Millard County Chronicle | 1916-05-18 | Page 2 | St. John's Eve Customs

ST. JOHN'S EVE CUSTOMS Brittany Village Folk Kindle Great Bonfires and Maidens Use Charms To Get Husbands. '. Some of the customs of St. John's , eve In Brittany are as quaint as they are picturesque. n many villages giant bonfires are built, and io'unrj ; them, in a circle, Beats are placed for the departed. The cure haB charge of kindling tire, or, where it is possible, a boy dressed as an angel is let down I the bell tower by means of a pulley, . and lifted up out of sight again alter he has applied a lighted faggot to the " pile. To insure getting a husband before ; the end of the year the village maid' t ens dance round nine bonfires, and return home to dream of the young - man destined for them. At midnight they rise and lay the table with bread and cheese and garlic, and throw the front door wide open. There is no ob ligation for them to accept whoever ie ? the first to enter, but it often hap 1 pens that they do, for the right man is not likely to miss his chance. If ; indeed, he appears, the parents are 3 quickly called in to give their con a sent to a betrothal, which takes place there and then.