SUPERSTITIOA AND WITCHCRAFT, 197 



This done, there did arise such a tempest at sea as a greater 

 hath not been seen, etc. Againe it is confessed that the 

 said christened cat was the cause of the kinges majestie's 

 shippe, at his coming forthe of Denmarke, had a contrarie 

 winde to the rest of the shippes then being in his companie, 

 which thing was most straunge and true, as the kinges 

 majestic acknowledgeth, for when the rest of the shippes 

 had a fair and good winde, then was the winde contrairie, 

 and altogether against his majestic/ etc." * 



" In some parts black cats are said to bring good luck, 

 and in Scarborough (Henderson's 'Folk-lore of the Northern 

 Counties'). A few years ago, sailors' wives were in the habit 

 of keeping one, thinking thereby to ensure the safety of 

 their husbands at sea. This, consequently, gave black cats 

 such a value that no one else could keep them, as they were 

 nearly always stolen. There are various proverbs which 

 attach equal importance to this lucky animal, as, for 

 example : 



Whenever the cat o' the house is black, 



The lasses o' lovers will have no lack. 



" And again : 



Kiss the black cat, 

 An' 'twill make ye fat 

 Kiss the white ane, 

 'Twill make ye lean. 



''In Scotland there is a children's rhyme upon the 

 ■ purring of the cat : 



Dirdum drum, 



Three threads and a thrum ; 



Thrum gray, thrum gray ! 



" In Devonshire and Wiltshire it is believed that a May 

 cat— or, in other words, a cat born in the month of May- 

 will never catch any rats or mice, but, contrary to the wont 

 of cats, will bring into the house snakes, and slow-worms, 

 and other disagreeable reptiles. In Huntingdonshire it is a 

 common saying that ' a May kitten makes a dirty cat.' If 



"* Hone's "Every-day Book," vol. i. 



