VILLAGE SUPERSTITIONS AND THE CORONATION.
[To THE EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTAT02.1 SiB,—The strange speculation as to the succession in the event of the King's illness having realised our worst fears, as mentioned by "C. W. W." in his interesting letter upon "Village Superstitions and the Coronation" in the Spectator of July 19th, was not confined to the West of England. A. few days after the news reached these parts I overheard a group of peasant fishermen discussing this subject. One was explaining the case to another, a very old man, thus:—" There will be a big war in England about who will be King. There is three factions in it : the King's wife, and the King's brother, and the King's son; all strong factions." "Which side is Ireland on P" asked the old man. " Oh ! Ireland is for the King's brother ! " was the reply. "An' he should get it; who has a better right to it nor the King's brother P" the old man said in a loud voice, looking round to see if any one would dare dispute it. I am very glad to be able to support the testimony of another correspondent as to the goodwill which is entertained by the peasantry in these parts towards the King. An old fisherman said to me : "I'd be rale sorry if anything happened to him. Sure, didn't I see him and spake to him myself ? A rale gentleman, that's what be is ! " This man, who had been brought over to a Fisheries Exhibition in London many years ago, had then seen and spoken to the King.—I am, Sir, Fec.. J. C. S.
West Dcineaal
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