Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 2, 1891.djvu/30

22 took place, at the risk of cut hands, for a slice, it being supposed to confer luck for the ensuing year on the fortunate devourer. As an act of gallantry the young men sometimes fought their way through the crowd to get a slice for the chosen amongst the young women, all of whom, in their best dresses, attended the Ram Feast, as it was called. Dancing, wrestling, and other games, assisted by copious libations of cider during the afternoon, prolonged the festivity till midnight.

Analysing this example, we have the following results:—

Thus, of the five elements in the King's Teignton custom, three are retained in the Holne custom, and three additional ones of importance are added.

I think we may conclude, first, that the Holne custom is a more primitive form of a common original from which both have descended; secondly, that we may strike out the "roasting" as an entirely civilised element due to modern influences. The final form of the analysis might then be restored from the two fragmentary ones as follows:—