An Ashen herding stick is preferred by Scotch boys to any other, because in throwing it at their cattle it is sure not to strike in a vital part, and so kill or injure the animal, a contingency which may occur, it seems, with other sticks. It is worthy of note that the _lituus_ of the Roman Augur--a staff with a crook at one end--was formed of an Ash-tree bough, the crook being sometimes produced naturally, but more often by artificial means. In many parts of England, the finding of an even Ash-leaf is considered to be an augury of good luck; hence the old saying, so dear to tender maids-- “If you find an even Ash or a four-leaved Clover, Rest assured you’ll see your true-love ere the day is over.” In Cornwall, this charm is frequently made use of for invoking good luck:-- “Even Ash I thee do pluck, Hoping thus to meet good luck. If no good luck I get from thee, I shall wish thee on the tree.” In Henderson’s ‘Northern Folk-lore,’ occur the following lines regarding the virtues of even Ash-leaves:-- “The even Ash-leaf in my left hand, The first man I meet shall be my husband. The even Ash-leaf in my glove, The first I meet shall be my love. The even Ash-leaf for my breast, The first man I meet’s whom I love best. The even Ash-leaf in my hand, The first I meet shall be my man.” “Even Ash, even Ash, I pluck thee, This night my true love for to see; Neither in his rick nor in his rear, But in the clothes he does every day wear.” It is a tradition among the gipsies that the cross our Saviour was crucified upon was made of Ash. In Devonshire, it is customary to burn an Ashen faggot at Christmastide, in commemoration of the fact that the Divine Infant at Bethlehem was first washed and dressed by a fire of Ash-wood. The Yule-clog or -log which ancient custom prescribes to be burnt on Christmas Eve, used to be of Ash: thus we read in an old poem:-- “Thy welcome Eve, loved Christmas, now arrived, The parish bells their tuneful peals resound, And mirth and gladness every breast pervade. The ponderous Ashen-faggot, from the yard, The jolly farmer to his crowded hall Conveys with speed; where, on the rising flames (Already fed with store of massy brands), It blazes soon; nine bandages it bears, And, as they each disjoin (so custom wills), A mighty jug of sparkling cider’s brought With brandy mixt, to elevate the guests.” Spenser speaks of the Ash as being “for nothing ill,” but the tree has always been regarded as a special attractor of lightning, and there is a very old couplet, which says:-- “Avoid an Ash, It courts the flash.”