A remarkable instance of credulity only the other day came from the
East End of London, which, happening in the twentieth century, is too
astonishing not to be recorded here. A young Jewess sought the aid
of a Russian "wise woman" to bring the husband back who had
deserted her. The process was a little complicated. Eighteen
pennyworth of candles stuck all round with pins were burned. Pins
also had to be sewn into the lady's garments, and some "clippings"
from a black cat had to be burned in the fire. The cost of these
mysterious charms altogether amounted to nearly six pounds, which
was expensive considering the truant husband did not return. During
some recent alterations to an old house near
[Pg 133]
Kilrush, Ireland, beneath the flooring was discovered a doll dressed to
personify a woman against whom a former occupant owed a deadly
grudge. It was stabbed through the breast with a dagger-shaped
hairpin, which presumably it was hoped would bring about a more
speedy death than the slower process of melting a diminutive waxen
effigy.