A person grotesquely attired, and carrying a trident, to represent Neptune,[3] precedes, followed by four or five men bearing colours with inscriptions of “Prosperity to the town of Yarmouth.”  “Death to our best Friends,” (meaning the herrings), “Success to the Herring Fishery,” &c.  Then follows a band of musicians.  The Sea-side Mayor (dressed as a sailor, and wearing a gilt chain around his neck) brings up the rear, in a handsome boat built for the occasion, and borne on the shoulders of ten or a dozen men, wearing white ribands on the breast of their jackets and on their hats.

[3] An individual named Joseph Penny, was for many years the representative of Neptune.  He was a man of daring spirit, and there are many living at this time who were indebted to his intrepidity for being rescued from drowning.  In the month of November 1825, accompanied by his son, he went off from the beach in an open boat, to a vessel in distress, soon after which the boat was washed ashore, with the body of the son entangled in the rigging; but the father was never again heard of.

In this order the procession calls at the shops of different tradespeople, or any one at all connected with the herring fishery, where they solicit contributions, and those who are disposed to be liberal, are honoured with a tune from the musicians, and the cheering of the mayor.  After parading the town they retire to a tavern to dinner.  A great number of French and Dutch fishing boats resort to Yarmouth at the herring fishing, and on the Sunday previous to the 21st of September, “Dutch Fair,” as it is denominated, is held on the beach, and presents a novel and interesting appearance.

From twenty to thirty of their flat bottomed boats are run on shore at high water, and as the tide recedes, are left high and dry.  Dutch pipes, dried flounders, wooden shoes, apples, and gingerbread, are then offered for sale, and if the weather be fine, the beach is thronged with company, many of whom come from a great distance.

W. S. L.

* * * * *

SAXON NAMES OF THE MONTHS.

(For the Mirror.)

December, which stood first, was styled “Mid-winter monath.”  January was “Aefter-yule,” or after Christmas.  February “Sol-monath,” from the returning sun.  March “Rhede, or Rhede monath,” rough, or rugged month.  April “Easter monath,” from a favourite Saxon goddess, whose name we still preserve.  May was “Trimilchi,” from the cows being then milked thrice in the day.  June “Sere monath,” dry month.  July “Maed monath,” the meads being then in their bloom.  August was “Weod monath,” from the luxuriance of weeds.  September “Haerfest monath.”  October they called “Winter fylleth,” from winter approaching with the full moon of that month.  And lastly, November was styled “Blot monath,” from the blood of the cattle slain that month, and stored for winter provision.  Verstegan names the months somewhat differently.