, Lord Stourton. Dodsworth tells us that till
about 1775, no chivalrous emblems were suspended over the latter, but
only a twisted wire, with a noose, emblematic of the halter. Allow me to
ask, What instances have we of tombs or gravestones, as memorials of
individuals who have suffered at the _stake_, exclusive of those
monuments which in after times may have been raised in honour of
distinguished martyrs at the Reformation?
J.H.M.
Bath.
_Baptismal Superstition._--In the north of England, when several
children are brought to be baptized at the same time, great anxiety is
shown by the people lest the girls should take the precedence of the
boys; in which case it is believed the latter, when arrived at man's
estate, would be beardless.
E.H.A.
_Rushbearing_ (Vol. i., p 259.).--Wednesday, July 21, 1847, Grasmere
Church was decorated with ribbons, which had some reference to the
rushbearing which had taken place on the preceding Sunday.
It takes place at Ambleside one Sunday later.
_Extract from Black's "Guide to the Lakes," p. 43._
"An interesting ceremony takes place at Ambleside once every
year, which the stranger may think himself fortunate in seeing,
not so much for the mere sight itself, though that is pretty
enough, as for its being the vestige of a very ancient
observance. The ceremony alluded to is called Rushbearing. On
the eve of the last Sunday in July, the village girls walk in
procession to the chapel bearing garlands of flowers (formerly
rushes), which are there tastefully disposed.
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