Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/359



HE following extracts are taken from a pocket-book formerly in the possession of Mrs. Samuel Chandler (olim Sarah Whateley), a connection of mine, who died Dec. 27, 1845, at the age of 89. I think they convey an interesting account of the customs common in Warwickshire at the time written of, and the style in which they are written seems to me not without charm.

The custom of collecting and dividing the milk on Whitsunday is not, I think, commonly met with in books. Mr. T. Q. Couch says that "the young people" of Polperro, Cornwall, had a custom "of going in droves into the country to partake of milk and cream." And Hone writes that "the Irish kept the feast of milk food, as among the Hebrews; and a breakfast composed of cake, bread, and a liquor made by hot water poured on wheaten bran." [ [sic]This last seems to correspond with the "frumentary " described by my relative.]

"Receiv'd this little token of affection with many others from my son Richard on Christmas Eve. The usual use made of these pocket companions is to record the events of each day; now mine in my 88th year have so little variety that by way of a change I will set down a few of my recollections of my very early years. Beginning with Christmas Eve in the year 1759 (my third year), I perfectly remember on that day being carried by Thomas, an old Man-servant, to my Grandmother's—living in the Villiage (sic) of Wootton Wawen, a mile and half from the Park, my Birthplace. Now as Pride is one of our earliest enemys, I date it to his agency that I certainly recollect on that eventful Day that I was wrap'd round by a scarlet broadcloth Cloak of