Chapter I: Preface

This book is intended to give the reader an account of the origin and history of Hallowe'en, how it absorbed some customs belonging to other days in the year,--such as May Day, Midsummer, and Christmas. The context is illustrated by selections from ancient and modern poetry and prose, related to Hallowe'en ideas.

Those who wish suggestions for readings, recitations, plays, and parties, will find the lists in the appendix useful, in addition to the books on entertainments and games to be found in any public library.

Special acknowledgment is made to Messrs. E. P. Dutton & Company for permission to use the poem entitled "Hallowe'en" from "The Spires of Oxford and Other Poems," by W. M. Letts; to Messrs. Longmans, Green & Company for the poem "Pomona," by William Morris; and to the Editors of _The Independent_ for the use of five poems.

RUTH EDNA KELLEY.

LYNN, _1919_.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I. SUN-WORSHIP. THE SOURCES OF HALLOWE'EN 1

II. THE CELTS: THEIR RELIGION AND FESTIVALS 5

III. SAMHAIN 16

IV. POMONA 23

V. THE COMING OF CHRISTIANITY. ALL SAINTS'. ALL SOULS' 27

VI. ORIGIN AND CHARACTER OF HALLOWE'EN OMENS 33

VII. HALLOWE'EN BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS IN IRELAND 35

VIII. HALLOWE'EN BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS IN SCOTLAND
AND THE HEBRIDES 59

IX. HALLOWE'EN BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS IN ENGLAND AND MAN 82

X. HALLOWE'EN BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS IN WALES 101

XI. HALLOWE'EN BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS IN BRITTANY AND FRANCE 107

XII. THE TEUTONIC RELIGION. WITCHES 119

XIII. WALPURGIS NIGHT 136

XIV. MORE HALLOWTIDE BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS 142

XV. HALLOWE'EN IN AMERICA 149

"FOUR POEMS" 172

MAGAZINE REFERENCES TO HALLOWE'EN ENTERTAINMENTS 179

SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF READINGS, RECITATIONS, AND PLAYS 182

INDEX TO QUOTATIONS 184

INDEX 188

ILLUSTRATIONS

Hallowe'en Festivities _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE In Hallowe'en Time 34

The Witch of the Walnut-Tree 100

The Witches' Dance (_Valpurgisnacht_) 138

Fortune-Telling 148

Hallowe'en Tables, I 156

Hallowe'en Tables, II 158

No Hallowe'en without a Jack-o'-lantern 178

The Book of Hallowe'en