John Stourton, recovered by act of parliament in 1575, the honours and dignities which his father had forfeited in 1557. From her, in whose veins ran the blood of Stanley and Hungerford, the house of Stourton maternally descends. But tracing back this genealogical course to the early part of the 14th century, we find that Joan Vernon, of Horningsham, is the source from which flows a long and unbroken descent of Esquires, Knights, and Barons, whose names, honours, fortunes, and vicissitudes are borne and represented at this time by the Right Honourable Baron Mowbray and Stourton.

The arms of the above-named and extinct Vernons were:

Azure, two bendlets or, between six lioncels rampant, argent.

The yule-log flared; the yule-log glared,

And cracked, and snapped, and beamed; Men felt its warmth, who oft had dared The foe,-where foemen teemed; The maid's glad eye, the wistful sigh,

The mellowing-mounting tear, These form but part of the dead "gone-by," The days of Christmas cheer.

The berries hung; the bow was strung

By Cupid, swift and sure;

And soldiers stern, with tender tongue,

On hilt of sword love swore;

The dance was led; the board bespread,
Glad faces beamed around;
"Waits" sang; while grey and golden head
Unfolding fun were found.

Not now is Christmas as it was,
In honored days of yore.
Then men reposed 'neath wilder laws,
And brave blows gave and bore;
Then hope of life was held in hand,

And maiden's eyes flashed fire;
While serfs and jesters took their stand,
Behind the grand old squire.

YE CHRISTMASSE OF OLDE. A POEME.

By E. L. T. HARRIS-BICKFORD.

OT now is Christmas as it was,

In honored days of old;

When men reposed 'neath wilder laws,
And every heart was bold;
When hope of life was held in hand,

And eyes flashed fiercest fire;

While stout retainers took their stand,
Behind the grey old squire.

The goblets streamed with ruby wine,
The mirth resounded wide;

The Boar's-head, decked with holly-shine,
Stood steaming in its pride.

The earth snow-prest, with sheeny breast,
Reflected fire light's glow,
That full on front of knightly crest,
Blazed red, and gleamed also.

O! Christmas then was Christmas real,
But those gay days are dead;
Their spectres glide-The Bard's ideal-
Their substance-lo! hath fled;
The rattling sword, the haughty word,
The Chieftain's lofty mien ;

The cheer, the spear, the mirth then heard,
Are gone with what "has been."

OLD CORNISH CUSTOMS AND INCIDENTS AT YULE-TIDE, &c.

BY ABRAHAM HARRIS-BICKFOrd, m.d. Mullyon Cove, Cornwall, on a Christmas day; or, How the Parson caught his fish :—

N

of to

three of his Choir, to conduct morning service, when the sound or cry of "Heva! Heva!" caught their ears and people were seen running; and the quiristers chimed in "Heva! Heva! Come, lev' us all be gone!" The Parson said," we can't all go. They are fishermen, and cry "Heva! Heva! when pilchards come; but I'm a fisher of men." Therefore, good men, while I'm at Church, and you're afloat, I will remember ye." They quickly reached the cove and three seines of pilchards, were caught, "as pretty a sight as ever we seed," said they, "of a Christmas day; but the Parson said, on his way to Church this morning, he'd remember we, and now to keep things straight, lev' us remember he." And then they hied them to the Vicarage door and laid their glittering fishes down. "Well done, well done, my fishermen," the Parson said. "Tis well, you see, both for you and me, to Labour and to Pray."

Cock-fighting in Gwennap Pit:

The Amphitheatre, in which the Rev. John Wesley preached, situated about two miles from Redruth, was before his day used for the cruel amusement of Cock-fighting, formerly one of Cornwall's favourite out-door sports. Since his (Wesley's) death, it has continued to be the

singular and exceedingly convenient site for out-door religious services, having stone seats, covered with grass, in circles from bottom to top. It holds on some occasions about 20,000 people, and when Wesley himself preached there, to hear this multitude of voices blended in one sweet song was indescribably grand and never to be forgotten.

It is a very ancient custom, and still continued, for every house to be decorated with Laurustinus and Holly with other green twigs at Christmas; and Mistletoe is much coveted, any female found sitting or standing under it, being kissed by right by the opposite sex! In churches, formerly, large branches of Evergreen shrubs, branches of trees in fact were used at this season for decoration; smaller sprigs are now mostly used with texts of scripture formed of green leaves, &c., stitched together or tied with thread.

The old familiar Christmas Cake is found in every home at this season-differing from other cake, in being yellow with saffron; but especially, by having a depression in its top, in which is placed a lesser child-cake. When set on the table this smaller lump is decorated by a sprig of sprig of Holly or other green shrub (insignia).

