_Burning Fern brings Rain._--In a volume containing miscellaneous
collections by Dr. Richard Pococke, in the British Museum, MS. Add.
15,801, at fol. 33. is the copy of a letter written by Philip Herbert,
third Earl of Pembroke, Lord Chamberlain, to the Sheriff of
Staffordshire, which illustrates a curious popular belief of the period,
from which even the king was not free. It is as follows:
"Sr.--His Majesty taking notice of an opinion entertained in
Staffordshire, that the burning of Ferne doth draw downe rain, and
being desirous that the country and himself may enjoy fair weather
as long as he remains in those parts, His Majesty hath commanded
me to write unto you, to cause all burning of Ferne to bee
forborne, untill his Majesty be passed the country. Wherein not
doubting but the consideration of their own interest, as well as
of his Ma'ties, will invite the country to a ready observance of
this his Ma'ties command, I rest,
"Your very loving friend,
PEMBROKE AND MONTGOMERY.
"Belvoir, 1st August, 1636.
"To my very loving friend the
High Sheriff of the County
of Stafford."
Do any other writers of the time notice this "opinion," and do any
traces of it exist at present?
μ.