(Vol. ix., pp. 127. 257.)
As your well-known correspondent from Clyst St. George has addressed an
inquiry to you on this subject, it may not be uninteresting to some of your
readers to learn that the practice of kneeling at funerals still exists in
this neighbourhood. On a cold December day have I seen men, women, and
children bend the knee on the bare sod, during the Lord's and the other
prayers used in the outdoor portion of our service, not rising till the
valedictory grace concluded the service. Indeed, I have never known (at
least the _majority_ of) those attending our funerals here, omit this old
custom.
That of dressing graves with flowers, at Easter and Whitsuntide, prevails
here as in Wales: and the older folks still maintain the ancient practice
of an obeisance as often as the Gloria occurs during the ordinary services.
The last railful of communicants are also in the habit of remaining in
their place at the altar rails till the service is concluded; but whether
these observances are widely spread, or merely local, I have not had
sufficient opportunity to judge.