Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-03-21
SUPERSTITION OF PAST AGES.

Plymouth, March II. -
SUPERSTITION OF PAST AGES.
s' -.'.,- A TALE OF THE TURKS. ,r- ~,
In no particular is the difference between the
dark ages and the present more clearly shown, than
by the superstition Of the former Now, education.
by developing the common sense of man, has dis
PEELED the misty vapor that bigory threw over his
mind and it would require the stolidity Of an idle
OF to believe at the present time, what in years
gone by it would have been the height Of heterO.
doxy 10 doubt. Formerly, man who was endow-
ed with genius and knowledge was considered q
magician. DR.. Botolo was seized by the Inquisi-
ton in the sixteenth century, for having cured a
nobleman of the gout-and the learned Frar Bacon
suspected, even by wise ecclesiastics, Of hav-
ing dealings with the devil. Diseases were impu-
ted to fascination, and hundreds of poor wretches
were dragged to the stake for being accessory to
them. Mercatus, physician to King Philip II. Of
Spain, relates that he had seen very beautiful
woman break q steel mirror to pieces, and blast
some trees with glance Of her eye. Josephus re-
lates that ne saw Jew, named Eleosor, draw the
devil out of an old woman's nose. by the applica-
ton of Solomons seal to it, in presence of the En-
peror Tespasian. DR.. Mynsight 10 said to have Gu
red many bewitched persons with plaster Of ASA
fetida. Some thought the evil spirit might con.
slider such an application As an insult. and run of
in passion--ofhegs very sagely observed, that as
S~ffS'9>NS w sAs'S SNe~S
they might have noses, too.
Even Luther, the great reformer, attributed
thunder and meteors to the devil. Such were a
few Of the supersttious notions and fears by which
great majority Of the human race were enslaved.
Can il be wondered at that 90 few of the learned,
or sensible, or ingenious, allowing they were then
in existence, dared to enlighten the world with
their knowledge or skill! How much in those days
would have been worth the life of Maelzel the in.
ventor Of the antomaton chess-playerl Or, indeed,
how long would it have been ere that benefacor Of
the human race, the inventor of locofoco matches,
would have been burnt at the stake, and the pile
lighted possibly by his own invention!
In connection with this, i will relate an anec-
dote / once heard in Europe. An Englishman Of
wealth some few years since was travelling in Tur
key-it was about the time the phosphorus match
es first came into use-you may recollect the little
red cases imported from France at that time, with
other TSe N 2p- w sa he had obtained
from the Sultan for his safe conduct he had lost -
and arriving at one of the border towns, he was
carried with his servants and effects before the
Aga, as a spy of the Russians. Vain were his as
sertions his pleadngs threats, or profered brides
to prison he must 60, until orders from CONSTANT.
nople could be received and his efforts were left in
possession of the Aga and his officers.
Curiosity, though not one Of the greatest attri-
butes of Turk, in this case became duty. and
his portmanteau and trunk were submitted to the
f0NSaCklnR
man generally consults his comfort. and this one,
knowing how little Of that article he should find
in the land he was visiting, had supplied himself
with all the articles Of necessity or luxury he could
conveniently carry with him. A small lamp, cha
fng dish, teapot, knife and fork, spoon. silver
tumbler, brushes for the head. teeth and flesh, ra-
zors, soap, wax tapers, and other sundries. with
shirts, dickeys bosoms, hosiery, boots, shoes and
night.csps, were thrown in admirable disorder be-
fore the assembled divan. These articles were
not unknown, at least to many Of the Mussulmen
present-but small tin case, opening with spring,
attracted the attention Of all in it. in six little
compartments, were six red paper boxes, one Of
which was placed in the hands Of the Aga for ex
animation The top was removed, and number
Of little sticks, their ends covered with compost
tion. met his eye-a conversation ensued as for
what purpose they could be used-at last he dis.
covered another end to the box. which beng open
ed, a vial scaled also with red, was disclosed.
A Turk is no fool, and finding both bottle and
sticks in the same box, he very naturally concluded
they had something to do with each other he &C.
cordingly. a. Christian would have done, inserted
the end Of the stick into the uncorked vial. A
light Kissing noise was heard, the stick was sud-
denly WITHDRAWN, and 10 flames! ALLAH n.
ALLAH r. burst from the thunder struck Aga-fhe
bog was dashed from his hand, and springing from
his carpet, he rushed. together with the crowd from
the room and the house. Z ~
When their alright was somewhat al,ateds since
they found no tremendous consequence mad lmme-
diafely ensued a consultation was held-but for
long time no one would venture near the haunted
room. Mastering courage, however. with pistols
cooked, ataghans in hand, led by their Chief, the
officers marched in battle array to the dreadful q
partment expecting doubt, to zee one OF the IA
Med eenii they had read Of in the Arabian tales
An awful silence ensued-the curtain was drawn,
and on the floor, where it was thrown BY the Aga.
Law the terrible machine. The Imaum was sent
for. and amid PRAYERS and in solemn procession,
guarded with Janissaries on both sides, the infer
mel machine" with its companions, fixed on iorked
poles was carried to the side othe river, and sunk
beneath ts surface. ,--.f ..-s-.
The Enelishuan was soon after released but
IA this ay, says the Informant the Turks have not
(oreotten the demon Of the Giaour.-Vesc Isl1T0r.
CHAPTER FOR YOUNG HUSBANDS.
.rhera 4 much truth-mnch sound and c0nvin-
c,ne argument, cestainlyin the following article.
hapded ma nv friend for qualification. The scsfes
a,ties . and the sCifIs delinquences," have been
harped upon by "the lords Of creation" time our
a mind. Now lend an ear to the ether side
walking with q valued friend the other days VINO
had been confined week or two oy slckne,s % ms
roam. he remarked that husband might learn .
900 leon by being confined occasionally TO bis
house. byhaving in this way an oppostunlty Of WIT
neaSn the cares and ending toilsof ms wiie
whoae burden. and duties, and patient endnrance
he might otherwise have never understood. There
4 great deal in this thought. perhaps enough ior
an sseditoEial." Men, especially young men. are
called 81 thair business during the day mostly y
wav from home. returning only st the hours foE
tine Of duty, they begin 20 think 4 Is Their own
lot % pssfssm al The drIdgeEy and to Be exs!cl-
ed with al The weight Il care end EepensiDsli'y