Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/195

187

 

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Legend of Slain Warriors.—I would refer Dr. Buchheim to my paper in the Folk-Lore Record, volume v. on the Mabinogi of Branwen, more especially to pages 5, 23, 29, 30, 31, and the supplementary note, pages 149, 150. For fuller discussion of the legend Dr. Buchheim should turn to Symons's edition of Gudrun, published last year at Halle. All the examples of the legend known to me as occurring in these islands are Celtic, and the majority are noticed in my paper. Alfred Nutt.

Syrian and Arab Folk-Lore.—The valuable book of Captain C. K. Conder, R.E., on Heth and Moah (London: Bentley, 1883), contains two chapters (ix. and xi.) on "Syrian Superstitions" and "Arab Folk-Lore," respectively, with notes on the following heads:—

Jewish: "Nail Cutting," p. 274. "Sanctification of the Moon," p. 275. "Hand of Might" (painted on doors, &c. for good luck), p. 275. "Birth Ceremonies," p. 276.

Syrian: "Marriage Customs (Maronite), pelting bride," p. 285. "Lucky Days" (Maronite), p. 285. "The Evil Eye," charm for, in the East, p. 286. "Passing through" (cf. "New Birth," Mr. W. G. Black's Folk Medicine); "Pillars," p. 292; "Palms," p. 292; "Doorways," p. 293; "Dolmens," p. 293; "Treading on thresholds unlucky," pp. 293-4.

Arab: "Trial by Ordeal," still in use, p. 343. "Legends," p. 346, et seq. "Colour in Folk-lore," pp. 286, 860, and 409.

Frederick E. Sawyer.

'Warwickshire Folk-Lore.—The following scrap of folk-lore is, I think, of interest, as it is recent, and I can vouch for its authenticity. A few months ago, in a village not far from Stratford-on-Avon, I noticed a quantity of chaff before a house door; on my return home I mentioned that I supposed so-and-so was moving, when I was at once met with the reply, "Because of the chaff at his door? Oh no, that is the way our people show their feelings for wife-beaters."