good Morrow, Valentine. + +This was called going Valentining and some money or apples were given to +the children. + +In Peterborough and district sweet plum buns used to be made and were +called Valentine Buns. They were given by Godparents to their +Godchildren the Sunday before and the next Sunday after Valentine's Day. + + + MARCH. + +March, many weathers. + +John Clare says: + + March month of "many weathers" wildly comes, + In hail and snow and rain, and threatening hums and floods. + +March wind. + +A wet March makes a sad harvest. + +A March without water dowers the hind's daughter. + +If March comes in smiling and gay + +Saddle your horses and go and buy hay. + + March, Hic, Hac, Ham' + Comes in like a lion + And goes out like a lamb. + +If March comes in stormy and black, she carries the winter away on her +back. + + + MOTHERING SUNDAY. + +This is Midlent Sunday when it was the regular custom, and even now very +general, for the children, especially those in service, to visit their +parents on that day. + +Children away from home write to their parents on Mothering Sunday if +unable to get home. + +A special kind of cake was made for this day. + + + PALM SUNDAY. + +It is known as Fig Sunday as figs are eaten and a fig pudding is a +regular dish on this day. There used to be a great display of figs in +the Grocers' windows the week preceding Palm Sunday, but there is not +such a show now. + + + GOOD FRIDAY. + +On Good Friday, in 1904, I was reminded of an old custom by an old +friend who was staying with me. When some hot cross buns were offered, +he took one and told me to hold it with him and, whilst we were holding +it together to repeat with him this couplet:-- + + Half for you half for me + Between us two good luck shall be. + +When this was being said we broke the bun in two. This is said to cement +friendship between the two who break the bun. + + + APRIL. + + ST. MARK'S EVE. + +Take three tufts of grass plucked from a Churchyard, place them under +your pillow and repeat aloud:-- + + Let me know my fate, whether weal or woe + Whether my rank's to be high or low, + Whether to live single or be a bride, + And the destiny my star doth provide. + +If this is done one dreams of the future. + + When April blows his horn + 'Tis good for hay and corn. + +April showers make May flowers. + +26th April was called Break Day. The Fen Commons were broke or opened +by turning in stock. + + + MAY. + +The May Day Garlands are of various forms. Those in Peterborough are +formed of two hoops fastened together to form a globe and a stick or +stave through the centre. The hoops are decorated with flowers and +ribbons, and when the children possess one, the best doll is fixed on +the stick inside the garland. Two girls carry the garland which is +carefully covered with a white cloth. This is lifted at the houses and +the wondrous garland is exposed whilst the children sing the following +song, which is the favourite May Day song in the City. A friend has +kindly given me the music and words which she wrote on the 1st May, +1904: from the children's performance: + +[Illustration: Music] + + I. + + Good morrow, Lords and Ladies + It is the first of May, + We hope you'll view our garlands, + They are so bright and gay. + + Chorus--To the green woods we will go, + To the green woods we will go, + To the green woods we will go, + To the green woods we will go. + + II. + + This bunch of May it looks so gay, + Before your door it stands; + It is but a sprout, but it's well spread out + By the work of our Lord's hands. + + Chorus--To the green woods, etc. + + III. + + The Cuckoo sings in April, + The Cuckoo sings in May, + The Cuckoo sings in June; + In July she flies away. + + Chorus--To the green woods, etc. + + IV. + + I'm very glad the Spring has come, + The sun shines out so bright; + The little birds upon the trees + Are singing for delight. + + Chorus--To the green woods, etc. + + V. + + The roads are very dusty, + Our shoes are very thin; + We have a little money box + To put our money in. + + Chorus--To the green woods, etc. + +The Garlands are carried round on 1st May and on Old May Day. + +The Huntingdonshire Garlands are usually of a pryamidical form of +flowers and streamers, surmounted by a doll. + +The frontispiece of May garland at Glatton is a copy of a water colour +drawing by the Rev. E. Bradley (Cuthbert Bede) when living there in +1856. + +In the earlier part of the last century it was the custom for a young +man to get as large a branch as possible of May in flower on May 1st and +fix it to his sweetheart's window. If the shutters were closed it was +thrust through the diamond, oval, round, or heartshaped openings at the +top of the shutters. The larger the branch and the more the blossoms the +greater the compliment. If a quarrel had taken place, and peace not +made, then the angry swain would fix a branch of blackthorn in the place +which otherwise should have held the May blossom. + +In the country if the servant maids had not pleased the farm boys they +used to get a branch of the crab apple and put it in the girl's window. + + + MAY DAY. + + A branch of May I have brought you, + And at your door it stands; + Well set out, and well spread about + By the work of our Lord's hands. + Take a Bible in your hands, + And read a chapter through; + And when the day of Judgement comes, + God will remember you, + God bless ye all both great and small, + And I wish you a merry May. + +Another variation is:-- + + Arise! Arise! ye dairy maids, + Shake off your drowsy dreams, + Step straightway to your dairies + And fetch us a bowl of cream, + If not a bowl of your sweet cream, + A pot of your brown beer; + And if we should tarry in this town, + We'll come again next year. + +When Caster Common Lands were open to all and the gates taken off on May +13th, there was a struggle with the cottagers as to whose cow would get +through the gateway first and the cow which secured the place of honour +had a garland of flowers put round its horns when driven home at night, +and the cow which was last to get on the Common returned with a "Dish +Clout" tied to its tail. + + Sunny May. + + Cold May, good for corn and Hay. + + Rain in May, makes plenty of Hay. + + A May flood never did good. + +The last two appear to be contradictory but the flood refers to the +valley of the Nene and the lowlands which are apt to be flooded when the +river overflows its banks. The mud and dirt consequently settle on the +grass and make it unfit for hay, but the rainfall does good, causes the +grass to grow and it is not injured by the silt. + + Till May goes out, change not a clout. + +29th May, Restoration Day, commonly called Oak Apple Day from an oak +apple with oak leaves being generally worn on that day until noon. The +leaves or apple at that time were put out of sight. Before noon everyone +was challenged to "show your oak" and if none could be seen a blow or a +pinch could be given, but after that hour the wearer of the oak could be +struck. School boys used to fix leaves on the