The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-02-21

nfe6 always compel hnonR tu5 PeAt
antry, and the exultant torch.dancinl
occasionally almost reaching q specie
OF frenzy, which may always be oh
served. Analogous to this, and singu
laTly indicative Of the preservation o
medieval rites, ere the Peter-tide fires
which always fame from the circlinl
shores OF Mounts Bay, above MareElor
and Penzance, and are challenged by
responsive flames Wreathing the castel
lated head OF somber st. MichaelE
Mount.
OF the more modern and wholly
quaint and innocent customs OF Corn
wall few pleasant illustrations may be
cited. The fish wives Of ancient st.
Ives are an inCorrigible lot. Should you
visit the town at the height Of pilchard
fishing and enter the dark cellars where
hundreds Of women and girls are en-
gagged in "bulking," or sailing the fish,
scores OF grinning Amszons will rush at
you, and the feetest one will daub your
shoes generously with the odorous fish
oil which has drained from the piles OF
curing fish. This Is called "wiping the
shoe" and II you do not respond with
tribute of at least a half crown for luck
Of the "fair maids that feed and clothe
the poor" that Is, the pilchard fishes,
your subsequent "hustling" by these
savory wencnes will certainly cost you
new suit OF clothing. The same Gus.
tom, save that the daubing Is done with
miners clay" prevails within the
mines, where the stranger is expected
to pay something for his initiation into
their weird mysteries.
Cornwall Is not blessed in being an
exception TO other regions in the matter
or shrewish wives; and Cornish shrews
are the most eloquent Of all women in
their profusion and exuberance OF bitter
household curses and spiteful nick.
names. In many parts Of Cornwall
where the "Woman that owns" Jack or
Jan has become sufficiently notorious
as scold, the neighbors organize what
they call "staDg courAnt," proceed TO
the house OF the termagant, and scatter
wheat chat upon her door sill. This
hint Is usually sufficient; but II 1t prove
insufficient to bride her tongue, then
"hdiug the stang" is resorted to. This
consists OF constructing an eiiigy Of the
scold, mounting il on a deal board or
pole, and exhibiting it in front OF the
woman's cottsge to the lugubrious &C.
compartment OF bells and horns.
The delightful custom OF harvest
home" suppers, which unfortunately is
dying out among American farmers, is |
universal In Cornwall. There is also q |
custom OF very ancient origin OF celeb.
Iii ., kha q n;ohtnN ~ wnFk In onu mar.
ticular harvest.feld, especially in com.
pleting the labor Of "stooking," or
"shooking" the sheaves OF grain into
"arrishmows." The custom is called
"crying the neck" and consists in ele.
waiting a small sheat OF the best heads
OF grain three times in the air, among
the harvesters, who thereupon cry at
the top OF their voices, 1.-THE neckl"
finally changing this shout to ave yenl
we yen" meaning I'VE end" the har-
vesting OF this field. This is followed
by good deal OF boisterous though
harmless iollity, to which the lips OF
pay tribute 10 proportion TO
their lack OF physical prowess. The
clergy OF all denominations IN Cornwall
benefit from a CHEEKY harvest custom OF
long standing. Theparson's grain is oil
gathered by voluntary offerings OF labor,
Every person whom he employs in any
during the year-the butcher,
painter, carpenter, cobbler, saddler, sex.
ton, and his own serysnts-come TO.
gether when desired and gather the
parsons" crops. Their only reward
consists in 9 rousing supper in his
kitchen, where his wife. daughters and
all female members Of his domiciie hos.
pitably serve those who have served
them.
Two other curious aad interesting
customs should not be omitted. These
are the annual "Furry.day" OF Helston |
and Taking Sunday" with its attend.
ant curiosities, at Clowance Park, in
Clowan parish. The origin OF the Cor.
nish Furry.day Is unquestionably found |
in the "Floralia," anCiently observed by
the Romans on the fourth OF the cal |
ends OF May. 1t is annually celebrated |
Cornwall by little home and
partiess and at Hslston,
from time immemorial, IS festivity |
peculiar to that place, on the eighth day
Of May. Long before daylight happy |
groups Of lads and lasses start in every |
direction for the country lanes and
hedges, singing,
For Re wete up as soon as auy d0y, o,
And for 10 fetch the summer home,
The summer and the May q,
For summer ls a.Come, o,
Aud winter II q gone, or
or dozen other ballads OF similar i'm.
port, the refrain Of which is,
ION the eighth OF May,
The FlOraday,
We all set OF A.dAncingV'
And indeed do they. At every farm
house there are mad rushes OF these
merry makers to BIZ hrst TO hang a twig
OF SLOANE" blossoms upon the latch; for
such for centuries have been entitled to
a portion OF bread and cream. The bios.
SONS OF the SLOANE" kind OF cherry,
are gathered everywhere, with all pre-.
i L z