262 FROM A MIDDLESEX GARDEN 



land, where the fern and heather is burnt at the close of 

 Autumn, this same belief is general among many. To-day, 

 in countries abroad, where ferns grow in luxuriant loveliness, 

 they are looked upon by the natives with a very superstitious 

 feeling, thinking it an omen of ill-luck to gather them for 

 fuel or even to touch them. Faith in the magical properties 

 of fern-seed was once prevalent in England. It was believed 

 to have the power to make one invisible at will. It was said 

 that the seed of the fern became visible only on the Eve of 

 St. John, and that it was under the peculiar protection of 

 fairies. Upon this night most tremendous conflicts took place 

 between them for its possession ; those, therefore, who were 

 addicted to the art of magic, and possessed sufficient enter- 

 prise, were said to watch in solitude during the hours of St. 

 John's Eve in order that they might secure the seed at the 

 instant of its appearance. Shakespeare was, no doubt, think- 

 ing of this myth when he wrote in 1 Henry IV., ii. i : 



GADSHILL : . . . We have the receipt for fern-seed, we 



walk invisible. 

 CHAMBERLAIN : Nay, by my faith ; I think you are more 



beholden to the night, than to fern-seed, for your walking 



invisible. 



