REPORTS. 313 



open to such beliefs, the fact that one event follows the other, 

 becomes twisted into the conviction that therefore the one is 

 caused by or wrought-out by the other. 



One branch of Guernsey Folklore which very badly 

 needs working up — if it be not already too late — is the 

 collection and recording of the ancient Folk-stories that, in 

 years gone by, figured so prominently at social gatherings on 

 the Long Night, or at other similar festive or family reunions. 

 There used to be in every parish, one or more men or women, 

 who possessed a marvellous stock of these wonder-stories, 

 which they narrated with a considerable degree of skill, 

 greatly to the delight of their auditors. The narrator was 

 often the village shoemaker or tailor — or in the case of 

 women, perhaps the dressmaker. They used to go out to work 

 at the homes of their different customers in turn, and the 6 oft 

 told tales ' with which they enlivened their labour, added much 

 to the general enjoyment of the occasion. In fact, I have 

 often been told that this Folklore budget was really a valuable 

 commercial asset ; because, other things being equal, the 

 out-worker who enjoyed the reputation of being a skilled 

 and graphic story-teller, had important preferential chances 

 of employment, beyond what fell to the lot of trade rivals 

 who though, perhaps, quite as skilful with the needle, were not 

 equally gifted as trouveres and folklorists. I am afraid, however, 

 that all these interesting old worthies have long since passed 

 away, and doubtless the flight of time has also destroyed the 

 traces of most of their strange and weird legends. But if 

 any of the latter do yet remain — though in but a fragmentary 

 form — I hope any of our members who meet with them, will 

 carefully jot down the details. 



I recently came upon a local transcript of a ' charm ' for 

 curing the toothache. The ' charm ' is widely known in 

 England, but this is the only copy of it that I have seen in 

 Guernsey. The very erratic spelling, &c, of the original 

 has been corrected in the following version : — 



" As Peter sat weeping by the gate of Jerusalem, Jesus passed by. 

 Jesus said unto Peter: 'What aileth thee?' Peter said: 'I am 

 suffering with toothache.' Jesus said : ' Rise up and follow me, and I 

 will ease thee of thy pain ; and all them that will carry these few lines 

 for my name's sake. Amen.' " 



I have also lately met with and noted several other 

 examples of folk-medicine including remedies for whooping- 

 cough, also cures for boils and abscesses, cramp, warts, &c. 



J. Linwood Pitts, Sec. Folklore Sect. 



