FOLK LORE.

Lincolnshire Folk Lore. —The following, illustrating as it does a superstition still very prevalent in Lincolnshire, may interest some of your readers. I transcribed it a few days ago in the British Museum from Holly's Lincolnshire Notes, vol. iii. fol. 358.:—

"The other I receaued from Mr. Thomas Codd, minister of Laceby in Linc, wĉh he gave under his owne hand; he himself being a native of ye place where this same happened, and it was thus:

"At Axholme, alias Haxey, in ye Isle, one Mr. Edward Vicars (curate to Mr. Wm. Dalby, vicar), together with one Robert Hallywell a taylor, intending on St. Marke's even at night to watch in ye church porch to see who shoud die in ye yeare following (to this purpose using divers ceremonies), they addressing themselues to the busines, Vicars (being then in his chamber) wished Hallywell to be going before and he would pŝently follow him. Vicars fell asleep, and Hallywell (attending his coming in ye church porch) forthwith sees certaine shapes pŝnting themselves to his view, resemblances (as he thought) of diuers of his neighbours, who he did nominate; and all of them dyed the yeare following; and Vicars himselfe (being asleep) his phantome was seen of him also, and dyed with ye rest. This sight made Hallywell so agast that he looks like a Ghoast ever since. The lord Sheffield (hearing this relation) sent for Hallywell to receiue account of it. The fellow fearing my Lord would cause him to watch the church porch againe he hid himselfe in the Carrs till he was almost starued. The number of those that died (whose phantasmes Hallywell saw) was as I take it about fower score.

"Tho. Cod, Rector Ecclie de Laceby."

EDWARD PEACOCK.

Bottesford Moors, Messingham, Kirton in Lindsey.