MODERN APPLE LORE. 
53 
obvious how closely this resembles the nut-roasting on Hallow E’en in Scotland, immortalized by 
Burns. 
In Lancashire it is said that the omen is consulted in another way. The enquirer squeezes 
a pip between finger and thumb, and moving round in a circle, utters the following charm :— 
“ Pippin, pippin, paradise, 
Tell me where my true love lies, 
East, West, North, or South, 
Pulling-brig, or Cockermouth.” 
(Dyer, “English Folk Lore”p. 20.) 
Whereupon, the obedient pip starts off at once in the required direction. 
The same custom is traced back by some (Boaraldus: Suetonius — 1610, col. y6o), even to 
Roman times. An old Commentator on Suetonius, thus writes “ Porphyrio, the Annotator of 
Horace, says that lovers were accustomed to squeeze apple pips between the thumb and forefinger, 
and watch how they fled off,” as an augury of their affections. 
Another method is to take the pips of the apple that has been pared, and drink them in 
a glass of fresh spring water, to dream of the wished-for admirer. 
In Austria on St. Thomas’ Night it is said an apple is cut in two, and the pips counted in 
each half. If the number is even, the fair damsel who makes the experiment will be married soon, 
and vice versa; but if in the process a seed be cut in two, the course of true love will not be 
smooth ; and if two seeds are unhappily divided, it is a sign of speedy widowhood. 
In Ireland on the Patron Day in most parishes, it is customary to dance in pairs round the 
“ bush” and the piper. The “ bush” is a cake raised on a pike, and surrounded with a garland of ever¬ 
greens, flowers, and, when in season, apples. The dancers arrange themselves in a circle, the piper 
plays vigorously, and the couple that can hold out longest at the exercise, wins the cake and 
apples.— (Brand, by Hazlitt , II. 10.) 
Apples take their full share in the customs not only of Hallow E’en (Oct. 31), the day before 
All Saints’, but on All Saints’ Day itself, and on All Souls’ Day, which follows it. 
The ancient custom of providing children with apples on Hallow E’en is still observed, we 
are informed by Hunt, at St. Ives, in Cornwall. “ Allan Day,” as it is termed, is one of the 
chief days in all the year for children, who would think it a great misfortune if they went to bed on 
Allan Night without an Allan apple to hide under their pillows. So large a supply of apples is 
required for this purpose, that the market at which they are bought is called the Allan Market. 
(Standard Newspaper, October , i8y8.) Hallow E’en is sometimes called “ Snap-apple Night,” from 
the game of “Snap-apple” which it was the custom to play then. A short piece of wood was suspended 
by a string from the centre, and balanced with the utmost care. On one end of it was stuck a fine 
red-cheeked apple, on the other a piece of lighted tallow candle. It was swung rapidly round, and the 
players, with their hands tied behind their backs, stood in a circle and tried to bite the apple. They 
might only get a greasy, blackened face, to the amusement of the lookers on, 
“ Or catch th’ elusive apple with a bound, 
As, with its taper, it flew swiftly round.” 
(Polwhele , “ Old English' Gentleman? p8120.) 
“ Snatching” or “ Bobbing for apples ” in a pail of water often varied the fun. 
In Wales and some of the border counties, on the night of Oct. 31st, there is a custom still 
