Note 52 — CHARMS AND SPELLS.
Reading edition
This is noticed by the Rev. W. Thornber in his History of Blackpool, p. 99; also in the Oxford Essays, 1858, p. 127; and the late Rev. James Dugan, M.A., T.C.D., informed the writer that the Irish midwives in Ulster use a very similar formula when visiting their patients. They first mark each corner of the house, on the outside, with a cross, and previously to entering repeat the following words:—
"There are four corners to her bed, Four angels at her head: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, God bless the bed that she lies on. New Moon, new Moon, God bless me, God bless this house and family."