“ Those who are removing into another house are advised to place a Bible, some oatmeal, and some salt in the cupboard of the new house, in order that they may have prosperity during their stay. Some persons are said to be born unlucky; nothing they attempt prospers ”

“ These pins are popularly supposed to bring whatever good luck the persons may wish for who thus deposits them. When a new suit of clothes is put on for the first time, the wearer is expected to pay "bebbrage," or a forfeit, so that his clothes may wear well. If a person has a run of bad luck at cards, he is advised to change his chair, or turn it round, in order that fortune may turn to him. ”

“ The virtues of the symbol of the cross are acknowledged by our peasantry on many widely different occasions. If the fire will not burn readily, almost every housewife will place the poker against the bars, and amongst the coals, so as to form a cross, in full confidence that the fire will soon burn briskly. ”

“ Tea is considered to be a cooling drink for summer, and a heating one for winter. If we crush a beetle on the road, we are told that we shall cause it to rain on the morrow; and when blisters rise on our tongues, they are a sure sign that we have been telling lies. ”

“ This evidently means that a father will get riches during the time he wears clogs; that his sons will squander his money and estates; and that their children will come to wearing clogs again. This is no doubt correct in numerous instances; but there are many marked exceptions.
It is customary for tailors or friends to give a boy a penny when he puts on his first suit. This is done that he may have good luck during the time he wears it." Children are also advised to wrap up a tooth, after it has been extracted, in a piece of brown paper with salt, and then burn it in the fire. ”

“ Our modern Lancashire witches are celebrated for their beauty; and many of them are not a little proud of their fair complexions. Maid-servants possess this weakness in common with their mistresses; some of them employ natural cosmetics in order to preserve their beauty, and may be detected washing themselves in cold spring water for this purpose, or in May dew during that month of the year. ”

“ When we see a "Will o' the Wisp," we ought to thrust the blade of a clasp-knife into the ground, and lie down upon it. The Wisp is supposed to be a demon, which leads persons into quagmires, but is afraid of sharp implements, and hence will soon disappear. On the fifth day of November, and on St John's Eve, two fires are occasionally lighted out of doors, not very far from each other. Young persons, of both sexes, then chase each other between them ”

“ It is considered to be very unlucky to break any glass vessel, more especially a mirror; for that reflects both ourselves and our fortunes. The "lucky-bone" of a fowl is frequently worn in the pocket in order to insure prosperity ”

“ Pale-faced persons are said to have white livers; thin-lipped women are considered to be very ill-tempered; and if we ask advice from a woman, we are advised always to take her first suggestions, since her instinct is an unerring guide. ”

“ As will have been seen in the early portions of this work, several of our local legends turn upon the stratagems by which the devil has been outwitted. This is a portion of our folk-lore which we hold in common with many different races of people ”