JANUARY. 41 



while those that had lost their loves were conducted 

 to that hopeless barren tree, or at least recommended 

 to sojourn beneath its shade; those damsels who were 

 not in such an unfortunate predicament, were either 

 merrily or stratagetically escorted to the Mistletoe, 

 whose berries being pure white, of course could not 

 fail to' intimate the bridal wreath, and white satin 

 ribband. 



Archdeacon NARES, who has written very learnedly 

 on this subject, and seems to be a great friend to the 

 mvstic rites of the Mistletoe, deprecates any un- 

 seasonable resistance on the part of ladies taken to 

 or caught under the sacred plant ; as he states that a 

 non-performance of the usual ceremonial brings in its 

 train all the evils of old-maidenisui. It appears that 

 the berries of the plant alone constituted its privilege ; 

 one was to be plucked at every salute, and various 

 authorities insist that when the last berry is plucked 

 from the bush, its potential and venerated character 

 ceases. 



u One single berry yet remains, 

 Untouch'd by rude and vulgar swains ; 

 By all unpluck'd, it seems to say 

 Whate'er has pass'd is Christmas play ; 

 But now, ere comes the vernal breeze, 

 The last chance fortune offers seize !" 



The most remarkable circumstance, however, in the 

 history of the Mistletoe, is its mode of growth. It is 

 invariably found nourishing upon and imbibing its 

 support from the juices of some tree ; it has never 

 been met with attached to earth, nor can any treat- 

 ment induce it to grow there. It is, therefore, termed 

 by analogy a parasite ; but a vegetable parasite is> 



