Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 7, 1896.djvu/326

300 When a will-o'-the-wisp is seen, if the coat is turned inside out and put on again it will disappear and the whereabouts be ascertained.

A child "in the fairies" if washed with water in which fox-glove is steeped the possession is broken. Such a child in modern times was put out on a shovel on the dunghill. A child I rescued and put in hospital some three years ago, was taken home by her parents believing it was "in the fairies," and it died. No proceedings could be taken in the case, it was so delicate, and proof of neglect was difficult. But the facts are as I state.

In the Aran Islands in case of very difficult childbirth, nine articles of the husband are taken and put in three groups on the bed in the name of the several persons of the Trinity, to insure a safe delivery.

Hallow Eve practices.—A girl washes her chemise against a running stream and says her prayers. She puts the garment at the fire, and the person who is to be her husband comes and turns it.

To run round a hay-stack three times and plunge a black-handled knife into it in the name of the devil. The person who takes it out will marry the other.

Steal a salt herring, roast it without washing, eat it in three mouthfuls, bones and all, and the person will dream of the one he or she will marry.

The yarrow plant to be taken up by the root with a black-handled knife, placed in left-foot stocking, tied with right-foot garter, placed under the pillow, and the girl will dream of her future husband.

The same done with first bit, middle bit, and last bit of supper.

A hen's first egg boiled hard, eaten in three bites, without salt, and the person will dream of the one he or she is to marry.

Another with the egg is to take it with three-cornered handkerchief from the nest, roast it, and eat shell and all, without once touching it with hand.

To go round a looking-glass three times and stick new pins into an apple in the name of the devil, and the person he or she is to marry will appear. Stories of death from horrible apparitions are told of this and similar practices.

Another custom with the glass is to comb the hair in the name of the Trinity.