Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/12

 4 say. In fact its use remains an enigma. The following, however, seems to definitely connect it with witchcraft in some way.

Amongst others who in the course of my inquiries were interrogated, was an old woman who was asked whether she knew anything about witches or witchcraft. She replied that she did, and on being pressed to say what she knew answered that she knew of the use of "the candle with pins in it, of an onion with pins in it, and of the rope and feathers." On being further pressed to tell for what purpose they had been used, she either could not or would not say. That she would not seems most probable, as there has grown up a great reticence in these parts among those who believe in witchcraft, and a great dislike to speak on the subject to unbelievers. Another old woman who was in like manner questioned, mentioned amongst other things used in magic "the new rope with new feathers," thus confirming the former woman, and adding the fact that the materials were to be new, as was probably the case as I have said in the "ladder" before us. This woman also professed to be ignorant of its use, though I hope one or other may yet be induced to be more communicative. These are the only instances in which I have hitherto been able to trace any remembrance still existing of the rope and feathers, but, unsatisfactory as they are in some respects, they seem to me to afford a very definite ground for connecting it with witch-superstition, more especially when considered in conjunction with the opinion so readily expressed by the workmen at the time of its discovery.

In the case of neither woman was any leiading question put, the mention of the "ladder" being in both instances made first by her and not by her questioner; and mentioned, too, as if it were one of the instruments of magic not less common than those which were spoken of at the same time.

Dr. E. B. Tylor has with great kindness taken some trouble in assisting me by looking up the question in various works on witchcraft and kindred subjects, but has, I understand, as yet found nothing definite. It is, he informs me, unusual for such superstitions to be very local in character, and a wider inquiry may elicit more information.

It is with the hope that this may prove so that I write this account,