A drink, made up of hot beer and nutmeg, with rum added and slices of lemon, sweetened with sugar, commonly called Chenagrum, is much used and especially welcomed by Carol Singers; this, with a supply of cake, is deemed in most instances a sufficient remuneration for the rendering of a selection of carols at the dwellings of the well-to-do folk, altho' mostly a small money offering is proffered and accepted for festive expenses elsewhere.

The death of "Old Dolly" the Mousehole Celebrity, the last person who was known to have spoken the Old Cornish language, took place at Christmas, 1777, and is recorded in the parish registers of St. Paul. Christmases and cheer have died since then!

What

While tunefully the brazen bells
This Jubilee are ringing;
O! Happy, happy, Christmas time,
When daylight doth expire,

To list the carol and the chime,
Beside the flaming fire.

Then pile the logs, the old yule-logs
Higher! higher! higher!
And cluster round on merry ground,
Beside the Christmas fire.

What though the warring winds are high,
And snow lies white and deep?
What though the brooks are frozen o'er
And birds are hushed in sleep?
What though the Ladye-moon shines chill,
We can, should we desire,

Or sing, or laugh, or talk at will,
Around the flashing fire?

Then pile the logs, &c.

This little incident impressed me forcibly with the idea, that matters of this nature were not conducted with much regard to order, and when, some years after, I became Rector, I determined to put things on a more regular footing. Old Dick had passed away, and was succeeded by Jack Crocker, a clever thatcher, whose smartness might have induced the idea that he may possibly have been a member of the lost family, one of the trio of whom it is recorded,

"Crocker, Cruwys, and Coplestone.

When the Conqueror came, were found at home."

I had instructed Jack that whenever a grave was to be dug, I would meet him, with the representative of the deceased's family, in the churchyard, and select the spot, so that the different families might be kept together, and

the space economized. Some time after he had received these instructions, Jack informed me that a small unbaptized child was to be buried; and asked if I would come down and choose the spot for the grave? The churchyard was half-a-mile from the Parsonage, and Jack was evidently curious to see if I would abide by my own rule. It would not do of course for me to break it, so I appointed the time to meet him. Jack was awaiting my arrival, and on my enquiring where the family of the deceased child lay, he led me to a secluded spot, at the N.E. angle of the churchyard.

"This, Sir," said Jack, "is what us calls Chrisomers' Hill;" and here the unbaptized children be always buried, and strangers, that us don't know if they be baptized or по."

I was struck with the name, and enquired how the burials were conducted.

"That depend'th 'pon circumstances, Sir. If 'tis a stranger, the Parson read'th the service, the same as he would else. But, old or young, if he know'th he hath'n a-been baptized, he doth'n dare, you know, sir, to open his book for'en. If 'tis a cruel small cheeld, the old nurse bring'th the little coffin under her arm, a-covered by her cloak, so that nobody would'n take her for a funeral at all; but when the cheeld is come to some size, he's carried by four children like any other corpse, and then most times the Parson comes, and though he dothen open his book, he saith a few words to they that be there, about neglecting baptism and that."

This was all interesting, but I expected there was something behind still more so, nor was I disappointed. "Well now, Jack," I asked, "what did you call this place."

"Chrisomers' Hill, Sir."

"What does that mean?"

"I can't rightly say, but I've heard tell that 'twas something the old Romans used to do to the children, before they were baptized, to help 'em towards heaven-like."

"And did it help them?"

"I can't tell that, Sir. I dare say 'twas better than nort, but 'twasn't like baptism, or else they would'nt have been buried up here, I s'pose."

"Now Jack, is there any idea of what becomes of the souls of those poor little unbaptized creatures?"

"Well, Sir, 'tis said they becom'th Heath-hounds, and hunt the Devil 'pon Dartemoor, because he keep'th 'em out of Paradise."

"Why on Dartmoor, Jack? Is not he to be found nearer than Dartmoor?"

"Oh! yes Sir, he's to be found everywhere, except inside the churchyard gates. He doth'n dare to show his nose there."

"But why Dartmoor; can you tell me?"

"Well, Sir, Dartemoor was always accounted the Devil's head-quarters, in these parts; and I s'pose it takes a brave lot of they little creatures to hunt he, and so they meet'th there all together, to do it. I've heard tell of they that have a-see'd hundreds of they little Heath-hounds in full cry after 'en 'pon Dartemoor, Sir. You'd see the Devil's temples, and his images, and his signs 'pon the rocks all over the moor if you was to go there. I s'pose 'tis wonderful how he used to be worshipped out there, in old times I have a-heard that Belstone parish is called after one of his names-you'd be surprised, Sir, at the stories that I've heard old folks tell about 'en, and his doings, and how they used to worship'en out upon Dartemoor, but I've just forgot 'em all. I've told'e most of what I can mind about it. 'Twas never nort but a parcel of lies, and p'raps the sooner 'tis forgot the better."

