The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10

was made very stiff. then tied up in
cloth. boiled several hours brushed with
egE and finally baked So it is no won
der that the crust was any thing but
soft, or that we hear of one lady's first
simnel being put TO very original use as
a foot stool, the huge, hard circle appear
ing not at all unlike that useful article
There are numerous explanations regard
ing the name Simnei. one being that the
cakes derived their title from the baker
Simnei, father of the renowned pretend
CT Lambert. whose insurrection, for a
short time during the reign Of Henry VII,
made a great stir in London.
Another comes from Shropshire and al
most trespasses on the borierlands Of
folklore. From this old story we learn
that there was once upon n time an old
couple. whose surnames were lacking. but
who were blest with a host Of children
and The unusual apDelations Simon and
Nelly. Now it was the custom OF these
good people to once year gather the
various members of their numerous flock
beneath the paternal ROOF at Eastertime
and indulge in a large ana extensive cell
ehTatiGn. The fast Of Lent being Just over
there was often left some of the uuieav-
eDed dough that Nelly-bless her careful
heart-grievod to see wasted. so she fin
ally hit upon the brilliant idea Of form
ing from ii a cake for the delectation Of
tho family. Then Simon. who, after the
manner of his kind. had more than one
( sweet tooth. suggested that the remnants
/ Of the Christmas plum pudding be put
: aside, that the young folks. to say moth
: ing Of the old ones might find pleasant
/ surprise after biting through the hard
! exterior.
To this Nelly agreed; but alas and
! alack, when the cake was made there
! arose discussion. hot enough to have
! cooked ii through. as to whether II should
/ be boiled or baked. Sim declared that
the only proper way was 20 boil it. and
/ To enforce his opinion seized the Broom,
I while Nell, angry at this invasion of her
| province. and thinking IL much more
| satisfactory to bake the cake, picked up
| her stool and entered the conflict for
| womens rights most vaIiantly. What
/ disastrous results might have followed
| there is no conjecturing had it not been
| for another happy thought of Nell s.
| which was to both boil and then bake
| the object of the discussion. Peace hav-
| ing been restored. they turned, as is us
| ually the case. against the very ones who
| had endeavored to restore amity and
| the unofending broom and stool were
| broken in pieces, and used to kindle the
| fire. Then some eggs. broken. too, in
the strife, We're used TO coat the pud-
| ding, which now proved so great sue
! cess that it came to be known as ST.
| mon and Nelly's cake, and. like its
| founders, ii came at length to drop the
] latter portions of the name, and remain
as Simnel cake to the end of the chapter.
| Now, this story rather reminds one of
the old tale and diagram of the man who
went out to fish. from his little three
| cornered house, and after many adven-
| lures with angling and Indians. behold q
| goose. instead of the meaningless lines
| that at first appeared. But in spite of the
effects coming before the cause il is quite
good enough for these seekers after truth
who must have a reason for everything or
they are not even satisfied to live
Another quaint custom Of Easter, now
done away with, or our churches would
show far larger congregations than even
now, when the millinery display holds it's
sway, was the custom of playing ball for
tansy cakes Not only the laity, but the
/ bishops. too, took part in this recreation
and we have the unusual spectacle of the
bishops carrying the ball into the church,
and dancing, and at the commencement
of the chants throwing il to the choris-
tiers, who handed IL to each other during
the time of dancing and antiphone After
this little exercise they all retired for re-
freshment, which consisted of a tansy
pudding symbolical of the bitter herbs
used al the Paschal feast, and Il CANNON
OF bacon, eaten in adherence Of the Jews.
There is an old verse exemplifying this
! ball lay, where the writer evidently
wishes TO lose in order 10 win, though il
is doubtful if the young lady was quite
as eager TO win the wager.
At stool bail. Lucia, let us play,
For sugar, cakes or wine.
| or for a tansy let play,
| The loss be thine or mine.
Ii thou my dear winner be,
At trundiing OF the hall
| The wager, thou shalt have, and me,
And my misfortunes all.
One of the most beautiful celebrations
Of Easter, is that held by the Tyrolese
in the Noralberg, on Easter eve, or holy