340 



generally known," ist series p. 159), of even earlier date than the fifteenth century ; 

 but allusion to Mistletoe as a Christmas evergreen can scarcely be found for two 

 centuries later, or before the time of Herrick : — 



" Down with the rosemary, and so, 

 Down with the baies and mistletoe ; 

 Down with the holly, ivie, all, 

 Wherewith ye dressed the Christmas Hall." 



Coles in his "Knowledge of Plants," (1656), says of Mistletoe : " It is carried 

 many miles to set up in houses about Christmas time, when it is adorned with a 

 white glistening berry," and in the tract " Round about our Coal fire, or Christmas 

 Entertainments," published early in the last century, it is said " the rooms were 

 embowered with holly, ivy, cypress, bays, laurel, and mistletoe ; and a bouncing 

 Christmas log in the chimney." 



" Kissing a fair one under the Mistletoe," says Timbs, " and wishing her a 

 happy new year, as you present her with one of the berries for luck, is the 

 Christmas custom of our times ; and in some places persons try lots for the bough 

 with most berries, by the crackling of leaves and berries in the fire " : — this 

 conclusion is certainly inconsistent, and tends itself to prove the new-year 

 character of the Mistletoe. 



Gay's description has already been given, and many more might be added to 

 shew it a Christmas evergreen in later times, but it is unnecessary', since they are 

 chiefly written by authors who were not acquainted with Mistletoe lore. They 

 lived beyond the range of true Mistletoe customs ; where the plant did not grow 

 naturally, or only very sparingly ; and where, consequently, there were no 

 traditions existing amongst the common people with reference to it. 



The old new-year's-day custom, indeed, is rapidly changing, — even here, 

 in the very centre of the Mistletoe district — and where, as I have shown, its tradi- 

 tions endure so tenaciously. Pju-tly from lapse of time, perhaps, but chiefly from 

 change of inhabitants, the Mistletoe is changing its character as a sj-mbol of new- 

 year's-day, to take its place with the holly, as an emblem of the festivities of Christ- 

 mas. 



No man, perhaps, has done more to effect this change, than he, who of all 

 modern writers would the most regret it — Sir Walter Scott. — Great lover as he 

 was of folk-lore, and the traditions of the people, he was quite ignorant of the 

 history, and legendary lore of the Mistletoe. His spirited description of Christ- 

 mas-tide, in the introduction to the sixth Canto of Marmion, ever hangs on the 

 memory : — 



England was merry England, when 



Old Christmas brought his sports again. 



'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale ; 



'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale ; 



A Christmas gambol oft would cheer 



The poor man's heart through half the year. 



