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This is the first Sunday before Easter, and is sometimes called Passion Sunday. It is denominated Palm Sunday, because on this day the Roman catholic church ordains boughs or branches of palm trees to be carried in procession, in imitation ol those strewed before Christ when he rode into Jerusalem. In this monkish procession the host was carried upon an ass, branches and flowers were strewed on the road, the richest cloths were laid down, and others were hung up. The

palms were consecrated by the priest, and after they were used they were preserved to be burned for holy ashes, to lay on the heads of the people on Ash Wednesday in the following year, as beforementioned (see p. 261,) on that day.

On Palm Sunday, the palm flowers and leaves to be consecrated by the officiating prelate or priest were laid upon the high altar, and those for the poor laity being placed upon the south step of the alt.u the priest arrayed in a red cope pro

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ceeded to consecrate them by a prayer, commencing "I conjure thee, thou creature of flowers and branches, in the name of God the Father," &c. This was to displace the devil or his influences, if he or they lurked or were hidden in or about the creature of flowers and branches." Then followed a prayer wherein he said, with crosses, “We humbly beseech thee that thy truth may + sanctify this creature of flowers and branches, and slips of palms,or boughs of trees, which we offer," &c. Then the "creature of flowers and branches" was fumed with smoke. of frankincense from the censers, and there were other prayers with crossings, and they were sprinkled with holy water with this supplication: "Bless and sanctify these branches of palms, and other trees and flowers," &c. Then the sacrists distributed the palms to the abbots, priors, and nobler persons, and the flowers and leaves to the others. When this was done the procession moved, and afterwards made a stand while two priests brought a Pascal in which the crucifix was laid; afterwards the banner and cross-bearers filed off to the right and to the left, and the boys and monks of the convent arranged themselves, and, after a short service, the priests with the tomb, headed by the banner and cross, passed between the monks, who knelt as they passed. When they came to the citygates they divided again on two sides, and the shrine being put on a table, was covered with cloth. Above the entrance of the gates, in a place handsomely prepared with hangings, were boys with other singers whom the chanter had appointed, and these sang, "Gloria, Laus," "Glory, praise," &c. After having made a procession through the city, they returned to the convent-gate, where the shrine was laid on the table and covered with cloth, and a religious service was performed. The monks then returned to the church, and stood before the crucifix uncovered, while mass was performed; and after they had communicated, the deacon first and the rest afterwards, they offered their palms and flowers, at the altar.*

It was also an old Roman catholic custom on Palm Sunday, to draw about the town a wooden ass with a figure on it, representing Christ riding into Jerusalem,

Fosbroke's British Monact Brand's Pop. Antiq. &c.

and the people strewing palms before it Googe's Naogeorgus says :—

A woodden Asse they have, and

Image great that on him rides, But underneath the Asse's feete

a table broad there slides, Being borne on wheeles, which ready drest, and al things meete therfore, The Asse is brought abroad and set before the churche's doore:

The people all do come, and bowes

of trees and Palmes they bere, Which things against the tempest great the Parson conjures there, And straytwayes downe before the Asse, upon his face he lies, Whome there an other Priest doth strike with rodde of largest sise: He rising up, two lubbours great

upon their faces fall, In strange attire, and lothsomely,

with filthie tune, they ball: Who, when againe they risen are,

with stretching out their hande, They poynt unto the wooden knight,

and, singing as they stande, Declare that that is he that came into the worlde to save, And to redeeme such as in him

their hope assured have: And even the same that long agone,

while in the streate he roade, The people mette, and Olive-bowes

so thicke before him stroade This being soung, the people cast

the braunches as they passe, Some part upon the Image, and

some part upon the Asse: Before whose feete a wondrous heape

of bowes and braunches ly: This done, into the Church he strayght is drawne full solemly: The shaven Priestes before them marche. the people follow fast, Still striving who shall gather first

the bowes that downe are cast: For falsely they beleeve that these

have force and vertue great,
Against the rage of winter stormes
and thunders flashing heate.
In some place wealthie citizens,
and men of sober chere,
For no small summe doe hire this Asse
with them about to bere,
And manerly they use the same,
not suffering any by

To touch this Asse, nor to presume
unto his presence ny.
For they suppose that in this thing,

they Christ do lightly serve, And well of him accepted are,

and great rewardes deserve. When the wooden ass had performed

in the church procession, the boys hired

him:

The Sexten pleasde with price, and looking

well no harme be done :

They take the Asse, and through the streets and crooked lanes they rone, Whereas they common verses sing,

according to the guise,

The people giving money, breade,

and egges of largest sise.

Of this their gaines they are compelde the maister halfe to give, Least he alone without his portion

of the Asse should live.

