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The folklore calendar
1930. The folklore calendar is a comprehensive guide to all the picturesque customs and quaint survivals which are such a valued part of our historic heritage. The author has recorded, the results of many years study, in the course of which he has not only traveled extensively in the British Islands, but has also visited four out of the five continents. These fascinating old customs are not only highly picturesque, but they also contain many survivals of historic value. Illustrated. Partial New Year's Day; Benediction of the Throat; Tichborne Dole; May Day Ceremonies; Riding the Marches; Punch and Judy; Dance of the Deermen; Fox Hunting; Bonfire Night; Christmas Ceremony.
- GenresReferenceNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1930
About the author
George Long
579 books16 followersGeorge Long (November 4, 1800 – August 10, 1879) was an English classical scholar.
Long was born at Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, and educated at Macclesfield Grammar School, St John's College, Cambridge and later Trinity College, Cambridge.
He was Craven university scholar in 1821 (bracketed with Lord Macaulay and Henry Maiden), wrangler and senior chancellor's medallist in 1822 and became a fellow of Trinity in 1823. In 1824 he was elected professor of ancient languages in the new University of Virginia at Charlottesville, but after four years returned to England as the first professor of Greek at the newly founded University College in London.
In 1842 he succeeded T. H. Key as Professor of Latin at University College; in 1846–1849 he was reader in jurisprudence and civil law in the Middle Temple, and finally (1849–1871) classical lecturer at Brighton College. Subsequently, he lived in retirement at Portfield, Chichester, in receipt (from 1873) of a Civil List pension of £100 a year obtained for him by Gladstone.
He was one of the founders (1830), and for twenty years an officer, of the Royal Geographical Society; an active member of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, for which he edited the quarterly Journal of Education (1831–1835) as well as many of its text-books; the editor (at first with Charles Knight, afterwards alone) of the Penny Cyclopaedia and of Knight's Political Dictionary; and a member of the Society for Central Education instituted in London in 1837.
He contributed the Roman law articles to Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, and wrote also for the companion dictionaries of Biography and Geography. He is remembered, however, mainly as the editor of the Bibliotheca Classica series—the first serious attempt to produce scholarly editions of classical texts with English commentaries—to which he contributed the edition of Cicero's orations (1851–1862).
Long was born at Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, and educated at Macclesfield Grammar School, St John's College, Cambridge and later Trinity College, Cambridge.
He was Craven university scholar in 1821 (bracketed with Lord Macaulay and Henry Maiden), wrangler and senior chancellor's medallist in 1822 and became a fellow of Trinity in 1823. In 1824 he was elected professor of ancient languages in the new University of Virginia at Charlottesville, but after four years returned to England as the first professor of Greek at the newly founded University College in London.
In 1842 he succeeded T. H. Key as Professor of Latin at University College; in 1846–1849 he was reader in jurisprudence and civil law in the Middle Temple, and finally (1849–1871) classical lecturer at Brighton College. Subsequently, he lived in retirement at Portfield, Chichester, in receipt (from 1873) of a Civil List pension of £100 a year obtained for him by Gladstone.
He was one of the founders (1830), and for twenty years an officer, of the Royal Geographical Society; an active member of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, for which he edited the quarterly Journal of Education (1831–1835) as well as many of its text-books; the editor (at first with Charles Knight, afterwards alone) of the Penny Cyclopaedia and of Knight's Political Dictionary; and a member of the Society for Central Education instituted in London in 1837.
He contributed the Roman law articles to Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, and wrote also for the companion dictionaries of Biography and Geography. He is remembered, however, mainly as the editor of the Bibliotheca Classica series—the first serious attempt to produce scholarly editions of classical texts with English commentaries—to which he contributed the edition of Cicero's orations (1851–1862).
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 23, 2015
A monthly compendium of folk customs traditional to the British Isles, with descriptions of the rituals and their origins, Calendar is meant more as a reference volume (and sometime travel guide) than as entertainment. As someone deeply interested in these folk traditions, but unable to experience any of them in person, this is one of the better resources on the subject I've been able to find.
It was written in the 30's and that does show: There is antiquated language and antiquated thinking aplenty (with the simultaneous quaintness and offensiveness those entail) and references to theories about pre-historic religion which have fallen out of favor in the last eighty years; but its tone is light and anectodal enough to have kept it from becoming a dry old textbook. It's age also has the dual effect of rendering parts of it obsolete, as buildings have been torn down and traditions abandoned; but it's also simultaneously helped to preserve the memory of, and provide a glimpse into these now-defunct traditions.
Read if: You're looking for something that gives detailed descriptions of folk customs and their history and not much else; you want all the information on this stuff that you can possibly get your hands on; or if (like me!) reading about the origins of Morris Dancing or the Wren Hunt gets your blood pumping.
It was written in the 30's and that does show: There is antiquated language and antiquated thinking aplenty (with the simultaneous quaintness and offensiveness those entail) and references to theories about pre-historic religion which have fallen out of favor in the last eighty years; but its tone is light and anectodal enough to have kept it from becoming a dry old textbook. It's age also has the dual effect of rendering parts of it obsolete, as buildings have been torn down and traditions abandoned; but it's also simultaneously helped to preserve the memory of, and provide a glimpse into these now-defunct traditions.
Read if: You're looking for something that gives detailed descriptions of folk customs and their history and not much else; you want all the information on this stuff that you can possibly get your hands on; or if (like me!) reading about the origins of Morris Dancing or the Wren Hunt gets your blood pumping.
March 3, 2008
Reads like a hobbyist.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews