326 



RAVEN'S NEST ON LOUTH STEEPLE, ETC., 1693. 



C. S. CARTER, M.C.S.. 

 Louth, Lincolnshire. 



When arrang"ing v^arious papers in the portfolio belonging- to 

 the Louth Antiquarian and Naturalists' Society, I found a curious 

 note, and still more curious and interesting question and answer 

 about a Raven's nest on Louth Steeple, and the Sutton Whale, in 

 'The Athenian Mercury,' Saturday, ist April 1693. The follow- 

 ing is a copy of it : — 



' Question 3. There's a Raven has built a Nest in the North- 

 West Pinnacle of Louth Church, in Lincolnshire [7vhich church 

 is ^j foot higher than Bow), the like has not been reitieniber'd of 

 60 years, and above : Some People look upon it as Ominous, Vour 

 Thoughts are desir'd on the Matter? 



' Answer. The Business is a great way off, and therefore as 

 the Old Woman said, it mayn't be true. But true or false, 'tis 

 scarce worth the while to go so far for satisfaction, since be it 

 Raven or Owl, or what it will, 'tis all one, and signifies no 

 more. We believe, than that the Raven was willing to choose 

 the best place she cou'd find for a Prospect for herself and her 

 Young Ones. As for anything Ominous in't, We think it's only 

 fit to be laughed at with the Old Auguries, for it can signifie 

 nothing that we know of either Naturally, ox by Institution ; 

 and, indeed how shou'd a Bird know more than a Man, and 

 how foretell others Fates, that does not know its oivji ? whether 

 it shall be shot or sta}"vd or what end 'twill come to. As 

 Messulam in Josephns Wittily said, when he took his Bow and 

 Ar/'o-ivs, and kill'd the Bird out of which the Soothsayers were 

 going- to fetch Miracles. By the way poor Lincolnshire is very 

 unlucky of late, for this it seems is the second direful Omen that 

 Wise Mr. Mob has discover'd in't within these few weeks, the 

 Sutton Whale being full as famous as the Louth Steeple-Raven ; 

 tho' We confess, had this Raven, like a Halycon, Swum down 

 the River, and built its Nest in the Sea, and this Gentle Whale 

 flown o'er the Mountains tops — Topt the Woulds, and been Ship- 

 wrackt on the N'orthivest pinnacle of Louth Church, there had 

 been then Something in the business if not very ominous, yet 

 very wonderful, and wou'd have well deserv'd the notice of the 

 Chronicle as well as Athenian Mercury.'' 



Naturalist, 



