_Crowdie_ is mentioned by sir F. M. Eden, (“State of the Poor,”) as a never failing dinner on Shrove Tuesday, with all ranks of people in Scotland, as pancakes are in England; and that a ring is put into the basin or porringer of the unmarried folks, to the finder of which, by fair means, it was an omen of marriage before the rest of the eaters. This practice on _Fasten’s Eve_, is described in Mr. Stewart’s “Popular Superstitions of the Highlands,” with little difference; only that the ring instead of being in “crowdie” is in “brose,” made of the “bree of a good fat jigget of beef or mutton.” This with plenty of other good cheer being despatched, the _Bannich Junit_, or “sauty bannocks” are brought out. They are made of eggs and meal mixed with salt to make them “sauty,” and being baked or toasted on the gridiron, “are regarded by old and young as a most delicious treat.” They have a “charm” in them which enables the highlander to “spell” out his future wife: this consists of some article being intermixed in the meal-dough, and he to whom falls the “sauty bannock” which contains it, is sure--if not already married--to be married before the next anniversary. Then the _Bannich Brauder_, or “dreaming bannocks” find a place. They contain “a little of that substance which chimney-sweeps call soot.” In baking them “the baker must be as mute as a stone--one word would destroy the whole concern.” Each person has one, slips off quietly to bed, lays his head on his bannock, and expects to see his sweetheart in his sleep. * * * * * Shakspeare in King Henry IV. says, Be merry, be merry,--------- ’Tis merry in hall, when beards wag all And welcome merry _Shrovetide_. Be merry, be merry, &c. It is mentioned in the “Shepherd’s Almanack” of 1676, that “some say, thunder on Shrove Tuesday foretelleth wind, store of fruit, and plenty. Others affirm that so much as the sun shineth on that day, the like will shine every day in Lent.” * * * * * FLORAL DIRECTORY. Cloth of Gold. _Crocus sulphureus._ Dedicated to _St. Sigifride_. ~February 16.~ _St. Onesimus._ _Sts. Elias, Jeremy, Isaias, Samuel, and Daniel_, A. D. 309. _St. Juliana._ _St. Gregory X._ Pope, A. D. 1276. _St. Tanco_, or _Tatta_, of Scotland, A. D. 815. ~Ash Wednesday.~ Holiday at the Public Offices; except the Stamps, Customs, and Excise.