In the early part of the last century, an old building, which, before the Reformation, had been a hall belonging to the guild of St. George, after being applied to various uses, was fitted up as a theatre (and, by a curious coincidence, where formerly had doubtless been exhibited, as was customary at the guild feasts, religious mysteries and pageants of the Catholic age, again were exhibited the mysteries and pageants of the Protestant age) during the mart and a few weeks afterwards, but apparently with no great success.--_Every Day Book_, vol. ii. p. 223. In the parish of Ryburgh it is customary for the children to go round to the houses in the village for contributions, saying: “God bless the baker; If you will be the giver, I will be the taker.” _N. & Q. 4th S._ vol. v. p. 595. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. In this county children go from house to house, on the morning of St. Valentine’s Day, soliciting small gratuities. The children of the villages go in parties, sometimes in considerable numbers, repeating at each house the following salutations, which vary in different districts:[18] “Good morrow, Valentine! First it’s yours, and then it’s mine, So please give me a Valentine.” “Morrow, morrow, Valentine! First ’tis yours, and then ’tis mine, So please to give me a Valentine. Holly and ivy tickle my toe, Give me red apples and let me go.” “Good morrow, Valentine! Parsley grows by savoury, Savoury grows by thyme, A new pair of gloves on Easter day. Good morrow, Valentine!” [18] See _History and Antiquities of Weston Favell_ (1827, p. 6). Brand in his _Pop. Antiq._ mentions this custom as existing in Oxfordshire.--1849, vol. i. p. 60. It was formerly customary for young people to _catch_ their parents and each other on their first meeting on St. Valentine’s morning. _Catching_ was no more than the exclamation, “Good morrow, _Valentine_!” and they who could repeat this before they were spoken to, were entitled to a small present from their parents or the elderly persons of the family; consequently there was great eagerness to rise early, and much good-natured strife and merriment on the occasion.[19] [19] The custom was observed at Norfolk.--Brand, _Pop. Antiq._ vol. i. p. 60. In Peterborough and in some of the villages in the northern part of the county sweet plum buns were formerly given, and I believe are still made, called Valentine buns; and these buns, I am told, are in some villages given by godfathers and godmothers to their godchildren on the Sunday preceding and the Sunday following St. Valentine’s Day.--Baker, _Glossary of Northamptonshire Words and Phrases_, 1854, vol. ii. p. 373. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.