_To the Editor._
_Edgeley, near Stockport._
Sir,--I am anxious to notice a custom I have observed in Yorkshire,
relative to very young infants, which I think it would be desirable to
keep alive. I know that it is partially practised now, in that county,
in the neighbourhood of Wakefield. The custom I allude to is, the making
an offering to new-born infants on the occasion of their making their
first visit abroad, by the person who is honoured with it, of a cake of
bread, an egg, and a small quantity of salt. Special care is taken that
the young pilgrim in life makes its first visit to the house of a near
relative, or an esteemed friend, who will in nowise omit a ceremony so
necessary to its future welfare. For it is believed if this be not done,
that in its progress through life it will be exposed to the miseries of
want; and by parity of reason, the due observance of it will insure a
continual supply of those necessaries, of which the offering at setting
out in life presents so happy an omen. I know not whence or where this
custom originated, nor how extensively it may be still practised; but if
its origin be utterly unknown, we are, according to the usage of the
world in all such cases, bound the more to observe and reverence it.
There are many ancient customs, upon which the hand of Time has set his
seal, “more honoured in the breach than the observance;” but, I think,
you will agree with me, that this, from its air of social humanity, is
not of that class. Perhaps you can give it further elucidation. I
believe it to be of the most remote antiquity, and to have been amongst
the oldest nations.