So ended my introduction to "Chrisomers' Hill," which I think may not be uninteresting, as a remnant of ancient folk-lore, to the readers of the Western Antiquary.

It may be an interesting enquiry, if a "Chrisomers' Hill" exists in any other other churchyard of these western parts?

NOTES.-Chrism-Chrisme, F.; Chrisma, L.; Chrisma, Gr. A mixture of oil and balsam, consecrated by a Popish Bishop, on Easter-even for the ensuing year, to be used in Baptism, Confirmation, Extreme Unction, Coronation of Kings, &c.

Chrisoms.-Infants that die within the month of birth, or while they wear the Chrisom-cloth.-Bailey's Diction

ary.

Heath and Heathen, have the same derivation from Saxon and Teutonic. J. C. D. YULE, M.A.

Bradford, Brandis Corner, N. Devon.

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STORING POTATOES IN ILCHESTER CHURCH.—If it is not going beyond the limits of the Western Antiquary, it may be interesting to note the storing of potatoes in Ilchester Church. During the first week in October some people living at Ilchester remembering the kindness received by patients from their parish at the Yeovil Hos pital in past years, determined to send a hamper of potatoes to the Hospital.

Their plan, that of contributing a peck each, got wind in the parish and at Northover, and the result was that 124 pecks of splendid potatoes, as well as 1 6s. in cash from those who had no potatoes to give, but contributed 6d. each instead, were collected.

It was found impossible to send such a quantity without previous notice to so small a hospital and the question arose "what shall we do with them." It was decided to ask permission to place them in the porch or tower of the church, and as the Western Gazette, for October 10th, says: "There they stood (20 bags) all Sunday, decorated with flowers and other vegetables, the admiration of all who passed.

LOCAL SUPERSTITION RELATIVE TO WITCHCRAFT.The Plymouth and Exeter Gazette, for September 30th, 1884, records the following instance of gross superstition which occurred upon the preceding Friday, (September 26th), in one of the principal towns in the neighbouring county of Dorsetshire :

At Sherborne on Friday an old woman named Sarah Smith, aged 83, in receipt of parish relief, was violently attacked by a next door neighbour, in order that the latter might "draw blood" from the poor old lady, on the ground that she had bewitched her daughter, a confirmed invalid, suffering from rheumatism. The poor woman who is well known as a quiet inoffensive person, was in her garden, when she was set on by the woman, who drove a darning-needle into her hands and arms several times, telling her she was a witch, and she would draw her blood for witching her daughter. HARRY HEMS. Fair Park, Exeter.

MARY DAVIES, DAUGHTER OF SIR JONATHAN TRELAWNY.-I send you the following from Gale's History of Winchester Cathedral, 1715, p. 54,-"Southward, on a large black marble stone, with these arms, viz., 3 Boars' heads co-ped, empaling a chevron in a lozenge, and this inscription:

"Here lieth the Body of Madame Mary Davies, Daughter of Sir Jonathan Trelawny, of Trelawny, in the County of Cornwall, Baronet. A Lady of excellent endowments and exemplary Virtue, of Courage and Resolution above her Sex, and equal to the generous Stock whence she sprang.

"She was a Maid of Honour to Mary Princess of Orange and Relict of Lieut.-Col. Davies, who, at the siege of Namur, mounting the Trenches at the head of the Grenadiers of the first Regiment of Guards, was the first that threw the Fascines (which the others used to cover themselves with in their attack) over the Ditch, and with his men passed it, beating the French out of their Works; which was a gallant Action, and greatly contributed toward the taking of the Town. In performing of which, he received the wound, of which he died; and gain'd so just an esteem, for the Boldness and Success of it with the King, that he design'd him the great Honour of a Visit the Morning of which he died; and being informed of his Death, in kind and honourable Terms, express'd his Concern and Sorrow for the loss of so brave and deserving an officer. She died the xxiiiith of September, in the year of our Lord, MDCCVII. J. S. ATTWOOD. Exeter.

"Gulielmi Courtenay, e gente Cornubiorum honestissimâ oriundi, cujus exuviæ propter hunc parietem sepultæ sunt. Erat autem Filius natu maximus et idem hæres Gulielmi Courtenay de Tremeer in Comitatu Cornubiensi Arm : et Susanna (que paucis ab hinc annis diem suum obijit) Joannis Kellond de Painsford in Com: Devon: Arm: Filiæ natu maxime. Cuinq: annum ætatis jam decimum terti ageret, et apud nos erudiendi gratiâ versalerur, optimæ spei adolescens, morbo varioiarum implicitus ingenti omnium mærore, et vita decessit ad xviii Calend: Decemb: anno Salutis Humanæ MDDCCIXX."

