clown and the diversions of the harlequinade, have given place to grand spectacular displays and scenic effects which would certainly have astonished our forefathers. However, the Pantomime will probably long continue to hold its place on the list of existing customs of the English people.

The day after Christmas is still known as "Boxing Day," and is so called from the "Christmas Boxes" which used to be in circulation at that time. In the British Museum are specimens of "thrift-boxes" - small and wide bottles with imitation stoppers, from three to four inches in height, of thin clay, the upper part covered with a green glaze. On one side is a slit for the introduction of money, and as the small presents were collected at Christmas in these money-pots, they were called Christmas boxes. Thus these boxes gave the name to the present itself and to the day when these gifts were commonly made. Christmas giftbooks are extensively published now. The first announcement of such a book appeared in the General Advertiser of January 9, 1750, and was published by Mr. J. Newberry at the "Bible and Sun" in St. Paul's Churchyard. It was called "Nurse Truelove's Christmas Box; or, The Golden Plaything for Little Children, by which they may learn the letters as soon as they can

speak, and know how to behave so as to make everybody love them."

The sending of Christmas-cards is a very popular custom, which shows no signs of decay. The custom is of very recent growth, the first English Christmas-card being issued from Summerly's Home Treasury Office, 12 Old Bond Street, in 1846. The design was drawn by J. C. Horsley, R.A., at the suggestion of Sir Henry Cole, K.C.B., representing a merry family party gathered round a table quaffing generous draughts of wine. The sale of a thousand copies of this card was then considered a large circulation. Since those days the custom has become universal. If good wishes could bring us happiness, our cups of joy would indeed be full, and a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" would fall to the lot of all, except to the postmen.

CHAPTER II

New Year's Day and first-footing-Banffshire custom-Wassail bowls-New Year's gifts and good wishes-Midnight services-Queen's College, Oxford-Yorks custom-Local rhymes and wassailers-Quaaltagh in Isle of Man-Twelfth Night or Epiphany-Plough Monday-Wassailing orchards-Court custom-Haxey HoodWatching animals-St. Paul's Day-Valentine's Day-Islip valentine Customs in Berks and Essex-Hurling at St. Ives.

ONE of the earliest customs that I can recollect is that of first-footing on New Year's Eve, which is commonly practised in the North of England and in Scotland. The first person who enters the house after midnight is called the first-foot, and is esteemed as a herald of good fortune. In Lancashire this important person must be a dark-complexioned man, otherwise superstitious folk believe that ill-luck will befall the household. In some other parts of England a light-complexioned man is considered a more favourable harbinger of good fortune.

Indeed, there seems to be a great variety of opinion with regard to the complexion

of a "first-foot." light-haired and flat-footed man is preferred; in Fife, red hair and a flat foot are to be avoided. Sometimes a man is preferred, sometimes a boy; occasionally women are chosen; at other places they are strongly objected to. Quot homines tot sententia is certainly true with regard to the appearance and sex of the lucky "first-foot. The person who performs this duty in Durham is bound by custom to bring in a piece of coal, a piece of iron, and a bottle of whisky. To each man of the company he gives a glass, and to each woman a kiss.

In Northumberland a

On these occasions sweetened ale or eggflip are the prescribed beverages for the drinking of healths when the new year is 'brought in." In Banffshire the villagers. covered up the peat fire with the ashes and smoothed them down. These were examined in the morning, and if the trace of any resemblance to the print of a foot with the toes pointing to the door could be detected, it was believed that one of the family would die or leave home during the year.

In "Auld Reekie " the custom of firstfooting is observed with much enthusiasm. Crowds assemble, as midnight approaches, nigh the old Tron Church, and usher in the new year with much shouting and handshaking. Much might be written concerning

the New Year customs of Scotland, but we are concerned chiefly in the consideration of English customs, and must not stray across the Border.

In ancient days the wassail bowl of spiced ale was carried round from house to house by the village maidens, who sang songs and wished every one "a happy new year.' In fact, wassail was heard all over the land, from cot to keep, from mansion to monastery, where the poculum caritatis was passed round with accustomed rejoicings. The loving cup at our civic feasts, the grace cup at our college "gaudies," are the sole relics of this ancient observance.

The presentation of New Year's and Christmas cards, and of other more costly gifts to friends at this season, is universally practised, and this practice is as old as the time of the Romans. Hone tells us of a remarkable lawsuit arising out of this custom. A poet was commissioned by a Roman pastry-cook to write some mottoes for the New Year's Day bonbons, and agreed to supply five hundred couplets for six livres. Although the poet's eye with fine frenzy rolled, and the couplets were completed in due course, he did not receive the stipulated reward for his labours. Hence the lawsuit, and we trust the poet obtained due compensation. Crackers were