The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-01-20
Popular Superstitions.

The Irish have their Banshces, but these
are generally confined to old families, and
connected with the family traditions. In
some parts of Ireland and Wales the belief
in fairies still exist. and the circles some
times worn on the sand called fairy rings,
are supposed to be the scenes Of their noctur.
nal dances. 1t is on Mid summer Eve that
these little spirits have most power, and they
frequently exercise 1t in malicious manner.
Any one who finds sprig of four-leaved
shamrock-a species Of clover, has power
over them; fern seed gathered at midnight
also gives yon authority over the supernatur.
nj world. Among the Welsh, who are OF
devout turn of mind, It is imagined that
as the clock strikes twelve on Christmas Eve.
every member Of the brute creation falls on
its knees to worship God. A superstition
similar to this is found amoug the inhabitants
Of Brstagne Franco.
It is considered good sign for dead per.
son when it rains during the burial, and for
tunate for bride il the wedding day be fine.
There are some lines on this: ......
Blessed is the dead whom the rain rains on
Blessed Is the bride whom the sun shines on.
When baby smiles In ts sleep In ireland.
IL is sud that an angel il whispering to 1t:
and when there is o dead silence Tor some
time in assembled company. an argel is sup
posed to be passing over the room. II per-
son shuddcrs without apparent cause, some
one is walking over his grave. The Irish
say that geese are walking over the grave.
Ills curious to observe that the Arab, on
similar occasion say that the individual who
shudders, mt that moment has his eternal
doom fixed.
Cats are carefully noticed by superstitious
peoule; one coming to houss of its own
accord. brings good luck with Ii. particular
" if II should happen to be u black one;
and If cat abandous its ordinary abode
misfortune will surely follow.
Friday is considered the worst Of oil days
to co nmence an undertaking upon; sailors
very much dislike sailing from port on this
day. .
Many are the signs Of approaching mar
riages In family. and numerous the modes
of divination tried by maidens emulous OF
knowing their future lot. Falling up stairs,
finding two spoons in your saucer at tea,
hearing the house hell ring while tho clock
is striking. are all ominous OF matrimony.
Standing on the Same stono with tho bride
during the wedding. service. will insure your
marriage within year, and sitting between
man and his wife at the table. hasa simi.
lar effect Tho eve Of All Saints Day called
"All Hallows Eve." and Twelfth Night arc
noted times for trying fortunes Nuts are
then placed on tho fre.grate, each ono Is
called nv the name Of lover, and great at-
tention is paid to sec which will joump FIRST.
az the person whom the nut Is called after
will he the future husband or wife. Adven-
turous girls 90 out TO sow hemp seed in
churchyard at midnight, and look over their
shoulders to see their husbands coming after
them with q scythe. A prep ration called
dumbcake is in great uso on these occasions,
and the herb vervian has mystical powers.
The firc reveals much to an observant per-
son, Us pieces Of cinder flying out in the
shapes Of purses, Of collins. are prophetic;
and web OF soot hanging on the bar shows
that q stranger Is coming to the house.
Sneezing three times Is q sign OF an unex
pected guest. and to sneezs once before break.
fast betokens an agreeable surprise. There
is superstition. mostly believed in Ireland,
that before people die, their similitudes mp
pear to their friends. sometimes to themselves.
These spirits are called Fstches. This Is the
same ghost that is known 10 Germany under
the name of poppelganger. These are some
of the superstitions prevalent in Great Brit
ain. and they will suffice TO point out the
dangers Of an unrfstrained imaginition,
which seeking omans and predictions in the
common events Of life. allnw it' faith in Prov
idence to be clouded by tho weakest and most
heathenish credulity.