Boys, in amusing themselves on the sea-shore, often, when the tide is rising, mount a tide-washed rock, and dance, and sing:
"Jaw, jaw, cum an wash me awa,
Hyne, hyne, awa t' America,"
till the rock is surrounded, when they make their escape. This amusement they call "a lockie on." (R. Grant, Peterhead.)
Those whose fate is to be drowned have in their brows what old folks called "the water glance." It was on the brow at the moment of birth, but could be discerned only by some, oftenest by the midwife who had the faculty for doing so, for it was not every midwife that had the faculty. It was believed to be a slight depression, which continued to fill up till the allotted span of life was run; when it was full, death came. (Keith.)
The reluctance to save one drowning is not confined to the Shetlanders, but lingers in other districts on the mainland. It arises from the notion that the one who saves another from drowning will in no long time be drowned. The sea takes the saver of life instead of the saved, as it "maun hae its nummer," according to the saying. (R. Grant, Peterhead.) Walter Gregor.
[This important subject, the Folk-lore of the Sea, has been engaging the attention of our fellow-students in France. The following articles have occurred in Mélusine: November 1884, "Les vents et les tempêtes en mer," "Les trombes marines;" December 1884, "L'eau de mer," "Les vagues," "Les trombes marines," "Les vents et les tempêtes en mer," "La mer phosphorescente," "Les saints de la mer," "Les vaisseaux fantastiques," "La mer chez les Finlandais;" January 1885, "Oblations à la mer et présages," "Les vents et les tempêtes en mer," "L'eau de mer;" February 1885, "Les vents et les tempêtes en mer," "Les trombes marines;" March 1885, "Les génies de la mer," "L'eau de mer." M. Paul Sébillot has issued a little tractate, Questionnaire des croyances légendes et superstitions de la mer; and requests all persons interested in the subject to communicate with him at 4, Rue de l'Odéon, Paris. Our member, the Rev. W. Gregor, was the first to actively take up the subject, and the Rev. W. S. Lach-Szyrma has quickly followed. Mr. Lach-Szyrma has given two papers
