The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 2 (of 3) / or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac

by William Hone

November 2.

All Souls.[407]

Naogeorgus in his satire, the “Popish Kingdome,” has a “description which” Dr Forster says “is grossly exaggerated, like many other accounts of catholics written by protestants.” If the remark be fair, it is fair also to observe that many accounts of protestants written by catholics are equally gross in their exaggerations. It would be wiser, because it would be honest, were each to relate truth of the other, and become mutually charitable, and live like christians. How far Naogeorgus misrepresented the usages of the Romish churchmen in his time, it would not be easy to prove; nor ought his lines which follow in English, by Barnaby Googe, to be regarded here, otherwise than as homely memorials of past days.

All Soulne Day.

For souls departed from this life, they also carefull bee;
The shauen sort in numbers great, thou shalt assembled see,
Where as their seruice with such speede they mumble out of hande,
That none, though well they marke, a worde thereof can vnderstande.
But soberly they sing, while as the people offring bee,
For to releaue their parents soules that lie in miseree.
For they beleeue the shauen sort, with dolefull harmonie,
To draw the damned soules from hell, and bring them to the skie;
Where they but onely here regarde, their belly and their gaine,
And neuer troubled are with care of any soule in paine.
Their seruice thus in ordering, and payde for masse and all,
They to the tauerne streightways go, or to the parsons hall,
Where all the day they drinke and play, and pots about do walk, &c.

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Old Hob.

T. A. communicates that there is a custom very common in Cheshire called Old Hob: it consists of a man carrying a dead horse’s head, covered with a sheet, to frighten people. This frolic is usual between All Soul’s day and Christmas.

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