River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-09-02

say scientifically applies because
the nettle venom is of strong alkaline
nature, on the contrary all docks con
tain the acid principle, which of course
neutraiizes the nettle-sting- thus the
smarting, itching sensation is speedily
subdued.
Rain with its attendar rainbow
also are looked upon eth with de-
light or displeasure accorui ing to the
disposition of the child-thds, if a
holiday or pleasure party is likely to
be interrupted with the ram cloud, then
it is:
6 Rain. rain, 60 away,
Come again some other day.
But if it is a matter of Indifference,
+" Rain, rain. pour down,
And come no more to our town.
OF couse il must be said very devout-
ly; no lrreverence must be allowed, or
they might be punished.
"A friend ia 'orms me that in the
north of England the children invoke
the rainbow. do not think it is known
in Cheshire, but it appears to be fire
quent in many parts of Berwickshire
Rainbow, rainbow, hand ava hame.
A yer BARNS are dead but ane,
And 1t lies sick at yam gray stane,
Aud will be dead ere YOU win hame:
Gang owre the Drumaw. and yOn't the lea,
Aud down by the side % yonder sea,
Your BARN hes greetin, like to dee,
And the bag tear drop is in is ee.
BY careful search and observation, the
savings and doings of school day life
might be considerably extended.
So far as midwives and other attend
ants are concerned, they are rich in
folk lore, from the moment OF an in
fant's birth until he has reached
years of maturity something either
for good or i'll attends upon his every
step. Some few of these superstitious
notions / will try to place before my
readers, First, it is thought to be
lucky to have a still. born infant placed
first in new grave; vet, such infants
must be inferred in consecrated
ground, after nightfall, and without
the usual burial service. Again, this
sentiment or feeling about un-
baptised or still.born infants being
buried in new graves takes quite
different turn in Scotland, especially so
ON the borders, according To Wilkie
MS. no one will thread knowingly on
the graves of still-born or unbaptised
children, or they would be afflicted
with the grave merelo, or grave scab.
In Scotland such children are inferred
IN uneonsecrated ground.) What kind
of disease tins is | cannot say. Ii is
thus described - This complaint comes
on with trembling of the limbs and
hard breathing, and at the last the
skin burns as if touched with hot iron.'
Something may also be gathered about
this remnant OF the dark ages from the
annexed verses
Love to the baby that ue'er saw the sun,
All alane. and alane Oh
His body shall lie in tue kirk, meath the rain.
Al alaue, and alane Oh
His grave must be dug at the foot Of the wall,
AT alane. and alaue oh
And the foot that treadeta his body upon
shall have seab that shall eat to the bano obi
And il will ne'er be cured by doctor on earth,
Tho every one should tend him oh
He shall tremble aid die like the ELF shot eye,
Aud return from whence he came Oh
To discover the sex OF an expect.
ant infant, q charm is resorted to-
thus, all the flesh must be scraped off
the shoulder blade bone of lamb,
which in the evening. when retiring b.
rest, must be hung mp behind the door
The first stranger who enters through
the door next morning will be of the
same sex as the child.
Before a newborn babe iniaat is
taken down stairs il should irst be
lifted rs high as possible in the room
so that it may rise IN the world but il
II il first lowered il is said never TO get
on In the world.
Every great fear il manifested in
the minds of many mothers about their
infants being changed by fairies be-
fore baptism. To protect them from
this evil influence they must be placed
near the fathers clothes, or some por-
ton Of the fathers garments should be
worn by the infant; hence we observe
the greatcoat placed as q coverlet on
the body while sleeping IN the cradle.
After baptism or christening the fairy
folk can exercise no power over them.
In the Isle OF Man il Is customary for
the mother, when carrying her child 10
the church for baptism. 20 take with
her piece of bread aud cheese, which
- given 70 the first person she meets