mation made, and the gates all shut up, the bull is turned out of the alderman's house, and then, hivie, skivy, tag-rag, men, women, and children, of all sorts and sizes, with all the dogs in the town, promiscuously running after him with their bull-clubs, spattering dirt in each other's faces, that one would think them to be so many furies started out of hell for the punishment of Cerberus, as when Theseus and Perillus conquered the place, as Ovid describes it "A ragged troop of boys and girls, "And (which is the greater shame) I have seen both Senatores majorum gentium et matrone de euodem gradu, following this bulling business. "I can say no more of it, but only to set forth the antiquity thereof, (as the tradition goes,) William, earl of Warren, in the time of king John, standing upon his castle-wall under the same, saw two bulls fighting for one cow. A butcher of the town, the owner of one of the bulls, with a great mastiff dog, accidentally coming by set his dog upon his own bull, who forced the same bull up into the town, which no sooner was come within the same, but all the butcher's dogs, great and small, followed in pursuit of the bull, which by this time made stark mad with the noise of the people, and the fierceness of the dogs, ran over man, woman, and child, that stood in his way. This caused all the butchers and others in the town to rise up as it were in a tumult, making such a hideous noise that the sound thereof came into the castle into the ears of earl Warren, who presently mounted on horseback, and rid into the town to see the business; which then appearing (to his humour) very delightful, he gave all the meadows in which the bulls were at first found fighting, (which we now call the castle meadows,) perpetually as a common to the butchers of the town, to keep their cattle in till the time of slaughter, upon this condition, that upon the day on which this sport first began, the butchers of the town should from time to time yearly for ever, find a mad bull for the continuance of that sport." Mr. Lowe speaks more favourably of the "bull-running" than Butcher. He calls it "a good old custom," and says, "there is nothing similar to it in his majesty's dominions, nor I believe in the dominions of any other potentate on the globe: no, it stands without a rival.” "If," says Lowe, “the doctrine of transmigration be true, nothing can be more certain than that the soul of earl Warren animated the body of Mr. Robert Ridlington, once a tanner, alderman, and mayor, of this corporation, who to perpetuate this gallant diversion as much as in him lay, left half-a-crown to be paid annually to each of the five parishes (of Stamford,) for the trouble of stopping the gates and avenues of the town, which is received on St. Thomas's-day. I therefore hold it incumbent on me to record nobile fratrum go hand in hand to postethis spirited bequest, and to let this par rity, for which legacy every bullard in gratitude ought to drink on that day to account may chance to fall into the hands the joint memory of both. Since this of some who are strangers to the town, I would have such know that when this gala-day falls either on a market-day or on a Sunday, that neither the market nor but, on the contrary, it is itself even the sabbath is put off on its account; till the morrow, which must be acknow postponed ledged to be an instance of great forbear ance !" So much for the accounts of Butcher and Lowe. I shall now proceed to state the manner in which the sport is com ducted in the present day. up the night previous to the appointed The bull being duly procured, is shut morn, in a place provided for the purpose, and, long ere dawn of day, no peaceable person lying on his bed, can enjoy the pleasing and renovating stupor which, if unmolested by the cry of "bull for ever," the leaden key of Somnus would afford from his prison-house generally into a him. At eleven o'clock, Taurus is loosed street stopped at each end, which he dangerous juncture every post, pump, and parades in majesty sublime. At this the like is in requisition, and those who hind one sit in conscious security, are fortunate enough to get sheltered be "grinning with a ghastly smile" at those who less fortunate than themselves must, for protection, have recourse to flight. The carts and waggons which form the stoppage at the ends of the street, are crowded_with_individuals, as well as the roofs of houses; in short, every it con Shouts rend the air and onward goes the throng, Arms locked in arms, and man drives man along," Regardless of the danger to which the van is exposed, they press closer and closer; at length, in spite of his amazing powers be yields to the combined strength of his numerous opponents, and is tumbled into the water. On again rising to the surface, his first care generally is to land, which, in most cases, he effects in the meadows; these are very swampy, full of rivers, and spacious. November being a month invariably attended with rain, the stay-laced sportful dandy, alas! too frequently finds that the slippery ground is no respecter of persons, and in spite of all his efforts to maintain his equilibrium, in submissive, prostrate attitude, he embraces his mother earth. The sport is attended regularly by a patroness, "A bold virago stout and tall, Like Joan of France, or English Mall," clad in blue, with a rare display of ribbons, and other insignia of her high office, who by close of day generally imbibes so much of the inspiring spirit of sir John Barleycorn, as to make her fully verify the words of Hamlet, viz. Thus the amusement continues, until night puts a stop to the proceedings; the baited animal is then slanghtered, and his carcass sold at a reduced price to the lower classes, who to "top the day," regale themselves with a supper of bull beef. So ends this jovial sport, which, as Mr. Lowe says, "stands without a rival." In conclusion, it only remains for me to state, that I have been more than once present at this "bull-running," and am far from forming the idea that it