Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-10-27

bottom, while the lighter shoot up into the
water, from which they are distinguished by
their opacity, into a variety of fantastic
shapes, resembling towers and domes, towns
fleets, and forests or, to speak more cor
rectly, into forms not very unlike those ici-
cles which one sees during severe frost
at the edge of waterfall. A resemblance
is next traced, which is termed reading the
glass, between the images displayed in it
and some objects of either art or nature; and
these are regarded as constituting hero
glyphic of the persons future fortunes.-
Thus, the ramparts of fortress surmount-
ed by streamers, plain covered with ar
mics, or the tents Of an encapment, show
that the female whose hand covered the
glass is to be united to soldier, and that
her life is to be spent in camps and garrl-
sons. A fleet of ships, church or pulpit.
half-fnished building, field stripped into
furrows, garden, a forest,-all these, and
fifty other scenes, afford symbols equally
unequivocal. And there are melancholy
hieroglyphics too, that speak of death when
interrogated regarding marriage there are
the solitary tomb, the fringed shroud the
coffin, and the skull and cross-bones.-
'Ah !" SAID young girl, whom overheard
few years ago regretting the loss OF de-
ceased companion, "Ah | knew when she
first took ill that there was little to hope.-
Last Halloween we went together to Mrs
- to break our egg. Betsies was first
cast and there rose under her hand an ug-
ly skull. Mrs. - said nothing, but re-
versed the glass, while poor Betsie lalc her
hand on it a second time, and then there rose
coffin. Mrs. called it boat, and
said | saw the oars; but Mrs. - well
knew what it meant, and so did l."
The other north country charm, which,
of Celtic origin, bears evidently the impress
of the romance and melancholy so predom-
inant IN the Celtic character, is only known
and practiced Gf, indeed, still lpracliced any
where) in few places of the remote High
lands. The person who intends trying it
must steal out unperceived to field whose
burrows lie due south and north, and, en-
terng at the western side, must proceed
slowly over eleven ridges, and stand in the
centre of the twelfth, when he will hear
either low sobs and faint mourning shrieks,
which betoken his early death, or the sounds
of music and dancing, which foretell his
marriage. But the charm is accounted dan
gerous. About twelve years ago, | spent
an autumn in the mid Highlands of Ross
shire, where passed my Halloween, with
nearly dozen young people, at farm
house. We burned nuts and ate apples !;
and when we had exhausted our stock of
both, some of US proposed setting out for
the steading of neighborng farm, and
robbing the garden of its cabbages but the
motion was overruled by the female mem
bers of the party for the night was pitch
dark, and the way rough; and so we had
recourse for amusement to story-telling.-
Naturally enough, most Of our stories were
of Halloween rites and predictions; and
much was spoken regarding the charm of
the rig. Ihad never before heard oft; and,
out of frolic, stole away to field, whose
furrows lay in the proper direction, and al
ter pacing steadily across the ridges until
had reached the middle of the twelfth, |
stood and listened. But spirits were not
abroad Il heard only the wind groaning in
the woods, and the deep sulen roar of the
Conan. On my return was greeted with
exclamatons Of wonder and terror, and 1t
was remarked that looked deadly pale,
and had certainly heard something very
terrible "But whatever you may have
been threatened with" said the author OF
the remark, "you may congratulate your
self on being among us in your right mind;
for there are instances of people returning
from the twelfth rig raving mad; and oil
others who vert to it as light of heart as
you, who never returned at all.'-SceneS
and Le0rnds of ,ScoLlnnA=HMgh MilLer.