The tablet is of marble carved with cherubs, &c.—over, are the arms of Courtenay, or, three torteaux, a label of three azure, crest, a dolphin azure:

The boy was probably at school there, and died of small-pox-some reader will probably supply the genealogy that connects him with the Cornish Courtenays.

VIATOR.

The following is offered as a translation of the above:Sacred to the memory of William Courtenay, sprung from a most honourable Cornish family, whose remains are buried near this wall. He was the eldest son and heir of William Courtenay, Esqre., of Tremeer, in the County of Cornwall, and Susanna eldest daughter of John Kellond, Esqre., of Painsford, in the County of Devon; she died a few years after. When he was in the thirteenth year of his age and dwelling among us for his education, being a youth of the greatest promise, he was taken with small-pox, and to the great grief of all, he departed this life on the xviii Calend. Decemb. in the year of man's salvation

MDCCXIX.

Queries. *

THE DEER PARK AT WERRINGTON. -Your correspondents A.F.R. and Francis Drake Pearce, have rightly pointed out that "the Vanquisher of the Armada could not have "petitioned Charles I. for a License;" but they do not seem to have seen anything wrong in the other part of the sentence they quote, viz.-that "the Vanquisher of the Armada made a Park at Werrington."

Is it a fact, however, or is there not some mistake also as to the Drake who made the park, as much as con. cerning the petitioner for the license? DEVS. JUNR.

HOLMAN FAMILY, OF HATHERLEIGH, Co. DEYON.Can any of the numerous contributors to the W. A. give me information respecting the Holman Family, of Hatherleigh, previous to the year 1794 ?

More particularly of Harry Holman and Benjamin Holman, grandfather and father respectively of Benjamin Holman (2), who was born in 1794. S. H. HOLMAN. Exeter.

OLD EXETER NEWSPAPER.-At the sale of books forming the library of the late Mr. Crossley, of Man. chester, was included a vol. of the Weekly Journal, published in Exeter, between the years 1729-31, and believed to have been edited or published by Mr. And. Brice, of that city, a well-known bookseller. It is said to be of local news, accounts of murders, robberies, &c., committed in Devonshire and the surrounding districts; and also to contain many singular advertisements, so that it will be familiar to local historians. I shall be glad to know dates of first and last issues; also such other facts about the history of the paper and its editor or publisher as any of your correspondents can furnish. CORNELIUS Walford. Belsize Park Gardens, London, N.W.

ARMORIAL SHIELDS IN EXETER CATHEDRAL.— Some repairs having been found necessary in the great east window of Exeter Cathedral, and a printed description having been referred to for information, it appears that there are two shields of arms unnamed in that description; they are:

Quarterly 1st and 4th or an eagle displayed, doubleheaded sa. 2nd and 3rd gu. a lion rampant arg.

Arg. a cross between 4 crescents gu.

If any of your heraldic correspondents can supply this omission it will make the description complete. G. T. Exeter.

A QUILLETT OR QUILLET OF LAND.-What is the origin and exact meaning of these pieces of land found in North Wales, Devonshire, and Somersetshire. In North Wales they are very small, seldom exceeding half or threequarters of an acre in extent each. They are situated in fields, sometimes two or more in one field, but are not the property of the owners of those fields unless they have been bought by those owners. Rent for them is usually paid by the owners of the fields. Their owners can fence them round, and they have a right of way to them," no matter in whose property they may be situated. Do these customs in respect to Quilletts, appertain to those situated in Devonshire and Somersetshire? C. MASON. 29, Emperor's Gate, London.

ICHABOD WALCOTT CHAUNCEY.-An American correspondent has asked me for information respecting him. Can your readers assist me? He was a graduate of Yale College Conn., and is said to have died near Bristol, between 1730 and 1740. He went to Bristol in 1726 to live with his uncle, Robert Chauncey, a physician there. The nephew was certainly dead in 1742, and my friend wishes to ascertain the precise date and place of his death. The family is said to have owned property in "Lambeth, near Bristol." Can this locality be identified? Exeter.

J. S. ATTWOOD.

HOGNER BREAD-Culprit'S CLOTHES.-I find in a series of Churchwardens' accounts, temp. Eliz., receipts for "Hogner bread," "Hognor bred," and "Hogener bread."

Sometimes the sum paid by separate individuals is 2d., 3d., or 4d.; sometimes the entry, in a lump sum, amounts to 6s. or 7s. Can any of your readers say what this Hogner bread was?

In the same parish, the prisoners who were hung, at assizes held in the adjoining town, were buried. Credit is regularly given, for proceeds of sale of the culprit's clothes; the sums vary from 4 or 5 to 12 or 15 shillings. It never appears who bought the clothes. Can your readers tell whether the County paid the price? CEPHAS.