pure-bred Highlander, held me close to the fire, and, taking care that she was unobserved, quietly fastened this witch-brooch beneath the ample skirts of my baby-garments. This form of brooch, fastened in the manner above described, was firmly believed to possess the power of driving the witches, which lay in wait for all newly born children, up the chimney. It protected the wearer from their malevolence, and brought good luck. The rite was practised universally in rural districts throughout the north in my grandmothers time. My mother probably had some germs of scepticism in her mind, but considered that her darling would be safer if the charm were applied in the orthodox manner. Amongst the fishing population this superstition lingered till a much later date. Jewellers in Aberdeen had to give fishermen's brides a witch-brooch, along with the wedding-ring, up to about thirty years ago. It was first worn by the bride to bring good luck to the household.
This larger silver brooch and the rarer mother-of-pearl specimen were worn after birth by two of my mother's sisters. The other specimens, of various forms and patterns, were collected in Aberdeenshire by my late brother.
The two witch-brooches set in brilliants he found in Staffordshire. One was the subject of a paper read before the North Staffordshire Field Naturalists' Club in 1890.[1] It is interesting to note that the second specimen, which he obtained after the paper was read, is identical in every respect with "Shakespeare's brooch," found at Stratford-upon-Avon about seventy years ago.
On one occasion, when about seven years old, I was playing in the woods of Black-hall, eighteen miles up the Dee Valley, when I suddenly became aware that my companions had vanished, and that the awful form of Witch Jeffrey stood only a few feet off. Instead, however, of changing me into a toad or a rabbit, or spiriting me off, she smiled kindly at my terrified countenance and wished me a pleasant good morning. To this day I well remember my feeling of relief at the narrow escape, and the air of superiority with which I told my adventure to my companions. Witch Jeffrey lived in a small thatched cottage near the river, and her fame as a witch extended over the whole country-side. People came to her for charms for their sick children or cattle; youths
- ↑ Transactions, 1891, p. 54.
