(Euro. Mag.) SOME REMAINING SUPERSTITIONS OF THE BRITISH PEASANTRY. No. I. "Auctoritatem nullam debemus, nec fidem commentitiis rebus adjungere."-Cic. THE Romish religion, as well as many of our christian sectaries, has given birth to innumerable superstitions. Wherever its influence prevails, especially beyond the sphere of polished life, the mind is prepared to admit, without scruple, the truth of traditions, which to a sober understand ing, must appear contemptible or ridiculous. This boundless credulity, -this prostration of the mind to monstrous fables, will not surprise us, when we consider, that the conscientious catholic regards tradition, as of almost equal authority with scripture; and that he is accustomed to receive with the blindest reverence, all that the former teaches*. Such a one cannot reasonably reject any popular superstition, however absurd, especially if it be in any degree connected with his religion. The wildest of the Danish and Norwegian fables, are scarcely more extravagant, than many legends of the Romish saints. But traces of popery may be found in many parts of the empire, from which that faith has long been banished. Wales, the Isle of Man, many counties and isles of Scotland, and some of the more mountainous districts in the north of England, abound with traditions which originated with our catholic ancestors, and which still continue to be received by their protestant descendants. If the reformation threw off the burthensome observances of the Romish ritual, it certainly did not, in all places, throw off the local superstitions, which popery had in It should not, however, be forgotten, that the more enlightened Romanists, as Tillemant, Baillet, Father Alexandre, Du Pin, &c., though they have admitted, with out hesitation, many absurd traditions, have had the courage to reject many which their church was supposed to have long received. And it should be known that this church herself has said : "Judi cium Dei veritati quæ nec fallit, nec fallitur semper innititur: judicium autem eclesiæ nonnunquam opionem sequitur, eui et fallere saepe contingit et falli.” De Excom. Čap. 2. 9 ATHENEUM VOL. 2. 2d series. troduced and fostered. The scenes which had, during so many ages, been associated with the prevailing belief, the fairy caverns, the enchanted streams and rocks, the romantic hills and grottos of the country, would still be regarded with mysterious awe by the first protestants. An entire stranger to the manners and habits of the solitary inhabitants of the mountains, can form little conception of the influence which local associations possess over the mind. The village church, whose ivy mantled tower has been "Rocked by the storms of a thousand years," and in whose gothic aisles, his forefath ers were accustomed to worship, is regarded by the rustic with holier and more reverential feelings, than the elegant structures of the present age can inspire; had it not been for the strength of these feelings, the reformation would never perhaps have been effected. The people were unwilling to forsake their churches, and they became insensibly reconciled to the new faith. Some strong instances of this attachment to the old religious edifices of the country, have come to the writer's knowledge, but none, he believes, more striking than the following :-A young married woman of good understanding, and of virtuous habits, was persuaded by her husband, a dissenter, with whom she had removed to the distance of several miles from her native village, to attend the same place of worship as himself; but though she had nothing to say against the doctrines preached at the conventicle, she could not reconcile herself to the step she had taken. The welcome, but unfrequent sight of the village church thrilled her with an emotion, to her undefinable. At length notwithstanding the reasonings, expostulations, and even threats of a husband whom she tenderly loved; the rugged paths, and dangerous marshes which she was obliged to traverse every sabbath-day; she returned, as she affectingly expressed it,to the " temple and last earthly home of her fathers." We shall not then be surprised, that among a people so tenacious of the customs and traditions of their ancestors, many superstitions continue to be received and reverenced. Of these, none is more prevalent than the belief in the existence of fairies-an imaginary race of beings, which are every where represented as possessed of the same capricious qualities, to be sometimes harmless as children, and sometimes malignant as demons. That this belief should be so carefully cherish ed in our days, when according to the acknowledgment even of the vulgar, not one of those beings has either been seen or heard, would indeed excite our wonder, were it not sufficiently explained by the force of hereditary prepossessions, and by that propensity to the marvellous, for which a rude and uncultivated people is ever remarkable. A few years ago, the writer of the present article, made an excursion into one of the most secluded mountainous districts in England; while he remained there, he had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with its traditionary superstitions. In a place more than usually wild, and at a considerable distance from any human habitation, he was shown a cavern, which, whether formed by nature or art, may well be considered a curiosity. It is known by the name of the Fairy-Cavern, and is situated on the declivity of a high and very steep hill. Its aperture between two enormous rocks, is so narrow, as to be imperceptible at the distance of a very few yards. Through this aperture no entreaties could induce the youth, whom the writer had engaged as guide, to accompany him; and as he was unprovided with torches, he could not explore the interior. He ventured a few yards, but found the path so precipitous, and the darkness and silence of the place so appalling, that he speedily returned. Concerning this cavern, there exists the following ancient tradition.