A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 327 



if, through age or infirmity, any 

 difabled from attending, they never 

 failed having prayers at home, and ca- 

 rols on our Saviour's nativity. The 

 former part of the cuflom is (till in fome 

 places preferred, but too often perverted 

 into intemperance. This a<5l of devo- 

 tion is called Pulgeiii or the crotvhig of 

 the cock. It has been a general belief 

 among the fuperftitious, that inflantly 



" at iiis warning, 



Whether in fea, or fire, in earth, or air, 

 Th' extravagant, and erring fpirit, hies 

 To bis confine." 



But during the holy feafon, the 

 cock was fuppofed to exert his power 

 throughout the night; from which un- 

 doubtedly originated the Welfh word 

 Pulgen, as applied to this cuftom. Ac- 

 cordingly Shakefpere finely defcribes 

 this old opinion :* 



Tenrtant, II. 340. 

 R g 



