GAME NOTES AND FOLK-LORE. 241 



extraordinary superstition was confirmed by 

 several coincidences, which they observed ; 

 some illness or accident did occur once or 

 twice, and the belief became firmly fixed. 

 By-and-by the clergyman heard of this, and 

 afterwards took care that the sermon should 

 finish either some few minutes before or 

 after four. As he preached he listened for 

 the warning note of the church clock just 

 before four and timed himself accordingly. 



Belief in the wise woman, in omens, and 

 ancient traditionary superstitions, like that 

 about tumuli, is by no means confined to 

 the labouring classes, but shared in by many 

 who are well-to-do and, from their posi- 

 tion, would be imagined superior to such 

 influences. Over Red Deer Land modern 

 civilisation has passed like a breath of wind, 

 stirring the leaves of the trees but leaving 

 them as they were. Just as material forces 

 have been baffled in the attempt to cultivate 