is so cruel as some represent it to be; fatigue is the greatest pain the bull is subjected to; and, on the other hand, the men who so courageously cope with him are in imminent danger of loss of life, or broken limbs, whilst they possess not the most distant idea of doing any thing more injurious to the animal than irritating him. Sleaford, I am, Sir, &c. JOSEPH JIBB. FLORAL DIRECTORY. Portugal Laurel. Cerasus Lusitanica. St. November 15. Gertrude, Abbess, A. D. 1292. St, St. Machutus. St. This saint is in the church of England calendar and almanacs. He is the "St. Malo, or Maclou," of Alban Butler; according to whom he was born in England, and sent to Ireland for his education, where he was offered a bishopric but declined it. Going to Brittany he became disciple to a recluse named Aron, near Aleth, of which city he was the first bishop, and died November 15, 565. St. Malo derives its name from him. The ground whereon he stands in the church of England calendar is unknown. FLORAL DIRECTORY. Sweet Coltsfoot. Tussilago fragrans. Exclusive of the servants in red coats there was also another person dressed in similar clothing, with a string over his shoulders, from whence were suspended quantities of spigots and fossetts, and also round each arm many more were fastened. He was called "Lord of the Tap," and his duty consisted in visiting all the booths in which ale was sold, to determine whether it was fit and proper beverage for the persons attending the fairs. In the account published at Cambridge in 1806, as given in your excellent miscellany, no notice is taken of this personage, and it may therefore be presumed the office had been discontinued. November 16, 1825. J. N. FLORAL DIRECTORY. African Hemp. Sansciviera Guineam. Dedicated to St. Edmund. November 17. St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, Bp. A. D. 270. St. Dionysius, Abp. of Alexandria, A. D. 265. St. Gregory, Bp. of Tours, A. D. 596. St. Hugh, Bp. of Lincoln, A. D. 1200. St. Anian, or Agnan, Bp. A. d. 453. Queen Elizabeth's Accession. This day was formerly noted in the almanacs as the anniversary of queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne, in the year 1558. In 1679, while the bill for excluding the duke of York, afterwards James II., from the throne of England, was in agitation, there was a remarkable cavalcade in London on this day. The following account of it was drawn up at the time: "The bells generally about the town began to ring at three o'clock in the morning. At the approach of evening, all things being in readiness, the solemn procession began, setting forth from Moor-gate, and so passed first to Aldgate, and from thence through Leadenhallstreet, by the Royal Exchange, through Cheapside, and so to Temple-bar, in the ensuing order, viz. "1. Six whifflers, to clear the way, in pioneers' caps, and red waistcoats. "2. A bellman ringing, and with a'loud but dolesome voice, crying out all the way, "remember justice Godfrey.' "3. A dead body, representing justice Godfrey, in a decent black habit, carried before a jesuit in black, on horseback, in like manner as he was carried by the assassins to Primrose-hill. "4. A priest, in a surplice, with a cope embroidered with dead bones, skeletons, sculls, and the like, giving pardons very plentifully to all those that should murder protestants, and proclaiming it meritorious. "5. A priest in black, alone, with a great silver cross. "6. Four carmelites, in white and black habits. "7. Four grey-fryars, in the proper habits of their order. 66 8. Six jesuits, with bloody daggers. "9. A concert of wind music. "10. Four bishops, in purple, and lawn sleeves, with a golden cross on their breast, and crosier staves in their hands. "11. Four other bishops, in pontificalibus, with surplices and rich embroidered copes, and golden mitres on their heads. "12. Six cardinals, in scarlet robes and caps. "13. The pope's doctor, (sir George Wakeman, the queen's physician,) with jesuit's powder in one hand,jand an urinal in the other. "14. Two priests in surplices, with two golden crosses. "Lastly, the pope, in a lofty glorious pageant, representing a chair of state, covered with scarlet, richly embroidered and fringed, and bedecked with golden balls and crosses. At his feet a cushica of state, and two boys in surplices, with white silk banners, and bloody crucifixes and daggers, with an incense pot before them, censing his holiness, who was arrayed in a splendid scarlet gown, lined through with ermine, and richly daubed with gold and silver lace; on his head a triple crown of gold, and a glorious collar of gold and precious stones, St. Peter's keys, a number of beads, agnus deis, and other catholic trumpery. At his back, his holiness's privy councillor, (the degraded seraphim, anglice, the devil,) frequently caressing, hugging, and whispering him, and ofttimes instructing him aloud, to destroy his majesty, to forge a protestant plot, and to fire the city again;' to which purpose he held an infernal torch in his hand. "The whole procession was attended with 150 flambeaux and lights, by order; but so many more came in voluntarily that there was some thousands. "Never were the balconies, windows, and houses more numerously lined, or the streets closer thronged with multitudes of people, all expressing their abhorrence of popery, with continual shouts and exclamations, so that it is modestly computed that, in the whole progress, there could not be fewer than 200,000 spectators. "Thus, with a slow and solemn state they proceeded to Temple-bar; where, with innumerable swarms, the houses seemed to be converted into heaps of men, and women, and children; for whose diversion there were provided great variety of excellent fireworks. "Temple-bar being, since its rebuilding, adorned with four stately statues, viz. those of queen Elizabeth and king James on the inward, or eastern side, fronting the city, and those of king Charles I. and king Charles II. on the outside, facing towards Westminster; and the statue of queen Elizabeth, in regard