1 (Return)Magpie Omens.Page 153.—In reference to the superstition that one magpie is good luck, but two sorrow, 'R. F.' writes from Wiesbaden:—'In the north of England the contrary belief holds good, witness the following saw which I heard many years ago in the county of Durham:—
"One for sorrow, two for mirth;Three a marriage, four a birth;Five for heaven, six for hell,Seven—the devil's own sel!"
"One for sorrow, two for mirth;Three a marriage, four a birth;Five for heaven, six for hell,Seven—the devil's own sel!"
"One for sorrow, two for mirth;
Three a marriage, four a birth;
Five for heaven, six for hell,
Seven—the devil's own sel!"
As to seventeen, which number I once saw together, Mrs. Luckett's exclamation "Goodness! something awful might happen" might have been appropriate; only nothing dreadful did occur.'
2 (Return)Cart-horse Ornaments.Page 159.—As to the history of the crescent-shaped ornaments on carthorses, 'J. D.' writes from Dover: 'Anyone who has lived in Spanish countries must be struck on going to East Kent by the gay trappings of the farmers' horses on gala days, in which the national colours of Spain, scarlet and orange yellow, and the "glittering brazen" ornament of the crescent and the cross, so generally prevail. Their history must date from the introduction of the Flemish breed of horses to this country, showing that as the Moors carried the crescent to Spain, so the Spaniards took it to Flanders, and the Flemings here, whence it has been adopted pretty generally by the farmers of England.'
3 (Return)Names of Fields.Page 176.—'The Conigers is evidently the same as Coningar, a word sometimes occurring in Scottish local nomenclature, and which meant a rabbit-warren—Coniger, Coney-garth. I know two Coningars in Aberdeenshire, but the meaning of the word is as much forgotten there also.—H. W. L.'
4 (Return)Medicinal Use of Snails.Page 189.—In Dorset, writes 'S. C. S. S.,' an extract of snails for external use is still sometimes prepared, and, mixed with rum, is rubbed into weak backs, or legs, especially of children.
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