Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/374

366 given several formulæ or incantations. The longest of the formulæ apply to the cure of diseases of the eye (pp. 22-24, 88, 89). There are also charms for other ailments or supposed ailments, e.g.:—"Contra sagittas dyaboli" (p. 47), "Ad solucionem ventris" (p. 71). Here is one, "Ad nares, qui nimis sanguinant":—"Om manz næsæ bløthser of mikæt, tha læs thessæ orth: Max, nax, pax."

Dougal Graham was born in Stirlingshire about 1724. When he was twenty-one years of age he joined the Pretender's army in its famous march to Derby. As he was deformed in person it is probable he was merely a camp-follower. In some measure he seems to have acted the part of a press correspondent at the seat of war; for five months after the battle of Culloden he presented the world with a minute History of the Rebellion composed moreover in rude verse. In 1752 a second edition appeared. He wrote and circulated many chap-books which were exceedingly popular, and his abilities were recognised by appointment to a post he coveted, that of "skellat" bellman (i.e, ordinary bellman) of the city of Glasgow. He died in July 1779.

The folk-lore contained in the chap-books in Mr. MacGregor's second volume is exceedingly interesting, and the context throws a flood of light upon Scotch life and character in the middle of the last century. At p. 34 (vol. ii.) there is reference to the Scotch belief in the urgent need of baptism to prevent uncanniness (cf. Napier's Folk-lore of the West of Scotland, p. 30); and references to elf-shot (p. 57), penny weddings (p. 59), witchcraft (pp. 81, 104-105, and elsewhere), evil eye (p. 103), devil-lore (pp. 113, 136, 138), will be found abundantly. At p. 102 we hear of the "sworn birley-man of that barony" interfering in domestic affairs. At p. 229 the office seems to have fallen in importance, for we read: "Now Wise Willie