Rev. J. W. Dunn o?^ the Ancient Vill of WarJiWorth. 419 



exemption from the evil influence, to clasp the hand over the 

 thumb. In corroboration of all this, I may record, that to 

 this day the red berries of the mountain ash form the principal 

 decoration of my autumnal outlook ; and hither, in the season, 

 the thrushes and blackbirds, from all the country round, mute 

 indeed, but welcome, resort for provender so long as a single 

 bunch remains dependent from my trees. 



The fear of witches muse have lingered longer here than 

 in other places, for when I entered into possession of the 

 living, in 1853, a number of what are here called self-holed 

 stones, that is, stones with an accidental hole through their 

 centre, such as we occasionally meet with on the sea-beach, 

 probably bores made by the shell Saxicava, were found in the 

 pantry and out-buildings. On inquiring as to their use it was 

 replied that they were there to keep out the witches. It is 

 strange in how many places, widely separated from each other, 

 similar stories regarding witches are told. The one Avhich 

 follows, and which is localised at Acklington, I have also 

 heard in Yorkshire. It is reported that an old wife at Ackling- 

 ton, who had gained an unenviable notoriety for being un- 

 canny, was, once upon a time, upon the point of being detected 

 in some mischief peculiar to her supposed unlawful dealings, 

 when, through fear of discovery, she used her last of spells, 

 and transformed herself into a hare. The weird animal was 

 hotly pursued, and eventually wounded by a ragged stone. 

 It was lost sight of in the neighhourhood of the cottage of the 

 reputed witch ; but, on the following morning, was tracked 

 to her door hy the drops of blood. On entering, the pursuers 

 found, not a hare, but the old wife ill in bed with a sore leg. 

 And thus did she obtain the somewhat questionable preemi- 

 nence of being regarded as the head witch of Acklington. 



Some years ago, a fragment of a Roman altar was found in 

 a field near Wark worth, an account of which has been given 

 by Mr. Dickson in our Transactions ; and such names as 

 Chester House, Street Head, and Gloster Hill, suggest further 

 traces of Roman occupation in the district. Evidences are 

 also forthcoming of denizens of these localities of a much 

 earlier date, of whom, notices may be found elsewhere. In 

 order to elicit inquiry, it may be well to notice the name of a 

 farm at Acklington, viz., Cavil Head. This may have been a 

 corruption of Gavel Head, highest land, as the situation indi- 

 cates. But into what fields of romance we might enter by 

 supposing that "Cavil" is the local word for casting lots; 

 and that in years long ago, before railways, before coaches, 



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