CORNISH CUSTOMS 137 little town of Helston, the key to the Lizard. This saturnalia is held on the eighth of the month instead of the first, because the eighth is the festival of the apparition of St. Michael, who is represented in the Town Arms. The festival is called the " furry dance," a word which some writers have associated with " forage " or " foray " because the young people make a raid on all gardens and out into the fields early in the morning to collect flowers and green boughs. Polwhele connects the word with the old Cornish "fer," a fair or jubilee. Rather un- successful attempts have also been made to bring in the goddess Flora, and suggest a corruption of Flora-day to fit the present name. The day is a general holiday and anyone caught working is subjected to unpleasant penalties. About midday the most important person present leads off with his partner down the main street to the tune of a hornpipe a local tune and they are followed by a gay crowd. The throng threads in and out of the houses, in by the front door and out by the back if possible, for all doors are left open for them. Woe be to the churl -who kept his shut! At length they arrive at the Assembly Rooms where a real ball begins. This curious performance slackened off for some 18
