Through the kindness of J. S. Crompton, Esq. I have received the account of a very curious old Yorkshire spell discovered at his patrimonial estate of Eschott, between Leeds and Bradford, on the left or north bank of the river Aire. Mr. Crompton writes, “My father had a tenant at Eschott, by name John Gill, who died an old man. Upon his death an old cow-house was taken down to be replaced by a new one. Over every cow’s head in a hole was a paper on which was written:
Omni Spiritones laudent Dominum
habentu Mosa et Prophetores
Excugat Deus et dissipentur
Manu segas amori.
Fiat. Fiat. Fiat.
My brother has the paper now, for only one was perfect. The others had been eaten by mice.
When they were found all the folks said, “Aye, old Gill was always lucky wi’ his kye. He never lost a beast. It mun be a powerfu’ writing.”
I add a charm for the bite of a mad dog, communicated to me by the kindness of Professor Marecco:
To be written on an apple or a piece of fine white bread:
O King of Glory, come in peace,
Pax, Max, and Max,
Hax, Max, Adinax, opera chudor.
To be swallowed three mornings fasting.
