Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-09-25
MODERN wIrcHcRAFr.
some Good Examples of nc Found I'm the
West of England.

some GOOD Examples OF IC round In the
West of England.
That an extraordinary amount OF
superstition still exists in some of tho
agricultural counties. particularly In
the west Of England. has been demon
strated recently by circumstances
which have come to light in connec-
ton with the death, in December hast
of n Taunton oracle who was known
throughout Somerset, Devon and Dor
set as billie the Piper" He was for
many years looked upon as the wiz
zard OF the West, and large bundle
of letters which were found in his
house revealed TO an astonishing ex-
tent the credulity of certain people in
those parts.
Bill, who was 76 years OF age when
he died, had lived in the same house
for forty years. He commenced life
by hawking pipes, but doubtless the
acquaintance he formed with country
folks while he was peregrinating with
their humble ''clays" opened his eyes
to their superstitious beliefs and in
duced him 70 pose as past master OF
witchcraft and fortune-teller. And it
was not only simple villagers who
were reckoned among Billy's clients.
Farmers and well-to-do people fire.
quently consulted him, the former be-
lieving that he could cast disease out
of their cattle; the latter regarding
him as an infallible aid in the dis
covery of and punishment of those
who had done them wrong.
Billy was thin, weakened old man,
says CassePs Sat journal, and in his
long Inverness cloak and sombrero
hat was familiar figure all the
country round. His fingers were COW
cred with rings, and a dilapidated wig,
which covered the top part of his face.
rendered his appearance extremely
curious. It is said that when he visit
ed some parts OF Somerset, offers of
hospitality were so numerous that he
had to exercise his choice. This arose
from an idea that it was lucky to have
the wise man" under the roof Tho
letters which were found in the house
at the old mans death are mostly
from illiterate people.
In many references are made to in
closures for valuable services. One
woman wrote: Every thing Is going
wrong at my home to-day. 1 don't
know whose been, or If they caused it
without coming. Mother was going to
have the chimney swept and the
man isn't come yet and l expect he
will come after dinner, so as l shan't
have a chance to burn the water as
you said. Also / thought of going to
grand site at Exeter but they have
caused my father to want to go, and
we can't both get away. Also they
caused the girl not to be able TO do
her work fast enough"
An example of the absurd idea that
tho wizard could divulge the name of
a persons enemies is found in the
letter of Devonshire girl who Says
She came back again last night I
hope you will try and stop her, as it
makes me quite ill--the thoughts OF 1t.
1 wish the old thing was dead, as L
am afraid there won't be no peach for
me while she is living. There is
another what she is very friendly
with, who goes about TO places with
her. so I've been told. Her name is
-. have done all you have told
me. / forgot to tell you before thar
she takes in work what | used to do. "
A Devonshire farmer, equally sim
pie, wrote: IL thought / would drop
you few lines to let you know how
things are getting on. We have not
lost anything since, but things seem
to be taken in a very queer way some
times. AS they was not to work yes
terday, one of the horses fell into the
hedge-trough. and they were obliged
to get two or three men to help IL OUT
again. i have done and am doing
every morning what you told me. I
should like to know who my enemies
are, that might beware of them" A.
Bridgewater client" growing impa-
tient, thus addressed the wise mans:
Dear Mr.. Brewer: have carried OUT
your instructions, but j find it don't
infect the parties yet.
do you think you could recon-
mend any other thing to find Them out
as fancy | want TO know who it is
that is doing me wrong A woman
living at Weston-Super- Mare wrote.
Offering Billy two shillings il he could
tell her who had a silk handkerchief
which she had lost. A Chard man
complained that his toe was-sweiling.
and asked for advice. A young girl
in Wellington inquired: Are you
doing the same trade as you used TOP
II you are let me know, for l want you
to tell me something about a young
man, and will pay you whatever ir
the price il you can do it."
"witness Wy Hand.
L L. h. do nrll,r To- aohnl-