The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-10-31
FATE DAYS.

II is difficult puzzle 70 reconcile the
existence Of certain supcrs,itiUns that
continue u have wide influence with
the enlightenment Of the nineteenth
century. When We have read glowing
paragraphs about the wonderful prog
r.ss accomplished by the present gene
ration; when We have regarded the 81
an. machinery j" operation for the cul'
turc Of the people--moved, in great
part. by the collective power Of indi-
vidual charity; when We have examin-
ed tho stupcndOus results Of human
genius and ingenuity which are now
laid bare to the lowiicst in the realm;
we turn back, it mus, be confessed, with
. mournful despondency, to mark the
dcbasing influence Of the old supersu-
tons which have survived TO the pres.
en-, time.
The supcrsiilions OF Tie anci.nts for.
med part Of their religion. They con
suited oraclcs as now men pray. The
i,ars were the arbiters Of their fortunes.
Natural phenomena. rs lightning and
hurricanes, were to them, awful express
sions Of the anger of their particular
dsitics. They had their dies a'ri and
their dies alb the former were mark
ed down in the calendars with a black
character, to denote ill-luck, and the
latter were painted in white characters
to signify brigh, and propi,ious days.
They followed the fnger-posis Of their
teachers. Faith give dignity TO the
iene,s Of the star-gazer and fire-wor-
,hipers.
1he priests Of old taught their disci-
Pies to regard six particular days in the
year as days fraugh, with unusual dan.
Ger to mankind. Men were enjoined
bot TO let blood on these black days, nor
10 imbibc any liquid. II was devouily
believed ,ha, he who ate goose on one
Of these black days would surely die
within forty more and that any little
stranger who made his appearance on
one of the dies atri would surely die
in9ul and violent death. Men were fur
her enjoincd 10 let blood from theil
rsb, arm on the seventh or fourteenth
ot March; from the left arm on The
eleventh Of April and from either arm
or the third or sixth OF May, that the,
might avoid pcs,ilent;al diseases. 1hes'
tarbaric observances, when brought be
fore people in illustrations OF the men
ul darkness OF The ancients, are cons'd
erred a, once 10 bc proof positive OF thei'
stiee, condition. We thereuPon eon
gt.ialA,ed ourselves upon living in the
Liaeisen,h century when such foolish
ssp*r.ii,ioas arc laughed nj; and per
k,ps our vanity 10 not little ha,iers'
,, the coutrs., which presents itself, be
tween our oxn highly cultivated con
sa,on. and the wrci ched state Of our MI
cesors.
Yet Mrs. Fiirnmins will not under
tale = seavoyage on FRIDAY no
would she on any account allow he
eAosh,er Mary 10 be married on tbs
Day OF the week. She has great PIT
sor The poor Red Indian who will not &
certain things while the moon present
4 serain appearance. and who assae
~ sorts Of powers 10 poor dumb brute
!a Il her cat purrs more than usual, 81
sospts the warning, and abandons n
snp she irsa promised herself On III
scsrow.
Mis- Nippers subscribes largely TO u
sand icr ersdicsaing superstitions fro'
ns minds Il the Wreschea isashstsn
Il kAnseAs6ks asa while sbe b q
u sAnng the sdvansagcs 10 be derive