FIRST LITERARY EFFORTS 219 



them that these corpse candles are in great repute in Radnorshire, which 

 is not in the Diocese of St. Davids, and that there are the same appear- 

 ances under a different name in Ireland. 



A celebrated astrologer or conjurer, as he is called in Carmarthen- 

 shire, is a living proof of the superstition of the Welsh. This man has 

 printed cards, openly professing to cast nativities, etc., of one of which 

 the following is a literal copy: 



" Nativities Calculated, 



"In which are given the general transactions of the native through 

 life, viz. Description (without seeing the person), temper, disposition, 

 fortunate or unfortunate in their general pursuits, Honour, Riches, 

 Journeys and Voyages, success therein, and what places best to travel to 

 or reside in; Friends and Enemies, Trade or Profession best to follow 

 and whether fortunate in speculations, viz. Lottery, dealing in foreign 

 markets, &c, &c, &c. 



" Of Marriage, if to marry : — The description, temper and disposi- 

 tion of the person; from whence, rich or poor, happy or unhappy in 

 marriage, &c, &c, &c. Of children, whether fortunate or not, &c, 

 &c, &c. 



" Deducted from the influence of the Sun and Moon with the Plan- 

 etary Orbs at the time of birth. 



" Also judgment and general issue in sickness, disease, &c. By 

 Henry Harries. 



" All letters addressed to him or his father, Mr. John Harries, 

 Surgeon, Cwrtycadno, must be post paid or will not be received." 



He is, however, most generally consulted when money, horses, sheep, 

 etc., are stolen. He then, without inquiring the time of birth or any 

 other particulars, and without consulting the stars, pretends to know 

 who they are and what they come for. He is, however, generally not 

 at home, and his wife then treats them well, and holds them in conver- 

 sation till he returns, when he immediately gives them some particulars 

 of the neighbourhood they live in, and pretends to describe the person 

 who stole the goods and the house he lives in, etc., and endeavours to 

 frighten the thief by giving out that he will mark him so that everybody 

 shall know him. In some few cases this succeeds, the person, fearful of 

 the great conjurer's power, returns the goods, and the conjurer then 

 gets great credit. In other cases he manages to tell them something 

 which they cannot tell how he became aware of, and then even if noth- 

 ing more is heard of the goods, he still keeps up his fame. Two cases 

 have come under my own observation, in which the parties have gone, 

 in one case forty, the other sixty miles, to consult this man about some 

 stolen money; and though in neither case was the desired end obtained, 

 they were told so much about themselves that they felt sure he must 



