From the April 14, 1836, issue of The British Whig and General Advertiser for Canada West:
LEEDS. – Superstition.-On the night of Christmas-day a gentleman returning to Leeds in a gig, from a town a few miles off, and wishing to light a cigar, stopped at a cottage by the way-side, and begged to be allowed a light, “No, was the reply, “thou’lt get no lights here to-night.” Somewhat surprised at this surly reply, he drove on for a mile or two, and, arriving at a toll-bar again proferred his question.– “No, Sir,” said the gatekeeper, “I shall let no light go out of my house tonicht.”‘ As there was no mending the matter, our friend again proceeded to another toll-bar, and a third time requested a light. He was very civilly told that he should have a light with pleasure, had it not been Christmas night; but on that night to allow a light to be taken out of the house would ensure bad luck through the nest year. Here at length the mystery was solved. This silly superstition was the cause which led to the refusals which so astonished the traveller.