top of their boots, hidden +by their trousers, and when challenged would lift their foot and kick +the challenger, and so showing their oak and punishing the other boy. + +When you hear the cuckoo for the first time you must run or you will be +late for everything during the year. + + + WHIT SUNDAY. + +In South Northamptonshire it is said:-- + +"Whatsoever one did ask of God upon Whit Sunday Morning, at the instant +when the sun arose and played, God would grant him." + +Turn your money in your pocket the first time you hear the cuckoo. + +Count the number of times the cuckoo calls when you hear it for the +first time and, as many times as it calls, so many years will it be +before you are married. + +If a maid hears a cuckoo on the first of May, and takes off her left +shoe, she will find inside a hair the colour of her future husband's +hair. Girls used to get up early on May morning and go into the country +and wait to hear the cuckoo. + +An old adage is:--Don't change your clothes until the cuckoo picks up +dirt. + + + JUNE. + + The oak's slow opening leaf, of deepening hue, + Bespeaks the power of Summer once again. _Clare._ + + + JUNE ROSES. + +The two June sayings are very optimistic: + + A fine June, puts all things in tune. + + A rainy June, sets all things in tune. + + + ST. PETER'S DAY, 29TH JUNE. + +The gates of the Minster Precincts are still closed on this day to +maintain the right of privacy. + +The Proclamations of St. Peter's and Bridge Fair by the Town Crier, in +the presence of the Mayor and Corporation, is still continued. + +A copy of the proclamation was fortunately obtained for me before the +old Beadle died. He had not a copy but used to repeat it from memory. + + + SHEEP SHEARING. (JUNE). + +It was the custom, when the shearing was finished, for the Shepherds and +Shearers to be entertained at supper by the Farmer. The Farmer's +Daughter used to tie up posies of roses with ribbons and give a posy to +each man, but the Head Shepherd always had the largest and best posy. It +was considered by the girls to be great fun to put a quantity of pepper +in the roses for the Head Shepherd, so that the poor Shepherd had severe +fits of sneezing. Being expected, the joke never failed to cause a +tremendous noise of sneezing, both natural and mock. + +June was the month during which the feast was held and it was held as +recently as 1856. + +In some parts of Northamptonshire the last sheep to be sheared had a +garland of roses placed round its neck. + + + MIDSUMMER EVE CHARMS. + +As the clock strikes Midnight take some hempseed and go into the garden +and begin to throw the hempseed on the ground, repeating these words:-- + + Hempseed I sow, + Hempseed I hoe, + He that is my true love, + Come after me and mow. + +After this, look over your left shoulder and you will see your future +spouse. + +In some places the sower goes round the house. + +Another is to go into the garden backwards, in silence, and gather a +rose and keep it in a clean sheet of paper without looking at it, until +Christmas Day, when it will be as fresh as in June, and if it is worn on +that day on the bosom he that is to be the husband will come and take it +out. + +Just before twelve o'clock at night take a clean chemise, wet it and +turn it inside out and put over a chair before the fire, and when the +clock strikes midnight your future spouse will come and turn the +chemise. This must be done in perfect silence as a single word will +break the spell. + + + DUMB CAKE. + +On Midsummer Eve three girls are required to make a dumb cake. Two must +make it, two bake it, two break it, and the third put a piece under each +of their pillows. Strict silence must be preserved. The following are +the directions given how to proceed: The two must go to the larder and +jointly get the various ingredients. First they get a bowl, each holding +it and wash and dry it together. Then each gets a spoonful of flour, a +spoonful of water and a little salt. When making the cake they must +stand on something they have never stood on before. They must mix it +together and roll it. Then they draw a line across the middle of the +cake and each girl cuts her initials each on opposite sides of the line. +Then both put it into the oven and bake it. The two take it out of the +oven, and break it across the line and the two pieces are given to the +third girl who places a piece under each pillow and they will dream of +their future. + +Not a word must be spoken and the two girls after giving the pieces to +the third girl have to walk backwards to bed and get into bed backwards. +One word or exclamation by either of the three girls will break the +charm. + +Should a gale arise and the wind appear to be rustling in the room, +during the baking or latter part of the preparation, if they look over +their left shoulder they will see their future husbands. + +In some districts the pieces of cake are eaten in bed and not put under +their pillows but nothing must be drank before breakfast next morning. + +Another variation is that two only make the cake and go through the same +form as the preceding, only they divide it themselves, then each eats +her portion and goes to bed backwards as in the first case and nothing +must be drank or a word spoken. + +An uncooked dried salt fish eaten before going to bed in silence and +walking backwards and getting into bed the same way, causes ones future +husband to appear in a dream with a glass of water in his hand if a +teetotaller, or a glass of beer if he is not one. Nothing must be drank +before breakfast. + +An old woman said she had tried it over 40 years ago and her husband +brought her a glass of beer and he was not an abstainer but rather the +reverse. + + + SEPTEMBER. + + Right glad to meet the evening's dewy veil + And see the light fade into glooms around. _Clare._ + +The Harvest Home Suppers are now almost a thing of the past. I went to +one about eight years ago and suppose it will be the last. It is held +when the last load of corn is taken home. This load used to be decorated +with boughs and flowers and the youngest boy employed used to ride on it +singing:-- + + Harvest Home! Harvest Home; + Two plum puddings are better than one, + We've plowed, we've sowed, + We've reaped, we've mowed, + We've got our harvest home. + +They also used to shout Largess! Largess! but seldom got anything given +them. It was merely an old custom. + +In the evening the supper was held, and after supper songs were sung. +The oldest labourer used to propose the health of the Master and +Mistress and all would sing:-- + + + HARVEST HOME. + + Here's a health unto our Master, the giver of the feast, + Not only to our Master, but to our Mistress; + We wish all things may prosper whate'er he take in hand, + For we are all his servants, and all at his command. + Drink, boys drink, and see you do not spill, + For if you do you shall drink two, it is our Master's will. + + I've been to France, I've been to Dover, + I've been to Harvest Home all the world over, over, and over, + Drink