FOLKLORE OF YULE. 139 



vague remembrance of the "shining wheel" first 

 brought those cakes into existence. Each member of 

 the family washed their whole person, and donned a 

 clean (if possible, new) garment, in which they slept 

 that night. When the hands or feet were put into the 

 water " three living coals were dropped into the water, 

 else the Trows took the power 0' the feet or hands." 



The house was carefully tidied, " no unkirsn things 

 left in sight," and all soiled water thrown away. All 

 locks were opened, a lamp was left burning all night, 

 and an " iron blade " was laid on a table near the door. 



Before daylight on Yule morning the gudeman of 

 the house got up and lit the candle, which had been 

 stuck in the eye-socket of the cow's skull. Then he 

 proceeded with this unique candlestick to the byre 

 and fed the beasts, giving to all a little better food 

 than usual, which they were expected to eat by the 

 light of that candle, and which, no doubt, they did. 

 The next thing the gudeman did was " to go round to 

 the folk of the house with drams," and even the bairns 

 were bound to " taste, if nae mair," while to all he 

 said— 



" Yule glide and yule gear 

 Follow de trew da year." 



Breakfast was eaten by artificial light, and on this 

 occasion many a bit of hoarded candle was produced 

 by the youngsters, who had secreted those morsels for 

 months that they might have a fine lighting up on 

 Yule mornine:. 



