Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, &c./Part 6/Miscellaneous Observances, &c.

MISCELLANEOUS SUPERSTITIONS

And observances are abundant throughout the county. They relate to a variety of subjects connected with the daily life of the peasantry; some are used as safeguards from evil; and others for the purpose of securing prosperity to their ordinary undertakings. Very few persons will cut their nails on a Sunday, for—

"Better that man had never been born,
Who cuts his nails on a Sunday morn."

Those who are removing into another house are advised to place a Bible, some oatmeal, and some salt in the cupboard of the new house, in order that they may have prosperity during their stay. Some persons are said to be born unlucky; nothing they attempt prospers; and this notion has passed into the oft-repeated remark that "They are always in the lane when luck is in the field." It is considered to be very unlucky to break any glass vessel, more especially a mirror; for that reflects both ourselves and our fortunes. The "lucky-bone" of a fowl is frequently worn in the pocket in order to insure prosperity; and crooked pins possess the same property when they are cast into a well of clear water. These pins are popularly supposed to bring whatever good luck the persons may wish for who thus deposits them. When a new suit of clothes is put on for the first time, the wearer is expected to pay "bebbrage," or a forfeit, so that his clothes may wear well. If a person has a run of bad luck at cards, he is advised to change his chair, or turn it round, in order that fortune may turn to him. Foxglove flowers are popularly termed fairy caps; for these imaginary beings are supposed to wear them. Tea is considered to be a cooling drink for summer, and a heating one for winter. If we crush a beetle on the road, we are told that we shall cause it to rain on the morrow; and when blisters rise on our tongues, they are a sure sign that we have been telling lies.

On the first day of April boys are frequently sent for "pigeons' milk," or "strap oil," and sometimes get thrashed for their ignorance. Pale-faced persons are said to have white livers; thin-lipped women are considered to be very ill-tempered; and if we ask advice from a woman, we are advised always to take her first suggestions, since her instinct is an unerring guide. When we are in doubt respecting the propriety of commencing any new undertaking, or with respect to taking any step in life which involves risk, it is usual to open the Bible for direction. The first verse that meets the eye is supposed to contain a hint as to the course we ought to adopt. The aristocracy sometimes complain that their estates are rapidly being absorbed by the money-making, trading population. If the Lancashire adage be true, their misfortunes will only be temporary. We frequently hear it affirmed that "It only takes three generations from clogs to clogs." This evidently means that a father will get riches during the time he wears clogs; that his sons will squander his money and estates; and that their children will come to wearing clogs again. This is no doubt correct in numerous instances; but there are many marked exceptions.

It is customary for tailors or friends to give a boy a penny when he puts on his first suit. This is done that he may have good luck during the time he wears it." Children are also advised to wrap up a tooth, after it has been extracted, in a piece of brown paper with salt, and then burn it in the fire. If this is not done, they are informed that they will have to seek their teeth in hell. When we see a "Will o' the Wisp," we ought to thrust the blade of a clasp-knife into the ground, and lie down upon it. The Wisp is supposed to be a demon, which leads persons into quagmires, but is afraid of sharp implements, and hence will soon disappear. On the fifth day of November, and on St John's Eve, two fires are occasionally lighted out of doors, not very far from each other. Young persons, of both sexes, then chase each other between them; in utter ignorance, however, that this "passing between two fires" is of early eastern origin, and was formerly of much significance.

The virtues of the symbol of the cross are acknowledged by our peasantry on many widely different occasions. If the fire will not burn readily, almost every housewife will place the poker against the bars, and amongst the coals, so as to form a cross, in full confidence that the fire will soon burn briskly. Blackberries are considered to be unwholesome, and ought not to be eaten, after the spiders have covered them with their silken webs; for then "the Devil has thrown his club over them." Very few mothers will suffer the full moon to shine in at the bedroom windows when their children have retired to rest; for the popular opinion is, that her rays will cause the sleepers to lose their senses. Should children observe the moon looking into their rooms, they are taught to endeavour to avert her influence by repeating the words—

"I see the moon;
The moon sees me.
God bless the priest
That christened me."

Common salt is considered to have many purifying qualities; and a plateful is frequently placed on the chest of a corpse, under the impression that it will prevent the body from swelling. Miners are in general very ignorant, and consequently very superstitious. Very few of them go to work without some charm being hung round the neck, or worn in the pocket. Gambling is one of their besetting sins, and they possess quite a code of observances in order that every one may leave off a winner. No one will whistle when he is working in the mine, under the idea that the roof may fall upon and smother him.

The near approach of visitors is indicated by various omens; and rules are laid down by which even their sex may be distinguished. Thus:—a flake of soot on the first bar of the fire-grate betokens a boy visitor; on the second a man; on the third a woman; and on the fourth a girl. If the hands are clapped before the flake, it will fly off at the end of as many strokes as there will be days before the visitor arrives. The number of flakes also indicates the number of persons who will visit the house within the limited time. Our modern Lancashire witches are celebrated for their beauty; and many of them are not a little proud of their fair complexions. Maid-servants possess this weakness in common with their mistresses; some of them employ natural cosmetics in order to preserve their beauty, and may be detected washing themselves in cold spring water for this purpose, or in May dew during that month of the year. This is said, and with much truth, to have the property of removing freckles from the skin. The old adage is still in full force—

"Those who wish to be fair and stout,
Must wipe their faces with the dish-clout;
Those who wish to be wrinkled and grey,
Must keep the dish-clout far away."

Thin oatmeal bread is much used by the operatives in Lancashire; and may be found on the rack in almost every house. From this our youths have obtained the name of "Oat Cake Lads," and under this designation have rendered themselves notorious during several popular commotions. At certain seasons of the year, groups of children parade the villages and demand a piece of oat-cake at every house; while some rattle at the door the rest sing—

"One for Peter; two for Paul;
Three for Christ, who made us all.
Up with your kettle—down with your pon;
Give us some oat cake, and we will begone."

At Christmas they are more jealous of one another, and are desirous of securing all the presents individually. Hence, each boy or girl visits the houses alone; and both early in the morning and late at night we may hear a feeble voice at our doors plaintively calling—

"I wish you a merry Christmas,
And a happy New Year;
Your pocket full of money,
Your cellar full of beer.
The road is very dirty,
But my shoes [or clogs] are very clean;
I've got a little pocket,
To put a penny in.
I knock at the knocker,
I ring the little bell;—
Please give me then a penny,
For singing this so well."

As will have been seen in the early portions of this work, several of our local legends turn upon the stratagems by which the devil has been outwitted. This is a portion of our folk-lore which we hold in common with many different races of people; and has probably been imported into our country by some of our earlier colonists. At Hothersall Hall, near Ribchester, a demon is supposed to be "laid" under a laurel tree until he can spin a rope from the sands of the River Ribble, which runs near the house. The same stratagem occurred to a schoolmaster resident at Cockerham, near Lancaster, on the shores of Morecambe Bay, when he was at his wits' end how he might avoid being carried bodily off to hell. Some local rhymester has woven the story into rude verse; but the transcriber has mislaid his reference to the old magazine in which the composition first appeared:—