46 MB BAIBD ON THE AURORA BOREALIS. 



The miller entertained them with pork and dumpUns ; and, what was 

 of far more importance, dusted them, especially their hats, with flour. 

 Like the laurel wreaths of other regions, this marked them out for the 

 gaze of their fellow-townsmen. 



In this way the three balls are played for succesively. The person 

 who succeeds in Icirhing or in milling — such are the phrases — the first 

 or golden hall, receives from the ball-men a reward of Is 6d., for the 

 second Is., and for the third 6d. 



I have no means of ascertaining the antiquity of this practice. The 

 oldest inliabitants tell us that, ever since they recollect, it has been 

 falling off. It seems indeed at one time to have been engaged in with 

 much greater spirit. Whoever did not play was marked, and the inhabi- 

 tants not unusually assembled next day to inflict punishment. They 

 dragged him forth — carried him down to the cross, and, as is said, 

 knocked him against it. When one thinks of the population, leaving 

 for one day their laborious occupations, and entering with spirit into 

 the excitements of this game, he would be a stern moralist who would 

 forbid them the enjojTaent. But every picture has its darker shades. 

 The evening was generally spent in dancing and drinking. It was 

 remarked too, that if any private quarrels had arisen, they were one 

 way or other settled and set at rest on Eastern's E'en. 



On the Aurora Borealis. By Mr William Baird. 



In the winter season of the year, when botany can no longer afford 

 its usual animating enjoyments to the lovers of flowers ; when the 

 birds, which made our summer groves vocal with their music, are 

 silent, and seldom to be met with by the ornithologist ; when the 

 greater part of animated nature, in short, is either dead, torpid, 

 retired to their holes and caves for shelter from the severity of the 

 weather, or seeking by a rapid flight new summers in a warmer clime ; 

 when even the few pursuits which the botanist or zoologist has still 

 within his reach are further interrupted by the inclemency of the 

 season, " vapours, and clouds, and storms," or by the shortness of the 

 days, "which driving sleets deform," the meteorologist can still find 

 full employment for his powers of observation. The storms and blasts 

 of winter all contribute materials for his peculiar studies. Pleased, he 



" Hears the winds roar, and the big torrent burst, 

 Or sees the deep fermenting tempest brew'd 

 In the grim evening sky." 



The ever varying state of the clouds affords him constant amusement, 

 whilst he derives great delight and satisfaction in watching, by means 

 of the barometer or sjTiipiesometer, the frequent changes in the pres- 

 sure and density of the atmosphere. Many meteorological phenomena 



