CHAP. 10. 1. ANTIQUITIES, &c. 303 



The Vigil of All Saints Day, November 1, 

 also called Allhallow Even October 31, is still 

 celebrated by the nocturnal revelry of rustic 

 wassailers, who have a feast of apples and nuts, 

 and by whom, in the North of England, it is 

 called Nutcrack Night. The Feast of Old 

 Fools is stated, in the Romish Calendar, to be 

 observed to this day, afterwards transferred to 

 the 1st of April. There used to be on this day 

 a superstitious sacrifice of burning nuts, and 

 deriving thence lucky or unlucky omens from 

 the appearance of their cracking shells.* 



All Souls Day, November 2, had also many 

 similar customs, as the baking of great cakes, 

 the lighting up of Hallow Eve Bonfires, and 

 others. The poor used to have Soul Mass cake 

 given to them, and in return to answer with 

 wishing well to certain crops, saying : . 



" God save your soul, 

 Oats and all." 



" Festa dies Judae prohibet te incedere nud, 



Sed vult ut corpus vestibus omne tegas. 

 Festa dies Judae cum transiit atque Simonis, 



In foribus nobis esse putatur hyems. 

 Simonis, Judae post festum vae tibi nude, 



Tune inflant genti mala gaudia veste carenti " 



* Horace alludes to some annual ceremony with nuts. 



