[The Yule log at Marseilles and in Perigord; virtues ascribed to the charcoal and ashes of the burnt log; the Yule log in Berry.]

In Marseilles the Yule log used to be a great block of oak, which went by the name of calendeau or calignau; it was sprinkled with wine and oil, and the head of the house kindled it himself.[644] “The Yule log plays a great part at the festival of the winter solstice in Perigord.  The countryman thinks that it is best made of plum-tree, cherry, or oak, and that the larger it is the better.  If it burns well, it is a good omen, the blessing of heaven rests upon it.  The charcoal and ashes, which are collected very carefully, are excellent for healing swollen glands; the part of the trunk which has not been burnt in the fire is used by ploughmen to make the wedge (tecoin ou cale) for their plough, because they allege that it causes the seeds to thrive better; and the women keep pieces of it till Twelfth Night for the sake of their chickens.  Nevertheless if you sit down on the log, you become subject to boils, and to cure yourself of them you must pass nine times under a bramble branch which happens to be rooted in the ground at both ends.  The charcoal heals sheep of a disease called the goumon; and the ashes, carefully wrapt up in white linen, preserve the whole household from accidents.  Some people think that they will have as many chickens as there are sparks that fly out of the brands of the log when they shake them; and others place the extinct brands under the bed to drive away vermin.  In Vienne, on Christmas Eve, when supper is over, the master of the house has a great log—­the Christmas brand—­brought in, and then, surrounded by all the spectators gathered in profound silence, he sprinkles salt and water on the log.  It is then put on the fire to burn during the three festivals; but they carefully preserve a piece to be kindled every time that it thunders."[645] In Berry, a district of Central France, the Yule log was called the cosse de Nau, the last word being an abbreviation of the usual French word for Christmas (Noel).  It consisted of an enormous tree-trunk, so heavy that the united strength of several men was needed to carry it in and place it on the hearth, where it served to feed the fire during the three days of the Christmas festivity.  Strictly speaking, it should be the trunk of an old oak-tree which had never been lopped and had been felled at midnight.  It was placed on the hearth at the moment when the tinkle of the bell announced the elevation of the host at the midnight mass; and the head of the family, after sprinkling it with holy water, set it on fire.  The remains of the log were preserved till the same day next year.  They were kept under the bed of the master of the house; and whenever thunder was heard, one of the family would take a piece of the log and throw it on the fire, which was believed to guard the family against lightning.  In the Middle Ages, we are told, several fiefs were granted on condition that the vassal should bring in person a Yule log every year for the hearth of his liege lord.[646]