CORRESPONDENCE.
CORN-MAIDEN IN ARGYLESHIRE.
(Vol. vi. p. 148.)
The Rev. Mr. Campbell, of Kilchrenan, after having shown the paper in vol. vi. to Jane Maclnnes or MacCorquodale, residing at Kilchrenan, got the following information as to the Glencoe custom about fifty years ago.
Mrs. MacCorquodale says that the rivalry was for the Maiden, and for the privilege she gave of sending the Cailleach to the next neighbour. The Maiden was represented by the last stalks reaped; the Cailleach by a handful taken at random from the field, perhaps the last of the rig of the reaper last to finish. The Cailleach was not dressed but carried after binding to the neighbour's field. The Maiden was cut in the following manner. All the reapers gathered round her and kept a short distance from her. They then threw their hooks at her. The person successful in cutting her down in this manner was the man whose possession she became.
Mrs. MacCorquodale understood that the man of a township who got the Cailleach finally was supposed to be doomed to poverty for his want of energy. (Galic: treubhantas—valour).
A sample of the toast to the Cailleach at the harvest entertainment was as follows: "The Cailleach is with . . . and is now with (me) since I was the last. I drink to her health. Since she assisted me in harvest, it is likely that it is with me she will abide during the winter."
In explaining the above toast Mr. Campbell says that it signifies that the Cailleach is always with agriculturists. She has been with others before and is now with me (the proposer of the toast).
