ad been found, owing to its weight, to
press injuriously upon the chest; to remedy which, a breastplate of
steel was contrived, which being placed underneath, kept the mail from
pressing upon the stomach. The throat was protected by a chain-covering
that surrounded the neck, and hung down to the shoulders like a tippet.

We now come to _Plate Armour_. In Henry IV.'s reign, the adoption
of the _mixed_ armour soon pointed out, by experience, the
inutility of retaining the _ringed_ hauberk. The thighs and legs
were no longer covered with _double-chain mail_, and the arms only
partially. A back-plate was added, which, with the breast-plate, formed
a cuirass. During the use of _mixed_ armour, the arms, thighs,
knees, and legs were covered with plates of metal; and for the hands
were invented gloves of plate, with fingers, called _gauntlets_.

From the Conquest to the time of Richard III., the fashion was to ride
with the toes down; after which period, the heel was dropped, and the
toe raised. Spurs were not screwed to the armour before the time of
Henry V.

No higher degree of perfection was ever attained in armour than during
the reign of Richard III. The outline of the suit was most elegant, the
workmanship most elaborate, and the choice of ornaments full of taste.

* * * * *

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

* * * * *

CHRISTMAS AT HEREFORD.

In the county of Hereford, some of the Romish and feudal ceremonies are
yet practised. On the eve of Old Christmas-day, there are thirteen fires
lighted in the cornfields of many of the farms, twelve of them in a
circle, and one round a pole, much larger and higher than the rest, and
in the centre. These fires are dignified with the names of the Virgin
Mary and twelve Apostles, the lady being in the middle; and while they
are burning, the labourers retire into some shed or outhouse, where they
behold the brightness of the apostolic flame. In this shed they lead a
cow, on whose horns a large plum-cake has been stuck, and having
assembled round the animal, the oldest labourer takes a pail of cider,
and addresses the following lines to the cow with great solemnity:

"Here's to thy pretty face, and thy white horn,
God send thy master a good crop of corn,
Both wheat, rye, and barley, and all sorts of grain,
And next year, if we live, we'll drink to thee again."

After which the verse is chanted in chorus by a