the Traditions connected with it. 



333 



driven from his habitation. When his chattels were already in 

 the cart, he was accosted in good Yorkshire, by a neighbour, with 

 V I see you 're flatting." The reply came from Hob, out of the 

 deep upright churn, " Aye, aye Georgie, we're flatting ye see." 

 Upon which the farmer, concluding that change of abode would 

 not quit him of the demon, turned his horse's head homeward. 1 



As Professor Phillips observes, " this story is in substance the 

 same as that narrated on the Scottish Border, and in Scandinavia ; 

 and may serve to show for how long a period and with what con- 

 formity, even to the play on the vowel, some traditions may be 

 preserved in secluded districts." 



It is only necessary to add that the story of Wayland and his 

 Smithy shows the importance, in connexion with the history of the 

 ancient pagan belief of our country, of collecting and putting on 

 record all local traditions — wherever found and however idle 

 they may appear — before the progress of modern education and 

 enlightenment shall have entirely eradicated them. Such legends 

 belong to those " antiquities or remnants of history " to which Lord 

 Bacon alludes, when he encourages " industrious persons, out of 

 monuments, names, traditions, fragments of stories, and the like, 

 to save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time." 



1 Tennyson has adapted this story, in his poem of " Walking to the Mail." 



Erratum. 



Page 225, 5 lines from the bottom, for " 1672," read " 1692." 



