ed after the cross above the
village, and not on account of his disposition.

Elphi we have seen had an excellent reputation and some eulogistic verses
on him, written in a "cook book" and signed J.L., 1699, give further
evidence of his good character.

Elphi bandy legs, Elphi little chap,
Bent an wide apart, Thoff he war so small
Neea yan i, this deeal [dale], War big wi deeds o' kindness,
Awns a kinder heart. Drink tiv him yan an all.
Elphi great heead Him at fails ti drain dry,
Greatest ivver seen. Be it mug or glass
Neea yan i' this deeal Binnot woth a pescod
Awns a breeter een. Nor a buss fra onny lass.

About the middle of the eighteenth century the people of Cropton were
sadly troubled by "a company of evil water elves having their abode in a
certain deep spring at the high end of that village," and in order to rid
themselves of the sprites, a most heathen ceremony was conducted at the
spring, "three wenches" taking a prominent part in the proceedings which
are quite unprintable.

[Illustration: RELICS OF WITCHCRAFT FOUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF
PICKERING.

The little figure shown in the centre is made of pitch, beeswax, bullock's
blood, hog's lard, and fat from a bullock's heart. It was used for casting
spells or people, the pin being stuck in the figure wherever the
"ill-cast" was required to fall. The magic cube and ring are made of
similar ingredients to the figure. The sigils or charms are made of lead.
]

Belief in the power of the witches and wise men was universal, and youths
and maidens applied to the nearest witch in all their love affairs. The
magic cube, the witches' garter, leaden charms known as sigils, and the
crystal were constantly in use to secure luck, to ward off evil and to
read the future.

One of the witches was believed to have fallen out with the Devil for,
says Calvert, "John Blades, ironmonger of Kirby Moorside, tells me he well
minds hearing of a despert fierce fight which on a time did happen between
ye Devil and an old witch over their dues, over anenst Yaud Wath (ford)
and whilst they did so fight, one by stealth did slip himself over and in
that wise did for ever break her spell."

I am able to give an illustration of one of the figures made by a witch of
these parts for causing some bodily injury to happen to her client's
enemy. The custom was a common one in the circles of witchcraft. A