THE "BANSHEE."
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir,—Mr Dennis ton is mistaken in restricting the Banshee to Ireland. She has a place in the superstitions both of Ireland and of the Scottish Highlands. Surely, on a moment’s reflection, Mr Denniston will recall the line in Sir Walter Scott’s magnificent “ Lament of Maokrfmmon”—“ The Banshee’s wild voice sings the death-dirge before me.” Mr Haggitt’s use of the word was not felicitous. The Banshee was a female fairy whose shrieks were heard in anticipation of a death in any family to which she was warmly attached. To be writing on such a topic in connection with the awful calamity in the Octagon is somewhat suggestive of Nero fiddling when Rome was burning. If, however, in a case so grave, counsel learned in the law think fit to introduce, and after the lapse of a day deliberately correct such allusions, ignorant laymen may be pardoned for following suit.—l am, etc., A Scot Abroad. Dunedin, October 2.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 5172, 2 October 1879, Page 3
Word Count
161THE "BANSHEE." Evening Star, Issue 5172, 2 October 1879, Page 3
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