Hom Mooar

A farmer belonging to the parish of Malew returning homeward from Peel, was benighted in the intervening mountains and lost his way: after wandering, he knew not where, he was insensibly led by the sound of sweet music into a large hall, where were a great number of little people sitting round a table, eating and drinking in a very jovial manner. Among them were some faces whom he thought he had formerly seen; but forbore taking any notice of them, or they of him, till the little people offering him drink, one of them, whose features seemed not unknown to him, plucked him by the coat and forbade him, whatever he did, to taste anything he saw before him; for if you do, added he, you will be as I am and return no more to your family. The poor man was much affrighted, but resolved to obey the injunction: accordingly a large silver cup, filled with some sort of liquor, being put into his hand, he found an opportunity to throw what it contained to the ground. On which the music ceased, and all the company instantly disappeared, leaving the cup in his hand. He returned home and communicated to the minister of the parish all that had happened, and asked his advice how he should dispose of the cup; to which the parson replied, he could not do better than devote it to the service of the church: and this very cup, they tell me, is that which is now used for the consecrated wine in Kirk Malew.