Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/38

 30 the respectability of the parents, members of a religious body "—they persuaded Mr. Jenkins to call his well-sinkers together again to dig on the spot indicated, and on reaching the depth of 48ft. they had the gratification of striking a strong spring of pure and beautiful water, coming in so fast as to cause them to make a hurried exit, and in a few hours the well contained a depth of 10ft. of water, rising since occasionally to 15ft. and so it now continues. Such is the story Mr. Jenkins tells, and which is now exciting very considerable comment.—Midland Counties Herald, Oct. 12, 1882.

Curious Superstition in Lochee.—Hooping-cough being rather prevalent in Lochee at the present time, various cures are resorted to with the view of allaying the distress. Amongst these the old "fret" of passing a child beneath the belly of a donkey has come in for a share of patronage. A few days ago, two children, living with their parents in Camperdown Street, were infected with the malady. A hawker's cart with a donkey yoked to it happening to pass, the mothers thought this an excellent opportunity to have their little ones relieved of their hacking cough. The donkey was accordingly stopped, the children were brought forth, and the ceremony began. The mothers, stationed at either side of the donkey, passed and repassed the little creatures underneath the animal's belly, and with evident satisfaction appeared to think that a cure would in all probability be effected. Nor was this all, a piece of bread was next given to the donkey to eat, one of the women holding her apron beneath its mouth to catch the crumbs which might fall. These were given to the children to eat so as to make the cure more effectual. Whether these strange proceedings have resulted in banishing the dreaded cough or not has not been ascertained, and probably never will be. A few years ago the custom was quite common in this quarter, but with the spread of education the people generally know better than to attempt to cure hooping-cough through the agency of a donkey.—Aberdeen Evening Gazette, 24th August, 1882.

A Neapolitan Custom.—The Times correspondent at Naples writes, August 2nd: "A remarkable trial took place last week before the Court of Assize, terminating with the condemnation of Vincenzo