f Hallowe'en was
recorded. Royalty, tenants, and servants bore torches through the
grounds and round the estates. In front of the castle was a heap of
stuff saved for the occasion. The torches were thrown on. When the
fire was burning its liveliest, a hobgoblin appeared, drawing in a
car the figure of a witch, surrounded by fairies carrying lances.
The people formed a circle about the fire, and the witch was tossed
in. Then there were dances to the music of bag-pipes.

It was the time of year when servants changed masters or signed up
anew under the old ones. They might enjoy a holiday before resuming
work. So they sang:

"This is Hallaeven,
The morn is Halladay;
Nine free nichts till Martinmas,
As soon they'll wear away."

Children born on Hallowe'en could see and converse with
supernatural powers more easily than others. In Ireland, evil
relations caused Red Mike's downfall (q. v.). For Scotland Mary
Avenel, in Scott's _Monastery_, is the classic example.

"And touching the bairn, it's weel kenn'd she was born on
Hallowe'en, and they that are born on Hallowe'en whiles see mair
than ither folk."

There is no hint of dark relations, but rather of a
clear-sightedness which lays bare truths, even those concealed in
men's breasts. Mary Avenel sees the spirit of her father after he
has been dead for years. The White Lady of Avenel is her peculiar
guardian.

The Scottish Border, where Mary lived, is the seat of many
superstitions and other worldly beliefs. The fairies of Scotland
are more terrible than those of Ireland, as the dells and streams
and woods are of greater grandeur, and the character of the people
more serious. It is unlucky to name the fairies, here as elsewhere,
except by such placating titles as "Good Neighbors" or "Men of
Peace." Rowan, elm, and holly are a protection against them.

"I have tied red thread round the bairns' throats, and given ilk
ane of them a riding-wand of rowan-tree, forbye sewing up a slip
of witch-elm into their doublets; and I wish to know of your
reverence if there be onything mair that a lone woman can do in
the matter of ghosts and fairies?--be here! that I should have
named their unlucky names twice ower!"

SCOTT: _Monastery._

"The sign of the cross disarmeth all evil spirits."

These spirits of the air have not human feelings or motives. They
are conscienceless. In this respect Peter