old mansions, &c." "Such men,
should not be trusted."

VYVYAN.

* * * * *

MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.

* * * * *

ST. NEW-YEAR'S DAY.

This is a local custom, very faithfully kept in many parts of the
two northern counties. Early in the morning of the first of January,
the _Fax-populi_ assemble together, carrying _stangs_ and baskets.
Any inhabitant, stranger, or whoever joins not this ruffian tribe in
sacrificing to their favourite Saint Day, if unfortunate enough to be
met by any of the band, is immediately mounted across the stang (if a
woman, she is basketed), and carried, shoulder high, to the nearest
public-house, where the payment of sixpence immediately liberates the
prisoner. No respect is paid to any person; the cobbler on that day
thinks himself equal to the parson, who generally gets mounted like
the rest of his flock; whilst one of his porters _boasts and prides
himself_ in having but just before got the _'Squire_ across the pole.
None, though ever so industriously inclined, are permitted to follow
their respective avocations on that day.

J.G.B.

* * * * *

MARRIAGE FEES.

At Northwich, in the county of Cheshire, a whimsical privilege is
ascribed, by the charter of that church, to the senior scholar of the
Grammar-school: namely--that he is to receive marriage fees to the same
amount as the clerk; or, in lieu thereof, the bride's garters.

J.G.B.

* * * * *

ORIGIN OF THE PINE CALLED WHITE-HART SILVER.

Blackmoor Forest, at the spring of the Froome, was once called the
Forest of White Hart, and at that time the seat of royalty, and greatly
preferred by our kings, on account of the deer with which it abounded.
King Henry III., with a mighty train of hunters, having one day entered
on the chase in this neighbourhood, roused a milk-white hart. The
creature afforded his Majesty so much sport, that at the pulling down,
it was the royal pleasure to save the beast, and place round his neck a
collar of brass, on which was engraved,

"I am a royal hart, let no one harm me."

But the king and his retinue having run over and spoiled the lands of a
gentleman of the county, named _Thomas de la Linde_, and refusing, upon
remonstrance, to make good the injury, _De la Linde_ imprudently
resolved to spite King Henry; when, joining with others, he hunted the