_Lincolnshire Folk Lore._--The following, illustrating as it does a
superstition still very prevalent in Lincolnshire, may interest some of
your readers. I transcribed it a few days ago in the British Museum from
Holly's _Lincolnshire Notes_, vol. iii. fol. 358.:--
"The other I receaued from Mr. Thomas Codd, minister of Laceby in
Linc, w[=c]h he gave under his owne hand; he himself being a
native of ye place where this same happened, and it was thus:
"At Axholme, alias Haxey, in ye Isle, one Mr. Edward Vicars
(curate to Mr. Wm. Dalby, vicar), together with one Robert
Hallywell a taylor, intending on St. Marke's even at night to
watch in ye church porch to see who shoud die in ye yeare
following (to this purpose using divers ceremonies), they
addressing themselues to the busines, Vicars (being then in his
chamber) wished Hallywell to be going before and he would
p[=s]ently follow him. Vicars fell asleep, and Hallywell
(attending his coming in ye church porch) forthwith sees certaine
shapes p[=s]nting themselves to his view, resemblances (as he
thought) of diuers of his neighbours, who he did nominate; and all
of them dyed the yeare following; and Vicars himselfe (being
asleep) his phantome was seen of him also, and dyed with ye rest.
This sight made Hallywell so agast that he looks like a Ghoast
ever since. The lord Sheffield (hearing this relation) sent for
Hallywell to receiue account of it. The fellow fearing my Lord
would cause him to watch the church porch againe he hid himselfe
in the Carrs till he was almost starued. The number of those that
died (whose phantasmes Hallywell saw) was as I take it about fower
score.
"Tho. Cod, Rector Ecclie de Laceby."