* * Neither the cavern nor the tra ition is imaginary. The former is in the very heart A poor midwife was returning late one evening from a neighbouring hamlet, and her nearest, perhaps her only practicable path, lay close by the Fairy Cavern. Though she was naturally resolute, and the moon shone with unusual brightness, her agitation encreased as she approached the dreaded spot, as if she had a secret presentiment of what was to follow. No sooner had she turned round the projecting angle of one of the rocks, than she perceived something like a man, but of lower stature, advancing towards her. She had scarcely time to consider, whether that being were of this or another world, before she was seized by the arm, and drawn with irresistable force towards the mouth of the cavern. In an agony of despair, she invoked her patron saint, and her mysterious conductor suddenly stopped. "Fear not," said he, "you will not be detained long, and no evil will befal you, if, after we have passed through this aperture, you call not on God, St. Mary, or any of the saints. In vain you would oppose an unearthly being; time presses : we must away." Unable to oppose and convinced that if she were able, opposition would be unavailing, she quietly resigned herself to the guidance of her unknown companion. He immediately led her through the aperture, and she found that they were descending with inconceivable celerity. In a few moments their feet touched the bottom, all was utter darkness, until he anointed her eyes with a kind of salve; suddenly a scene of overpowering splendour burst upon her astonished sight, she saw that she was in the interior of a vast palace, the magnificence of which, could never be conceived by any mortal. The pillars, furniture, and even the walls, were of massy gold, and ornamented with precious stones of the most dazzling lustre. While she was gazing around of a considerable chain of bleak and lofty hills, which run along the borders of three adjoining counties, Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire; and the latter is well known to the inhabitants of the district alluded to in the text. That district is distant about half a day's journey from the ancient village of Mottram, on the borders of Cheshire. "Mortal, approach; the fates decree, She now learned that her professional assistance was required. After she had satisfactorily performed the task appointed her, she was brought back into the apartment she had quitted, where she found a table covered with the most exquisite viands, and with a liquor more delicious than nectar. While she partook of the refreshment prepared for her, the most fragrant perfumes exhaled around, and strains of unseen, but of indescribable harmony, threw a soft enchantment over the scene. The old woman was in an ecstasy of enjoyment, husband, children, friends, the world itself was forgotten. But this enjoyment could not be perpetual to a daughter of humanity. At the conclusion of her repast her male conductor again appeared; he carefully cleared her eyes from the enchanted salve with which he had anointed them; and the palace, the entertainment, the attendants and the music, were in an instant succeeded by darkness and silence. She was speedily carried out to the place where she had first seen her unearthly guide; and there she was left, but not without receiving more substantial proofs of the fairies' gratitude. The Isle of Man, the "fairy land," as Collins terms it has ever been distinguished for its belief in ancient superstitions. The ceremony of hunting the wren, is peculiar to the island. The following account of it is extracted, with some slight variations, from a history, which though well known in some parts of Lancashire, may not perhaps be so to most of my readers. The ceremony of hunting the wren, is founded on this ancient tradition. A fairy of uncommon beauty once exerted such undue influence over the In male population, that she seduced numbers at various times, to follow her footsteps, till by degrees she led them into the sea, where they perished. This barbarous exercise of power had continued so long, that it was feared the island would be exhausted of its defenders. A knight-errant sprung up, who discovered some means of countervailing the charms used by the syren, and even laid a plot for her destruction, which she only escaped at the moment of extreme hazard, by assuming the form of a wren. But though she evaded punishment that time, a spell was cast upon her, by which she was condemned to reanimate the same form on every succeeding New Year's Day, until she should perish by a human hand. consequence of this legend, every man and boy in the island (except those who have thrown off the trammels of superstition) devote the hours from the rising to the setting of the sun, on each returning anniversary, to the hope of extirpating the fairy. Woe to the wrens which show themselves on that fatal day, they are pursued, pelted, fired at, and destroyed without mercy; their feathers are preserved with religious care; for it is believed, that every one of the relics gathered in the pursuit, is an effectual preservation from shipwreck for the ensuing year, and the fisherman who should venture on his occupation, without such a safeguard, would, by many of the natives, be considered extremely foolhardy. In the same island, it is still believ ed that genii and giants inhabit the subterraneous caverns of Rushen Castle; and that the high-minded Countess of Derby, who once resided in Man, and whose vigorous resistance at the siege of Latham House, has immortalised her name, takes her nightly rounds on the walls of the castle. But perhaps the most dreaded spectre in the island, is the Manthé Doog, or Black Hound, which is still thought to be no stranger to Peel Castle. When a garrison was maintained at that fortress, the soldiers were frequently thrown into great consternation by the nocturnal visits of the spec tre. One of the soldiers, familiarised at length with its appearance, having raised his courage by spiritous liquors, ventured one night, notwithstanding the opposition of his comrades, to fol low the animal to its retreat. But his temerity proved fatal. He soon re. turned, speechless and convulsed, and survived his rash attempt no longer than three days.