Narratives from criminal trials in Scotland

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1852. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... at the windows. I had a little horse, and would cry 'HORSE AND HATTOCK IN THE DEVIL'S NAME,'* and when any see these straws in a whirl * The editor of these Confessions notices a curious confirmation from Aubrey's Miscellanies of this form of northern enchantment. He preserves a tradition how a Lord Duffus, who lived near this same Auldearn, while walking in his paternal fields was suddenly swept away, and was found in the King of France's wine-cellar, with a silver cup in his hand. According to the account of the family tutor who wrote to Aubrey, on being brought before the king and questioned as to his identity, this Scots lord "told his name, his country, and the place of his residence; and that on such a day of the month--which proved to be the day immediately preceding--being in the fields, he heard the noise of a whirlwind, and of voices crying ' horse and hattock' (this is the word which the fairies are said to use when they remove from any place), whereupon he cried ' Horse And Hattock' also, and was immediately caught up and transported through the air by the fairies to that place. Where, after he had drunk heartily he fell asleep, and before he awoke, the rest of the company were gone, and had left him in the posture wherein he was found. It is said that the king gave him the cup which was found in his hand and dismissed him." The person who communicated this story to Aubrey had made further inquiries in the Duffus family, and found that "there is yet an old silver cup in his lordship's possession still, which is called ' the fairy cup,' but has nothing engraven upon it except the arms of the family." The tutor who communicated these traditions, had his own story of personal experience to tell. It happened when he was a schoolboy at Forres, bu...