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land, called Stanging, which was highly characteristic of the days when 

 the old parish constable was the sole guardian of the peace. A party of 

 roughs assembled in the morning of the first of January, and continued 

 throughout the day, to intercept all passengers, and extort from them a 

 sort of black mail. If the person stopped was willing to pay sixpence 

 or a shilling, he was suffered to go on his way without further molestation; 

 but if not, he was hoisted by main force shoulder height, upon a pole, 

 and carried to the public-house, by which time he was generally ready 

 enough to pay his ransom, when he was set at liberty. The money 

 thus obtained was all spent at the village inn, during the same day and 

 night. 



Passing to Candlemas, the observances among our forefathers at 

 that season, were more of a business than a festive character. It was 

 the end of their financial year, when all accounts were settled. All 

 interest on borrowed money then became due, and most of the farms 

 and tenements were let to be entered upon at that time. In Westmor- 

 land and the north of Lancashire, it was the custom until lately for all 

 tradesmen to give twelve months credit, and no accounts were settled at 

 any other time than Candlemas. 



Coming next to Shrovetide, or the beginning of Lent, we find that 

 most of the names and customs connected therewith have come down to 

 us from Roman Catholic times. The name Lent is said to be derived 

 from a term used by the Saxons. They called the spring — Lengthentide, 

 because then the days were lengthening. Shrovetide originally signified 

 the time of confessing sins to a priest. The term was derived from the 

 Saxon word shrive, to confess, and was applied to the first day of Lent, 

 because on that day the people in every parish throughout England, 

 were obliged to confess their sins to the parish priest, each in his own 

 parish church. In our own county, and perhaps some other parts of the 

 north, the beginning of Lent was formerly called Fasten's even, because 

 of its being the eve of the long Lenten fast. In the north of England, 

 and especially in this county, the three days at the beginning of Lent 

 have, time out of mind, been known as Collop Monday, Pancake 

 Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday ; and till lately, each was commemorated 



