Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/282

 winner. No one will whistle when he is working in the mine, under the idea that the roof may fall upon and smother him. The near approach of visitors is indicated by various omens; and rules are laid down by which even their sex may be distinguished. Thus:—a flake of soot on the first bar of the fire-grate betokens a boy visitor; on the second a man; on the third a woman; and on the fourth a girl. If the hands are clapped before the flake, it will fly off at the end of as many strokes as there will be days before the visitor arrives. The number of flakes also indicates the number of persons who will visit the house within the limited time. Our modern Lancashire witches are celebrated for their beauty; and many of them are not a little proud of their fair complexions. Maid-servants possess this weakness in common with their mistresses; some of them employ natural cosmetics in order to preserve their beauty, and may be detected washing themselves in cold spring water for this purpose, or in May dew during that month of the year. This is said, and with much truth, to have the property of removing freckles from the skin. The old adage is still in full force—

Thin oatmeal bread is much used by the operatives in Lancashire; and may be found on the rack in almost every house. From this our youths have obtained the name of "Oat Cake Lads," and under this designation have rendered themselves notorious during several popular commotions. At certain seasons of the year, groups of children parade the villages and demand a piece of