In a message dated 16/01/2004 15:45:02 GMT Standard Time, janetchopkins@hotmail.com writes: > What was it that the dark haired man was supposed to bring across the > threshold? A lump of coal, a coin, and..... what was the other thing? > The Old Year would be let out through the back door and the New Year let in through the front door at the chimes of midnight. It was custom that the first person at the New Year to pass over the threshold should be a dark haired male bringing coal or whisky for luck in the New Year. Regards Stan Mapstone