Collectanea. 489
Every one does it on that day in her " part," and many people burn them in the fire on New Year's evening.
On Christmas evening they sit up late and burn an ashen faggot, a bundle of ash sticks, of a suitable size for the grate, bound together with bramble. Labourers cut them in the hedges and present the faggots to their (better-class) neighbours. In Exeter they may be bought at the greengrocer's. They should be green wood, and therefore burn a long while. She knows of no " luck " about them. Charlotte S. Burne.
Essex.
At Newport, Oak-apple Day (May 29th) is observed in the following manner. At half-past five in the morning the church bells are rung, after which the ringers make a tour of the village and place a branch of the oak on every door-step. Later in the day they call for a small contribution.
Newport. J. H. P. Still.
Gloucestershire. I have been told by a well-to-do farmer at Ashelworth, six miles from Gloucester, that if any rain falls on Ascension Day it is sure to be black. In 1899, on the afternoon of Ascension Day, it was almost dark enough to need candles, and some rain that fell was quite discoloured, which was looked on by the villagers as a matter of course. D. Townshend.
Lancashire. Onions hung in the house secure it against fevers. They are commonly so used in Oldham.
Oldham. Ralph Wolfenden.
Lincolnshire.
I have always heard that a body should not burn anything while it is green. (A. T.)
Houseleek beaten up with cream is applied to burns "to draw the fire out."
To kill a robin wantonly causes your mother to die.
Kirton-in-Lindsey. Mabel Peacock.
