234 Agriculture. 



and of scenes of plenty around them, and the very circumstance 

 of their being drawn away from their several dwellings at this 

 bright season, open their hearts and give a life to their memories; 

 and many an anecdote and history from " the simple annals of the 

 poor, are there related, which need only to pass through the 

 mind of a Wordsworth or a Crabbe, to become immortal in their 

 mirth or woe." 



The custom of breaking a straw to express that treaties may 

 be broken, may be traced to the first days of monarchy ; it may 

 be said to be one of royal origin. The old chronicles relate that 

 in 922, Charles the Simple, seeing himself abandoned by the 

 principal lords of his court, had the imprudence to convoke an 

 assembly at Soissons. He sought his friends there, but found 

 only a factious crew whose audacity was increased by his weak-" 

 ness. Some reproached him with indolence, with his prodigali- 

 ties, and the blind confidence he reposed in his minister Haga- 

 non ; others were angry for the dishonor of his concessions to 

 Raoul the Norman chief. Surrounded by their foul sedition, 

 he prayed, promised, and thought to escape by the display of 

 Hew weaknesses, but in vain. When they saw him without 

 moral courage, their audacity knew no bounds ; and they even 

 declared he ceased to be their king. At these words, which they 

 pronounced with every sign of violence, accompanied by mena- 

 ces, they advanced to the foot of the throne, broke some straws 

 which they held in their hands, threw them roughly on the ground, 

 and retired, after expressing, by this action, that they broke treaty 

 with him. This example is the most ancient of its kind that we 

 know ; but it proves for a long time this mode of breaking an 

 oath had been in use, since the vassals did not think it necessary 

 to add a single word of explanation, as they felt sure of being 

 understood.-rAiME Martin. 



