THE DEVONSHIRE ASH-TREE CHARM. 
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THE DEVONSHIRE ASH-TREE CHARM. 
COMPILED BY MR. W. PENGELLY, P.R.S., F.G.8. 
(Read March 20th, 1879.) 
I. Introductory. 
The following paper has for its basis a charm or observance con- 
nected with certain Ash trees, and supposed to be curative in the 
case of particular ailments. Though it was probably once prevalent 
throughout Britain, it has, perhaps, become extinct, except in 
Devonshire, where it still displays so much vitality as to entitle it 
now to the name of The Devonshire Ash-tree Charm. 
Having had an opportunity of getting very definite information 
respecting this charm when, so far as is known, it was last prac- 
tised in this county, I was led thereby to a rather extensive course 
of reading, in order, if possible, to obtain replies to the crowd of 
questions growing out of the subject ; and on this occasion I have 
little to offer beyond the somewhat numerous memoranda made 
from time to time, and which I have endeavoured to arrange in a 
more or less orderly sequence. 
II. The Charm. 
I. As practised at King swear, on the River Dart : — 
Having been informed that at Kingswear, opposite Dartmouth, 
Devonshire, a child had recently been passed through an artificial 
slit in an ash-tree, in order to effect a cure of some ailment, I 
forwarded a series of questions to a lady dwelling there, who was 
so good as to obtain categorical replies directly from the mother of 
the patient, and on May 9th, 1877, to send them to me. On the 
23rd of the same month, I had an interview with the parents, 
when I saw the child, and supplemented my information. 
The parents are natives of Devonshire, respectable intelligent 
members of the artisan class ; and the father is a journeyman 
carpenter. The child, a girl, was born on November 3rd, 1875, 
and being ruptured, it was speedily decided to " put her through 
