Douanes

Two volumes. pp. [2], xxvi, 486; xi, 731, [1]. Large 4to. 250 mm. x 300 mm. Modern plain full navy blue leather bindings. Hardbound. Very good+. A wonderful work of history, folklore, nostalgia, and sociology by the Newcastle antiquary, John Brand (1744-1806). The first volume deals with holidays and customs associated with them, such as: New Years Eve; Valentine's Day; customs surrounding many long lost feast days; Easter; pagan mid-Summer rites and dances; Allhallow Even; Yule and Christmastide; Harvests; Etc. The second volume deals with customs and ceremonies relating to life events and common folklore, such as: marriage; death; communion; sailors going tp sea; fairs; fairies; devils and witchcraft; omens; charms; divination; Etc. There are also over 30 pages describing games and sports, including: Archery; Boxing; Foot-Ball; Goff or Golf; Nine Pins; Races; the Ring; Wrestling; etc. & etc. First issued as a small octavo in 1777, Brand continued collecting materials for a revised edition for the rest of his life. He acquired a large amount of additional information from the statistical enquiries in Scotland instigated by Sir John Sinclair. A second edition was planned in 1795, but Brand was apparently overwhelmed by the task of arranging systematically so much material. He did not live to complete the project. Instead the collections were purchased after his death by a bookseller for L600 and were incorporated into this new edition by Sir Henry Ellis (1777-1869). It still stands as an entertaining and essential starting point for studies of English folklore and customs. **PRICE JUST REDUCED! W150