New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-22

Say the bells Of Weilinborough
While the slvery tone OF these Pancake BELLS"
which formerly. according TO quaint John Taylor.
the Water Poet" made thousands OF people dis
tracted and forgetful either of manners human
rie" have ceased to vibrate, the custom they sig
nallzed still holds in force and In countless Scot
fish and English villages Shrovo Tuesday is
membered solely as the day given over TO the de-
vouring OF pancakes an lfbitum
Originally deriving Its name from the ancient
practice In the Church OF Rome of confessing sins
and being shriven shrove in preparation TOR the
solemntes of the approaching penitental season.
shrove-tide. especially Shrove Tuesday soon fell
from its high estate and became a season of special
feasting and merriment more in accordance with
the old upercaliaR and BacchanaliaD springtime
festivals for which It had probably been substi-
tuted By the early fathers
II is a movable feast. occurring the Tuesday pre-
eeding Ash Wednesday and It may fall upon any
day between February and March g. It is the
Mard-Gras Of the French, tho Carnival OF Italy
the Fastern-E Eve OF Scotland and the Pancake
Tuesday" Of rural England and old literature On
this day in Northern England the rising sun is
anxiously watched for An old saying Is that, AS
the sun shines upon Shrove Tuesday 30 shall II
shine every day in Lent" Just why the pancake
should have been linked with the celebration OF
this day in English speaking countries is a matter
OF conjecture though the consensus Of opinion
seems TO be that It is derived from one OF the old
sa.on names for February which is translated the
month of cakes because in that month the pagan
saxons made an Offering OF cakes to the SUM-
An old LEGEND still told In certain villages or Not
tnshamshre s that at the time Of the irruption Of
the Danes under sweyn into that part OF the
country most of the men made their escape. while
the women were taken captive. These. however.
entered into a conspiracy TO Kill their captors on
Ash Wednesday and as certificate OF good faith
every woman agreed TO make pancakes on shrove
tpdp
the Danes on Ash Wednesday. but whether tho
cake episode 10 true not, history does not deter
mine
Many are the references IN literature to the
cakes OF Shrove Tuesday. The parishioners OF
THE Vicar Of Wakefield" are represented as re-
nrously eating pancakes on Shrovetide. while
shakespeare's characters make frequent reference
TO the custom.
When boards all
And welcome merry shrovetde,
sang maudlin Master Silence Just before being car
RED OF to bed after too great indulgence in
"pottles OF sack" with those convival roysterers
Falstan, Shallow and Bardolph, and the clown In
AS You Like II" settles the matter or ntness by
declaring "as At as a pancake for Shrove Tues
CUSTOMS IN VOGUE STILL
In all parts Of Ireland Scotland and England
various customs and rites pertain TO the celebration
Of this day In Cornwall fayorite pastime was
to tie hen TO a mans back with some horse bells
beside IT, People blindfolded and with sticks in
their hands followed. guided by the sound Of the
BELLS striving get stroke at the bird Some
times the hit and sometimes the con-
testants nit each other. but wounds were forgot
when at the conclusion OF this ennobling game the
poor hen boiled with bacon and added to the
pancake feast
In Scotland the favorite game OF ball enjoys
additional prestige this day. and so vigorously
Is the sport carried that prudent householders
have learned TO protect their windows with hurdles
and bushes.
AMERICAN FI-Aj.JACKs.
In this country. many persons still keep up the
custom of serving old-fashioned hapjacks. To
make these at their best. sour milk or cream is
used. The night before they are to be baked a
pint Of milk should be gradually stirred into
a pint OF sifted -four beaten well together, then
covered and allowed 20 stand where IL will not
freeze over night. In the morning add half tea
spoonful salt, one or two wel-boaten eggs and
teaspoonful OF soda dissolved in little water. and
again beat thoroughly. Bake this batter in large
round cakes q hot griddle. Turn when full of
bubbles and bake the other side until they stop
puning Butter each as Ii comes from the
griddle. and cover with maple syrup before the
next cake is put top
Keep them hot and have five or six cakes in
pie. In serving them, out as you would pie.
These stu more delicate II eggs are used
but care must be taken that just the right proper
non OF flour Is employed. or they will tear apart
IN the baking.