illiterate oration, stufft with the most plentifull want of discretion."

At Westminster School the following custom is still observed -At II o'clock a.m. a verger of the Abbey, in his gown, bearing a silver bâton, emerges from the College kitchen, followed by the cook of the school, in his white apron, jacket and eap, carrying a pancake. On arriving at the school-room door, he announces himself, “The Cook ;" and, having entered the schoolroom, he advances to the bar which separates the upper school from the lower one, twirls the pancake in the pan, and then tosses it over the bar into the upper school, among a crowd of boys, who scramble for the pancake; and he who gets it unbroken, and carries it to the Deanery, demands the honorarium of a guinea (sometimes two guineas), from the Abbey funds. The cook also receives two guineas for his performance.

Foot-ball used formerly to be much played on Shrove Tuesday.

Cock-fighting, and throwing at cocks, were also favourite amusements on this day. The latter custom was long kept up at Heston, in Middlesex. The following is a description of this so-called sport. The owner of the cock trains his bird for some time before Shrove Tuesday, and throws a stick at him himself, in order to prepare him for the fatal day, by accustoming him to watch the threatened danger, and,

by springing aside, avoid the blow. He holds the poor victim on the spot marked out by a cord fixed to his leg, at the distance of nine or ten yards, so as to be out of the way of the stick himself. Another spot is marked at the distance of twenty-two yards for the person who throws to stand upon. He has three shies or throws for 2d., and wins the cock if he can knock him down, and run up and catch him before he can get on his legs. Not satisfied with having taken the cock's life, however, when killed it is put into a hat, and won by the person who can strike it out. Broomsticks are generally used to shy with. The cock, if well trained, eluded the blows for a long time, and thereby earned a large sum of money for his Such is the origin of Cock-Shies.

master.

ASH WEDNESDAY.

The first day of Lent, so called from the time of the year it falls in-the word Lent signifying, in the Saxon language, Spring. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the ancient ceremony of blessing ashes on that day, and, as it stated in the Festa AngloRomana, therewith the priest signeth the people on the forehead in the form of a cross, with this wholesome admonition :-" Remember, man, thou art dust, and shall return to dust." The ashes used on this day in the Romish Church, are made of the palms

consecrated on the Palm Sunday in the previous year. In a convocation held in the reign of Henry VIII. giving of ashes on Ash Wednesday, to put in remembrance every Christian man that he was but dust and ashes, was reserved.

Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, and ends on Easter Eve, the Sundays in Lent not being reckoned as part of the forty days' fast.

The ancient discipline of sackcloth and ashes is supplied in the Church of England by the reading of the Commination Service.

ST. DAVID'S DAY.

The 1st of March is the day set apart by the Welsh in honour of their patron saint. St. David was the son of Xantus, Prince of Cardiganshire, brought up a priest, became an ascetic in the Isle of Wight, afterwards preached to the Britons, founded twelve monasteries, ate only bread and vegetables, and drank ́ milk and water. A synod being called at Brevy, in Cardiganshire, A.D. 519, in order to suppress the heresy of Pelagius, St. David confuted and silenced him by his learning, eloquence, and miracles. After the synod, St. Dubritius, Archbishop of Caerleon, resigned his see to St. David, which see is now called St. David's. He died in 544; St. Kentigern, says the legend, saw his soul borne by angels to heaven. His

body was interred in the church of St. Andrew, but in 962 was removed to Glastonbury.

The origin of the custom amongst the Welsh of wearing a leek on this day, seems involved in obscurity. In Shakspeare's play of Henry V. the custom is frequently referred to. Amongst other passages, in the dialogue between the King and Fluellen, Act iv., Scene 7.

Fluellen. Your grandfather of famous memory, an't please your majesty, and your great uncle, Edward the plack prince of Wales, as I have read in the chronicles, fought a most prave pattle here in France.

K. Henry. They did, Fluellen.

F. Your majesty says very true: if your majesties is remembered of it, the Welshmen did goot service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps; which, your majesty knows, to this day, is an honourable. padge of the service and I do believe your Majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon St. Tavy's Day.

K. H. I wear it for a memorable honour: for I am a Welsh, you know, good countryman.

In London the anniversary festival of "the most Honourable and Loyal Society of Ancient Britons is held on this day. Each member of the society wears an artificial representation of the leek in his hat, composed of ribbons and silver foil. A collection is made on behalf of the Welsh Charity School.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

This day, so dear to all Irishmen, is kept on the 17th of March. St. Patrick, according to some authorities, was a Scotchman, and by others is said to have been born in Wales. The "Catalogue of British Saints" describes him to have been Principal of a College in Wales, but was taken captive by some pirates of Ireland, the inhabitants of which country he converted to Christianity. It appears certain that he was a Bishop, and founded many churches and schools. He died towards the close of the fifth century.

CARLING SUNDAY.

Carling Sunday is so called by the lower orders in the north of England, because it is their custom to eat immense quantities of small peas, called carlings, fried in butter and pepper and salt, on the second Sunday before Easter. This is said, by an old author, to take its rise from the disciples plucking the ears of corn and rubbing them in their hands.

ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

This event is commemorated on the 25th of March. It is kept as a great festival in the Roman Catholic Church, and in the Church of England as a Feast.