Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/290

282 the room. The dancing was continued by the other guests. This was thought to show honour to the deceased.

Cluny Macpherson, when taking refreshment at funerals, always (as chief of the clan) proposed the memory of the Soul of the Departed.—(Communicated by Miss Brown, of Waterhaughs, Ayrshire.)

Burning Drakes.—Query. Are not these meteors that fall said to be attracted by the mineral or water under the surface? Divining-rods are fully described in that old Cornish book by W. Pryce, of Redruth. A few years ago, a leading man and M.P. for the county Carlow, used the divining-rod, but without success, looking for minerals on his property; while in the county Wexford there was a few years ago a lady who was said to be infallible in finding water. She probably is alive still.

Dog-bites.—The superstition about dog-bites is very prevalent in Ireland, especially in some districts where there is a large mixture of the English element, such as Wexford and Wicklow. Even well-educated people believe in it. I have known most valuable dogs to be shot or drowned solely because they bit a person. On one occasion a pointer and on another a terrier, both of which belonged to me, were asked or rather demanded to be destroyed because they bit persons. I have known dogs to be poisoned because their owners would not destroy them.

New-year Custom in County Durham.—A relative, who spent the new-years of 1872, 1873, and 1874 at Croxdale, county Durham, tells me that he was employed on each occasion to act as the "first foot" in the house. The first foot must always be a man, and must enter before any one leaves the house, He must bring in with him a piece of coal, a piece of iron, and a bottle of whiskey. (Compare Henderson, p. 73.) He gives every one in the house a glass of the whiskey and every woman a kiss besides. My informant was sent out of the house late on new-year's eve, to return just after midnight and go through this ceremony.

Aberdeenshire Omens.—The same relative informs me that in Aberdeenshire, of which county he is a native, it is considered very lucky to meet a flock of sheep, and unlucky to meet a drove of pigs.