which is got for Christmastide is chiefly obtained from the apple orchards of Normandy.
Somewhat
similarly (to compare the little with the great) is the annual ceremony
conducted on Twelfth Night upon the stage of Drury Lane Theatre, in
London. According to the terms of a bequest made by Robert Baddeley,
1794 (of one hundred pounds, three per cent consolidated Bank
annuities, as the yearly interest thereof), cake and wine are provided
for the actors, and actresses, then performing there on His Majesty's
boards. The master of this fund stands at the head of a table on the
stage, before a large iced cake, flanked with bottles of champagne. He
takes " a special knife of finely-tempered steel, and, amidst a
round of cheers, proceeds to cut the cake ; each member of the company
being at the same time handed a paper bag, in which to take a share of
the souvenir away. As to what remedial virtues are subsequently
exercised here likewise by the metallic influence on those who thus
become possessed of the steel-cut confection, and its traditional
benison, deponent saith not.
Robert
Baddeley was an Englishman who spent the early part of his life as a
pastry-cook in Paris. On returning from the Continent he became an
actor, and made a reputation at Drury Lane, as the representative of
foreign footmen, Jews, and old men. He was the original " Moses," in The School for Scandal; and died on November 19th, 1794, having been taken suddenly ill, after dressing for that part.
Reverting to the Mistletoe, we may remind our readers that Drayton, in his Polyolbion (1612-1622) tells how,—