up your liquor and turn the bowl over. + +Another:-- + + Here's health unto our Master the founder of the feast, + God bless his endeavours and give him increase, + And send him good crops that we may meet another year, + Here's our Master's good health boys come drink off your beer. + +Some of the old songs used to be regularly sung. "The Poacher" was +always a great favourite and the chorus, "For its my delight on a starry +night" used to be given with great force and feeling. I wish I could +remember the old songs which are now forgotten. + +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 assemblies 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 worshipper 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 +principal 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 +principal 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. + + If we set a spinning we will either work or play, + But if we set a spinning we can earn a crown a day. + And a spinning we will go, etc. + + And if there be some young men, as I suppose there's some, + We'll hardly let them stand alone upon the cold, cold, stone. + And a spinning we will go. + +Spinning was the employment for the females in the old Work house, and +in the Dean and Chapter's accounts of payments there are entries of +payments on St. Catherine's Day for wheels and reels for the children of +the Workhouse. + + + DECEMBER. + + ST. ANDREW'S DAY. + +December 11th, commonly called "Tander," used to be kept by the +Lace-makers as a feast day. St. Andrew was their Patron Saint. On that +day men and women used to go about dressed in each other's clothes, and +calling at various houses and drinking hot elder wine. On this day the +Morris Dancers or Mummers began their visits. There were from four to +eight people who took part in the Mummery. The King, Beelzebub, Doctor, +Doctor's man and Jack, the fool. Sometimes one took the part of the +Doctor's horse and the Doctor made his entry riding on the horse, who +was on his hands and knees but he generally had a small stool in his +hands to make him a little higher, when moving about. This is described +in Old Customs. + +On St. Andrew's Day it was a custom called "Tander" at Easton on the +Hill, about 12 miles from Peterborough, and other places, of the boys +locking the village Schoolmaster out of School and demanding the rest of +the day as a holiday, before the door was reopened. If the Schoolmaster +could obtain an entrance to the School before giving his consent, the +holiday was not given. + + + ST. THOMAS'S DAY, 21ST DECEMBER. + +The practice of women going Gooding is fast passing away. Very few bands +of women are seen now in the towns, but at Farcet last year (1910) the +widows received about two shillings each for their share. + + + CHRISTMAS. + +For a few weeks before Christmas Day the Waits and Singers still come +round during the night time and on Boxing Days they call for their +Christmas Boxes. The singers have now degenerated into two or three +children who huddle together on the doorsteps of houses and sing through +the keyhole and letter box as fast and as loud as they can utter the +various hymns of which, "When shepherds watched their flocks by night." +As soon as they receive a halfpenny away they trot to the next house to +repeat the performance. + +A Green Christmas makes a fat Churchyard. + + If a Christmas Day on a Thursday be, + A windy winter we shall see. + +If the sun shines on Christmas day for however short a time, the +following year will be good for fruit. + + + INNOCENTS DAY, DECEMBER 28TH. + +Called "Dyzemass Day," it is considered very unlucky to begin anything +on this day and about sixty or seventy years ago many old people kept +this day more sacred than an ordinary Sunday. + + + COUNTRY DANCES. + +In the old County families the Christmas or New Year's dances in which +tenants and servants all united together are still kept up in this +district and anticipated and enjoyed as heartily as ever. The up-to-date +dances are divided by the old Country dances which go with a vim and are +enjoyed by all. In these dances the Master, Mistress, family and friends +dance with the servants to the mutual good will and good feeling of all +concerned. The dance is generally opened by a Country dance in which the +Lady has the Butler for a partner and the Master the Housekeeper, and it +is generally a handsacross and down the middle so that everyone meets +during the dance. "The triumph" is a great favourite and opens with the +lady being taken down the centre by the gentleman next to her partner +who follows them to the bottom of the room and the two bring her back, +each holding her by one hand and their other hands clasped and held over +the ladys head with a very pretty effect. + +"La Tempete" for noise and merriment takes a lot of beating and would +suit the modern dancing as it partakes more of a romp than a dance. + +The "Ribbon Dance" when each couple holds the end of a ribbon (red, +white, or blue). This is very pretty when the ribbons are held up in the +dance. There are many others which might be mentioned but space is +limited. Sir Roger de Coverley always closed the ball. + + + SEDAN CHAIRS. + +A Sedan Chair used to be seen in the streets of Peterborough until the +early seventies. Certain old ladies would only go to Church or +entertainments in it because it was taken into the entrance of the house +or other place so that they could get in and out without being exposed +to the weather. The harness worn by one of the men is seen in +Peterborough Museum. + +In 1905; for the first time within the recollection of the inhabitants +of Peterborough, St. John's Church Bells were not rung on Wyldbore's day +as the bell tower was not considered safe. The sermon was preached as +usual. + +At the end of the sowing season a large "Siblet" or seed cake, was made +for the farm labourers who ate it, and drank success to the sowing in +home brewed ale or mead. + +The Curfew Bell is still rung at the Minster from May 1st, to August +31st, at 8-50 p.m., and from September 1st, to April 30th, at 7-50 p.m. +It has only been discontinued for a short time and this was during the +Commonwealth, since it was first started. + + + FIT RINGS. + +To cure fits:--If a female, she collects nine pieces of silver and nine +three half-pennies from bachelors. The silver money is made into a ring, +to be worn by the afflicted person and the half-pence is paid to the +maker of the ring for his work. If a male, he collects from females. + +I knew an old silversmith who was in great request to make these rings. +He used to save broken silver spoons to make the rings but lately he +found out he could buy the rings ready made so he did not trouble to +make any afterwards. + + + WEDDING RINGS. + +It is unlucky for a bride to reverse her wedding ring on her wedding +day. + +If a bride can be persuaded to remove her ring and have some bride cake +passed through the ring, and the cake, so passed, put under the pillow, +the person will dream of her future spouse. + + + GAMES. + + + EARTH AIR AND WATER. + +This was a favourite game at Christmas parties for forfeits. The players +sit all round the room, a small ball or a handkerchief tied up is then +thrown by the leader at one. After several feints so as to catch one not +watching and throw the ball at that one and shouting Earth Air, or +Water, and as soon as the word is said begins to count up to ten as fast +as possible. The person hit by the ball has to name a bird, beast, or +fish before ten has been counted or pays a forfeit. A name must not be +mentioned which has been used by another person as that also entails a +forfeit. It was not a game for a stammering person. + + + I LOVE MY LOVE. + +This is another forfeit game. All sit round the room and one begins I +love my love with an A, because he is amiable, and everyone follows in +their turn by repeating the form and qualification, beginning with the +same letter as Active, Artful, &c. Anyone using the word which has been +used pays a forfeit. Then it goes round with the letter B and so on +through the alphabet. + +The Quaker Wedding:--The leader goes round with his eyes looking on the +ground and sings "Hast thou ever been to a Quaker's Wedding."? + +This is repeated until he or she stops before one of the party, who then +answers--Nay, friend, nay. The leader then says, "Do as I do, Twiddle +thy thumbs and follow me." The selected one follows the leader singing +the same words and both twiddling their thumbs. Then they are all got in +line facing one way and kneel together as close as possible. When all +are kneeling the leader gives a sly push to the one next to her and the +whole row fall over amidst great laughter. I have played this game at +Christmas time and it was sometimes fixed as a forfeit. + +When playing a losing game at Cards, Dominoes, etc., the chair in which +the unlucky player is sitting should be turned (by the occupant) from +right to left, to change the luck. It has been thought that this turning +is a form of Sun Worship. + +Crane.:--This game was generally played during the Harvest Home Feast. +"A man holds in his hand a long stick, with another tied to the top of +it, in the form of an L. reversed, which represents the long neck and +beak of the crane. This with himself, is entirely covered with a large +sheet. He mostly makes excellent sport as he puts the whole company to +the rout, pecking at the young girl's and old men's heads, nor stands he +upon the least ceremony in this character, but he takes the liberty to +break the master's pipe, and spill his beer, as freely as those of his +men." This mostly begins the night's diversions, as the prologue to the +rest, while the booted boys wind up the entertainment. _Clare._ Village +Minstrel. + + + HANDSELL. + +It is still a custom if a child has anything new to wear, to handsell +it. That is to give a small coin to put in the pocket. The first money +received on the day is called taking Handsell, and some spit on it and +turn it to get good luck. When anything is used for the first time it is +handselled. + + + BOOT. + +This was a kind of punishment for such boys as have carelessly neglected +their duty in the harvest, or treated their labour with negligence +instead of attention, as letting their cattle get pounded or +overthrowing their loads, etc. A long form is placed in the kitchen upon +which the boys who have worked well sit, as a terror and disgrace to the +rest in a bent posture, with their hands laid on each others backs +forming a hedge for the "boys," as the truant boys are called to pass +over; while a strong chap stands on each side with a boot-legging +strongly strapping them as they scuffle over the bridge, which is done +as fast as their ingenuity can carry them. _Clare's_ Village Minstrel. + +Meeting eyebrows are lucky, and those having them are said to have +great luck with stock. + + + CUTTING NAILS. + + Cut your nails on a Monday, cut for a gift. + Cut your nails on a Tuesday, cut them for thrift. + Cut your nails on a Wednesday, cut them for news. + Cut your nails on a Thursday, cut for a new pair of shoes. + Cut your nails on a Friday, cut them for sorrow, + Cut your nails on a Saturday, see your sweetheart to-morrow. + Cut them on Sunday, cut them for evil. + Cut them all the week round, and you'll go to the devil. + + Better that child had ne'er been born, + Who cuts its nails on a Sunday morn. + + Of a Friday's pare, + No good will come near. + +If you cut your nails on Monday morning before breakfast, and without +thinking of a fox's tail, you will have a gift before the week is out. +When told this, I asked, Why not a fox's brush? "Oh, no!" was the reply, +"you may think of the brush but not the tail." + +White specks on the nails are called gifts, and the rhyme says:-- + + A gift on the finger is sure to linger, + A gift on the thumb, is sure to come. + +In this district many mothers will not allow their babie's nails to be +cut before they are a year old, but they bite the edges off. If the +nails are cut the children grow up thieves. + +A new born babe, before being taken out of the house, should be carried +up some stairs, but if it is born in a room at the top of the house, the +nurse lifts it up and gets on a chair, and puts the child on the top of +something high, so that it may rise in the world. + +If a pair of shoes are placed on the table a quarrel is sure to ensue. + +This part of the county appears to possess more than the normal number +of senses. I have often heard people speak of their seven senses. Only a +short time ago a woman speaking of a neighbour who was a great sleeper, +and also of her child, said they would sleep away their seven senses. +And another woman who was startled said, "You're enough to frighten me +out of my seven senses." I should like to know what the two extra senses +are. Instinct may, perhaps, be one! + + + MARRIAGE. + +Three times a bridesmaid, will die an old maid. + + + BRIDE'S DRESS. + + Married in Grey, you will go far away. + Married in Black, you will wish yourself back. + Married in Brown, you will live out of town. + Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead. + Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl. + Married in Green, ashamed to be seen. + Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow. + Married in Blue, he will always be true. + Married in Pink, your spirits will sink. + + Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday the best day of all. + Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday no luck at all. + +Marry on Sunday so that you cannot repent before the week is out. + + + ANIMALS. + +If a dog howls in front of a house it is a sign of a death very soon. If +a woman in the house takes off her left shoe and turns it upside down +and puts her foot on it the dog ceases howling. I know of one instance +where a dog howled in front of a house, and the mistress seeing and +hearing the dog took off her left shoe and put her foot on it. The dog +was in the midst of a howl, and he finished it