Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 6 1888.djvu/123

Rh Under such circumstances any idea of fear vanishes and the knowledge thus obtained can be utilized in designing ships that may laugh at waves.

So that while the ancient frame of mind which personifies everything leads to vague terrors and diverts the intellect into the path of poetry and art, the modern frame of mind destroys all nervous fear of supernatural beings—the bogies and bugbears of our own imagination — and braces our minds up to conquer, to avoid,. or to utilize nature.

Modern science is not merely a catalogue of facts, but the means of building up that attitude of mind which raises man to a higher level instead of prostrating him before the creatures of his own imagination.

DORSET FOLK-LORE.

R. HENRY J. MOULE, of Dorchester, has kindly sent me the following "Jottings." I venture to append a few comments thereon, pointing out, for the most part, where parallel superstitions are recorded in the earlier publications of the Society.

He says: "We Dorset are not without our odd beliefs and queer tales of past time. But most likely many of both are common to us and other shires. I can but jot down what comes to mind, leaving to others to pick and choose."

"Pigeon feathers should never be used for beds. Folks die hard on them."

[The old superstition that no one can die in a bed containing the feathers of pigeons or game-fowl can scarcely be called local, says Mr. Henderson in his Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties, p. 60. In Yorkshire the same is said of cock's feathers. The Russians consider the use of pigeon's feathers as sacrilegious, the dove being the emblem