On the Romish processioning on Palm Sunday, it is observed by an old writer that, "Among x thousand, scarce one knew what this meant. They have their laudable dumme ceremonies, with Lentin crosse and Uptide crosse, and these two must justle til lent break his necke. Then cakes must be caste out of the steple, that al the boyes in the parish must lie scambling together by the eares, tyl al the parish falleth a laughyng. But, lorde, what asses-play made they of it in great cathedral churches and abbies. One comes forth in his albe and his long stole (for so they call their girde that they put about theyr neckes,) thys must be leashe wise, as hunters weares their hornes.This solempne Syre played Christe's part, a God's name. Then another companye of singers, chyldren and al, song, in pricksong, the Jewe's part-and the Deacon read the middel text. The Prest at the Alter al this while, because it was tediouse to be unoccupyed, made Crosses of Palme to set upon your doors, and to beare in your purses, to chace away the Divel."*

Dr. Fulke, opposing the Catholics, observes on their carrying of the host on Palm Sunday,-"It is pretty sport, that you make the priests carry this idol to supply the room of the ass on which Christ did ride. Thus you turn the holy mystery of Christ's riding to Jerusalem to a May-game and pagent-play." In the accounts of St. Andrew Hubbard's parish, there are Palm Sunday charges for the following items: In 1520, eightpence for the hire of an angel. In 1535-7, another eightpence for a priest and a child that played as a messenger: in that year the angel was hired for fourpence. By the churchwardens of St. Mary-at-hill, in 1451, fourpence was paid to one Lore

From a "Dialogue, concerning the chyefest ceremonyes by the Impes of A.ti-Christ, 1554," 12mo. Quoted by Brand.

man for playing the prophet on Palm
Sunday. Though Roman catholic ceremo-
nies were generally disused under Henry
VIII., yet he declared that the bearing of
palms on Palm Sunday was to be con-
tinued and not cast away; and it appears,
that they were borne in Englandˇuntii
the second year of Edward VI.
"Stowe's Chronicle," by Howes, the prac-
tice is said to have been discontinued in
1548.*

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In

It was likewise a Roman catholic custom to resort to our lady of Nantswell," at Little Conan, in Cornwall, with a cross of palm; and the people, after making the priest a present, were allowed to throw the cross into the well; if it swam, the thrower was to outlive the year; if it sunk, he was not.†

Recently, it is related, that on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, the boys of the grammar-school at Lanark, according to ancient usage, parade the streets with a palm, or, its substitute, a large tree of the willow kind, salix cafrea, in blossom, ornamented with daffodils, mezereon, and box-tree. This day there is called Palm Saturday, and the custom is supposed to be "a popish relic of very ancient standing." Mr. Douce, in a manuscript note, cited by Mr. Ellis, says where met with a proverbial saying, that he that hath not a palm in his hand on Palm Sunday, must have his hand cut off."

"I have some

According to Stowe, in the week before Easter, there were great shows in London for going to the woods, and fetching into the king's house a twisted tree, or withe ; and the like into the house of every man of note or consequence.

Palm Sunday remains in the English calendars. It is still customary with men and boys to go a palming in London early on Palm Sunday morning; that is, by gathering branches of the willow or sallow with their grey shining velvetlooking buds, from those trees in the vicinity of the metropolis: they come home with slips in their hats, and sticking in the breast button holes of their coats, and a sprig in the mouth, bearing the "palm" branches in their hands. This usage remains among the ignorant from poor neighbourhoods, but there is still to be found a basket woman or two at Coventgarden, and in the chief markets with this "palm," as they call it, on the Satur

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day before Palm Sunday, which they sell

FLORAL DIRECTORY.

to those who are willing to buy; but the Lesser Leopardsbane. Doronicum Plan

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On this day in 1380, gunpowder was first used in Europe by the Venetians against the Genoese. Its power is said by the Germans to have been discovered accidentally by Berthold Schwartz; but our Roger Bacon who died in 1278, certainly was acquainted with it. Gunpowder was known in India very early, and from thence the knowledge of it was obtained by the Arabians, who employed it in a battle near Mecca so long ago as the year 690. 1677. Wenceslaus Hollar, the engraver, died at Westminster. His view of London in Howell's "Londinopolis," and the uumerous plates he executed for Dug dale's "Monasticon," 66 Warwickshire," "St. Paul's," "Origines Juridiciales," and other works have made him well known to the topographer and portrait collector; but his "muffs" and " insects" are particularly beautiful. His style almost peculiar to himself,is known at a glance by the experienced eye; Gaywood, in portraits, and King, in views, were inferior artists of the same school. Merian, in some insects, rivals him formidably. Hollar's labour was immense as may be seen from Vertue's catalogue of his prints; yet ne often worked at fourpence an hour, and perished in poverty.

1801. Sir Ralph Abercrombie died in Egypt. He received his death-wound on the 21st., during his memorable victory over the French at Alexandria.

1802. Pallas, a new planet, was discovered by Dr. Olbers, of Bremen in Germany

tagineum.

Dedicated to St. Priscus.

March 29.

