Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-02-10
Popular Superstitions.

The Irish have their Banshees, but
these are generally confined to old fami.
lies, and connected with the family tradi-
tions. In some parts Of Ireland and
Wales the belief in fairies still exists,
and the circles sometimes worn en- the
grass and called fairy rings, are supposed
to be the scenes Of their nocturnal dances.
Ii is on Mid summer Eve that these little
spirits have most power, and they fire.
quently exercise it in malicious manner
ANY one who finds a sprig Of four-eaved
shamrock--a species of clover, has power
over them; fern seed gathered at mid
night also gives you authority over the
supernatural world. Among the Welsh,
who are of u devout turn OF mind, it is
imagined that as the clock strikes twelve
on Christmas Eve every member of tie
brute creation falls on its knees to wer-
ship God. A superstition similar to II is
is found among the inhabitants of Bre-
tagne, France.
1t is considered good sign for a dead
person when it rains during the burial,
and fortunate for bride if the wedding
day be fac. There are some lines on
this
Blessed is the dead whom the rain rains on:
| Blessed is the bride Wvn the sum shines aa.
When baby smiles in its sleep in Ire.
land, it is said that an angel is whispering
to it; aud when there is dead silence
for some time in assembled company, an
angel is supposed to be passing over the
room. If Il person shudders without APP
parent cause some one is passing over his
grave. The Irish say the geese are walk.
ing over the grave. 1t is curious to OBJ.
serve that the Arabs on similar oecas-
ion say that the individual who shudders,
at that moment has his eternal doom
fixed.
Cats are carefully noticed by supersti.
tious people; one coming to house ol
its own accord, brings coed luck with it,
particularly if it should happen to be Il
black one and if cat abandons its or.
dinary abode, misfortune will surely fol-
low.
Friday is considered the worst Of all
days to commence an undertaking upon
sailors very much dislike sailing from Il
port on this day.
Many are the signs of approaching
marriages in a family, and numerous the
modes of divination tried by mailens
emulous of knowing their future lot
Failing up stairs, finding two spoons in
your saucer at tea, hearing the house bell
ring while the clock is striking, are all
ominous of matrimony. Standing on the
same stone with the bride during the
wedding ser,i ice, will insure your marri,
age within year, and sitting between a
man and his wife at the table, has a siE:i-
lar effect. The eve CT All Saints Day
called "All Halows Eve" and Twelfth
Night are noted times for trying fortunes
Nuts are then placed on the fre-gratc
each one is called by the name of lover
and great attention is paid to see which
will jump first, as the person whom the
nut is called after will be the future hus
band or wife. Adventurous girls 60 out
to SOW hemp seed in churchyard at mid.
night, and look over their shoulders tc
see their husbands coming after them
with q scythe. A preparation called
dumb-cake is in great use on these occas
ions, and the herb veryiah has mystical
powers.
The fire reveals much to an obseryant
eye, as pieces of cinder flying out in the
shape Of purses, or coflins are prophetic
and web of SCOT hanging on the bal
shows that a stranger is coming to ths
house. Sneezing three times is sign @
an unexpected guest, and to sneezo ones
before breakfast betokens an agreeable
surprise. There is superstition, mostly
believed in Ireland, that before peerl
die, their similitades appear to tnel
friends, sometimes TO themselves. TheSt
spirits are called Fetchcs. This is th,
same ghost taa; is known in Germany un