220 pPant bore, begeT^ti/, cmi. bijrlc/". 



blasts on a bullock's horn, and the party proceed to the orchard, where 

 they encircle a tree or group of trees, and chant sonorously— 



" Stand fast at root, bear well top, 

 Every twig, bear Apple big, 

 Every bough, bear Apple enow." 



A loud shout completes the ceremony, which is repeated till all the 

 trees in the orchard have been encircled; after which the men 

 proceed to the homestead, and sing at the owner's door a song 

 common for the occasion. They are then admitted, and partake 

 of his hospitality. 



At West Wickham, in Kent, a curious custom used to prevail 

 in Rof'ation week. The young men went into the orchards, and, 

 encircling each tree, said: — 



" Stand fast, root, bear well, top, 

 God send us a youling sop ; 

 Every twig, Apple big ; 

 Every bough, Apple enow." 



Cider was formerly not the only drink concocfled from the 

 Apple; another famous potation was called " Lambswool," or 

 more corre(51:ly, lamasool, the derivation of the word being the 

 Celtic Idmaesabhal— the day of Apple fruit. This appellation was 

 given to the first day of November, dedicated in olden times to 

 the titular saint of fruit and seeds. The Lambswool was composed 

 of ale and roasted Apples, flavoured with sugar and spice; and a 

 bowl of this beverage was drunk, with some ceremony, on the last 

 night of Oiflober. Roasted Apples formed an important item in 

 the composition of the famed wassail-bowl. Shakspeare probably 

 alludes to this beverage in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' where 

 we find the mischievous Puck saying, 



"Sometimes I lurk in a gossip's bowl. 

 In very likeness of a roasted Crab." 



In Sussex, the wassail-bowl was formerly made at Christmas 

 time; it was compounded of ale, sugar, Nutmeg, and roasted 

 Apples, the latter being called Lambswool. On St. Clement's day, 

 in East Sussex, the custom exists of going round from house to 

 house asking for Apples and beer: this is called Clemmening. 

 A similar custom prevails on St. Catherine's Day, when the 

 children sing a rhyme commencing — 



" Cattern' and Clemen' be here, here, here, 

 Give us your Apples and give us your beer." 



In Lowland Scotland, there is an old charm still pra(5lised by 

 village maidens on Hallow-e'en. It is to go alone into a room, 

 and eat an Apple in front of a looking-glass, when the face of the 

 future husband will appear looking over the maid's shoulder. 



In Scotland, on Hallow-e'en, Apples are thrown into a tub of 

 water, and you endeavour to catch one in your mouth as they bob 

 around in provoking fashion. When you have caught one, you 



