488 REPORT— 1897. 



■was responsible for the working of the section, and to him the wages of 

 the company that wrought the section were paid in the gross. He paid 

 each of his company his share. 



617. The first time the ' bargain-tacker ' received his pay after receiv- 

 ing a new section and after choosing his own company, he had to ' pay his 

 fittan,' i.e., treat the men of his company. 



618. "When a young man of a company got married, the men of his 

 company ' stood treat,' and often made a present besides. 



619. When a miner was buried the working of the mine was generally- 

 stopped. The master and all the miners attended the funeral. 



620. There was a good deal of eating, and more drinking, at a miner's 

 funeral. Hence arose the saying : * A Mines funeral is as guid's a Mines 

 waddin'.' [' Mines ' is the local name for Blackcraig Mines.] 



621. ' Short-bread ' was commonly used as part of the entertainment 

 at a miner's funeral. It was commonly baked by neighbours and presented 

 by them. 



622. Any frogs that might have been found in the mine were carefully 

 tended. They were carried to a place of safety, and food was given them. 



Mining Terms. 



623. Back-end was the place where all the rubbish of the mine waa 

 cast. 



Black Jack, sulphur. 

 Gump o' lead, a pocket of lead. 



Vogg-hole, a hole that is full of water. The lead hangs all round it 

 ' like paps.' 



The lead mines are not now wrought. 

 My informant was a miner from boyhood. 



Omens — Luck and Unluck. 



624. Dairy. — It is unlucky to put a pair of shoes on a table. 



625. It is unlucky to lay the tongs on a table. 



626. Ilochrum. — It is unlucky to break a looking-glass. 



627. It is unlucky if a looking-glass falls and is broken. 



628. Kirkmaiden. — It is unlucky to give hre out of the house. 



629. Dairy. — It is unlucky to stumble when going upstairs. 



630. In going a journey on horseback, if the horse stumbles in start- 

 ing, there will be no luck in the journey. 



631. In setting out on a journey, if the left foot is placed first, there 

 will be luck. 



632. Sneezing in the afternoon is accounted unlucky. 



633. Bcdmaghie. — To spill salt is unlucky. To do away with the un- 

 luck, a little of the salt is thrown over the left shoulder. 



634. At the Communion in the Church of Balmaghie, one very wet 

 Sunday an old man laid his dripping head on the Communion Table. He 

 left the impress of his head on the white cloth. He died within the year. 

 Leaving the impress was looked upon as very unlucky. 



635. Dairy. — Sneezing in the morning indicates luck. 



636. In setting out on a journey, if one puts the right foot first, luck 

 attends the journey. 



637. If one puts on any piece of dress inside out, luck follows as long 

 as the piece of dress is worn as put on. 



