Mistress Alice Nutter and others for Witchcraft, and belief in witchcraft still lingers there, or did till quite recently, among the older inhabitants. The old farmer, to whom I have referred was a firm believer in witches, and averred that he had seen some, and that they could make themselves larger and smaller at will. He had about twenty charms of various kinds written on pieces of paper, by which he set very great store. I managed to get two of them, and the one to which I wish to refer is written on a very small piece of paper in an illiterate hand. It is endorsed, "For the house and was intended to be placed over the door to protect the house and its inmates. On the front is written, "Omnes spiritu laudet domnum moson habent dusot propheates exurgrat disipentur inimicus." The last three words seem intended for the opening words of Psalm lxviii. "Exurgat Deus, et dissipentur inimici ejus." Amongst the other charms which this old farmer had was one labelled "For the field." It was similar to the one last described, but had these words added, "Let all the cattle in this field prosper" and there was the following direction for its use appended, "Put in a gap."
These charms were not regarded in Pendle Forest as mere curiosities. The old farmer, a short time before my interview with him, was consulted by a neighbour with reference to a cow that was seriously ill. The good man, instead of consulting a book on veterinary science, had recourse to his collection of charms. Selecting the one labelled "for the house," he proceeded to the shippen where the cow was, and placed the potent paper over the door. This was believed to have produced the desired effect as the animal speedily recovered.
Wm. T. M. Weeks, F.S.A.
Bonfires in Norway.
Sir James Frazer in forwarding this communication remarks that it is of some interest as comparatively little concerning popular festivals has been reported from Norway.
In 1907 I read in The Golden Bough (Second Edition, 1900, iii. 344) the following remarks on the bonfires and effigies which
