My common-place books contain a goodly number of superstitious sayings, noted down as heard at different times and in various places, chiefly during the last ten or twelve years. I have made a selection from them, the greater portion of which will probably come under the printer's eye for the first time, should they be considered a fitting addition to the interesting records of Folk Lore in the pages of "N. & Q." I reserve my comment or attempted illustration for future opportunities.
First Score.
1. Adder. "Look under the deaf adder's belly, and you'll find marked, in mottled colours, these words:
'If I could hear as well as see,
No man of life [sic] should master me!'"
(This saying was related to me by a friend, a native of Lewes, Sussex, where it is common.)
2. Adder-skin. "It'll bring you good luck to hang an ether-skin o'er the chimbly [chimney-piece]." (Heard in Leicestershire.)
3. Beanfield. "Sleep in a beanfield all night if you want to have awful dreams, or go crazy." (In Leicestershire.)
4. Chime-hours. "A child born in chime-hours will have the power to see spirits." (A Somerset friend.)
5. Egg-shells. "Always poke a hole through your eggshell before you throw it away."—Why? "If you don't, the fairies will put to sea to wreck the ships." (Somerset. Query, For fairies, read witches?)