The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-10-11
WONDERS WILL NEVER CEASE.

heretofore been satisfied by curiosities O
Superstition. Certain it is, that the i'm
agination claims its daily food, and de
mands wonderful facts, false or true
but in either case strange matter that is
credited-as one part Of its diet. Won
ders will never cease out Of the world
The greatest of philosophers and the mos
ignorant of village crones wonder alike
as they eat alike, only they do not feed
from the same dishes.
The superstitions of the country side
still vigorous in many farm and village
throughout every British county, are the
relics of body of science that once
rested on the names of Plato and of Pliny,
and was cherished by philosophers in
Europe till about three hundred years
ago. Much that appears most ridiculous
in folklore may be traced back to its
origin among all that was most learned in
by-gone day. To study superstition
seriously is worth while, and in aid OF
those who would do so, contemporary
journal that, ''when found makes note Of
all the waits and strays of knowledge
scattered up and down the land, for the
assistance and amusement of the learned,
has for some years past been gatherer
of old wives tales. A volume of Choice
Notes from Notes and Queries, taking
folklore for its subject, now contains the
pith of many thousand entries From
these notes we gather and arrange an
illustration or two of this feature in our
social history.
Superstition deals with mans life
before his birth, and does not part from
him at death To determine the sex of
an unborn child, get help, if you want it,
TO eat upa shoulder of mutton at supper,
hold the bladebone before the fire till it
- is so far charred that your two thumbs
may be thrust in two places through the
thinnest part. Put a string through the
two holes so made, and tie it in q knot
then hang the bladebone by the string
upon nail outside the house door and 60
to bed. The sex of the first person igno-
rant Of the charm who enters in the
morning will be the sex of the child in
question. This was tried once in house
where the first corners were always
women; but on the critical morning, it
was remarkable fact that man first
entered, and, six weeks later, it was truly
man child that was born.
TO be born with caul is lucky. A
child born on Chrismas-day Or in chime
hours will be able TO see spirits. ..
Horn ON Sunday, gentleman;
Born ON a Monday, fair in face;
Born on Tuesday, full OF grace;
Born on u Wednesday, sour and grum;
Born ON Thursday, welcome home;
Born on Friday, free in giving;
Born on Saturday, work hard for your living.
A May baby's always sickly. You may
try, but you'll never rear it. Rock the
cradle when the baby is not in it, and the
child will die. Children with much down
upon their arms or hands are born to be
rich. A child that does not cry at bap-
tism is too good to live. If several chill
dren are baptised together, and the girls
are taken to the font before the boys, the
boys will have no boards when they arc
men. Persons called Agnes always 60
mad. If childs finger nails are cut
before it is year old, it will live to be
thief. If they want trimming within that
age, they are to be trimmed by biting
If you wish well to your friends child
you must give it when it first comes to
your house, cake, little salt and an
egg. When child has the thrush, say
the eighth Psalm over it three times daily
for three days. Oryou may catch duck
and hold its bill wide open in the child's
mouth. The cold breath Of the duck will
cause the disease slowly and surely to
depart. WhOoping-cOugh never will be
taken by child that has ridden upon
bear. When bear.baiting was in fashion,
this belief yielded part of his income
to the bear owner, Roast mouse cures
the measles. A consumptive infant should
be carried through flock Of sheep as it
is let out of the fold early in the morning
The weaving Of child should begin on
Good Friday.
Between birth and death we may in
dulge in thousands Of these fancies which
are still credited by some people in Eng
land. If eat an egg must finish by
making hole in the shell, or the witches
will sail out in it to wreck the ships. And,
considering the price Of eggs, may re-
lrain from burning egg-shells, because if
do so the hens cease to lay. IF l have
the cramp of nights, may cross my shoes
and stockings when take them off, or
put my slippers under the bed with the
soles upward. If | have stye in the
eye may pull a hair out of the tail of
black cat and rub the tip nine times over
the pustule. Imay know that am going
10 receive money if find spider on my
clothes, and am not bound to accept Full
ers moral to the saying. The moral is
this "Such who initiate the industry of
that contemplate creature may, by God
blessing, weave themselves into wealth,
procure a plentiful estate" If meet a
white horse / may know that ! must spit
at It, may rejoice in having teeth set
apart, because that makes me lucky and
a traveller. If my keys, or renknife, or
any steel thing that | have, will rust, in
spite of any care, may be sure that
somebody is laying money by for me-
may know how lucky it is to find old iron
and hoard up old potlids and horse.shoes
discovered in the public road, by the for.
tune this thrifty habit accumuiates. Seven
years trouble but no want, is the sentence
| may hear mystically pronounced upon
me If | break looking.glass. Ifmy left
palm itches, money goes ont; il the right,
money comes in. ~
Rub II 'Rainst wood,