pull her fingers, and
the number will be equal to the cracks heard. In fact we have nearly
as many signs, omens, charms, and freits as our forefathers had. We
have legendary lore concerning the supernatural, we have mythological
fables, forecasts, fatalities, our spell-bound individuals, our fey
persons, and those who have had glamour cast into their eyes. None of
us are likely to forget the New Year, Christmas, St. Valentine's Day,
Beltane, Hallow-e'en, and many other high days, which come to us,
month after month, with their peculiar rites and ceremonies. Even
Queen Victoria, with a desire to please, takes pleasure in observing
Hallow-e'en at her Highland residence.

In 1876 Hallow-e'en was celebrated at Balmoral Castle with unusual
ceremony, in presence of Her Majesty, the Princess Beatrice, the
ladies and gentlemen of the royal household, and a large gathering of
the tenantry and servants on the estates of Balmoral and Invergeldie.
The leading features of the celebration were a torchlight procession,
the lighting of large bonfires, and the burning in effigy of witches
and warlocks. Upwards of 150 torchbearers assembled at the castle as
darkness set in, and separated into two parties, one band proceeding
to Invergeldie, and the other remaining at Balmoral. The order was
given to light the torches at a quarter before six o'clock, and
shortly after that hour the Queen and the Princess Beatrice drove to
Invergeldie, followed by the Balmoral party of torchbearers. The two
parties then united and returned in procession to the front of
Balmoral Castle, where all were grouped round a large bonfire, which
blazed and crackled merrily, the Queen's pipers playing the while.
Refreshments were then served to all, and dancing was engaged in to
the strains of the bagpipes. When the fun was at its height, there
suddenly appeared from the rear of the castle a grotesque figure,
representing a witch, with a train of followers dressed like sprites,
who appeared terrified at the monster fire blazing, and danced and
gesticulated in all fashions; then followed a warlock of demoniacal
shape, who was succeeded by another warlock drawing a car, on which
was seated a witch, surrounded by other figures in the guise of
demons. The unearthly visitors having marched several times round the
burning pile, the principal figure was taken from the car and tossed
into the flames amid weird shrieks and howls, the burning of blue
lights, and a display of