Notes and Queries, Number 207, October 15, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Number 207, October 15, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
Col. Churchill, although furnishing the amplest account which has yet
appeared of the Druse religion, secretly held under the colour of
Mahometanism, has referred very sparingly to the catechisms of this sect,
which, being for the especial instruction of the two degrees of
monotheists, constitute the most authentic source of accurate knowledge of
their faith and practices, and which are to be found in the original
Arabic, with a German translation in Eichhorn's _Repertorium_ (xii. 155.
202.). In the same work (xiv. 1., xvii. 27.), Bruns (Kennicott's colleague)
has furnished from Abulfaragius a biography of the Hakem; and Adler (xv.
265.) has extracted, from various oriental sources, historical notices of
the founder of the Druses.
The subject is peculiarly interesting at the present juncture, as it is
probable that the Chinese religious movement, partaking of a peculiar kind
of Christianity, may have originated amongst the Druses, who appear from
Col. Churchill to have been in expectation of some such movement in India
or China in connexion with a re-appearance of the Hakem.
T. J. BUCKTON.
Birmingham.
* * * * *
FOLK LORE.
_Legends of the County Clare._--_How Ussheen_ (_Ossian_) _visited the Land
of_ "_Thiernah Ogieh_" (_the Country of perpetual Youth_).--Once upon a
time, when Ussheen was in the full vigour of his youth, it happened that,
fatigued with the chace, and separated from his companions, he stretched
himself under a tree to rest, and soon fell asleep. "Awaking with a start,"
he saw a lady, richly clothed and of more than mortal beauty, gazing on
him; nor was it long until she made him understand that a warmer feeling
than mere curiosity had attracted her; nor was Ussheen long in responding
to it. The lady then explained that she was not of mortal birth, and that
he who wooed an immortal bride must be prepared to encounter dangers such
as would appal the ordinary race of men. Ussheen, without hesitation,
declared his readiness to encounter any foe, mortal or immortal, that might
be opposed to him in her service. The lady then declared herself to be the
queen of "Thiernah Ogieh," and invited him to accompany her thither and
share her throne. They then set out on their journey, one in all respects
similar to that undertaken by Thomas the Rhymer and the queen of Faerie,
and having overcome all obstacles, arrived at "the land of perpetual
youth," where all the delights of the terrestrial paradise were thrown open
to Ussheen, to be enjoyed with only one restriction. A broad flat stone was
pointed out to him in one part of the palace garden, on which he was
forbidden to stand, under penalty of the heaviest misfortune. One day,
however, finding himself near the fatal stone, the temptation to stand on
it became irresistible, and he yielded to it, and immediately found himself
in full view of his native land, the existence of which he had forgotten
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