Another custom, which I suppose prevails in some other places, is the
"Rush-bearing." At the annual Wakes a large quantity of rushes are
collected together, and loaded on a cart, almost to the height of a
load of hay. They are bound on the cart, and cut evenly at each end.
On the Saturday evening a number of men sit on the top of the rushes,
holding garlands of artificial flowers, tinsel, &c. The cart is
drawn round the parish by three or four spirited horses, decked out
with ribbons,--the collars being surrounded with small bells. It is
attended by morris-dancers, dressed in strange style,--men in women's
clothes, &c. One big man in woman's clothes, with his face blacked,
has a belt round his waist, to which is attached a large bell, and
carries a ladle, in which he collects money from the spectators.
The company stop and dance at the principal public-houses in their
route, and then proceed to the parish church(!), where the rushes are
deposited, and the garlands hung up very conspicuously, to remain
till the next year. I believe a custom somewhat similar exists in
the adjoining parish of Warburton, but not carried out in such grand
style.

It would be very interesting if your correspondents in different parts
of the country would send accounts of these relics of the barbarous
ages.

JULIUS.

Runcorn, Feb. 13. 1850.

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