True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-10-07
VOL. 3.-NUMBER 40
THE DEATH-WATCH.

A very common superstition, by no
means confined to the vulgar and ignorant.a
relates to what is often called the ''death
watch" In general, superstilious notions
are not entirely without foundation, but,
have some basis in the observation Of ma
ture orin coincidence offacls, upon which
the fears, or imagination Of mankind builds
larger conclusions than the premisesjusti.
lfy Accurate examination and scientific
research lead to the dissipation Of such
delusi0ns, and exhibit at once their cause
and their folly. Here for example, is a.
minute insect, almost imperceptiole to
the naked eye, and yet its ticking has
disturbed the quiet and rest ofmany a
couch, and filled many bosom With
dark forebodings. Beating with regular
ity and precision likes a fine, well timed
watch. in the stiffness Of the night, its
sound strikes the ear with clearness, and
The attention is aroused and strained to
discover the cause. It ceases, and then
vito regular measure resumes its pulsa.'
tion-cick, click, click--and the alright.
ed listener begins 10 imagine those wart.'
ings which he has heard recorded in IA
, Bile and idle story. until by-and.by hisi
vigils tire, and ne passes away into
dreamlaud, where his terrors soon find
shape in some horrid phantasy. .Atropos
pulsateious, such is the name Of the litA
tie creature, the origin of all this mischief
an insect quite as ugly looking as It's
!, name. 1t has white soft shell, ihere
:. are soft SHELLS as we'll as hard shells a.
% mong insects, its body is covered with
g short hairs, bris.ling horribly, seen with
= the microscope; its six legs, long antenne
. and fierce eyes, complete the forbidding
;, appearance Now it jerks its head sud.
= denly upwards aud backwards, and strikes
. it against ho-ny ring or collar about tho
' shoulders, and tick. tick, click, click, ths
b rythm begins and is prolonged through
! the still hours Of the night. tss
" Certainly" says one, certainly
. there can BIZ nothing more melancholy
= than this time. piece; so measured, as
% distinct, and as we now write, among the
y small hours Of the night, our Imagination
- makes US pause 10 count, as it recedes
- - fainter and fainter, like the very echo Of
y, old Tines footsteps as he ,reads the
!. minutes down then again advancing al.
!. most to oul ear, beating out the warning.
- "Time is flying away. away-hark am
n n | not telling thee how feat the moments
q hy," and if our heart saddens at this cer-
!. tain knowledge, reason, and faith, and
ID trust in God. will not allow us. to pause
,e for an instant to peer into the dark future,
20 to seek out what evil this insignificant
link in creation can foretell to ,errify
those who wait upon the Lord; knowing
he performs his intentions without the
u Intervention Of message or word, il ye
'e believe not the Scriptures, neither will
y ye believe even should one rise from the
er dead" Sir Thomas Brown, in his
u Vulgar Errors" lays great stress upon
Il this superstition; he adds-"He whe
81 could eradicate this tsrror from the minds
lg of the people, would save from many a
l cold sweat the me,iculous heads Of nurses
le and grandmothers," and we may add
g; grandfathers, for we have seen many 4
!; Stout man turn pale when the mimic
u' stroke wonld strike upon his ear:--Sci
C. ence has been preaching the folly Of thi'
he superstition for many a year,but the
H. charmer will not be needed, charm she
IT, ever SO wisely.-PrOt. Churlchman.