Not the least interesting of ancient customs still surviving in England is the observance of mid-lent, or "Mothering Sunday," as it is called.

On this day it still is usual in some of the western counties for a daughter to present her mother with a simnel cake, made, as a rule, by herself.

Simnel cakes are very generally known, and, with or without almond icing, appear every year in the confectioners' windows.

Furmenty, another mid-lent dish, though not often met with, is delicious, and well worth a trial.

In the old recipes the mixture for simnel cakes is first boiled and then baked. Also, no almond paste is used, this being an addition to suit modern tastes.