48 



names, and ancient worship is in many instances 

 observable. 



Just as Ave had done tea this evening, while 

 my uncle was talking on this subject, he was in- 

 terrupted by a loud ringing at the hall-door, 

 and it was scarcely opened, when there was such 

 a noise in the hall, such singing, talking, 

 laughing and dancing, that I was alarmed at 

 first ; but my aunt told me it was only the 

 Mummers. We went to look at them, and I 

 understood that they were acting St. George and 

 the Dragon ; but it was such a strange, confused 

 medley, that I could only distinguish a word or 

 two. They had all hideous masks, and were 

 dressed up in the most grotesque way ; and 

 everybody was highly diverted except poor little 

 Grace : she was so frightened by the bustle and 

 strange figures, that my uncle was obliged to 

 reason with her. A word or a look from him 

 has unspeakable pOAver over the minds of all the 

 family, ami indeed of all who know him. 



The mummers' song T could not understand, 

 except one stanza, which they repeated always 

 more distinctly than the rest, as a hint, I suppose, 

 to my uncle : 



In Christmas time is found 



The best of stout old beer, 

 And if it now abound 



We shall have dainty cheer j 

 Then merrily dance we round, 



And so conclude the year. 



