64 



RELICS OF POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 



Those who have resided in the I^orth, know that sales of cattle 

 were managed there about the year 1752 in a mode very different 

 from the present. At that period deputies were chosen by the 

 farmei^ of certain townships or districts, and these deputies chose 

 from among themselves, a commissioner of sufficient skill and 

 probity, to purchase in the Highlands or elsewhere, the required 

 number of cattle. When it was collected, and divided into pro- 

 portionable lots, the deputies assembled on the place where their 

 cattle stood, and each gave a piece of copper coin to one of the 

 drovers, who tossed them in his bonnet, and threw each piece to- 

 wards a lot of cattle. The farmers abided by this chance, and re- 

 ceived the lot to which their deputy's piece of money had been 

 thrown. Walter Lambert, having been selected to attend this 

 animal lottery as a representative of the wealthiest salesman in 

 his district, was compelled to leave home a few hours after his 

 midnight adventure; and, as the allotment of so many hundreds 

 necessarily took place on a very extensive moor, his imagination 

 shaped some fearful presentiments of personal danger. But he 

 forbore to alarm his good dame's superstition, and contented him- 

 self with strictly charging her to lock the castle gates with her 

 own hands, and deposit the keys under her pillow. No com- 

 mands could be received with more intention to obey ; but as the 

 nights were cold, and the court-yard gloomy. Dame Lambert en- 

 trusted the ofhce to her deputy in many important matters, a faith- 

 ful servant, who had held her trust forty years ; not in the fashion 

 of a modern domestic, but like an ancient Yorkshire hand- 

 maiden, making oatmeal pottage at five o'clock in the morning, 

 knitting hose for all the family, and spinning fine wool or thread 

 for future gowns, by her good mistress' side, on the kitchen long- 

 settle^ or wooden settee, without any" laxation, except a quarterly 

 dance, at a feast, in silver-buckled shoes and an everlasting chintz^ 

 or a lover's visit on the morning appropriated to the three joint 

 labours of washing, baking, and brewing. Therefore, it was not 

 surprising that Susan Pete was the repository of village supersti- 

 tions, and the oracle of the young castle-damsels in all matters of 

 legend and tradition. Nor did she affect much displeasure when 

 , her master's eldest daughter whispered in her ear, Nurse Susan, 

 my father will return to-morrow night, and I have not yet found 

 an ash -leaf with two points, or pulled an ivy-leaf with the ditty 



