The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1893-07-22
WAKEMAN'S WANDERINGS
SOME FAMOUS ANCIENT BRITISH
CUSTOMS STILL IN VOGUE.

SOME FAMOUS ANCIENT BRITISE
CUSTOMS STILL IN VOGUE.
Bewildering Array by the Poet Traveller
Of Quaint Old Folk Doings and OBJ
servances Still Common in England
Scotland and misunderstanding
Record of Sturdy Retention i'm al
Things Holding Fast the Gentler ant
Bearer Traditions of the British PEG.
pie.
LONDON, July 3, 1S93.-It is Q
common and pathetic lament of most
writers who shut themselves up in
the shadowy recesses of some mouldy
club, with the opposite street facade
for the limit of their horizon Of act.
ual observation, that the good old
days and their good old ways are
dead and beautiful things of the
past. Thesehange in conditions OF
living in England, Scotland and Ire
land have certainly been greater
during this century than in all the
five centuries Immediately preceding
and this has of necessity made OBJ
solete many ancient customs and OBJ
servances that are perhaps just as
well to have survival in literary rem
iniscence only; but in most OF
those things holding fast the gentler
and dearer traditions of people in
home, sporting, social and even relig
ious life, there is surprising re-
cord of sturdy retention.
Should only those which have
come under my personal notice since
1867 be given the briefest reference,
so great number could be grouped
as to completely refuse those dolor-
Gus plants that the pleasant olden
customs are no more; and am quite
sure that should some friendly and
enthusiastic pen be devoted to max
ing an entire volume ON the subject
of Famous British Customs Still in
Vogue" treating the matter some
thing after the garrulous, genial
manner of that wonderful old ola
podrida "Hone's Every Day Book, +"
the English speaking and reading
world of today would find in the re-
suit genuine revelation of pleasure
and surprise.
In Ireland the tender custom of
Conveying the departing emigrants
is the same to-day as during all the
sad cycles since its peasantry were
forced to seek homes in foreign lands /;
it's wakes and weddings, its fairs
and frolics, its childrens' hunting
of the robin and the wren, and the
countless other customs hundreds of
years old are precisely as they were
in the heart of the better olden days.
Over in the sturdy little Isle of
Man every essential feature Of its
patriarchal and representative gov
eminent, established early in the
tenth century, exists in it's original
simplicity at the present time. Its
Tynwald Court is still, as thous-
sad years ago, held under the open
sky on its grassy Tynwald Hill Its
sheading coroners, high bailiffs,
House Of Keys and sword bearer
promulgate the lawsjust as they did
in glorious King Orry's time. Some
of its parish clerks are still elected
by the votes of only those who "put
out smoke" that is, whose habita-
tions possess chimney. It's fisher
folks put to sea with goodly prayers
and psalms. Its peasant folk, in
dress, customs, superstitions and
pious faith live lives of calm indif-
ference to the outer world of change;
and the bardic strain of old, held
true and firm down the shining
line of thousand years, flashes
forth now as then in its weird, exalt-
ed Oiel Verre in each succeeding
Christmas tide that comes.
And who shall truly say that the
land o'cakes has lost it's fine old Gus
toms and tender superstitions alto
gether? What host of genial Gus
toms still cling to these stern and
fine folks through the influence of
their "guid neebors" the beneficient
little Brownies alone! Make merry
of it as you may, the household Scot
fish "brownie'' still holds it's helpful
place in the hearts of the people be-
yond the Esk and the Tweed.
He is never idle in all good office
to the lowly home of the countryside,
where you never fail of finding him,
if you do not enter his realm in the
spirit Of cavil and scoffing. There,
in each simple home and heart he
sits enthroned with every attribute
of benevolence and affection. He
not only works with giant might to
assist in ploughing the land, har-
vesting the crops, guarding the grain
and minding the herds, but in every
little household drudgery Of guild
wife and BARN he lends a helping
hand. No i'll can come but that he
has Tended it's cruelest touch. No
sorrow can fall upon the household
whose hurt would not be deadlier
were it not for his kindly and pallia-
tive powers. And in all the glorious
old land o'cakes, his gentle influence
adds zest to every peasant joy. As
the burns, springing from the misty
crag- trimmed corries of the North,
descend and water the welcoming
plains of the lowlands, the endless
streams of Gaelic superstition de-
sends from the weird and misty
ceilidhs of the crofters' ancient
homes and the centuries old clachans
and render perennial the lowland
growth of Scottish folklore and well
beloved olden ways.
Let all doubters of the existence
| in Scotland of most ancient customs
and pastimes step into the great
farm kitchens of the Lothians at Hal
lowmas Eve. Let them, at Aud
Reckless ancient Cross, at midnight
of any New Years eve learn what q
Scottish Hogmanay truly is. Let
them in spring and summer and au