[Footnote 53: Shrill.] [Footnote 54: Abundance.] [Footnote 55: Piteous.] [Footnote 56: Many.] [Footnote 57: Clothing.] [Footnote 58: Wicked, foul.] [Footnote 59: Thrive.] [Footnote 60: Brought to confusion.] [Footnote 61: Lost.] The _Shepherd's Kalendar_ says: "If the sun shines clear and bright on Christmas day, it promises a peaceful year, free from clamours and strife, and foretells much plenty to ensue; but if the wind blows stormy towards sunset, it betokens sickness in the spring and autumn quarters." Another authority, _Husband-man's Practice_, warns us that "when Christmas day cometh while the moon waxeth, it shall be a very good year, and the nearer it cometh to the new moon, the better shall that year be. If it cometh when the moon decreaseth, it shall be a hard year, and the nearer the latter end thereof it cometh, the worse and harder shall the year be." The same book says: "The wise and cunning masters in Astrology have found that men may see and mark the weather of the holy Christmas night, how the whole year after shall be in his working and doing, and they shall speak on this wise: "When on the Christmas night and evening it is very fair and clear weather, and is without wind and rain, then it is a token that this year will be plenty of wine and fruite. "But if the contrariwise, foul weather and windy, so shall it be very scant of wine and fruite. "But if the wind arise at the rising of the sun, then it betokeneth great dearth among beasts and cattle this year. "But if the wind arise at the going down of the same, then it signifieth death to come among kings and other great lords." CHAPTER XV Withholding Light--"Wesley Bob"--Wassail Carol--Presents in Church--Morris Dancers--"First Foot"--Red-haired Men--Lamprey Pie--"Hodening"--Its Possible Origin--The "Mari Lhoyd." There was a curious tradition in the north of England, which is practically done away with in these days of lucifer matches. In the old days of tinder boxes, if any one failed to get a light, it was of no use his going round to the neighbours to get one, for even his dearest friends would refuse him, it being considered _most unlucky_ to allow any light to leave the house between Christmas eve and New Year's day, both inclusive. No reason has been found for this singular and somewhat churlish custom. Another north country custom, especially at Leeds, was for the children to go from house to house carrying a "Wessel (or Wesley) bob," a kind of bower made of evergreens, inside which were placed a couple of dolls, representing the Virgin and Infant Christ. This was covered with a cloth until they came to a house door, when it was uncovered. At Huddersfield, a "wessel bob" was carried about, gorgeously ornamented with apples, oranges, and ribbons, and when they reached a house door they sung the following carol: