Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/261



Threading the Needle at Ripon Cathedral.—Where can I find an account of "the practice of 'threading the needle' in Ripon Cathedral," mentioned in Captain Conder's new book, Heth and Moab?

Laying a Ghost.—I shall be glad of information as to the procedure observed to successfully "lay a ghost." What prayers (if any) were used, and was it indispensable to have a clergyman? I have come across one case, at Burwash, in Sussex, where four Puritan ministers held a fast, but the further procedure is not explained. (Suss. Arch. Coll. xviii. 111 to 113.) What is meant by "laying a ghost in the Red Sea"? This is said to have been done in the case of the ghost of Mrs. Segison, at Cuckfield Plate, Sussex.

Folk-Medicine.—The following, recorded in the last issued part of the Archaeologia, is worth notice. In a paper by Mr. Edward Cunnington, of Dorchester, read March 30, 1882, an account is given of a hoard of bronze, iron, and other objects that have recently been discovered at Belbury Camp, in Dorsetshire. Two of the bronze objects represented animal forms, probably oxen. After they were found, as is but too common in such cases, they became dispersed. Mr. Cunnington says:—"Having heard of the discovery, I paid a visit to the old woman, who was reported to possess several of the objects. On inquiring of her for them, she told me that she 'hadn't a' got 'em.' On my asking what had become of them, she said 'Well, there! I was obliged to send 'em to my poor boy, for he was ter'ble bad, and did sort o' pine for 'em; and a' thought if a' could have thic there little dog, and nail un up over the door, a' would be better.' I then went to the son's house, where I duly found the animal nailed over the door."—Archaeologia, vol. xlviii. p. 117.

Scottish Folk-lore.—In the recent book of Her Majesty, More