Under a broomstalk silver and gold,
  Under a gorsestalk hunger and cold. 
  When hempe’s spun,
  England’s done.

The latter referred to the reigns of Henry VIII., Edward IV., Mary and Philip, and Queen Elizabeth, but proved false prophecy.

W.

* * * * *

CROWLAND ABBEY.

In the days of Monks and Friars, the following lines in bad Latin, were composed on Crowland, Lincolnshire, or the adjoining Abbey: 

  In Hollandia stat Crowland;
  Ibi vinium talequale,
  Ibi foenum gladiale
  Ibi lecti lapidale,
  Ibi viri boreali,
  Ibi vale sine vale.

They are thus translated in the Beauties of England and Wales (1767):—­

  “In Holland stands Crowland
  Built on dirty low land. 
  Where you’ll find, if you go,
  The wine’s but so so;
  The blades of the hay
  Are like swords one may say,
  The beds are like stones,
  And break a man’s bones;
  The men rough and sturdy,
  Compliments will afford me
  But bid you good b’w’y,
  When both hungry and dry.”

W.H.

* * * * *

THE HOBBY HORSE.

Bromley Pagets was remarkable for a very singular sport on New Year’s Day and Twelfth Day, called the Hobby Horse Dance:  a person rode upon the image of a horse, with a bow and arrow in his hands, with which he made a snapping noise, keeping time with the music, whilst six others danced the hay and other country dances, with as many rein-deer’s heads on their shoulders.  To this hobby-horse belonged a pot, which the Reeves of the town kept and filled with cakes and ale, towards which the spectators contributed a penny, and with the remainder maintained their poor and repaired the church.—­W.H.

* * * * *

HOLY LAND.

Ramsey Island, near St. David’s Head, is said to have been inhabited by so many saints, that no less than twenty thousand are stated in ancient histories to lie interred there.  Near this place are the rocks styled the Bishop and his Clerks, which, says an ancient author “preache deadly doctrine to their winter audience, such poor sea-faring men as are forcyd thether by tempest, onelie in one thing they are to be commended, they keepe residence better than the rest of the canons of that see (St. David’s) are wont to do.”

W.H.

* * * * *

ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.