FISHES IN MODERN FOLK-LORE. 83 



In the Isle of Skye, if a woman crosses the water during 

 the fishing, the luck is doomed. At Flamborough, if a 

 woman happens to enter a cottage when the men are 

 preparing their lines, she is not allowed to depart until she 

 has knelt down and repeated the Lord's Prayer. In Lap- 

 land, the fishermen avoid spreading their captured fish on 

 that part of the shore frequented by the women, as the 

 next expedition would be a failure. In very many parts 

 of our coast it is most unlucky for a woman to walk over 

 the nets or any of the fishing-tackle, although they take 

 a very active part in collecting bait. 



Burn the teeth of fish you catch, or your luck will be bad 

 next day — pins found in church make good fish-hooks — 

 a quarrel on the beach, if blood be drawn, will drive the 

 herring from the coast for the rest of the season (Scotch) — 

 stolen tackle is lucky (Swedish) — herrings eaten on New 

 Year's Day bring luck all the twelvemonth through (N. 

 German). 



Flamborough, by the way, is conspicuous for the tenacity 

 with which it has preserved superstitions. As late as three 

 years ago the fishermen would not put to sea if any one 

 mentioned a pig when they were baiting their lines. In 

 Scotland the salmon is equally unmentionable, and is only 

 obliquely alluded to by a circumlocution. It is called 

 So-and-So's fish. As being somehow connected with the 

 powers of evil, it often receives for a pseudonym the name 

 of the tax-collector of the nearest village. 



The days to be avoided or selected for fishing enterprises 

 are religiously observed. But the fisherman's religion is not 

 always that of the Church, as, for instance, on the coast of 

 Lancashire, where the custom is to set sail on the Sunday. 

 A clergyman of the town once prayed against this breach 



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