APPLE-TEEE. 147 



with cider, and tastefully decorated with holly branches; 

 and when every one has advanced about ten paces from the 

 trunk of the choicest tree, rustic pipes, made from the 

 hollow boughs of elder, are played upon by young men, 

 while echo repeats the strain, and it seems as if fairy 

 musicians responded in low sweet tones from some neigh- 

 bouring wood or hill, for this custom is almost peculiar 

 to the secluded parts of Devonshire and Herefordshire. 



Then bursts forth a chorus of loud and sonorous voices, 

 while the cider-flask is being emptied of its contents around 

 the tree ; and such are the strains they sing : 



" Here's to thee, old apple-tree, 

 Long mayest thou grow, 

 And long mayest thou blow, 

 And ripen the apples that hang on thy bough. 



" This full can of apple wine, 



Old tree, be thine: 



It will cheer thee and warm thee amid the deep snow, 

 Till the goldfinch, fond bird, 

 In the orchard is heard, 

 Singing blithe 'mid the blossoms that whiten thy bough," 



