Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/165

Rh hand the part of the key which she had left projecting, and pronounced the names of the persons she was acquainted with, repeating after each name the words "Turn, Bible, turn, turn round the key; turn, key, turn, and show the name to me." She repeated several names, but no sign was given. At last she mentioned the name of Mrs. O'Brien, and then the key gave such a turn that it twisted itself out of her hand and fell on to the floor. She picked it up and replaced it, and then in the same way she got the name of the pawnbroker where her shawl was pledged. Ultimately the magistrate bound both the women over to keep the peace.—St. Jameses Gazette, April 16th, 1884.

Early mention of traditional ballads.—"That which follows [about Athelstan] I have learned from old ballads popular through succeeding times."—William of Malmesbury, lib. ii. cap. vi. G.

Saint Patrick and the Devil.—Can any one give the legend about St. Patrick and the Devil? I used to hear it in the neighbourhood of the Shannon when a boy, but forget it. It was somewhat like the story of Andriamatoa in the Journal for January, page 45, being a trial of skill. All I remember is, the saint gave the devil a number of things to do, all of which he succeeded in, till at last he told him to make a rope of sand. This he failed in, and the remains of the devil's rope is the Eskers that stretch across Ireland from Dublin to Galway Bay.

I think one of the feats was to make in a day as many islands as there are days in the year—which he did in Clew Bay. And another to make in the same time as many lakes as there are days in the year, which he did in the plain of Connemara, between Clifden and Koundston.

A Universal Panacea.—The annexed extract is from a work by "William Clouues, Mayster in Chirurgery," and afterwards "one of her Maiesties Chirurgions," published in 1588. I am more than half inclined to believe that the "lewde woman" did not repeat the real charm, although straightly charged to do so:—

"I reade likewise of another lewde woman, which was accused of witchcraft; the cause was for that she did commonly take upon her