2-979-767 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The King of the Bean - drawn by Edmond Morin, 1857. 'On the day of the Epiphany in Normandy...after the family dinner, the cake is brought in...[It] has been previously cut in equal pieces, one of which contains a bean. The youngest member of the family is the one who draws the shares. The first share is called "the good God's share"...and is given to the poor...The second share is called "La part de l'absent," and is put aside in some cupboard...[it] is considered as a sort of barometer of the health of the absent member of the family...The other shares are drawn just as the little boy or girl chooses...The happy one who gets the bean is named King or Queen for the night, and, every time he or she drinks, deafening shouts announce the operation. Generally the King takes good care to make them shout as often as he can, and so makes the evening pass merrily'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.