early times might have been selected, either for it's capacity or dignity. It is well known that it was long the custom at the tables of great Personages, to take particular care to place the guests according to their Rank. Nothing, however, more strongly proves the sensible change which has occurred in the Manners of Society, than in the abolition of those phrases

66

Above, or Below the Salt," denoting that marked and invidious subordination which was maintained among persons who were admitted to the same table. A large superb Silver Saltcellar was usually placed about the middle of a long table, the places above which were assigned to the guests of more distinction, those below it being appropriated to dependants, inferiors, and poor relations. Hence it is the characteristic of an insolent coxcomb, that "His fashion is not to take knowledge of him that is beneath him in clothes. He never drinks below the

Salt."

That is, not to any one who sits below it.-NARES.

And MASSINGER observes,

" he believes it is the reason

You ne'er presume to sit above the Salt."

Unnatural Combat, Act iii. Sc. 1.

All the preceding denominations of Bread occur in the Reports, together with the addition of the following kinds which may be considered, as Local,-viz. Bolted or temsed, Cobbs, Fore-right, Garb corn, Muncorn, and Wigs,—and which are respectively explained under the head of "ANCIENT APPELLATIONS."

ANCIENT CUSTOMS.

FEW who are desirous of investigating the Popular notions and vulgar Ceremonies of our own Nation, can fail of deducing them, in their first direction, from the times when Popery was our established Religion. We shall not wonder that these were able to survive The Reformation, when we consider that although our own sensible and spirited Forefathers were, upon conviction, easily induced to forego religious tenets which had been weighed in the balance and found wanting,—yet were the bulk of the People by no means inclined to annihilate the seemingly innocent Ceremonies of their former superstitious Faith.1

It is not improbable, indeed, but that, in the infancy of Protestantism, the continuance of many Popular Customs was

1 Brand's Observations on Popular Antiquities, vol. i. p. 10. edit. by Ellis.

connived at by the State. For men, who "are but children of a larger growth," are not to be weaned all at once,—and the reformation both of Manners and Religion is always most surely established when effected by slow degrees, and, as it were, imperceptible gradations."

The more to facilitate the reception of Christianity among the British Saxons, GREGORY, surnamed "The Great," then Roman Pontiff, enjoined AUGUSTINE, the first Missionary, to remove the Idols from the Heathen altars, but not to destroy the altars themselves,-because the People, he said, would be allured to frequent the Christian Worship, when they found it celebrated in a place which they were accustomed to revere. And, as the Pagans practised sacrifices, and feasted with the Priests on their Offerings, he also exhorted the Missionary to persuade them, on Christian Festivals, to kill their cattle in the neighbourhood of the Church, and to

2 Brand's Observations on Popular Antiquities, vol. i.

v. xi.

1

indulge themselves in those cheerful entertainments, to which they had been habituated. These political compliances show, that, notwithstanding his ignorance and prejudices, he was not unacquainted with the arts of governing Mankind.3

With regard to the Rites, Sports, &c. of the Common People, I am aware, says Mr. BRAND, that the morose and bigoted part of Mankind, without distinguishing between the right use and the abuse of such Entertainments, cavil at and malign them, -yet must such be told, that Shows and Sports have been countenanced in all ages, and that too by the best and wisest of States,—and though it cannot be denied that they have sometimes been prostituted to the purposes of Riot and Debauchery, yet, were we to reprobate every thing that has been thus abused, Religion itself could not be retained,-perhaps, indeed, we should be able to keep nothing.*

3 Hume's Hist. of England, vol. i. p. 27. Edit. 8vo. 1823.

*Brand's Observations on Popular Antiq. vol. i. p. xii.