FOLK LORE.
Medical Use of Pigeons (Vol. iv., p. 228.).
—In my copy of Mr. Alford's very unsatisfactory edition of Donne, I find noted (in addition to R. T.'s quotation from The Life of Mrs. Godolphin) references to Pepys's Diary, October 19, 1663, and January 21, 1667-8, and the following from Jer. Taylor, ed. Heber, vol. xii. p. 290.: "We cut living pigeons in halves, and apply them to the feet of men in fevers."
J. C. R.
Michaelmas Goose—St. Martin's Cock.
—In the county of Kilkenny, and indeed all through the S.E. counties of Ireland, the "Michaelmas Goose" is still had in honour. "St. Martin's Bird" (see p. 230. antè) is, however, the cock, whose blood is shed in honour of that saint at Martinmas, Nov. 11. The same superstition does not apply, that I am aware of, to the Michaelmas Goose, which is merely looked on as a dish customary on that day, with such as can afford it, and always accompanied by a mélange of vegetables (potatos, parsnips, cabbage, and onions) mashed together, with butter, and forming a dish termed Kailcannon. The idea is far different as to St. Martin's Cock, the blood of which is always shed sacrificially in honour of the Saint. Query, 1. The territorial extent of the latter custom? And, 2. What pagan deity has transferred his honours to St. Martin of Tours.
JAMES GRAVES.
Kilkenny.
Surrey Folk Lore.
—A "wise woman" has lately made her appearance not far from Reigate in Surrey. One of the farmers' wives there, on being scalded the other day, sent to the old dame, who sent back a curious doggrel, which the good woman was to repeat at stated times. At the end of a week the scald got well, and the good woman told us that she knew there was no harm in the charm, for "she had heard say as how it was some verse from the Bible."
When in a little shop the other day, in the same part of the country, one village dame was speaking of the death of some neighbour, when another said, that she hoped "they had been and told the bees."
In the same neighbourhood I was told a sovereign cure for the goitre was to form the sign of the cross on the neck with the hand of a corpse.