In the county of Hereford, some of the Romish and feudal ceremonies are
yet practised. On the eve of Old Christmas-day, there are thirteen fires
lighted in the cornfields of many of the farms, twelve of them in a
circle, and one round a pole, much larger and higher than the rest, and
in the centre. These fires are dignified with the names of the Virgin
Mary and twelve Apostles, the lady being in the middle; and while they
are burning, the labourers retire into some shed or outhouse, where they
behold the brightness of the apostolic flame. In this shed they lead a
cow, on whose horns a large plum-cake has been stuck, and having
assembled round the animal, the oldest labourer takes a pail of cider,
and addresses the following lines to the cow with great solemnity:
"Here's to thy pretty face, and thy white horn,
God send thy master a good crop of corn,
Both wheat, rye, and barley, and all sorts of grain,
And next year, if we live, we'll drink to thee again."
After which the verse is chanted in chorus by all present.
They then dash the cider in the cow's face, when, by a violent toss of
her head, she throws the plum-cake on the ground; and if it falls
forward, it is an omen that the next harvest will be good; if backward,
that it will be unfavourable. This is the commencement of the rural
feast, which is generally prolonged till the following morning.
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