Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 6 1888.djvu/153

Rh placed on the mantel-piece and lighted. The candle is supposed to act as auctioneer; and, while it is burning, those who desire to rent the field bid in the same way as at an ordinary auction, and the last bidder before the candle goes out gets the field for the year ensuing at the price he has quoted. The steward pays each one interested his share of the rent of the field for the past year, and the rest of the evening is generally spent in conviviality. The letting took place the other evening, when the bidding was particularly spirited, and ultimately reached the high sum of 17l. 10s., at which sum Mr. J. B. Payne secured the field. Last year it was let for 7l. 10s., and the rent now given is said to be fabulous, as the land is very boggy and of very little value. This custom has been observed at Tatworth from time immemorial, and no one seems to know how it originated.

Another instance of a sale by half-inch of candle, viz. a plot of land and cottage near the village of Chedzoy, known as "Church Acre," which is sold every twenty-one years at the Crown Inn, Chedzoy, during the time half-an-inch of candle takes to burn. The proceeds are devoted to church purposes. The last sale was in 1884, and the sum realised was spent in putting a new clock in the church tower. .

Turning of the Looking-Glass (ante, p. 77).—A somewhat similar custom to that commented upon by H. K. in The Folk-Lore Journal of January—March, 1888, came under my notice in one of our Midland counties some years ago.

When a young girl, I was taken up to the bedroom of an old maiden lady, a connection of my family, who was suffering from a slight attack of paralysis, brought on by a sudden fright, and from which she never entirely recovered, although she lived at least a year or two afterwards.

At the time of my visit she was in a state of semi-consciousness, and I remember being doubtful whether she recognized me. I fancy her attendants considered her then at the point of death. I was much struck by seeing the looking-glass on the toilet-table opposite the bed covered with a large towel, and on inquiring the reason I was