Notes & Queries Archive
NOTE1850

Bible and Key

By T. W. (Burnley)

Mr. Stevens's note on divination (Vol. i. p. 413.) reminds me of another use to which the bible and key are made subservient by the rustics in this locality. When some choice specimen of the "Lancashire Witches" thinks it necessary to decide upon selecting a suitor from among the number of her admirers, she not unfrequently calls in the aid of these auxiliaries to assist in determining her choice. Having opened the Bible at the passage in Ruth which states, "whither thou goest I will go," &c., and having carefully placed the wards of the key upon the verses, she ties the book firmly with a pie…

Topics: Divination, Historical Customs, Marriage Traditions

Locations: Lancashire