Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 5, 1894.djvu/177

 Miscellanea. ^ 1 69

think about a dozen, corresponding with the amount collected, from four to five shillings, or thereabouts. Mr. Moor mentions that in Suffolk "thrice for a shilling" is the established usage ; but this is not carried out to the letter. After this the Lord of the Largess (he who takes charge of the money, and is the foremost man in reaping, pitching, etc.) went a little way from the circle, about fifty yards perhaps, and stood with his head thrown back, and his hands above his mouth, and cried out in a loud, sonorous, but rather doleful voice : —

" Holla— Lar 1 Holla -Lar 1 Holla — Lar — g-e-e-s 1"

The last syllable "gees" being drawn out, and in a lower key.

The circle, which in the meantime had bowed their heads down, as before, as the last syllable died away, suddenly raised their hands aloft, threw up both arms, and shrieked out a repetition of " gees". This cry having at length ceased, the " Lord", at the utmost pitch of his voice, cried out : —

" Thank Mr. and Mrs. S— — and friends for their Largess."

This was the final act, and after being regaled with harvest-cake and ale they dispersed and went home.

This account I know quite inadequately expresses the full effect of the contrast in action and sound. The low mutter with deep prostra- tion, suddenly followed by the shrill cry, almost a shriek, with the heads thrown back as much as possible, the loud, clear, prolonged and pensive-toned cry of the " Lord", with his head thrown back as much as possible, and his hand held above his mouth, trumpet-like, is sharply contrasted by the sudden uprising of the circle, and the wild tossing-up of arms and shrill intonation of the last syllable. The " Lord" by his attitude seems addressing someone at a great distance, and in the still evening light the whole effect is exceedingly fine and barbaric.

Biyt/ibiirg House, W. B. Gerish.

South Town, Great Yarmouth.

Popular Explanation of Tree-Decay. — Driving round Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, in the spring of 1893, I was told by my driver, hired from Loughborough, that the old oaks were said to have lost their tops when Lady Jane Grey, who resided at Bradyates Hall in that neighbourhood, was beheaded I A curious argument from analogy. The topless condition of the trees is still more conspicuous in Sher- wood Forest, Nottinghamshire, where the top of one large oak, called " Simon Forester", is said to have fallen not many years since, killing a child. G. H. Skipwith.