to the day, having on a crown of gilded laurel, and in her hand a golden shield, with this motto inscribed,-The Protestant Religion and Magna Charta,' and flambeauxs placed before it; the pope being brought up near thereunto, the following song (alluding to the posture of those statues) was sung in parts, between one representing the English cardinal, (Howard,) and others acting the people. Cardinal. From York to London town we came, To reconcile you all to Rome, People. "Cease, cease, thou Norfolk cardinal, "Your popish plot and Smithfield threat ""Tis true, our king's on t'other side," "Then down with James and set up Charles On good queen Bess's side, That all true commons, lords, and earls, "Now God preserve great Charles our king And eke all honest men ; and traitors all to justice bring, Amen, amen, amen. "Then having entertained the thronging spectators for some time with the ingenious fireworks, a vast bonfire being prepared just over against the Inner Temple Gate, his holiness, after some compliments and reluctances, was decently toppled from all his grandeur into the impartial flames; the crafty devil leaving his infallibilityship in the lurch, and laughing as heartily at his deserved ignominious end as subtle jesuits do at the ruin of bigotted lay-catholics whom themselves have drawn in; or as credulous Coleman's abettors did, when, with pretences of a reprieve at the last gasp, they made him vomit up his soul with a lie, and sealed up his dangerous chops with a flatter. This justice was attended with a prodigious shout, that might be heard far beyond Somerset-house, (where the queen resided,) and it was believed the echo, by continual reverberations, before it ceased, reached Scotland, [the duke was then there,] France, and even Rome itself, damping them withal with a dreadful astonishment." These particulars, from a tract in lord Somers's collection, are related in the "Gentleman's Magazine" for 1740; and the writer adds, that "the place of prompter-general, Mr. North insinuates, was filled by lord Shaftesbury." FLORAL DIRECTORY. Tree Stramony. Datura arborea, Dedicated to St. Gregory., November 18. The Dedication of the Churches of Sts. The "Mirror of the Months," a "Of all the numerous changes that are perpetually taking place in the general appearance of rural scenery during the year, there is none so striking as this which is attendant on the falling of the leaves; and there is none in which the unpleasing effects so greatly predominate over the pleasing ones. To say truth, a grove denuded of its late gorgeous attire, and instead of bowing majestically before the winds, standing erect and motionless while they are blowing through it, is a sorry sight, and one upon which we will not dwell. But even this sad consequence of the coming on of winter (sad in most of its mere visible effects,) is not entirely without redeeming accompaniments; for in most cases it lays open to our view objects that we are glad to see again, if it be but in virtue of their association with past years; and in many cases it opens vistas into sweet distances that we had almost forgotten, and brings into view objects that we may have been sighing for the sight of all the summer long. Suppose, for example, that the summer view from the windows of a fayourite sleeping-room is bounded by a screen of shrubs, shelving upwards from the turf, and terminating in a little copse of limes, beeches, and sycamores; the prettiest boundary that can greet the morning glance when the shutters are opened, and the sun slants gaily in at them, as if glad to be again admitted. How pleasant is it, when (as now) the winds of winter have stripped the branches that thus bound our view in, to spy bes sky-pointing spire of the distant village yond them, as if through network, the church, rising from behind the old yew. tree that darkens its portal; and the trim dows glittering perhaps in the early sun! parsonage beside it, its ivy-grown wingood that is in every thing, know how Oh, none but those who will see the it attendant on them, and yet how much very few evils there are without some of of good there is unmixed with any evil. connected with the coming on of winter in "But though the least pleasant sight this month is to see the leaves that have long, falling every where around us, so gladdened the groves all the summer withered and dead,-that sight is accompanied by another which is too often overlooked. Though most of the leaves fall in winter, and the stems and branches which they beautified stand bare, many of brighter and fresher now than they did in them remain all the year round, and look spring, in virtue of the contrasts that are every where about them. Indeed the cultivation of evergreens has become so general with us of late years, that the home enclosures about our country dwellings, from the proudest down to without a plentiful supply, which we even the poorest, are seldom to be seen now, in this month, first begin to obseTVE, and acknowledge the value of. It must be a poor plot of garden-ground indeed that does not now boast its clumps holly bushes, bright with their scarlet of winter-blowing laurestinus; its trim berries; or its tall spruce firs, shooting up their pyramid of feathery branches beside the low ivy-grown porch. Of this last-named profuse ornamentor of what(the ivy) we now too every where perever is permitted to afford it support, ceive the beautifully picturesque effects: though there is one effect of it also perceived about this time, which I cannot persuade myself to be reconciled to: I bound about with ivy almost to its top, mean where the trunk of a tall tree is which during the summer has scarcely been distinguished as a separate growth, but which now, when the other leaves are fallen, and the outspread branches stand bare, offers to the eye, not a contrast, but a contradiction. But let us not dwell on any thing in disfavour of ivy, which is one of the prime boasts of the village scenery of our island, and which even at this season of the year offers pic |