with a yell and turned +away and ran from the house as fast as possible, but he returned very +soon and howled again. It was very strange, but an invalid visitor was +staying in the house, and he died exactly a week after the howling. + +To be followed by a strange dog is lucky. + +If a cat licks her foot and passes it over her left ear it is a sign +that a stranger will soon come. + +When a cat lies with her tail turned to the fire it is a sign of hard +weather. + +If a cat licks her tail it betokens rain. + +A strange black cat brings good luck into a house. + +When a cat is taken to a new home its feet should be buttered, and it +will stop. + +If a cat has a cold and sneezes, all the people in the house will catch +it. + +When Noah's Ark is seen in the sky it is a sign of much rain. + +It is described by Clare as "a long dark cloud stretching across the +heavens, broad in the centre and tapering at each end, resembling the +figure of the ark, and supposed to foretell great floods. But it depends +on the direction of the ark. If it is from south to north it is a sign +of good weather, but if from east to west bad weather." + +Rain before seven, clear up before eleven. + +Rain water collected as it falls on Holy Thursday is very good for +diseases of the eye. + +If it rains on St. Swithin's day it portends a good crop of apples. + +Rain in the east, three days at least. + +You should always wish when on strange ground. + +If you shiver someone is walking over your grave. This means someone is +talking of your death. + +If you have a toothache you don't love true. + +Wounds and corns aching are signs of rain or frost. + + Left cheek burning someone is speaking well of you, + Right cheek burning someone is speaking ill of you. + +But if you bite your finger when your cheek burns the person speaking +ill of you will bite his or her tongue. + + Right cheek, left friend, + Left cheek, right friend. + +It is unlucky for a man to meet a cross-eyed woman, but the ill-luck is +broken if he spits on the opposite side to that by which he passes her. + +To lay an umbrella on a bed is to bring disappointment to the occupant. + +If a shirt, or any other garment, is put on inside out, it must remain +so all day and so avoid bad luck. + +A Caul or Kell is the thin membrane which sometimes covers the face of +an infant at its birth, and is supposed to betoken good fortune. +Sometimes they are sold, and the general price used to be about three +guineas. Seafaring men would buy them as preservatives from drowning, +and also for good luck. In 1862 a poor woman wanted to sell one to my +mother for my welfare, and all sorts of good luck and fortune were to +belong to the possessor, but my mother would not speculate, so I lost +the chance. + +When pricked by a thorn, and to prevent the wound from festing, the +following verse should be repeated: + + Our Saviour was of a Virgin born, + His head was crowned with a crown of thorn, + It never cankered or festered at all, + And I hope in Christ Jesus this never shall. + +When a wise woman, or anyone, is called in to attend and charm anyone, +the person to be operated upon must have an earnest belief that a cure +will be effected, and the words "Please" and "Thank you" must not be +used or the charm fails. In some cases the charmer blesses or hallows +cords or leather thongs which the patient wore tied round the neck. + + + WHOOPING COUGH. + +On the 22nd January, 1908, two women were talking together in Long +Causeway. One asked the other how her child was? (It was suffering from +whooping cough). The mother replied, "No better. The other day Mrs. ---- +told me to steal a bit of raw meat from a butcher's and cut a hole in +it, and put a lock of my hair in the hole and give it to a dog to eat. I +did it, but it is no better." I had previously heard this, but with the +difference that it should be a lock of the child's hair. + + + WASHING. + + They who wash on a Monday have all the week to dry, + They who wash on a Tuesday are not so much awry, + They who wash on a Wednesday not so much to blame, + They who wash on a Thursday wash for shame, + They who wash on a Friday wash in need, + But they who wash on Saturday are sluts indeed. + +It is unlucky to wash on "Good Friday." The legend says:--"A woman who +was washing when Our Lord was passing on his way to be crucified threw +some dirty water over him." + +Two persons washing together in the same basin or bowl, or drying +themselves with the same towel, will very soon quarrel, but this may be +prevented by each making the sign of a cross with their finger-tips on +the surface of the water. + +If, when washing, the soap slips from your hands and falls on the ground +you will hear of a death before the week is out. + +If a woman has a fine day for washing the first time after Michaelmas +Day, she will have fine washing days all the year. + + + SNEEZING. + +Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger, sneeze on Tuesday, kiss a stranger, +sneeze on Wednesday get a letter, sneeze on Thursday, something better, +sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow, Saturday, see your true love +to-morrow. + +To sneeze three times in succession, is a sign of a gift. + + PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. + +On July 26th, 1681, the Rev. John Wray, M.A., F.R.S., writes in his +diary:-- + + "We (Mr. Wray and Mr. Willoughby) began our journey northwards from + Cambridge, and that day, passing through Huntingdon and Stilton, we + rode as far as Peterborough, 25 miles. There I first heard the + Cathedral Service. The Choristers made us pay money for coming into + the choir with our spurs on." + + + BELLS. + + Helpston cracked pippins, + And Northborough cracked pans, + Glinton fine Organs, + And Peakirk tin pans. + +The Churches of Tansor and Cotterstock are not very far from each other. +Cotterstock has four bells, and Tansor only two. The villagers say that +the Cotterstock bells ask: + + "Who rings the best? Who rings the best?" + + and Tansor proudly and rapidly replies, + + "We do, We do, We do, We do." + +Tansor now possesses three bells, so their answer now is "We three do." + +The Pancake bell is still rung regularly in Peterborough on Shrove +Tuesday. + +The Gleaning bell is rung in the district. + +In some Parishes a bell was tolled during the time of a corpse being put +in its shroud, and was called the "Winding Bell." + +The Church Bells of Helpston, Northborough, Glinton, and Peakirk are +described as:-- + + + PERSONAL. + +A mole spot on the body, is considered lucky. + +One with the mole on the neck, will gather money by the peck. + +A mole on the left shoulder, betokens a drunken husband. + + Right eye itching, sign of joy, + Left eye itching, sign of sorrow. + + Right eye joy, left eye cry. + +If your nose itches, you will kiss or shake hands with a fool. + +Nose itching, going to hear news. + +Rub it on wood and it's sure to come good. + +Palm of right hand itching, you will receive money. + +Left palm itching, you will pay money away. + +If