Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/10

 2 its rooms were so low that in some of them a person of ordinary stature was obliged to stoop his head to avoid striking the ceiling.

Some eight or nine years ago it was discovered that this building was in so unsafe a condition that its instant demolition was become a necessity, and it was during the progress of its destruction that the articles were discovered to which I wish to call attention. In pulling down the upper storey there was found in a space which separated the roof from the upper room, and to which there was no means of access from below—First: six brooms. Second: an old arm-chair. Third: a rope with feathers woven into it.

The brooms were ordinary looking heather-brooms, but with handles 80 decayed that they snapped with the least pressure. New handles were put to them, and they were used in the garden, so that they are lost irretrievably. The other two articles, however, were, I found, still supposed to be in existence, but had been stowed away in a warehouse belonging to the establishment.

I had them looked up and brought down for inspection. The chair was old and worm-eaten, square and stiff in shape, and with a rush-bottom which was much decayed. I am informed by a carpenter who examined it that it is made of two woods—oak and ash. Whether the combination may have any special significance I know not, and as the chair has been coloured black I cannot myself distinguish very clearly the difference in the woods, and give the statement on the authority of this man, who professed to have no doubts on the point.

But it is to the last article—the rope—that I wish more especially to refer. When found the various things were placed thus: In front the brooms (their arrangement uncertain). Then, spread on the ground, the rope, and beside that the chair. It is unfortunate that at the time no inquiry or investigation into the significance of these things was made, as year by year the number of those whose age would enable them to throw the light of their personal knowledge of witchcraft on the matter is lessening. Even since these articles have come into my hands two reputed witches whom I proposed to question have died before they could be interviewed.

The workmen who made the discovery of the articles declared them