Vol 6 - Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian ...

1Transactions. 1swelling. In Thiselton Dyer's " Folk Lore," and Napier's " FolkLore of the West of Scotland," the custom is referred to. Theplate of salt was intended for the sin-eaters, who came and devouredthe contents with incantations, and thus relieved the spiritsclogged with earthly frailties, and kept them from hoveringtoo closely near their friends and relatives. Pennant mentionsthe custom, suggesting that the salt was an emblem of theincorruptible spirit and the earth of the body. When the sineaterarrived, Napier mentions two plates—one of salt andone of bread—which required to be devoured. A shepherdin Tynron told me that he recollected seeing perforated stones,or stones nearly perforated, from the channel of the stream,attached to a rowan tree near a house at the head of the Kiunel,and that he understood both stones and rowan tree were lookedupon as likely to scare away evil influences. At or near Fleuchlarg,in the adjoining parish of Gleucairn,might have been seen ahole in the wall of the byre, letting out a rope, so that if the evilspirits got in they could get out more readily by the hole. Iunderstand that when I was carried to church for baptism, theyoung woman who carried me bore a piece of bread and cheese inher pocket, presenting it to the first person she met, who wasexpected to bless me. Baptism being private in Tynron, I havenothing of this kind to record. The beggars' benison, however,was of such esteem in the eyes of an old woman in Tynron that itsecured a night's lodging for many a tramp. Silver is lucky. Afather gave a lucky shilling to his daughter at her marriage.Crooked sixpences are worn at the watch chain, so that you mayhave silver when you first see the new moon. Turn your apronthree times and look at the new moon, wishing for a present, and apresent will arrive to you ere it wane away. One person, tryingthe experiment, received in a present a pair of curtains, a dozeneggs, and a hen. If you see the plough coming towards you forthe first time of the new year, it augurs well, but if you observeit going aAvay it is unlucky. It bodes ill to turn when you aresetting out on a journey.It is better for you should the day be awet one. Great care should be taken not to burn hair or nails.It is unlucky to pare your nails on Sunday, but if you pare themon Saturday, expect to see your sweetheart to-morrow. Tuesdayand Friday evenings are the orthodox evenings for courting, but itis not well to marry either on Thursday or Saturday, while mostScotch marriages are performed on Friday. Mr M'Caw, our