your knee itches, you will kneel in a strange Church. + +If your foot itches, you will walk on strange ground. + + + FOLK LORE (3) + +The moon, meek guardian of the night. _John Clare_ (unpub.) + +To see the new moon for the first time through glass is unlucky +especially the first one in the year. + +You should always turn the money in your pockets when you see the first +new moon in the year, and if one of the other sex is near an interchange +of kisses increases the good luck. + +To see the new moon the first time over your right shoulder is lucky, +but if over the left shoulder it is unlucky. + +The first new moon in the year is stronger in its influence than the +others. + +If the new moon does not appear until the fourth day, it foretells a +troubled time for the whole month. + +When the moon appears on the fourth day very clear and sharp and rather +on the slant, it promises mostly fair weather for the month. + +An erect moon is said to threaten wind. + + Near full moon a misty sunrise, + Bodes fair weather and cloudless skies. + + When the clouds of the moon to the West fly away, + You may safely rely on a settled fair day. + + When mountains and cliffs in the clouds appear, + Some sudden or violent showers are near. + +Sun rising red and fiery foretells wind and rain. If cloudy and the +clouds decrease it is a sign of fair weather. + +If after rising the sun goes to bed again (that is going behind clouds) +it is a sure sign of rain. + + The evening red, the morning grey, + Are surely signs of a very fine day. + +Children are told they may go and play in the fields, or open, when the +sun shines on both sides of the hedge. + +A black cat following anyone into a home brings good luck. + +Mice coming into a house indicate a death. + +A mouse running over anyone is an infallible sign of death. + +The squeaking of mice behind the bed of an invalid, or the appearance of +a white mouse running across a room, are also signs of death. + +Pigs should be killed when the moon is on the rise. + +If killed when the moon is waning the fat of the pork will shrink. + +It is unlucky to bring a squirrel into a house. + +The first time you see any lambs turn your money. + +If their heads are turned towards you it is lucky, but if their tails it +is the reverse. + +Moles work harder than general before rain. + +A mole's foot carried in the pocket is a sure prevention against +witches. + + + BIRDS. + +Crows foretell rain when they caw and walk along on the banks of rivers +and pools. + +A crow alighting in front of anyone walking is unlucky. + +Two crows bring good luck, and if they fly away over the person's head +it is very great good luck. + +Four crows foretell a death in the person's family. + +I was recently told that two crows alighting on a house betokens a +death, and a very peculiar instance was given. My informant told me that +his coat of arms bears three Choughs and the night before his father +died two crows sat on the window sill of his father's bedroom, and it +was remarked that one of the three birds being absent foretold the death +which occurred next day. + +A bird flying into a house foretells a death. + +A white pigeon is a bird of ill omen, and if after hovering about it +alights on a house it is a token of the death of one of the inmates. + +A hen crowing is a sign of death. + +When swallows fly low it foretells rain. + +The cuckoo comes in May. In June he changes his tune. In July he goes +away. In August away he must, for a cuckoo in September nobody can +remember. + +It is said woodlarks are never found in Northamptonshire. + +Larks rising very high and singing for a long time is a sign of fine +weather. + +Kites flying aloft betokens fine weather. + +Peacock's feathers, even now, are considered to bring bad luck into a +house. + +When you see a heron flying the first time in the year put the tips of +your right thumb and the finger nearest the thumb together and form a +ring. Then wish and at the same time spit through the opening, and if +the spittle does not touch the hand the wish comes to pass. This, I +believe, is a strictly local custom, as there is a heronry in Milton +Park, about three miles from Peterborough. + + + BEES. + +On the death of their master or mistress one of the family or household +must go to the hives and tap on them and say who is dead and who is to +be their new master. If this is neglected the bees will pine away. Some +sugared beer is given to the bees at these times. + +The various flights of bees are named as follows: A swarm. 2. A cast. 3. +A colt or second cast, and should there be a fourth, which is very rare, +it is called a spem--a swarm from a swarm is called a virgin swarm. + +The different values of the swarms are described in this rhyme: + + A swarm of bees in May + Is worth a load of hay; + A swarm of bees in June + Is worth a silver spoon; + A swarm of bees in July + Is not worth a fly. + +Bees flying far from their hives and coming home late foretells fine +weather. + +Bees are more industrious just before rain, but do their best to reach +their hives before the rain falls. + + + INSECTS. + +Spiders were considered efficacious in cases of Ague. If put alive in a +bag and tied round the neck or swallowed alive wrapped in paste. + + If you wish to live and thrive + Let the spiders run alive. + +Spider webs in the air or on the grass and nets foretells fair weather. + +A spider on one's clothes means a new suit or dress. + +Woodlice, of the kind which roll themselves up when touched, if +swallowed in that state, were taken for the ague. + +With regard to wearing out boots, there is a doggrel on this subject:-- + + Trip at the toe, live to know woe, + Trip at the ball, live to spend all, + Trip at the heel, live to do well. + +One funeral brings two more. + +A variation of this makes the "two more" dependent on a Sunday +intervening between the death and burial of the body. + +Another variation affirms that the first death must be that of a female. + +When a grave opens for a "she," it will open for three. + +It is the custom, in some places, to place some salt, in a pewter plate, +on the chest of a dead body; but especially when the death has been +through dropsy. This was done only a short time since. + +The roaring noise of a fire foretells a quarrel in the house. + +A thin flake of smut on a bar of the grate betokens a visit from a +stranger. + +Cinders flying out of the fire, taking the form of a purse and giving a +jingling noise when shaken, foretells the receiving of money. When they +are in the shape of a coffin (and with no jingling) this betokens a +death. + +If anyone by stirring or otherwise makes a dull fire get bright, it is +said to make his or her sweetheart smile. + +To prevent cramp at night place your shoes by the bedside in the form of +a T. One end pointed to, and the end of the other shoe pointed from the +bed, is also considered a preventative. + +Knives laid edge upwards on the table cut Angels' feet. + +Two knives, crossed on the table, foretells a quarrel within an hour. + +To