cannot pay it all at once, and asks in how many "gales" the young man will have it, always endeavouring to fix the gales at a high number. This having been settled the other trades follow. As a conclusion, each one is hoisted on the back of one of the masters, and receives for each gale of his fortune a prick with a "pound" pin, to the amusement, doubtless, of the company.
Another game, called the "Marriage", is played by an appointed master giving each girl a partner as he repeats this rhyme:
"I'm a poor widow that's come from Athlone,
I have ne'er a daughter to marry but one;
Go away, daughter, and choose your own,
Choose a good one or else choose no 'ne."
Another wake pastime is the arrival of "Jackeen and Bessheen", a couple of lads dressed up sometimes in straw, after the fashion of the band-beggars at a wedding, but more generally in old clothes. Bessheen has a big hump on her back, made with the help of some hay and a large shawl. They play all sorts of pranks, such as Robbing the Stanen. For this Bessheen has a stool, on which are pieces of paper, and if any of the company can engage her attention and steal the paper pieces, she gets a beating from Jackeen.
"Shuffle the Bróg" (or Hunt the Slipper) is played after a rough fashion with a piece of knotted rope.
THE YEAR AND ITS SEASONS.
The following notes on the Calendar embody all that I have been able to collect as to times and seasons:—
New Years Day.—Any mankind brings good luck on New Year's morn; i.e., if a male is the first to go into a house he brings good luck, but a female brings bad luck.
The first thing you eat in the morning will cure you throughout the year if you fall sick.
Hansel Monday (first Monday in the New Year).—An
