76 NETHER LOCHABER. 



the pot, and placed between two folds of thin cotton or muslin, 

 and applied to the eye at bed-time, kept in its place, of course, by 

 a handkerchief or other band tied round the head. In cases of 

 weak or inflamed eyes from any cause, this is reckoned, in this 

 and the surrounding districts, " the sovereignest thing on earth." 

 And one can quite understand how tea leaves, at once cooling and 

 astringent, employed in this way, may benefit a hot and inflamed 

 eye. It is a simple application at all events, and always at hand ; 

 and when more pretentious remedies are not readily attainable, one 

 would be unwisely prejudiced, if not actually foolish, to suffer long 

 without giving it a fair trial. 



A less simple and less readily available cure for sore eyes is the 

 following in old Gaelic verse : 



LEIGHEAS SOL. 



Luidh Challum-Chille agus speir, 



Meannt agus tri-bhilead corr, 



Bainne atharla nach do rug laodh ; 



Bruich iad a's ckirich air breid, 



S'cuir sid rid' shilil aig tra-nein, 



Air an Athair, am Mac agus Spiorad nan gras, 



'S air Ostal na seirce ; bi'dh do shuilean slan 



Mu'n eirich a gheallach 's mu'n till an Ian. 



In English, literally 



(Take of) St. Columba's wort and dandelion, 



(Of) mint and a perfect plant of marsh trefoil, 



(Take of) milk from the udder of a quey 



(That is heavy with calf, but that has not actually calved), . 



Boil, and spread the mixture on a cloth ; 



Put it to your eyes at noon-tide, 



In the name of Father, Son, and the Spirit of Grace, 



And in the name of (John) the Apostle of Love, and your eyes 



shall be well 

 Before the next rising of the moon, before the turning of next 



flood-tide. 



We were recently shown a great curiosity a dirk sheath said to 

 be made of human skin. Its history, as related to us by the 



