Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/36

 28 of importance,—or, at best, with verifying a quotation now and again when a great library afforded facilities for personal inquiry. Now we have in two hundred and eighty clearly-printed pages all the information regarding "Manners and Customs" which generations of the friends of Sylvanus Urban sent to that respected shadow. The entries are clearly arranged, with bold headings; they contain the very words of the original, with year and page reference at the head of each quotation. Further, there is an excellent index. It is needless to say that the subjects embraced under the general head of "Manners and Customs" are very various. Thus we have notes on customs in 1697, and again on "Modern Manners" (viz., those of 1812, by "A Constant Reader"); on harvest customs, marriage customs, funeral customs, games, hunting, stage plays in churches, burlesque festivals of former ages, school barring-outs, and so on. Mr. Nichol's papers on London Pageants are a distinct addition to municipal history which must be comparatively unknown to many. Most members of the Folk-Lore Society will find some flowers to their fancy in this garden of old-fashioned plants.

The newly-established Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, the main object of which is the promotion of the study of the mediaeval and modern history of that country, together with kindred subjects, has lately issued the first number ot its Journal. This comprises a variety of hitherto unpublished documents relating to different periods; and, among other contributions, a paper by M. Polites on "Diseases as found in the Myths of the Greek People," an essay in comparative mythology containing much information; an account of local Greek marriage customs; and collections of popular songs from Northern Euboea and popular tales from Athens.

Bishop Callaway has sent off two boxes of MSS. and printed matter on South African folk-lore, and Mr. Gomme hopes by next month to report as to their contents.

Subscriptions are due on 1st January, and Members would greatly facilitate the Society's business if they paid promptly.

Professor Rhys Davids has promised to read a paper in January,