432 SUPERSTITION. [CIIAI>. x. 



with an accident that somewhat disfigured his countenance, to 

 take shelter in his own cottage. The minister arrived, and 

 was informed by Jenny, the wife, that her husband was absent 

 at the fishing. The Doctor then inquired if she had carefully 

 perused the catechism he had left on his last visit, and being 

 answered in the affirmative, proceeded to follow up his con- 

 versation with a question or two. " "Weel, Jenny/' said the 

 minister, "can ye tell me the cause o' Adam's fall?" By no 

 means versed in the history of the great progenitor of the 

 human race, and her mind being exclusively occupied by her 

 own Adam, Janet replied, with some warmth, " 'Deed, sir, it 

 was naething else but drink ! " at the same time calling upon 

 her husband, " Adam, ye may as weel rise, for the Doctor kens 

 brawly what's the matter ; some clashin' deevils o' neebours 

 hae telt him a' aboot it !" 



The remains of many old superstitions are still to be found 

 about Newhaven. I could easily fill a page or two of this 

 volume with illustrative anecdotes of sayings and doings that 

 are abhorrent to the fisher mind. The following are given as 

 the merest sample of the number that might be collected. 



until far on in the next afternoon. We can see little to tempt the 

 young women of Newhaven to enter into the marriage state, for it 

 seems only to increase their bodily labour. This circumstance, how- 

 ever, would appear to be no obstacle in the way, but rather to spur 

 them on ; and we recollect of once actually hearing, when a girl rather 

 delicate for a Newhaven young woman was about to be married, another 

 girl, a strapping lass of about eighteen, thus express herself : " Jenny 

 Flucker takin' a man ! she's a gude cheek ; hoo is she tae keep him ? 

 the puir man'll hae tae sell his fish as weel as catch them." When 

 upon this subject of intermarriages among the Newhaven people it is 

 proper to mention that we heard contradictory accounts regarding the 

 point ; some saying that no such custom existed, or at least that no such 

 rule was enforced by the community, while another account was that 

 only one marriage out of the community had, so far as had come to the 

 knowledge of our informant, taken place during the last eight or nine 

 years." North Briton. 



