Among the local customs which formerly prevailed at Wolverhampton may be noticed that which was popularly called “Processioning.” Many of the older inhabitants can well remember when the sacrist, resident prebendaries, and members of the choir assembled at morning prayers on Monday and Tuesday in Rogation Week, with the charity children bearing long poles clothed with all kinds of flowers then in season, and which were afterwards carried through the streets of the town with much solemnity, the clergy, singing-men and boys, dressed in their sacred vestments, closing the procession, and chanting, in a grave and appropriate melody, the Canticle, _Benedicite, omnia opera_, &c. This ceremony, innocent at least, and not illaudable in itself, was of high antiquity, taking probably its origin in the Roman offerings of the Primitiæ, from which (after being rendered conformable to our purer worship) it was adapted by the first Christians, and handed down, through a succession of ages, to modern times. The idea was, no doubt, that of returning thanks to God, by whose goodness the face of nature was renovated, and fresh means provided for the sustenance and comfort of his creatures. It was discontinued about 1765. The boundaries of the township and parish of Wolverhampton are in many points marked out by what are called _Gospel trees_, from the custom of having the Gospel read under or near them by the clergyman attending the parochial perambulations. Those near the town were visited for the same purpose by the _processioners_ before mentioned, and are still preserved with the strictest care and attention.--Shaw, _History of Staffordshire_, vol. ii. part i. p. 165. Thus Herrick in his _Hesperides_ says:-- “Dearest, bury me Under that Holy-Oke, or Gospel-Tree, Where (though thou seest not) thou may’st think upon Me, when thou yerely go’st procession.” APRIL 29.] ASCENSION EVE. YORKSHIRE. The following extract is taken from the _Whitby Gazette_ of May 28th 1870:--