Collectmiea. 223
whenever a death occurs, some one appointed by the family goes round and invites the neighbours in the same " bidding " to attend the funeral, — the formula being somewhat as follows : — • " You are bidden for two o'clock ; lift at two thirty." In early times, as there was no hearse, and the house of the death was perhaps a long distance from the church, it was necessary to bid many people to help in the carrying of the coffin.
The Oddfellows have a pretty custom at a funeral. Each member, attired in sash and white gloves, casts a sprig of boxwood into the grave of the deceased brother.
At a christening, buttered sops and "sweet-butter" figure as the appropriate dainties. The latter is a mixture of butter, rum, and sugar, which is eaten spread on bread and butter, and in which even the newly-christened baby shares.
" Scrambling " is an essential feature at a wedding, — i.e. money is thrown down as the carriage drives away from the church gates, to the great delight of assembled village youngsters.
All Fools' Day is still observed by the dales' folk, but keen jokers sometimes try a second Fools' Day, — the first of May, — and, if they prove successful with a victim, he is styled a "May gesling" (gosling).
Bampton Vicarage. Gertrude E. N. Day.
