ALL TOOLS' DAY.
For many centuries th© first, day in April lias been known as All Fools' Day. Chambers thinks,- it probable that it is a relic of some old heathen Celtic festival. The custom, whatever be its origin, of playing off little tricks on this clay, whereby ridicule may be fixed upon unguarded individuals, appears to bo universal throughout Europe. - It is believed that both England and Germany derived the custom from France. In France, one thus imposed upon is called un poisson d'Avr.l (an April fish). In England he is called April fool; in Scotland, a gowk. Gowk is the Scotch tor tho cuckoo, and also signifies a foolish person. It is strange how these old customs cling to the people. But, as a philosopher once remarked, "If there were no fools, there would bo no fun."
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Wairarapa Age, 1 April 1920, Page 4
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139ALL TOOLS' DAY. Wairarapa Age, 1 April 1920, Page 4
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