XIV] FIRST LITERARY EFFORTS 219 



as corpse candle, and by the time he gets home the fright has enlarged 

 it into something marvellously supernatural, and the first corpse that 

 happens to be carried that way is considered to be the fulfilment of it. 



There is a general belief that if the person who meets a candle imme- 

 diately lies down on his back, he will see the funeral procession with 

 every person that will be present, and the corpse with the candle in his 

 hand. There are many strongly authenticated instances of this. One 

 man, on lying down in this manner, saw that it was himself who carried 

 the candle in his hand. He went home, went to bed, never rose from it, 

 but died in a week. These and numberless other stories of a similar 

 character foster the belief in these uneducated people ; indeed, it is so 

 general that you can hardly meet a person but can tell you of several 

 marvellous things he has seen himself, besides hundreds vouched for by 

 his neighbours. 



They have an account of the origin of this warning in the story of an 

 ancient Welsh bishop, who, while being burnt to death by the Catholics, 

 declared that if his religion was true, a candle should precede every death 

 in the Diocese of St. David's, going along the exact road the coffin would 

 be carried. They are very incredulous when you tell them that these 

 corpse candles are in great repute in Radnorshire, which is not in the 

 Diocese of St. David's, and that there are the same appearances under a 

 different name in Ireland. 



A celebrated astrologer or conjurer, as he is called in Carmarthenshire, 

 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 Calculatedy 



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 disposition 

 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. 



" Deduced from the influence of the Sun and Moon with the Planetary 

 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 



