Page:Once a Week Jun to Dec 1864.pdf/70

 2, 1864.] to preserve the plants from snails and caterpillars.

In the district of Eger, the youths procure from the woods a straight and tall pine or fir-tree, full of rosin, and fix it on some elevated spot, while the maidens adorn it with green wreaths, coloured ribbons, and garlands of flowers. A pile of firewood is then built up around the tree, and at night the whole is kindled. While the bonfire is blazing, the young men climb the tree, to obtain the garlands hung on by their favourite maidens. When the tree is consumed, the young people place themselves round the remaining fire, and look at each other, through garlands, to discover whether they are still mutually faithful; and they also throw the garlands to one another through the fire, three times, without failing to catch them, if possible, for their falling would be a bad omen. When the fire has burnt still lower, each youth, holding his maiden by the hand, leaps with her, three times, over the glowing embers. The scorched wreaths are taken home, and hung about the pictures, cupboards, and windows. The peasants plant the half-burnt brands and charcoal in their fields and gardens, and under the thresholds and the eaves of their dwellings, to act as charms against evil and witchcraft. During a tempest they throw fragments of the garlands into the hearth-fire, and while they are burning apply themselves to prayers. They give morsels of the charcoal to their cattle when sick, or about to calve, and also on holidays; and with portions ignited they fumigate the house and offices, to preserve the health of the inmates; consequently, the scorched garlands are preserved for these purposes from year to year.

In some places, the people, during the bonfire, wear wreaths of St. John’s wort on their heads, or as girdles round the waist, for preservatives against sickness and witchcraft, but especially to prevent diseases of the eyes. The maidens about Eisenberg plait garlands of wild flowers, through which they look at the bonfire, while repeating some rhymes, to invoke its favour on their eyes till they see it again; and when this is done three times the prayer is expected to be granted. About Jungbunzlau, the people throw up their blazing brooms into the air, repeating a verse to ascertain how many years they have still to live; and believe, that as many times as the besom falls and continues to burn, so many years are they sure of life; but should it be extinguished by the fall, their death is certain within the year. Others cast garlands into the water, which, if drawn down by the water-sprite, betoken the speedy death of the owner. A yellow-blossoming fern is sought for on this night, from a belief that its possession confers good fortune, and the power of discovering hidden treasure. The blossoms, however, must not be touched by the fingers, but sprinkled upon a white cloth, otherwise they vanish like vapour. A like precaution must be taken when a maiden collects nine differently coloured flowers for a garland, which she places under her pillow, in order to see her beloved in a dream. To ensure success, the cloth should be washed with dew; and she must bring home the blossoms, avoiding to meet any one on her way.

In the villages of Leitmeritz, the maidens use seven variegated flowers, gathered in a peafield; and, placing the garland as a pillow, under the right ear, receive their answer, in a voice from underground. For the same purpose, wreaths are twisted of nine different sorts of twigs, and, being placed on the head, the wearer, by starlight, gazes into a stream where it is overhung by a tree, and there sees in the water the image of the future helpmate. At Ostrovetz, near what is called the “Hellpool,” on Midsummer-eve, may be seen a horse without a head, who for awhile accompanies the wayfarer, and then leaps into a piece of water a little beyond the pool. Others, instead of a horse, see a woman without a head, and sometimes a black dog or pig, a hare, or a white duck. On this night, also, the wood-demons have extraordinary power.

The numerous bonfires may be seen blazing for miles around in the valleys, and along the mountains, especially on the crest of the “hoary Schöninger,” near Budweis, which, as well as the fireworks displayed from an old tower upon it, are visible to a great distance.

St. John the Baptist is, in Bohemia, after the Holy Venceslas, the saint most in repute, having no less than 151 churches dedicated to his honour, besides giving his name to many places and persons, since it is believed to be endued with specific power against Satan. The day of his nativity is the only one that is observed as such, beside those of the Virgin and the Saviour, among the festivals of the Roman Church. On this day, at noon, it is believed that all the treasures hidden in the earth are laid open; but, as they are again closed as soon as the hour strikes one, those who may have entered must remain shut in till the next St. John’s Day.

It is supposed by the Taborites that their ancient heroes are still living, but buried within the mountain Blanick, where, in a trance, they are waiting the moment for sallying forth to destroy their enemies. A stream that issues from the mountain, having the