Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 8, 1897.djvu/305

 MISCELLANEA,

The Sacred Fishes of Nant Peris,

The following extract from Bye-gones relating to Wales and the Marches,, of the 25th November last, for which we are indebted to the courtesy of the Editor, deserves preservation in Folk-Lore :

"Two new fishes have just been put in the 'Sacred Well,' Ffynon-y-Sant, at Tynyfifynon, Nant Peris, Llanberis. Invalids in large numbers came, during the last century and the first half of the present century, to this well to drink of its ' miraculous waters,' and the oak box, where the contributions of those who visited the spot w^ere kept, is still in its place at the side of the well. There have long been two 'sacred fishes' in this well, and there is a tra- dition in the village to the effect that if one of the Tynyffynon fishes came out of its hiding place when an invalid took some of the water for drinking, or for bathing purposes, cure was certain ; but if the fishes remained in their den, the water would do those who took it no good. Two fishes only are to be put in the well at a time, and they generally live in its • waters for about half a century. If one dies before the other, it would be of no use to put in a new fish, for the old fish would not associate with it, and it would die. The experiment has been tried. The last of the two fishes put in the well about fifty years ago died in August. It had been blind for some time previously to its death. When taken out of the water it measured 17 inches, and it was buried in the garden adjoining the well. It is stated in a document of the year 1776, that the parish clerk was to receive the money put in the box of the well by visitors. This money, together with the amount of 6s. 4d., was his annual stipend."

Ancient Custom at Sea.

One of the most curious old customs I have ever seen is that known among sailors as " The burial of the dead horse."

When a sailor joins a ship he is allowed one month's wages in