ransaction. The established formula consists in the
charmer's crossing the part affected, and whispering over it certain
mysterious words--doubtless varied according to the disorder, but the
import of which I have never been able to learn; for as there is a very
prevalent notion that, if once disclosed, they would immediately lose
their virtue, the possessors are generally proof against persuasion or
bribery. In some cases it is customary for the charmer to "bless" or
hallow cords, or leathern thongs, which are given to the invalids to be
worn round the neck. An old woman living at a village near Brackley has
acquired a more than ordinary renown for the cure of agues by this
means. According to her own account, she received the secret from the
dying lips of her mother; who, in her turn, is said to have received it
from her's. As this old dame is upwards of ninety, and still refuses to
part with her charm, the probability of it perishing with her, forms a
constant theme of lamentation among her gossips. It must not be imagined
that these ignorant people make a trade of their supposed art. On the
contrary, it is believed that any offer of pecuniary remuneration would
at once break the spell, and render the charm of no avail; and though it
must be admitted that the influence and position naturally accruing to
the possessor of such attributes, affords a sufficient motive for
imposture, yet I think, for the most part, they may be said to be the
dupes of their own credulity, and as fully convinced of their own
infallibility as can be the most credulous of their admirers.

The following are a few of the more common traditionary charms (used
without having recourse to the charmer) at present current among the
rural population of this district.

_Warts._--Take one of the large black snails, which are to be found
during summer in every hedgerow, rub it over the wart, and then hang it
on a thorn. This must be done nine nights successively, at the end of
which times the wart will completely disappear. For as the snail,
exposed to such cruel treatment, will gradually wither away, so it is
believed the wart, being impregnated with its matter, will slowly do the
same.

_Wens._--After a criminal is dead, but still hanging, his hand must be
rubbed thrice over the wen. (Vide _Brand_, vol iii. p. 153.) Many
persons are still living who in their younger days have undergone the
ceremony, always, they say, attended with complete success. O