Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/181

Rh  ridicules a certain Æthon, who, for committing this impropriety in the temple of Jove, was condemned to three days' humble fare (trinoctiali domicenio); and the same idea was likely present to Horace's mind in the concluding lines of Satire i. 8.

It would be interesting to know how far this superstition can be traced in more modern times. Some superstitious dread certainly was associated with this act by our English peasants at one time; for Horne Tooke speaks of "the vulgar country custom of saying upon such occasions, 'And joy go with you!

HE new volume of Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (1882-3, vol. v. New Series. Edinburgh, 1883) contains references to certain Holy Wells which I think may be fitly noted for future guidance.

In a paper on "Holy Island and the Kunic Inscriptions of St. Molio's Cave, County of Bute," Dr. Daniel Wilson cites a passage, inter alia, from Professor Cosmo Innes's Origines Parochiales Scotiæ, (ii. 245), the "cave elevated about 25 feet above the present level of the sea, its inscription, a shelf of rock within it called the saint's bed, a large flat stone near it called his table, and his well—celebrated for its healing virtues—are still shown; while the Baul Muluy (the stone globe of St. Molingus), a smooth green stone about the size of a goose's egg, which was believed to have the virtue of causing diseases and of procuring victories for the Macdonalds (whose chaplain the saint is said to have been), has now disappeared." Proceedings, vol. v. p. 47. The well is sometimes called the "bath" of the saint; but Dr. Wilson says (p. 55), "as the well is close by the sea-shore its use as a bath was unnecessary, unless for the purpose of rendering its miraculous virtues available, and it may, therefore, be more correctly designated the well of St. Molio." Dr. Wilson mentions other holy