Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-03-17
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MfalcIIdnp.
SUPERSTITIoNS OF IRELAND.

There exists still a belief in charms, and the
powers Of witchcralt but for the marvellous
|. effect of its power, we are commonly referred
10 a distant period. Tne received .f.,..ss. vf
witches is, that they are old, wrinkled hays,
who sold themselves to the devil to obtain a
part of his occult art, such as taking the milk,
or butter from their neighbors' cows, or riding
through the air on a broom-stick. A belief
still prevails, Of the existence of fairies and
their non-appearance, at present, is alledged
to arise from the general circulation of the
Scriptures. Fairies are always described as
little spirits who are always clad in green, and
inhabited the green mounds called forths.
Numerous stories aie told of their being seen
at those places, dancing on the circling wind"
to the music Of the comnon bag-pipe. The
large hawthorns growing singly in the fields,
are deemed sacred to fairies, and are hence
called gentle thorns. Some fields east of Car
rickfergus were formerly called "The Fairy
Fields" Brownies, now alleged to he ex-
tinct, were another class of the same family
they are described as large, rough, hairy spir-
ITS, who lay about the fires after the people
wen, to bed. A warning spirit in the likeness
of an old woman, called Ouna, or the Banshee
is said TO have been anciently heard, wailing
shortly before the death of any person belong
ing 10 certain families. AT present, this spir-
it is almost forgotten. Wrailhs are still talk
ed of as being seen. These are described as
the shadowy likeness of a person, a short time
before the decease of the real person. OthcI
warnings and appearances are also believed
to be death warnings, such as strange noises
the shadowy likeness of a waving napkin. etc
1t is believed that the luck of a COW, or an
other animal, may he taken away by a look
or glance of the eve, of certain people, some o
whom are said TO be unconscious Of their ey'
having this effect. il is called the blink Of al
evil eve and the charm is believed TO extend
in some instances, TO children. When this Il
alleged TO occur, the persons are said to BIZ
overlooked, or overseen; and II is supposed
that the person will not recover, unless sons
/, charm is used TO coun,eract its effects. Their
is an opinion that certain people are able Il
take milk from a COW without touching her, o
! the butter from the milk, letting the milk re
/ main. When chnrning, or making cheese
' fire is never suffered TO be taken out Of tn
house during the operation. The first Tim
that a COW is MIXED after calving, i, is com
mon 10 put a piece Of silver Ia the psil, and L
milk upon ii. Salt is in daily use with som
, in a similar way, 10 prevent wltchcraft. Hors
shoes are nailed on the bottom fthe chuTn 70
, a like purpose, and old nails from horseshoe
are sometimes driven in the chUTn-staf. Ger
/, tain days are deemed nnlucky few person
, will remove to or from a house, or service. d
, Saturday, or the day Of the week on whic
Christmas is held that year. On New year
/ day and May-day, fire is rarely permitted To b
: taken cot Of houses, lest they lose their luck
Persons going on a journey have often an oil
mans shoes thrown after them, that they ma
come speed in the object Of their pursuit -
Cuckets coming to a house are held to bod
some change TO the family, but are commonl
y deemed a good omen. A stray dog, or cal
7 coming and remaining IN a house, Is deeme
A token Of good fostune.
q The people who follow the fishing bushes
retain a different class Of supersttions, but ar
. not communicative 10 others on this head
The following have been observed. hee,ln
certain persons in the morning, especially We
men when bare footed, Is deemed an omen {
hl-louUne for that day. To name a dog, cal
|, rat, or pig, while batting theiT hook, is sunnis