_To the Editor._
Sir,--At this season “village maidens” in the west of England go up and
down the hedges gathering _Crab-apples_, which they carry home, putting
them into a loft, and form with them the initials of their supposed
suitors’ names. The _initials_, which are found on examination to be
most perfect on _old_ “Michaelmas Day,” are considered to represent the
strongest attachments, and the best for the choice of husbands. This
custom is very old, and much reliance is placed on the appearances and
decomposition of the Crabs. Should this trifle be worthy of being added
to your extensive notices of manners and localities, I shall be
encouraged to forward you other little remembrances of like tendency. In
the interim, give me leave to assure you, Sir, that I am your gratified
reader,