1892-93O 5^3 



The more a belief in the actual existence of fairies and their 

 doings finds a home in the minds of persons, the more these 

 little creatures are disliked and feared. It is perhaps because 

 we have but little belief in their existence that we like to hear 

 fairy tales ; and how true some of them seem to be. The doings 

 of the elfin race have greatly enriched our literature, and there 

 is hardly a writer of imagination and poetic feeling who has not 

 entered into fairy-land himself, or who does not offer to carry 

 with him all those who will come. 



In conclusion, Mr. Patterson acknowledged his indebtedness 

 to Rev. John O'Hanlon, and other students of Irish Folk-lore, 

 for much of the matter contained in the foregoing paper. 



The next communication was " Items of Folk-lore, principally 

 from County Down," by Mrs. Blair, and was read by the junior 

 secretary. The writer stated that a great number of the fol- 

 lowing items of Irish Folk-lore had been familiar to her since 

 childhood, and that she had at that time and for many years a 

 considerable amount of faith in them. 



If the fire burns up at one side there is going to be a differ- 

 ence of opinion in the family, and if the centre burns away 

 some person is going to leave the house. 



A spark appearing on the side of the wick of a tallow candle 

 betokened a letter on its way to the person who was sitting 

 opposite to it. To find when the letter would arrive, a slight 

 knock was given to the candlestick ; if it went off at the first 

 knock the letter would arrive that day, but if not, then for every 

 knock required to displace the spark a day was counted 



A similar belief was mentioned in regard to soot hanging to 

 the bars of a grate having a connection with the visits of 

 strangers. 



When putting on feet-wear be sure not to put a stocking and 

 shoe on one foot before you put any on the other ; but put on 

 a stocking on one, and then the stocking on the other, and so 

 with the shoes ; if this is not attended to, you will surely walk 

 into mischief that day. 



