once bought a cow of a neighbouring farmer. For some time the beast did very well, but at length did not "give down" her milk in a satisfactory manner. Somebody had "said words" for her, that was the reason. There was an irresistible method of undoing the evil. He milked the cow once through the loop of the sheep-shears. That made it all right.—Somerset County Herald, 6 Jan. 1883.
QUERIES.
Tom Hickathrift.—Is this hero-name known to any other national legends besides English? G. L. Gomme.
Bibliography.—During my researches for the Bibliography of Folk-lore, I have come across some old poems and plays entirely devoted to, and sometimes bearing the title of, Witches and Fairies. I want to add the titles of these poems or dramas to the Bibliography, and should be glad of any references to complete my list. G. L. Gomme.
NOTICES AND NEWS.
Neue Sagen aus der Mark Brandenburg. Von C. Handtmann. Berlin, 1883. (London: D. Nutt.) 8vo. pp. vi. 263.
The Mark of Brandenburg possesses a folk-lore of a peculiarly varied and interesting character. Battle-field of Slave and Teuton, of Christianity and Heathenism, of the Prussian monarchy and the various enemies it has had to encounter, the Mark has retained both mythological and historical traditions of singular richness and value. It thus happens that, even after the works of Schwartz and Müller, of Temme and Voigt, of Veckenstedt and Schulenburg, Mr. Handt-
