Note 1 — THE THREE GEESE.
Reading edition
Patrick Kennedy’s description of an Irish wake, may remind elderly Cornish people of a custom generally observed in West Cornwall, at least, in the last century; that of holding watch-night, with the deceased, for one night, and keeping lighted candles in the room in which the body was laid out, every night until the funeral.
All those friends of the family who intended to follow the body to its grave, as “mourners” were expected to join the watchers. It was customary to have a supper for them (the watchers) about midnight; and a few hours afterwards the watching was concluded.
It was never the custom here, within our remembrance to address the spirit, supposed to be hovering near its body, until the latter was consigned to earth, as the Irish do at this day. In their “croneing” the spirit is mostly spoken to in consoling or flattering words; and often a little blarney is added also. Both in Ireland and here, it was thought a great slight or an insult if friends, who had formal notice of a decease, did not attend at the watch-night or wake. It is evident, however, that these customs are remnants of the same ancient British usage, amongst those of the Celtic race.
A pleasing picture of this ancient observance may be seen in Cymbeline,—Act iv. Scene 2. ↑