Church Folklor

AT the outset I must ask those who are good enough to read this book to understand distinctly that its contents are merely intended for the amusement, and perhaps for the information, of the ordinary public, and that they are in no sense addressed to scientific antiquaries.

When I began to search systematically into the local religious habits and customs of the past, the extent over which the subject reached was quite unknown to me. It was arranged with the publishers that the book should be but small in size in order that its price might be such as would suit the general body of church folk who would be likely to be interested in the subjects with which it deals.

But herein has lain a difficulty. The very large quantity of matter which came to hand has rendered the task of selection somewhat puzzling. This difficulty, I fear, has been but imperfectly met.

Everybody will see that, in this small volume, the fringe only of the subject dealt with has been touched; yet, as an item in the history of religion in England, such matter, if more fully recorded, would seem to be by no means unim portant. If those who read the volume agree with this last statement, I venture to ask them to help towards an amplification of this book in case a second edition should be called for, by sending to me descriptions of any curious local Church customs, obsolete or otherwise, which may be known to them.

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