Standing while the Lord's Prayer is read (Vol. ix., p. 127.).—A custom noted to prevail at Bristol: in connexion with it, it would be interesting to ascertain in what churches there still remain any usages of by-gone days, but which have generally got into desuetude. It is probable that in some one or other church there may still exist a usage handed down by tradition, which is not generally recognised nor authorised in the present day. Perhaps by means of our widely spread "N. & Q.," and the notes of its able contributors, this may be ascertained. By way of example, and as a beginning, I would mention the following:—
At St. Sampson's, Cricklade (it was so before 1820), the people say, "Thanks be to Thee, O God!" after the reading of the Gospel; a usage said to be as old as St. Chrysostom.
At Talaton, Devon, where the congregation turn towards the singing gallery at the west end, during the singing of the "Magnificat" and other psalms, at the "Gloria" they all turn round to the east.
At Bitton, Gloucestershire, two parishioners, natives of Lincolnshire, always gave me notice before they came to Holy Communion, as it was their custom always to do.
When a boy, I remember an old gentleman, who came from one of the Midland Counties, always stood up at the "Glory" in the Litany. In many country churches, the old women make a courtesy.
In many country churches, the old men bow and smooth down their hair when they enter the church; and women make a courtesy.
H. T. Ellacombe.
Rectory, Clyst St. George.
In a late Number of your miscellany, you say it is a general practice for congregations in churches to stand during the reading of the Lord's Prayer, when it occurs in the order of Morning Lessons. In my experience, I do not remember any such custom prevalent in this part of the country; but may mention, as a curious and (as far as I know, or ever heard of) singular example of kneeling at the reading of St Matt. vi. and St. Luke xi., that at Formby, a retired village on the Lancashire coast, my first cure, the people observed this usage. The children in the schools were instructed to kneel whenever they read the section of these chapters which contains the Lord's Prayer. And at the "Burial of the Dead," as soon as the minister came to that portion of the ceremony where the use of the Lord's Prayer is enjoined, all the assembled mourners (old and young, and however cold or damp the day) would devoutly kneel down in the chapel yard, and remain in this posture of reverence until the conclusion of the service. I observed that their Roman Catholic neighbours, who often attended at funerals, when they happened to be present, did the same. So that it seemed to be "a tradition derived from their fathers," and handed down "from one generation to another."
R. L.