happy augmentation to some of the very poor vicars, and is often the best part of their maintenance.
Sinne-eaters.
It seems a remainder of this custom wch lately obtained at Amersden, in the county of Oxford, where at the burial of every corps one cake and one flaggon of Ale just after the interrment were brought to the minister in the Ch. porch. W. K.
Of casting or drawing Lots.
Pro. 26, 33, the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole.
„18, 18, the lot causeth contention to cease.
Mat. 27, 35, parted his garment casting lots.
When I was a Boy in North Wilts (before ye Civill-warres) the mayd-servants were wont at night (after supper) to make smoothe, the Ashes on the Hearth, and then to make streakes on it with a stick; such a streake signified privately to her that made it such an unmarried man, such a one such a mayd: the like for men. Then the men and the mayds were to choose by this kind of way, their Husbands and wifes: or by this divination to know whom they should marry. The maydes I remember were very fond of this kind of Magick, wch is clearly a Branch of Geomantie. Now the Rule of Geomantie is, that you are not to goe about your divination, but wth a great deale of seriousnes, and also prayers; and to be performed in a very private place; or on the sea shore.
See . . . . de Pisis or Cattan's Geomantie: who affirme that the points being thus duly sett downe, it is æquivalent to a Scheme sett to a Horary Question.
This way of chusing valentines by making little furrows in the Ashes and imposing such and such names on each line or furrow is practist in Kent and many other parts. W. K.
In Germany at night before Christmas many sinfull things in some places are donn by young Maids, or Men. e.g. a mayd washeth her feet in a brazen bason, & afterwards throwes out the water, and placeth it in any place, and hearknes to it, by this she will know, what manner of Man the future husband will bee,
