So Catalogue of Brand Material.
(d) Amusements.
Mummers perform (obs.).
Youths knock on doors with cabbage-stalks, or cabbages
tied to sticks ; sing a Nev/ Year carol ; i expect gifts —
herrings, potatoes, etc. Ducking for apples. Burning nuts.
{e) Divinatory Rites.
Augury of future husband's name from name overheard
at next door but one, listening with mouth full of
water and hands of salt. Augury of fate from molten lead dropt in water. Augury of fate from touching dishes blindfolded. Dreams of future husband procured by eating a stolen
salt herring and going to bed backwards. Dreams of future husband procured by making and
eating " Dumb Cake " (all young women in household
must join in making).
Auguries of Life or Death from :
Ivy-leaves named for each inmate, left overnight and
examined in morning. Thimblefuls of salt turned out on board, named for
each inmate ; if one falls during night, it portends
death. Ashes smoothed on hearth, footprints found next
morning pointing outwards portend a death ;
pointing inwards, a marriage (or a birth?).
IV. Local Observances.
HoUantide Fair, November 12th.
V. Business Transactions (Laa Houney).^ Tenancies and Situations entered upon.
^Refrain: " Hog-annaa, trolla-laa," or " Hop-dy-na\v," " hop-tu-naa," "hob-ju- iiaa." This is the " Hogmanay " of Scotland, here demanded at Hallowmas.
-Sir John Rhys points out (Celtic Folklore, p. 320) that in Manxland, HoUandtide is still the beginning of the year for farmers and labourers, and that the songs and mummings associated with it obviously point to a New Year Festival, observed on November ist instead of January ist. He had even known Manxlanders discuss the question, to which date the name New Year's Day ought properly to be applied.
