Note 61 — Chapter II · THE MARRIED WOMAN

[“To the Mistletoe! the New Year!” The cry of Breton peasants, “begging small presents or New-Year’s gifts, an ancient tearm of rejoycing derived from the Druides, who were wont, the first day of January, to go into the woods, where having sacrificed and banquetted together, they gathered mistletow, esteeming it excellent to make beasts fruitful, and most sovereign against all poyson” (Cotgrave). From a patois corruption the Scots Hogmanay is said to be derived.]