ST. aldhelm's chapel. 141 



named Modern well, into which it was the custom for those who 

 wished to settle any doubts and inquiries, to do so by dropping 

 pins or pebbles into the water at a certain time of the year. 



At St. John's well, Balraans, in Scotland, the presents gene- 

 rally given were pins J needles, and rags taken from the dress 

 of the visitors. At Bede's well near Newcastle upon Tyne, the 

 offering was a crooked pin put into it. In the Isle of Skye is a 

 well at which after drinking, the party makes a tour, and then 

 leaves an offering of some token, such as a pin, needle, farthing, 

 or the like, on the stone cover which is above the well ; so that 

 this wishing, and at the same time the offering of a pin at the 

 shrine of St. Aldhelm, evidently represents a superstitious cus- 

 tom formerly, if not still prevalent, throughout Britain, and 

 therefore at least, being harmless, claims our interest. 



The meetings which were held at these, thus designated, holy 

 places, were usually entirely devoted to festivity and mirth, 

 and possibly may have taken the place of the village wakes, when 

 they were discontinued to be kept in the church yard. 



There is mentioned in the Gentleman's magazine for 1791, 

 vol. xix, p. 991, a custom which existed in the north of England 

 from time immemorial, for the lads and lasses of the neighbour- 

 ing villages to collect together at springs and rivers on some 

 Sunday in May, to drink sugar and water, where the lasses gave 

 the treat; they afterwards adjourned to the public house, and 

 the lads returned the compliment in cakes, ale, pimch, &c. 

 Similar meetings are recorde^ as taking place in other countries, 

 usually in the month of May, which appears to have been the 

 favorite month for these merry makings. Various rites appear 

 to have been performed at many of these spots on Holy Thursday; 

 such as decorating them with boughs of trees, garlands of tulips, 

 and other flowers. 



I find upon enquiry, that here likewise is a semblance of a like 

 custom. On Whit Thursday annually, the Villagers of Worth 

 proceed with music to the Head, dress the Chapel with flags, and 

 dance within it, when many an offering is, doubtless made, 

 accompanied by many a whispered wish. 



JOHN H. AUSTEN. 



