excepting on Christmas eve. Each of the frolics with which that holiday used to be celebrated, might admit of a long and curious note; but I shall content myself with the following description of Christmas, and his attributes, as personified in one of Ben Jonson's Masques for the court. "Enter Christmas, with two or three of the Guard. He is attired in round hose, long stockings, a close doublet, a highcrowned hat, with a broach, a long thin beard, a truncheon, little ruffs, white shoes, his scarfs and garters tied cross, and his drum beaten before him." "The names of his children, with their attires. “Miss-Rule, in a velvet cap, with a sprig, a short cloak, great yellow ruff, like a reveller; his torch-bearer bearing a rope, a cheese, and a basket. "Caroll, a long tawny coat, with a red cap, and a flute at his girdle; his torch-bearer carrying a song-book open. "Minc'd-pie, like a fine cook's wife, drest neat, her man carrying a pie, dish, and spoons. "Gamboll, like a tumbler, with a hoop and bells; his torchbearer arm'd with cole-staff, and blinding cloth. "Post and Pair, with a pair-royal of aces in his hat, his garment all done over with pairs and purs; his squire carrying a box, cards, and counters. "New-year's-gift, in a blue coat, serving-man like, with an orange, and a sprig of rosemary gilt on his head, his hat full of broaches, with a collar of gingerbread; his torch-bearer carrying a marchpain, with a bottle of wine on either arm. "Mumming, in a masquing pied suit, with a visor; his torchbearer carrying the box, and ringing it. "Wassall, like a neat sempster and songster; her page bearing a brown bowl, dressed with ribands, and rosemary, before her. "Offering, in a short gown, with a porter's staff in his hand; a wyth borne before him, and a basin, by his torch-bearer. "Baby Cocke, drest like a boy, in a fine long coat, biggin, bib, muckender, and a little dagger; his usher bearing a great cake, with a bean and a pease." Note III. Who lists, may in their mumming see Traces of ancient mystery.-P. 211. It seems certain, that the Mummers of England, who (in Northumberland at least) used to go about in disguise to the neighbouring houses, bearing the then useless ploughshare, and the Guisards of Scotland, not yet in total disuse, present, in some indistinct degree, a shadow of the old mysteries, which were the origin of the English drama. In Scotland, (me ipso teste,) we were wont, during my boyhood, to take the characters of the apostles, at least of Peter, Paul, and Judas Iscariot, which last carried the bag, in which the dole of our neighbour's plum-cake was deposited. One played a Champion, and recited some traditional rhymes; another was - Alexander, king of Macedon, Who conquered all the world but Scotland alone; These, and many such verses were repeated, but by rote, and unconnectedly. There was also occasionally, I believe, a Saint George. In all, there was a confused resemblance of the ancient mysteries, in which the characters of scripture, the Nine Worthies, and other popular personages, were usually exhibited. It were much to be wished, that the Chester Mysteries were published from the MS, in the Museum, with the annotations which a diligent investigator of popular antiquities might still supply. The late acute and valuable antiquary, Mr. Ritson, showed me several memoranda towards such a task, which are probably now dispersed or lost. See, however, his Remarks on Shakspeare, 1783, p. 38. Note IV. Where my great-grandsire came of old, With amber beard and flaxen hair.-P. 212. Mr. Scott of Harden, my kind and affectionate friend, and distant relation, has the original of a poetical invitation, addressed from his grandfather to my relative, from which a few lines in the text are imitated. They are dated, as the epistle in the text from Mertoun-house, the seat of the Harden family. "With amber beard, and flaxen hair, Free of anxiety and care, Come hither, Christmas-day, and dine; And easy mirth with thoughts divine. On it no sin to feast or play; Others, in spite, may fast and pray, Our ancestors made of a goose; Your friend and landlord, Walter Scott." Mr. Walter Scott, Lessudden. The venerable old gentleman, to whom the lines are address ed, was the younger brother of William Scott of Reaburn. Being the cadet of a cadet of the Harden family, he had very little to lose; yet he contrived to lose the small property he had, by engaging in the civil wars and intrigues of the house of Stuart. His veneration for the exiled family was so great, that he swore he would not shave his beard till they were restored: a mark of attachment, which, I suppose, had been common during Cromwell's usurpation; for, in Cowley's "Cutter of Coleman-Street," one drunken cavalier upbraids another, that, when he was not able to afford to pay a barber, he affected to "wear a beard for the king." I sincerely hope this was not absolutely the original reason of my ancestor's beard; which, as appears from a portrait in the possession of Sir Henry Hay Macdougal, Bart. and another painted for the famous Dr. Pitcairn,* was a beard of a most dignified and venerable appearance. Note V. The spirit's blasted tree.-P. 214. I am permitted to illustrate this passage, by inserting " Ceubren yr Ellyll, or the Spirit's Blasted Tree," a legendary tale, by Mr. George Warrington: "The event, on which this tale is founded, is preserved by tradition in the family of the Vaughans of Hengwyrt; nor is it entirely lost, even among the common people, who still point out this oak to the passenger. The enmity between the two Welsh chieftains, Howel Sele, and Owen Glyndowr, was extreme, and marked by vile treachery in the one, and ferocious cruelty in the other. The story is somewhat changed and softened, as more favourable to the characters of the two chiefs, and as better answering the purpose of poetry, by admitting the passion of pity, and a greater degree of sentiment in the description. Some trace of Howel Sele's mansion was to be seen some few years ago, and may perhaps be still visible, in the park of Nannau, now belonging to Sir Robert Vaughan, Baronet, in the wild and romantic tracts of Merionethshire. The abbey mentioned passes under two names, Vaner and Cymmer. The former is retained as more generally used. * The old gentleman was an intimate of this celebrated genius. By the favour of the late Earl of Kelly, descended on the maternal side from Dr. Pitcairn, my father became possessed of the portrait in question. The history of their feud may be found in Pennant's Tour in Wales. THE SPIRIT'S BLASTED TREE. Ceubren yr Ellyll. Through Nannau's Chase as Howel passed, Starting, he bent an eager ear, How should the sounds return again? His hounds lay wearied from the chase, And all at home his hunter train. Then sudden anger flashed his eye, Unhappy chief! would naught avail, Three ravens gave the note of death, As through mid air they winged their way; Then o'er his head in rapid flight, They croak, they scent their destined prey. Ill-omened bird! as legends say, Who bast the wonderous power to know, While health fills high the throbbing veins, The fated hour when blood must flow. Blinded by rage, alone he passed, For many an anxious year delayed. |