_Lancashire May-day Custom._--On the 1st of May, the following custom is
observed in some parts of Lancashire, though now very nearly obsolete.
Late on the preceding night, or early on that morning, small branches of
trees are placed at the doors of houses in which reside any marriageable
girls. They are emblematical of the character of the maidens, and have a
well understood language of their own, which is rhythmical. Some speak
flatteringly, others quite the reverse: the latter being used when the
character of the person for whom it is intended is not quite "above
suspicion."
A malicious rustic wag may sometimes put a branch of the latter description
where it is not deserved, but I believe this is an exception.
I only remember a few of the various trees which are laid under
contribution for this purpose. The following will illustrate what I am
writing about. I must premise that _wicken_ is the local name for mountain
ash:
_Wicken_, sweet chicken.
_Oak_, for a joke.
_Ash_, trash.
_Gorse in bloom_--rhymes with at noon,
(I omit the epithet given here, as commonly, to an unchaste woman), and is
used for a notorious delinquent.