* (Eclectic Review.) THE MODERN TRAVELLER. A popular Description, Geographical, Historical, and Topographical, of the various Countries of the Globe PARTS I. II. III. IV. THIS Palestine and Syria. is a singularly well-timed, and, so far as the parts hitherto published enable us to judge, an exceedingly well executed publication. Within comparatively a few years, geographical science and its collateral investigations, have been cultivated with an ardour, and prosecuted with an eagerness and a heedlessness of personal inconvenience and hazard, that have brought to light an immense variety of facts and elucidations of the most interesting and important nature. Few portions of the globe remain wholly unexplored; and concerning those which have not as yet been subjected to actual scrutiny, a considerable mass of valuable information has been obtained from collateral and incidental sources. Great improvements, too, have taken place in the modes of research and narration. Instead of an indiscriminate amalgamation of fact and fable, hearsay and actual inspection, the most cautious discrimination is made an indispensable prerequisite to the reception of testimony. The love of the marvellous, which looked, in the olden time, to voyages and distant journeyings--the mysterious realms of Prester John, or the glittering wonders of Ind and Cathay--for its gratification, is now content with humbler food, the diablerie of Germany, and the tawdry inventions of the Viscompte d'Arlincour. A more legitimate source of entertainment is furnished by personal anecdote, historical and biographical inquiries, local description, and antiquarian research. At the same time it must be confessed, that there is still room for improvement. Travellers are of different calibres; they are a little too apt to imagine that what has gratified themselves, must be interesting to others; they pay too little attention to previous statements, and are rather overfond of telling again what has been better told before. Our excellent friends the booksellers must come in for a share of the blame. Without, for a moment, venturing to attribute their excessive predilection for quartos to any but the most liberal and disinterested motives, we may be permitted to hint, that it has a disastrous effect on the character of this branch of literature. The information which would be respectable in an octavo, will but coldly furnish forth a tome of larger bulk; and when all the artifices of typography fail to stretch it out, the author must be drawn upon for supplementary, and too frequently for supererogatory matter. Now, how feelingly soever, as writers, we may sympathize with the author, as readers the case is very different. Our time, our patience, and our purse, fail before this protracting and extenuating process, and we give a cordial welcome to any publication that may give us the genuine information, without the overlay of paint and filigree; or at least, only so much of the latter as may conduce to the real decoration and connexion of the substantial matter. *The tradition above related, will explain "But none of all the astonished train, At the same time we cannot help feeling suspicious, in the first instance, of such publications as the present. We have seen so many of them, that have come forth with the highest pretensions, prove nothing more than mere jobs of trade, that we are instinctively on our guard when we take them in hand, against anticipated charlatanism. Their aspect is ominous;—they wear a loose livery; they are redolent of paste; they betray the mangling of the scissars. Instead of exhibiting the labour and the skill which such compilations, more than most others, demand, they display the redundant symptoms of work by contract; and we feel, in turning them over, all the annoyance which results from the double mischief of a good thing marred in the execution, and operating as a hindrance to a more spirited undertaking. From all these depraved symptoms, the work before us, so far as the present specimen extends, is entirely free; and if it be conducted to the end with equal ability, it will form one of the most useful and attractive publications of the present day. Of the two sections, though Syria is the most entertaining, Palestine is the best done; it contains a masterly compression, marked, in some instances, by specific originality, of most that is truly valuable in the best of modern explorations. Maundrell, Pococke, Burkhardt, and Dr. Richardson, have supplied the ground-work; but a host of other travellers have contributed to the superstructure, and a list of important desiderata' is subjoined. As an example of the composition, we shall transcribe the eloquent and comprehensive CONCLUDING REMARKS. 'Having now traversed the whole Land of Israel west of this boundary, from Beersheba to Dan, we close here our account of Palestine; preferring, for the convenience of the arrangement, to include the districts east of the Jordan, under the general denomination of Syria, which in strictness applies to the whole country. The parts we have described, how ever, are all that are usually comprehended under the term Holy Land; although, as the scene of Scripture history, the theatre of miracle and of prophecy,--the Peninsula of Mount Sinai, the shores of the Idumean Sea, and the coasts of Asia Minor, might lay claim to the appellation. But we have now visited the whole of Palestine, Judea, Samaria, and Galileethose countries which, above all others under the sun, are interesting to the Christian. And abhorrent alike from reason and from true piety, as is the superstition that has grafted itself upon this interest, yet, the curiosity which inspires the traveller, in reference more peculiarly to these scenes is rational and laudable. fl Troy and Thebes, if Athens and Rome, are visited with classic enthusiasm, much more worthy of awakening the strongest emotions in the mind of a Christian, must be the country whose history as far transcends in interest that of every other, as its literature (if we may apply that term to the divine volume) excels in sublimity, all the ethics, and philosophy, and poetry, and eloquence of the heathen world. This sentiment of interest or of reverence has, indeed, no necessary connexion with religious principle or enlightened worship; for it may actuate alike the pious and the profligate. And, in the character of the Greek or Romish pilgrim, it is too generally found in connexion with an utter destitution of moral principle. The savage fanaticism of the Crusades was an illustration of this fact on a grand scale; and the same spirit that breathed in Peter the Hermit, yet survives; the same fanaticism in a milder form actuates the pilgrims who continue to visit the Holy Sepulchre, with the view of expiating their sins by the performance of so meritorious a penance. The Mussulman hadgi, or the Hindoo devotee, differs little in the true character of his religion, from these misguided Christians, and as little perhaps in his morals as in his creed. Only the stocks and stones in which their respective worship alike terminates, are called by less holy names. It becomes the |