Page:Cornish feasts and folk-lore.djvu/158

 146 Charms, etc. by an old servant to a Penzance " charmer," who then made a great deal of money by her profession. All I can remember about it is, that she breathed on it, made some curious passes with her hands and muttered some incantation. About twelve years ago, a woman who lived in the "west country" (Land's End district) as well as being a " white witch was a famous knitster," and we amongst others frequently gave her work. When she brought it back she was treated by our maids, who lived in great fear of her "ill-wishing" them, to the best our kitchen could afford ; and many were the marvellous stories she told me of her power to staunch blood, etc., when doctors failed. It was not necessary for her to see the person ; she could cure them sitting by her fireside if they were miles away. Witches are also consulted about the recovery of stolen property, which, by casting their spells over the thief, it is still supposed they can compel him to return. A part of Launceston Castle is locally known as Witch's Tower, from the tradition that one was burnt at its foot ; no grass grows on the spot. Another is said to have met with the same fate on a flat stone close to St. Austell market-house. " Charms are still in use by the simple-minded for thrush, warts, and various complaints ; also for the cure of cattle, when some evil disposed person has ' turned a figure upon {i.e. bewitched) them ; ' and white witches — those who avert the evil eye — have not yet ceased out of the land." — Notes on the Neighbourhood of Brown Willy (North Cornwall), Rev. A. H. Malan, M.A. I will give some of their charms culled from various sources, and remedies for diseases still used in Cornwall : — Take three burning sticks from the hearth of the "overlooker," make the patient cross over them three times and then extinguish with water. Place nine bramble-leaves in a basin of "Holy Well's water, pass each leaf over and from the diseased part, repeating three times to each leaf. Three virgins came from the east, one brought fire, the others brought frost. Out fire ! In frost ! In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Or take a stick of burning furze from the hearth, pass over and above the diseased part, repeating the above