Both paper and types are very inferior to ours. But that I
respect the editor's modesty, I would say it were not easy to
find a periodical in Paris, at once so handsomely and
economically got up as--this MIRROR.

* * * * *


CARRYING THE TAR BARRELS AT BROUGH, WESTMORELAND.

(_To The Editor Of The Mirror._)


SIR,--In the haste in which I wrote my last account of the carrying of
"tar barrels" in Westmoreland,[14] (owing to the pressure of time,) I
omitted some most interesting information, and I think I cannot do
better than supply the deficiency this year.

As I said before, the day is prepared for, about a month previously--the
townsmen employ themselves in hagging furze for the "bon-fire," which is
situated in an adjoining field. Another party go round to the different
houses, grotesquely attired, supplicating contributions for the "tar
barrels," and at each house, after receiving a donation, chant a few
doggerel verses and huzza! It is, however, well that people should
contribute towards defraying the expense, for if they do not get enough
money they commit sad depredations, and if any one is seen carrying a
barrel they wrest it from him.

For my part, I liked the "watch night" the best, and if it were possible
to keep sober, one might enjoy the fun--sad havoc indeed was then made