Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/92

84 "I read your interesting paragraph about 'Folk-Lore,' and I have with some difficulty unearthed one or two secrets connected therewith, which I transmit to you if it will be of use to you or your readers. I learn that the 'witches' ladder' may be made of wheat-straw, called 'elm,' 'ellum,' or probably 'haulm-straws.' Take four straws, tie two together, top and bottom, for one side of the ladder. Tie the other two in same manner, and then insert short straws between for steps. Now take small feathers and place them up each side of the ladder, and you have a real Somersetshire witches' ladder. It is used in this way. Anything that goes cross-grained, if the ladder is waved to and fro a few times, and the request muttered at same time with the swinging, the thing that was wrong will be righted. For instance, the fire will not burn, or the flats will not heat for ironing, or the lover will not come, or the husband stays out too late; swing the ladder, saying, 'Burn fire,' 'Irons heat,' &c., and all will be well. Another barbarous and cruel custom among the superstitious (I learned) is practised. A young girl has a recreant sweetheart, so she takes a pigeon, and at midnight tears out its heart, sticks it full of pins, and roasts it, and the lover returns to his ladylove, and is faithful ever after, as he should be. I was told that if a witch suspects a person of crime, or of witchcraft, or any offence whatsoever, she hangs her ladder outside her house; if the person comes to the door but cannot be induced to enter, the thing is proved against him. I daresay it is also used for other purposes, which I will try to discover if you care to be informed.—I am, Sir, yours truly,

Author:W. H. Ashby.

Royal Hotel, Portishead, Somerset.

P.S.—I omitted to say that the feathers must be taken out of a living bird.