Page:Notes on the folk-lore of the northern counties of England and the borders.djvu/99

Rh out England, Scotland, and France. He gives a fragment of that in use at Richmond, in Yorkshire:

In Perth, and I believe in most towns in Scotland, Hogmenay songs are still in common use, the children beginning on St. Sylvester’s night at six o’clock, and never ceasing till after ten, ringing at every bell and singing their songs as soon as the door is opened.

The dole of cakes causes New Year’s Day to be called “cake day” on the Scottish borders, and the following Monday is known as Hansel Monday, because of the presents of money made on that day, and placed in the receiver’s hands. It is named in the old formula of good wishes, “A happy New Year and a merry Hansel Monday.” Scholars commonly give a hansel to their master or mistress on this day. The boy who gives the largest sum is called the king, and the girl the queen, and the king claims the right of demanding at least that day as a holiday.

Shrove Tuesday, though not observed in Scotland in its religious aspect, was marked up to a recent time by some curious customs. Foot-ball and cock-fighting were the great diversions on what was called Fastens Eve. A lady, to whom I am much indebted, writes thus on the subject: “My father-in law used often to speak of the cock-fights which regularly took place in all schools on that day. The master found the cocks, but the boys paid for them. There was a regular subscription for the