drop a knife mean a male visitor and, in the case of a fork, a female +visitor. + +Never give, or accept, a sharp edged or pointed present without giving a +coin in exchange, or friendship will be broken. + +Knives crossed and laid on the floor is a strong protection against the +power of witchcraft. + +A very old woman told me she once tried the knives on one of her +neighbours, as she suspected the woman of overlooking her; so she asked +the woman to come and see her one day but before the woman came into the +house she crossed two knives and put them on the floor in a dark corner. +When the suspected person came in she wouldn't sit down and soon left, +appearing to be very uncomfortable; so she was a "wrong un" but the old +lady said she was all right after that, and had no more trouble. + +Straws crossed and placed on a footpath, or on the road, prevents a +witch from passing. + +Many years since I remember hearing of this being done as a suspected +woman was coming along, and it was said the woman got very angry and +foamed at the mouth but she didn't pass the straws. + +The following is in use at the present time:-- + +If a husband runs away from his wife she buys a pennyworth of Dragon's +Blood, wraps it in paper, and places it under her pillow when she goes +to bed, and it is sure to draw him back again. + +A chemist in Peterborough had a letter a few years since, from a woman +in the Fens, asking him to send her a "pennorth of Dragons Blood" for +this very purpose; and the following shows that the custom is in use, +even in the United States of America, at the present time according to +the following extract from the "Daily Express" of 18th February, 1905: + + Drank Dragon's Blood. + + Buffalo Bill's wife gave him love Philtres. + + "Express" Correspondent. + + Cheyenne (Wyoming), Friday, February 17th., 1905. + +It came out, during the hearing of Buffalo Bill's divorce case to-day, +that he had been dosed with many love Philtres. + +Mrs. Cody, his wife, was extremely jealous of him and imagining that his +affection for her was gone, mixed gipsy love potions in his drinks. One +of these, which was supposed to be particularly efficacious, was known +as "Dragon's Blood." + +Mrs. Parker, a witness, told the court that Mrs. Cody believed that +every woman was infatuated with her husband, and confided to her the +names of many prominent women who, she said, were in love with him. + +The witness stated, in cross examination, that during these outbursts of +jealousy Colonel Cody was beside himself with rage. + +Dragon's Blood is not a fluid. It is a resin from certain kinds of palm. + +At Oundle "There is a Well that is credibly reported to drum as a +presage of very great alterations to publick affairs." M.S.S. dated +1703, of the Phillips Stourhead Collection, No. 22244. + +I came across this Croyland rhyme some time since:-- + + In Holland fen, now mark the name, + Old Croyland stands, of mickle fame, + There is a wine of a certain class, + There is fodder like sword grass, + There's a bed as hard as stone, + Thence depart, with "get ye gone." + +If you can peel an apple with the paring in one piece take the peel by +one end with the right hand and wave it three times over your head and +throw it over your left shoulder, and it will fall in the form of the +first letter of your sweetheart's christian or surname. + +With the first cherry pie of the season, those who partake of it count +the stones, to know their prospect of matrimony. The counting is done in +this manner and, at the same time, repeating these words over and over +again until all the stones on the plate have been counted:-- + +1st. stone "This year," 2nd stone "Next year," 3rd stone "Sometime," +4th. stone "Never," and on which word the last stone falls, that is the +fate. + + + GENERAL. + +"Grandfather" Clocks, and especially those which have been in a family +for two or three generations, are regarded as capable of foretelling +deaths in a family. If one falls down, stops without any apparent cause, +or strikes several times more that it ought to do without stopping, then +these events are certain signs of death. + +A well known barrister told me he had bought an old Grandfather clock, +and his man had entire charge of it. One morning the man found the clock +had fallen down during the night and he was very much disturbed about it +and said there would be a death soon, and within a week the man's father +died. + +In another case a man said he was cleaning a clock which his father had +made, and the owner told him what a good clock it was, but, said she, +"It was completely master of your father for a time. He came to clean it +one day, and after a few weeks it stopped, and he went again and +attended to it, but it was no use, so was given up as a bad job. The +owner was certain a death would soon occur, and shortly after her +husband's mother died. When she heard of the death she set the pendulum +swinging, and it had never stopped since, except to be cleaned." + +It is very seldom that other kinds of clocks are credited with these +powers although at Werrington there was, in a cottage, a small wooden +Dutch clock called in this neighbourhood a "Sheep's head" clock. It was +hanging on the wall and had not been going for some years, the weights +and pendulum had been lost and the lines were wrapped round the clock. +One Sunday morning before the woman and her husband had risen from bed, +but were both wide awake, they distinctly heard this clock strike "one" +and by the next mail they received notice that their son, a soldier on +Foreign service, had died that Sunday morning, and at one o'clock. + +There are several things worn as charms and amulets, which are +attributed with various powers, and one favourite is a "Lucky bone" +which is worn for good luck. This bone is taken from a sheep's head, and +is in the form of a T. + +A stone with a hole through it, is worn and highly valued for its Good +Luck. + +The stones that have only one large hole, are hung on bed heads, and in +stables. + +Horse shoes, when found, are very lucky and should be nailed over the +threshold, or over the hearth. I have seen some at Cotterstock Hall, +Alwalton Hall, and other houses, attached to the door. They are also +nailed over stable doors. If there are any nails in the shoe, when found +by a single person, then, as many nails as there are, so many years will +it be before the marriage of that person. + +Thorney men, seeing a small portion of a horse shoe lying in the road, +pick it up and throw it over their shoulder, so that no ill-luck may +befall them. + +A knuckle bone or a cramp bone carried in the pocket prevents cramp. + +A potato, chestnut or a nutmeg carried in the pocket prevents +rheumatism. + +A piece of wicken is worn as a cure for the ague. + +A mole's foot or a load stone, in the pocket, is a protection against +witches. + +Although lamps and gas have generally supplanted candles, in the country +where candles are still used, the spark on the wick is considered to +denote the coming