66 "Well-Dressing:* 



the festivals are no more. England is in every way the 

 refuge of the homeless ; and it is pleasant to think that 

 this beautiful usage of primeval times shelters in our 

 own country, and will not be " willingly let die." 



At Buxton, the annual "well-dressing" takes place on 

 the Thursday nearest the 24th of June. Arches of ever- 

 greens and flags are erected in the streets ; the pillars 

 of the colonnade are twined with ferns and other plants, 

 and surmounted with flags and festoons ; while the wells 

 themselves are decorated in a manner quite peculiar. 

 The architectural stone-work above them is nearly 

 covered with wooden panels, which are encrusted with 

 tenacious clay. Upon this, the brightest flowers that 

 can be procured the blossoms only are artistically 

 arranged in living mosaic, some of the panels being 

 ornamented with fanciful, but always pretty devices, 

 while others bear floral inscriptions, such as " Come ye 

 to the waters ;" " Ho ! every one that thirsteth, come ye 

 hither." Daisies, especially double-red ones, buttercups, 

 pansies, rhododendrons, pseonies, &c., supply the positive 

 colours ; lichens and mosses are used for the more deli- 

 cate tints, and the deeper shades are given by fir-cones 

 and fir-foliage. Fountains contrived for the occasion, 

 little fir-trees planted temporarily, and bands of music, 

 further enliven the scene, which only needs sunshine 

 to be one of the prettiest spectacles of the summer. 

 The Tissington mode of celebrating the festival 

 is rather different, and preserves the sacred charac- 



