E.H.A.

_Rushbearing_ (Vol. i., p 259.).--Wednesday, July 21, 1847, Grasmere
Church was decorated with ribbons, which had some reference to the
rushbearing which had taken place on the preceding Sunday.

It takes place at Ambleside one Sunday later.

_Extract from Black's "Guide to the Lakes," p. 43._

"An interesting ceremony takes place at Ambleside once every
year, which the stranger may think himself fortunate in seeing,
not so much for the mere sight itself, though that is pretty
enough, as for its being the vestige of a very ancient
observance. The ceremony alluded to is called Rushbearing. On
the eve of the last Sunday in July, the village girls walk in
procession to the chapel bearing garlands of flowers (formerly
rushes), which are there tastefully disposed. After service, the
day following, these are removed, and it is usual that a sermon,
in allusion to the event, be preached. This observance is
probably as remote as the age of Gregory IV., who is known to
have recommended to the early disseminators of Christianity in
this country, that on the anniversary of the dedication of
churches wrested from the Pagans, the converts should build
themselves huts of the boughs of trees about their churches, and
celebrate the solemnities with religious feasting. In former
times, the rushes were spread upon the floor of the sacred
edifice, and the garlands remained until withered. Possibly the
practice of covering the floors of buildings with rushes by way