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Page 11
_Hen and Chickens._--In a parish adjoining Dartmoor is a green fairy
ring of considerable size, within which a black hen and chickens are
occasionally seen at nightfall.
The vicar of a certain Devonshire parish was a distinguished student of
the black art, and possessed a large collection of mysterious books and
manuscripts. During his absence at church, one of his servants visited
his study, and finding a large volume open on the desk, imprudently
began to read it aloud. He had scarcely read half a page when the sky
became dark, and a great wind shook the house violently; still he read
on; and in the midst of the storm the door flew open, and a black hen
and chickens came into the room. They were of the ordinary size when
they first appeared, but gradually became larger and larger, until the
hen was of the bigness of a good sized ox. At this point the vicar
suddenly closed his discourse, and dismissed his congregation, saying he
was wanted at home, and hoped he might arrive there in time. When he
entered the chamber the hen was already touching the ceiling. But he
threw down a bag of rice, which stood ready in the corner; and whilst
the hen and chickens were busily picking up the grains, he had time to
reverse the spell.--(Ceridwer takes the form of a hen in the _Hanes
Taliesin_.) I believe a hen and chickens is sometimes found on the
bosses of early church roofs. A sow and pigs certainly are. A black sow
and pigs haunt many cross roads in Devonshire.
* * * * *
The _Dewerstone_ is a lofty mass of rock rising above the bed of the
Plym, on the southern edge of Dartmoor. During a deep snow, the traces
of a naked human foot and of a cloven hoof were found ascending to the
highest point. The valley below is haunted by a black headless dog.
Query, is it Dewerstone, Tiwes-tun, or Tiwes-stan?--(Kemble's _Saxons_,
vol. i. p. 351.)
* * * * *
The great Cromlech at Drewsteignton is said to have been erected by
three _spinsters_ (meaning _spinners_); another legend says by three
young men. The first is the more usual saying. The Cromlech is generally
called "The Spinster's Rock." Rowe (_Dartmoor_, p. 99.) suggests that
the three spinsters were the Valkyrien, or perhaps the Fates. He is no
doubt right.
* * * * *
Rock and stone legends abound. A great quoit on the top of Heltor is
said to have been thrown {513} there by the Devil during fight with King
Arthur. Adin's Hole (Etin's) is the name of a sea cavern near Torquay;
another is Daddy's Hole. The Devil long hindered the building of
Buckfastleigh Church, which stands on the top of a steep hill. A stone,
at about the distance of a mile, has the marks of his finger and thumb.
The stone circles, &c. on Dartmoor, are said to have been made "when
there were wolves on the hills, and winged serpents in the low lands."
On the side of Belstone Tor, near Oakhampton, is a small grave circle
called "Nine Stones." It is said to dance every day at noon.
* * * * *
Whoever shall find the treasure hidden in Ringmore Down, may plough with
a golden plough-share, and yoke his oxen with golden cross-sticks.
R.J.K.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
The following carol has not, I believe, been printed in any of the
modern collections; certainly it is not in those of Mr. Sandys and Mr.
Wright. It is copied from Ad. MS. Brit. Mus. 15,225, a manuscript of the
time of James I. It may, perhaps, bethought appropriate for insertion in
your Christmas number. I have modernised the orthography.
A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY.
Rejoice, rejoice, with heart and voice,
For Christ his birth this day rejoice.
1.
From Virgin's womb to us this day did spring
The precious seed that only saved man;
This day let man rejoice and sweetly sing,
Since on this day salvation first began.
This day did Christ man's soul from death remove,
With glorious saints to dwell in heaven above.
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