Part 45 (2/2)

Mrs. Jones, Rhydycroesau Rectory, informed me that an old man, David Roberts of Llanyblodwel, once came to her in deep grief, after the funeral of his grandchild, because he had forgotten to turn the bee-hive before the funeral started for the church. He said that he was in such distress at the loss of the child, that he had neglected to tell the bees of the death, and, said he, some other member of the family is now sure to go. He informed Mrs. Jones that he had turned the hive at the death of his old woman, and that consequently no death had followed hers in his family.

_Putting Bees in Mourning_.

This is done after a death in a family, and the bees are put into mourning by tying a piece of black ribbon on a bit of wood, and inserting it into the hole at the top of the hive.

_Stolen Bees_.

It was believed that stolen bees would not make honey, and that the hive which had been stolen would die.

_A Swarm entering a House_.

Should a swarm enter a house, it was considered unlucky, and usually it was a sign of death to someone living in that house.

The culture of bees was once more common than it is, and therefore they were much observed, and consequently they figure in the folk-lore of most nations.

_Cat_.

The cat was thought to be a capital weather gla.s.s. If she stood or lay with her face towards the fire, it was a sign of frost or snow; if she became frisky, bad weather was near. If the cat washed her face, strangers might be expected; and if she washed her face and ears, then rain was sure to come. A _black_ cat was supposed to bring luck to a house, thus:--

Cath ddu, mi glywais dd'wedyd, A fedr swyno hefyd, A chadw'r teulu lle mae'n hyw O afael pob rhyw glefyd.

A black cat, I've heard it said, Can charm all ill away, And keep the house wherein she dwells From fever's deadly sway.

Cats born in May, or May cats, were no favourites. They were supposed to bring snakes or adders into the house. This supposition has found utterance:--

Cathod mis Mai Ddaw a nadrodd i'r tai.

Cats born in May Bring snakes to the house.

In some parts the black cat was otherwise thought of than is stated above, for this injunction is heard:--

Na chadw byth yn nghylch dy dy Na cheiliog gwyn na chath ddu.

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