of a letter, and the melted tallow or composition +forming a winding sheet denotes a death. + +When a candle burns blue or dim, a spirit is said to be in the room. + +It is very unlucky to return to the house for anything after leaving it, +although the spell is broken if the person sits down before coming out +of the house again. + +Two people, meeting on a staircase, is a sign of an approaching wedding. + +When walking together, two lovers must not pass on different sides of +turnstiles, road posts, or lamp posts, or they will certainly quarrel. + +It is bad luck, when two persons are walking together, to separate and +one to turn back against a gate; but if one of them sits down for a +time, whilst the other walks away, the bad luck is turned. + +To spill salt is a sign of sorrow or anger; but if the spilt salt is +gathered up in a spoon and thrown over the left shoulder the luck is +turned. + +An old shoe thrown after anyone starting on a new undertaking is +considered to carry good luck; especially if it goes over the head and +does not hit the person. + +Flies are more troublesome before rain. + +Gnats playing up and down in the open air near sunset is a sign of heat. + +If in the shade, warm and mild showers, but if they join in stinging +those who pass them it presages cold weather and rain. + +Children, even now, when they find a Ladybird or cow lady say:-- + + Click, Clock, Clay. What time o'day. + One o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock, Click, clock, clay. + +Another custom is to get a ladybird and put it on the back of the hand +and say:-- + + Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, + Your horse is on foot, your children are gone; + All but one, and that's little John, + And he lies under the grindle stone. + +If it does not fly away then it is thrown up into the air. + +In some places the insect is called cow lady, and then the rhyme begins +cow lady, cow lady, etc. + + + PLANTS. + +When the Dandelion clocks are blowing children carefully pluck them and +with as perfect a head as possible hold it upright in front of them and +say:-- + + Clicketty, Clock, what's o'clock? + +and then try and blow as much off the head as possible, and as many +times as it takes to blow the down off the heads such will be the time. + +Children gather Timothy grass and beginning with the top seed say:-- + + Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Rich man, + Poor man, Beggar man, Thief. + +At each word the hand touches the next seed and on whichever name the +last seed comes such will be the sweetheart. The words are repeated over +and over again until all the seeds are counted. + + + FLOWERS AND SEEDS. + +Clare mentions these signs in his Shepherds Calender + + And scarlet-starry points of flowers, + Pimpernel, dreading nights and showers + Oft call'd "the Shepherd's weather-glass," + That sleeps till suns have dried the grass, + Then wakes, and spreads its creeping bloom, + Till clouds with threatening shadows come, + Then close it shuts to sleep again; + Which weeders see and talk of rain, + And boys, that mark them shut so soon, + Call "John that goes to bed at noon." + +Seeds should be sown and plants and roots planted when the moon is on +the rise to ensure successful results. + +If seeds are sown when the moon is on the wane there will be bad crops. + +If a man or woman plants a sage tree and it thrives, the one who planted +the tree will rule the house. + +If a single man pulls up a sage tree at midnight on Christmas Eve a +storm will arise and the man's future wife will appear. + +It is unlucky to bring holly into the house before Christmas Eve. + +All evergreens used for Christmas decoration should be burnt on +Candlemas day and care must be taken to burn all the holly berries, +otherwise a death in the family may be expected for each berry left in +the house unburnt. + +Mistletoe should hang in the house from one Christmas to another. + +It is unlucky to bring the May flower or the Chestnut blossom into the +house. + +If flowers like the Dandelion or Pimpernel are closed or shut up it +fortells rain and bad weather, but if quite open fine weather. + +When the mulberry tree begins to shoot, the last frost has gone. In +Hunts it is called the wise tree. + +The shooting of the Ash and Oak in the Spring is carefully watched, and +the first appearance of the new shoots accords with this rhyme:-- + + If the Ash before the Oak, + Then there'll be a regular soak; + But if the Oak before the Ash, + Then there'll only be a splash, + +I have seen children eating apples and taking the pips one by one and +repeating this doggrel:-- + + Cobbley, Cobbley, fly away + Bring me an apple tomorrow day. + +At the words "fly away" they used to throw the pip away, in the firm +belief that they would have another apple the next day for every pip +thrown; but only one pip from each apple could be used by each child. + + + KING'S CLIFFE. + +On Palm Sunday the Church used to be decorated with palm branches in the +seats and windows. + +On Christmas Day the parishoners and clerk used to meet at the Church, +at three o'clock in the morning and sing a Psalm and then proceed to the +Cross, and to every gentleman's house in the town for which they +received a largesse during the holidays. + +A winding bell used be tolled on a dead person being put into her +shroud. + + + GODMANCHESTER. + +If a man dies intestate and leaves a family the youngest son becomes the +heir to the property. + + + HUNTINGDON. + +Once a year, the Freemen of Huntingdon used to meet on the Market Hill, +they then proceeded in procession dragging a horse's skull with them and +perambulated the bounds of the Freemen's lands. At certain points there +are boundry holes dug, these holes they re-dig and hold a boy (one of +the Freemen's sons) up by his heels with his head in the hole, and +strike him (on the part prepared by nature for that purpose), with the +spade. This is done at each hole. A different boy was whipped at every +hole so that several could remember where the holes were dug, especially +the hole at which each individual had suffered, and the memory of the +hole was impressed on mind and body, and the position of the boundary +marks were thus registered. + +For many years the annual custom has been discontinued, and takes place +at irregular intervals. It has only occurred once during this century. + +The men of Godmanchester sometimes formed bands on the same day and when +they met the men of Huntingdon a free fight and struggle took place +between them to secure the horse's skull. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Weather and Folk Lore of Peterborough +and District, by Charles Dack + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WEATHER AND FOLK LORE OF *** + +***** This file should be named 17269.txt or 17269.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/2/6/17269/ + +Produced by Julie Barkley, Janet Blenkinship and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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