In the north they have their _Yule log_, or _Yuletide log_, which is a huge log burning in the chimney corner, whilst the Yule cakes are baked on a "girdle," (a kind of frying pan) over the fire; little lads and maidens assemble nightly at some neighbouring friend's to hear the goblin story, and join in "fortune telling," or some game. There is a part of an old song which runs thus: and with which I shall conclude this custom "Now all our neighbours chimnies smoke, And _Christmas logs_ are burning, Their ovens they with baked meate choke, And all their spits are turning." And in another place we hear that "The wenches with their _wassell bowles_ About the streete are singing." _Wassail-bowl_.--Formerly it was customary to _wassail_ on Christmas Eve, or drink health to the apple trees. "Wassaile the trees that they may beare You many a plum and many a peare, For more or lesse fruits they will bringe, And do you give them wassailing." HERRICK. Sir Thomas Acland informed Mr. Brand, in 1790, that at Werington, on Christmas Eve, "it was then customary for the country people to sing a wassail or drinking song, and throw the toast from the wassail-bowl to the apple-trees, in order to have a fruitful tree." In many towns in Cumberland it is the practice on Christmas Eve to roast apples before the fire on a string, and hold under them a bowl of spiced ale (called there _mulled ale_) and let them roast on until they drop into the ale. We have the following picture of a country squire from Grose:--"His chief drink the year round was generally ale, except at this season, the fifth of November, or some other gala days, when he would make a bowl of strong brandy punch, garnished with a toast and nutmeg. In the corner of his hall by the fire-side stood a large wooden two-armed chair, and within the chimney corner were a couple of seats. Here at Christmas he entertained his tenants assembled round a globing fire made of the roots of trees and other _great logs_, and told and heard the _traditionary tales of the village_, respecting ghosts and witches, till fear made them afraid to move. In the mean time the jorum of ale was in continual circulation." _Christmas Presents_.--A friend of mine at Appleby, in Westmoreland, who is aware of my writing this article, says, "Pray recollect the old custom we have here of making little presents one to another. You know it is the practice here for little girls to send numerous presents to their sweethearts, secured as tightly with _wax and brown paper_ as can be, that they may be some time guessing what it is before they open it. And if it is worth remarking, I would further remind you of the sending of _shrid_ pies (which you know are very excellent) as presents to neighbours."