They do honour to his head and heart.  After stating that “the subject is replete with amusement on all occasions, and intense interest on many,” the author goes on:  “I will venture to entreat my countrymen, whenever and wherever they have power, to protect the remaining antiquities from further demolition or defacement.  Every castle, abbey, cathedral, fine church, and old mansion, is a monument and memento of a former age, and of former persons;—­they are so many indexes to memorable events, to heroes, statesmen, patriots, and philosophers.  Architectural antiquities are objects and evidences of incalculable value and interest; whilst standing—­however mutilated—­they are indications of the vicissitudes and fluctuations of civilized society;—­they show man in his domestic economy, and in his historical relations.  The person, therefore, who protects one fine work of antiquity, is entitled to the applause of his contemporaries, and of posterity;—­he who destroys, or heedlessly neglects it, deserves the reprobation of the civilized world.  As Dr. Stukely indignantly hung, in graphic effigy, the man who wantonly broke up the vast and wondrous Celtic Temple of Abury, so every other similar delinquent should be condemned to the literary gibbet.  The miserable fanatic who fired York Cathedral is properly incarcerated for life, and thus prevented from doing further public mischief; but there are other fanatics still roaming at large, and permitted to commit devastations on cathedrals and other churches—­on castles, old mansions, &c.”  “Such men, should not be trusted.”

VYVYAN.

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MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.

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ST. NEW-YEAR’S DAY.

This is a local custom, very faithfully kept in many parts of the two northern counties.  Early in the morning of the first of January, the Fax-populi assemble together, carrying stangs and baskets.  Any inhabitant, stranger, or whoever joins not this ruffian tribe in sacrificing to their favourite Saint Day, if unfortunate enough to be met by any of the band, is immediately mounted across the stang (if a woman, she is basketed), and carried, shoulder high, to the nearest public-house, where the payment of sixpence immediately liberates the prisoner.  No respect is paid to any person; the cobbler on that day thinks himself equal to the parson, who generally gets mounted like the rest of his flock; whilst one of his porters boasts and prides himself in having but just before got the ’Squire across the pole.  None, though ever so industriously inclined, are permitted to follow their respective avocations on that day.

J.G.B.

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MARRIAGE FEES.

At Northwich, in the county of Cheshire, a whimsical privilege is ascribed, by the charter of that church, to the senior scholar of the Grammar-school:  namely—­that he is to receive marriage fees to the same amount as the clerk; or, in lieu thereof, the bride’s garters.