_Beltane in Devonshire._--Seeing that the ancient superstition of the
Beltane fire is still preserved in Scotland, and is lighted on the 1st
of May, the origin of which is supposed to be an annual sacrifice to
Baal, I am induced to state that a custom, evidently derived from the
same source, is, or was a few years since, annually observed in the wild
parts of Devonshire. At the village of Holne, situated on one of the
Spurs of Dartmoor, is a field of about two acres, the property of the
parish, and called the Ploy (_Play_) Field. In the centre of this stands
a granite pillar (Menhir) six or seven feet high. On May morning, before
daybreak, the young men of the village assemble there, and then proceed
to the Moor, where they select a ram lamb (doubtless with the consent of
the owner), and after running it down, bring it in triumph to the Ploy
Field, fasten it to the pillar, cut its throat, and then roast it whole,
skin, wool, &c. At midday a struggle takes place, at the risk of cut
hands, for a slice, it being supposed to confer luck for the ensuing
year on the fortunate devourer. As an act of gallantry, in high esteem
among the females, the young men sometimes fight their way through the
crowd to get a slice for their chosen amongst the young women, all of
whom, in their best dresses, attend the _Ram Feast_, as it is called.
Dancing, wrestling, and other games, assisted by copious libations of
cider during the afternoon, prolong the festivity till nightfall.
The time, the place (looking east), the mystic pillar, and the ram,
surely bear some evidence in favour of the Ram Feast being a sacrifice
to Baal.