Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 13, 1902.djvu/203

 Collectanea. 187

this spot, they were startled and alarmed by hearing violent and distracting cries as of someone in great distress. This was told to others of their companions on arriving at home. They, with natural curiosity, determined to sail near the same spot, and if possible discover the cause of the sounds. They succeeded in hearing them, but failed to decide their origin. One night, however, one of the party, believing that they were uttered by the perturbed spirit of someone who had died without baptism, shouted in reply, " My she Ihiannoo mac 00 ta mee dy enmys 00 Juan ; as my she inneen 00 ta mee dy enmys 00 Junay." (" If thou art a boy child, I name thee John ; if thou art a girl, I name thee Judith.") The cries were never heard again.

Not so very long ago, so other informants told me, a female spirit, commonly known as a hifionshaa, frequented the island.^ The lanonshaa seems to have been a kind of unbidden familiar spirit, for it permanently attached itself to its victim, and nothing could be done to get rid of the unwelcome companion. In one case it attached itself to a big strong burly man, who was compelled to share his food with his lationshaa. At other times he would place behind him the vessel from which he was about to drink, in order to satisfy its thirst. He was often seen when on horseback laughing immoderately, presumably with his ghostly companion, and throwing his hat into the air to catch it again. On some occasions he was heard carrying on conversations, seemingly with nobody. One night after he had retired to rest a party of curyus boys gathered round his bedroom to catch, if possible, some portion of his solitary conversation. In this purpose, how- ever, they were defeated, for no sooner had they got into position than the spirit informed its master, saying in Manx, " They are listening now." "Listening, are they?" replied he. "I will give them listening." Upon this he jumped from his bed and snatched up a stick to inflict summary chastisement upon the intruders, but the boys had fled before he could get near them. When these spirits are visible it is said that they appear as women dressed in white.

William Martin, M.A., LL.D.

' [Spelt Lhiannan-Shee by Mr. A. W. Moore ^Folklore of the Isle of Man, p. 50), who tells a similar story on the authority of Mr. J. F. Campbell. — Ed.]