Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 2, 1891.djvu/143

Rh St. John's Eve Custom.—The Stromberg, with Druidical remains and traditions, is a noted place for worship of the sun. Until recently, perhaps at the present day, every Midsummer night saw the historic cérémonie de la roue enflammée observed on its summit. On St. John's Eve a colossal sheaf was manufactured of straw, contributed from neighbouring farms, and fixed on a big pole as on a pivot, that it might turn round and round. After the sounding of the Angelus, some hundreds of men marched up to the mountain-top carrying lighted torches. No women were allowed to take part. When quite dark, the sheaf was set on fire and turned rapidly round so as to present the appearance of a huge fiery wheel—symbol of the sun. Similar customs, not unlike the old Celtic beltan or belstein, survive likewise in Alsace and the Black Forest. (Notes from article in National Review, Dec. 1890, p. 536, Château Malbrouk, by Henry W. Wolff.)

An Irish Variant of "Master of all Masters."—A scholar called one evening at the house of a farmer and asked for a night's lodging. The farmer, to test his progress in his studies, asked him the names of various things in Irish.

Farmer. Now, what do you call me?

Scholar. Fear an Tíghe—"Man of the house."

F. No. Rígh 'n tighe—"King of the house." What do you call that—the dog?

S. Madadh no cu no gadhair.

F. No. Soclair—"Trotting." A dog trots. What do you call these—shoes?

S. Bróga.

F. No. Socair boinn—"Comfort of the soles." What do you call that—the fire?

S. Teinne no lasair.

F. No. Glóir — "Glory": a fire sparkles and shines like glory. What do you call that—the end of the house?

S. Beam tighe—"Peaked end of the house."

F. No. Zóin an tighe—"Buttock of the house." What do you call that—water?

S. Uisge—"Water."

F. No. Iomadamhlacht—"Abundance": because water is so abundant. What do you call this—house?

S. Teach—"House."

F. No. Sómás—"Comfort": a house is comfortable.

After they had gone to bed, the scholar rose, greased the farmer's