Sts. Jonas, Barachisius, &c. A. D. 327.
Sts. Armogastes, Archinimus, and Sa-
turus, A. D. 457. St. Eustasius, o
Eustachius, Abbot, A. D. 625. St.
Gundlens, a Welsh King, 5th Cent.
St. Mark, Bishop, 4th Cent.
CHRONOLOGY.

1315. Raymond Lulle, the most cele brated chemist and alchymist of his time, was stoned to death by the natives of Mauritania, whither he had gone on a His attention was directed to chemistry religious mission, at the age of eighty. by the power of love. A lady, very handsome, with whom he was passionately enamoured, refused to marry him. One day, when he renewed his solicitation, she showed her bosom inflamed by a cancer. Young Lulle instantly took leave, with the resolution to cure, and it possible, conquer the heart of his mistress. affection and compassion could inspire, He searched with all the ardour, which into the secrets of medicine and chemistry, and had the good fortune to cure, and to himself to the church. The inhabitants marry her. After her death he attached of the island of Majorca, where he was born, in 1236, revere him as a martyr.

1461. The battle which decided the claims of the houses of York and Lancaster was fought between Towton and Saxmenced in a snow storm at day break, ton, two villages near York. It comthree in the afternoon, and terminated in was contested with fearful obstinacy till a deluge of blood. Eight and thirty thousand human beings were left dead on the field; of whom the heralds appointed to number the slain, returned that twenty-eight thousand were Lancastrians. Edward, duke of York, who won the day, rode from the scene of carnage to York, where he ordered the death of several prisoners; while Henry VI. of Lancaster, who lost the crown, escaped with great difficulty to the borders.

FLORAL DIRECTORY.

Oxelip. Primula elatior
Dedicated to St. Eustasius.
Fumitory. Fumaria officinalis.
Dedicated to St. Jonas

March 30.

St. John Climacus. St. Zozimus, Bishop of Syracuse, A. D. 660.

or Rieal, Bishop of Senlis.

St. Regulus,

St. John Climacus, A. D. 605, Was caverned as a herinit in a rock near Mount Sinai, in Syria, and became at seventy-five, abbot and superior-general of all the monks and hermits of the country. He admired one of the principal citizens of Alexandria in Egypt, who, petitioning to become a monk, was ordered to remain without the gate, and manifested his obedience by staying there for seven years, and begging prayers for his leprous soul of every passenger. St. John also admired a monkish cook, because he generally cried while he cooked, and assigned as a reason, that "the fire he always had before his eyes, reminded him of that fire which will burn souls for all eternity." It is related that a woman who had committed so enormous a sin that she dare not confess it, came to

St. John, who bade her write it, and seal it, and give it to him, and he would pray for her; this she did, and shortly after St. John died. The woman sorely afraid that her written secret would be read, wept and prayed at St. John's tomb, and begged he would appear and tell her what he had done with the paper; on a sudden, St. John came forth habited like a bishop, with a bishop on each side of him, and he said to the woman, "Why troublest thou me so much, and these saints with me? thou sufferest us to have no rest: look here, our clothes are all wet with thy tears." Then he delivered to her the paper, sealed as she had given it to him, and said, "See here, look at the seal, open the writing, and read it." So she did; and she found all her sin "defaced clean out;" and instead thereof was written, "All thy sins are forgiven, and put away by the prayer of St. John, my servant." Then she returned thanks, and St. John and his two bishops returned to their sepulchres.

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March 31.

St. Benjamin, Deacon, Martyr, A. D. 424.
St. Acacius, or Achates, Bishop of
Antioch, A. D. 250, or 251. St. Guy

A. D. 1046.

CHRONOLOGY.

1814. On this day the sovereigns who have since formed the holy alliance, entered Paris at the head of the Russian troops. The capitulation of this capital was succeeded by the return of the Bourbons to France.

Maundy Thursday,

OR

SHERE THURSDAY.

Maundy Thursday is always the Thursday before Easter; its name has occasioned some trouble to antiquaries. One writer conceives maundy to be corrupted from the mandate of Christ to his disciples to break bread in remembrance of him: or from his other mandate, after he had washed their feet, to love one another. With better reason it is conceived to be derived from the Saxon word mand, which afterwards became maund, a name for a basket, and subsequently for any gift or offering contained in the basket. Thus Shakspeare says, "a thousand favours from her maund she drew:" and Hall in his satires, speaks of "a maund charged with household merchandize:" so also Drayton tells of "a little maund being made of osiers small;" and Herrick says,

"Behold, for us, the naked graces stay With maunds of roses, for to strew theway."

The same poet speaks of maundie as

alms:

"All's gone, and death hath taken
Away from us

Our maundie, thus
The widdowes staud forsaken."

Thus then, "Maundy Thursday, the day preceding Good Friday, on which the king distributes alms to a certain number of poor persons at Whitehall, is so named from the maunds in which the gifts were contained."+

• Dunton's British Apollo.

+ Archdeacon Nares's "Glossary," wherein the authorities briefly cited above are set forth at large.

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