OF THE WELSH. 2St 



The nights are wholefome ; then no planets Ilrikej 

 No fairy takes ; no witch hath powSr to charm ; 

 So hallow'd and fo gracious is the time. 



The Welfh yet retain the cuftom of wearing leeks 

 in then* hats on St. David's day. On the firfl of 

 March '640, the Welfh forces under command of 

 king Cadwallo obtained a fignal victory over the 

 Saxons. The battle happened near a large piece of 

 ground in which this vegetable was cultivated, and 

 the foldiers put leeks into their hats in order to dif- 

 tinguifh themfelves. Since this period the leek has 

 been retained as a badge of honour. " The Welfh- 

 jnen (fays Fluelin to Henry V.) did goot fervice in a 

 garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their 

 Monmouth caps ; which, your majefly knows, to tliis 

 hour is an honorable p^idge of the fervice *." 



The middle and lower clafles of the people were 

 formerly much addicted to icrmi?ig, that is, brewing 

 a barrel of ale at fome favourite ale-houfe, and flay- 

 ing there till it was all drunk out. They never 

 went to bed, though the term fliould even laft a 

 whole week. They flept in their chairs, or on the 

 floor, as it happened, and the moment they awoke 

 they renewed their jollity. At length, when the 

 barrel was exhaufted, they reeled away home. The 

 hero of this Bacchanalian rout always carried off the 

 fpiggot in triumph. 



* Shakfpere's Henry V., aft iv. 



Tlie 



