388 THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 



which Is confidercd as expreflive of the highefl mark 

 that even filial piety can pay to the deceafed. If the 

 diftance from the houfe to the church be coiifi- 

 derabie, they are reheved by fome of the congrcga* 

 tion ; but they always take it again before they 

 arrive at the church. — I have been informed that in 

 Ibme parts of the country it is ufual to fet the bier 

 down at every crofs-way, and again when they enter 

 the church-yard, and at each of thefe places to repeat 

 tfie Lord's prayer* 



In fome parts of Wales it was formerly cuftomary 

 for the friends of the dead to kneel on the grave^ 

 and there to fay the Lord's prayer for feveral Sun- 

 ^ days fubfequent to the interment, and then to drefs 

 the grave with flowers. — It was alfo reckoned fortu* 

 nate for the deceafed if a fhower of rain came on 

 while they were carrying the body to church, that 

 his cofHn might be moiilened with the tears of 

 heaven. 



I have obferved that in mod parts of North 

 Wales, the fame practice prevails which is common 

 in England, of crowding all the bodies into that 

 part of the church-yard which is fouth of the church. 

 The only reafon that I have heard the Welfli people 

 give for this cuftom is, that the north is the iw'ong 

 fide. The true reafon, however, is, that formerly 

 it was cuftomary for perfons, on entering a church^ 

 yard, and feeing the grave of a friend or acquiiint- 

 ance, to put up to heaven a prayer for the peace of 

 their foul j and fmce the entrances to churches were 

 4 ' ufually 



