Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 22, 1911.djvu/273

 Correspondence. 237

Possibly the feeling may have been racial. Brooktborpe, by the term "thorpe," was a Danish settlement. "Naas" in that parish is a Danish term. ... (p. 8.)

At Bristol Fair in the winter, cakes in the shape of a pig are sold,. . . The Fair at last became an abuse, and was discontinued.

Such parish feuds, as referred to, were common ; the Upton Club was once attacked at dinner. They may have arisen from the strong parochial, or tribal instincts prevalent, which objected to people, especially brides, being taken from the parish, or from some traditional blood feud. The custom in the Forest of Dean which draws a rope across the road in front of a wedding party, points to this ; the origin of " best man " seems to be an honour for having secured the bride. In former days any person coming to live in Upton was called " a foreigner " ; the term was especially applied to anyone living on the other side the Severn. Some people are said to have attended a church near, but were told "foreigners were not wanted." (p. 9.)

Hiring at Mop was until recently common. It is remembered by a person living in 1902, aged 84, that a woman went to the Mop with a halter round her neck and sold herself.

When servants were hired, money was given termed "the earnest." (p. 10.)

The object was to ridicule a man beaten by his wife. . . . The efhgy of the offender was first placed "under Pinlock," i.e. in the Pound, and a shilling was paid for its release ; it was then burnt. People now living describe it. (p. 10.)
 * ^ Burning the Ski/ninittgton" was a West of England custom known here.

Rough music, or "tanging" was common, especially at weddings if the bells were not rung, and for certain offences against the public conscience.

In 1858 the following resolution was passed in vestry: — "The practice of assembling with a rough band to the annoyance of individuals and disturbance of the public is an evil which ought no longer to be suffered. This meeting therefore pledges itself to use its utmost power to discourage and put an end to such practice if again attempted. ..."

A key was beaten on a shovel or some such noise made to tang bees ; the idea seems to have been to give notice to neighbours, as the owner had the right to follow the swarm over any ground, perhaps also to attract bees.

The word " tang " still survives in " tanging " a bell.

A bell in the parish was rung after harvest at 5 a.m. to let people know they might go to glean or leaze. Many would be ready to start.

The Curfew or perhaps the Compline Bell was rung at 8 p.m. (p. 1 1.)

A custom once prevailed of asking gifts on New Year's Day, singing :

" Blawe, blawe, bear well. Spring well in April, Every sprig and every spray Bear a bushel of apples against Next New Year's Day."