Bloomsbury.
_Places called "Purgatory."_--The Rev. Wm. Thornber, in his _History of
Blackpool in the Fylde District of Lancashire_, gives the following
explanation of the name as applied to particular fields, houses, &c.:--
"The last evening in October (or vigil of All Souls) {242} was called
the Teanlay night; at the close of that day, till within late years,
the hills which encircle the Fylde shone brightly with many a bonfire,
the mosses rivalling them with their fires kindled for the object of
succouring their friends in purgatory. A field near Poulton, in which
this ceremony of the Teanlays was celebrated (a circle of men standing
with bundles of straw raised high on pitchforks), is named Purgatory;
and will hand down to posterity the farce of lighting souls to endless
happiness from the confines of their prison-house: the custom was not
confined to one village or town, but was generally practised by the
Romanists."
It is certain that places may be found here and there in the county still
going by the name of Purgatory. Can any of your correspondents throw
further light on the matter, or tell us if the custom extended to other
counties?