they
hold to this belief, that no threat nor persuasion could induce the
stoutest-hearted of them to cross the fatal draw after ten o'clock at
night. This belief is quite contrary to that which prevails in Scotland,
according to which, Robin Burns being my authority, "neither witches nor
any evil spirits have power to follow a poor wight any farther than the
middle of the next running stream."[1]

C. D. D.

New Brunswick, New Jersey.

[Footnote 1:

"Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg,
And win the key-stane of the brig:
There at them thou thy tail may toss,
A running stream they dare na crass."--_Tam O'Shanter._

]

_North Lincolnshire Folk Lore._--Here follow some shreds of folk lore which
I have not seen as yet in "N. & Q." They all belong to North Lincolnshire.

1. Death sign. If a swarm of bees alight on a dead tree, or on the dead
bough of a living tree, there will be a death in the family of the owner
during the year.

2. If you do not throw salt into the fire before you begin to churn, the
butter will not come.

3. If eggs are brought over running water they will have no chicks in them.

4. It is unlucky to bring eggs into the house after sunset.

5. If you wear a snake's skin round your head you will never have the
headache.

6. Persons called Agnes always go mad.

7. A person who is born on Christmas Day will be able to see spirits.

8. Never burn egg-shells; if you do, the hens cease to lay.

9. If a pigeon is seen sitting in a tree, or comes into the house, or from
being wild suddenly becomes tame, it is a sign of death.

10. When you see a magpie you should cross yourself; if you do not you will
be unlucky.

EDWARD PEACOCK.

Bottesford Moors.

_Portuguese Folk Lore._--

"The borderer whispered in my ear that he was one of the dreadful
Lobishomens, a devoted race, held in mingled horror and commiseration,
and never mentioned {383} without by the Portuguese peasantry. They
believe that if a woman be delivered of seven male infants
successively, the seventh, by an inexplicable fatality, becomes subject
to the powers of darkness; and is compelled, on every Saturday evening,
to assume the likeness of an ass. So changed, and followed by a horrid
train of dogs, he is forced to run an impious race over the moors and
through the villages; nor is allowed an interval of rest until the
dawning Sabbath terminates his sufferings, and restores him to