The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-04-07 00:00:00

HOT CROSS BUN&

The curious observances and customs connected with
Good Friday in Ragland are very numerous. That which
which will at once occur to our readers is the eating of
" hot cross hens." We cannot say that it is one we ever
much solinirwl, as i t has always struck as as wanting in
reverence ; anal for that reason we do not regret that for
years past it has been falling into desuetude. It has,
however, an antiquarian interest. A very ancient
sculpture in the Museo 13orbonico at Rome, representing
the miracle of the live barley loaves, shows each loaf with
• creel on the surface.. This circumstance Is the more
remarkable as the hot cross bun is not part of the Olsen,
ance of the day on the Continent; and it would be an
interesting matter of investigation to endeavour to trace
the "cross" bread to the Eastern Church, e., of Asia,
From which the ancient British Church in pre-Augustine
times undoubtedly derived it., observance of Easter awl
other customs, which did not agree with those of the
Western Church, as represented by Rome. It has been
suggested that our eating the hot cross bun may be traced
back to the Pagan custom of worshipping with cakes, a
custom to be found alike in China and Mexico, as well as
in many other countries. However this may be, it is
certain that the "cross' buns on Good Friday in this
country date back to very remote ages A few genera-
tions lago cross buns were very fashionable. In leaving
legacies for charitable purposes many persons have
ordained that their bequests should be executed on Good
Friday.—Standoed.

AGRICULTURAL GRIEVANCES AND FARMERS'
ritupins.
note who expected aq immedi sto redress of agricultural
grievances from the advent to political power of the
traditional "farmers' friends,- must be convinced that,
so far as the present Session is conixtroad, they are
doomed to disapointment. . . . Not a word has been
heard of Tenant Right, of Game, Ilypotheic, County
Ptuaucial Boards, or I)isease Prevention ;—and Local
Taxation was only referred to by Mr. Pell for the purigise
of expressing his approval of the neglect of ttp.. Govern.
meat to deal with the question for tip, pryclit-I The
promise to facilitate the transfer 4: land Is satisfactory as
far illet it KOOS. It is a questioli or vast importance to tho
nation, and legislation ippon it is highly desirable. Still
It is not :1 prominent item in the farmers' programme of
sibfgestsrl reforms. . . . It was generally supposed
that as local taxation reform hail been forced upon the
lat. Government I,y the Conservatives, the latter when in
power could not fairly avoid dealing with it. Moreover,
It was known that Mr, Ward Runt had a Game Bill
drawn up ; and most people expected that it woulil be
brouxht forward as a Givernment measure. :Ain more
hopeful people said that the Landlord and Tenant Bill,
with the much-debated 12th Clause left out, would be
adopted hy the Government The most moderato of these
expectations are for the present disappointed. They may,
of °aurae, be realised in time, hut "hope deferred inaketh
the heart sick :" and these questions having been 4sbated
out of the House ad 11.411.4. ala are surely ripe for legisla-
tion. It is then we think, somewhat discrb.ditable to our
new rulers that not one of them is put down for early
consideratiop in Parliament, except by independent main.
lots. gricsiUn cal