The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-03-23

tfA Z FROM tne Deauty oi thc
! ~ Oh! rest, sweet rest, when the wea-
/. ryi toll is ended, and we enter into joy
1t. 'tihii tiits EMBURY.
WAPSIE MEADOW FARM,
| OXFORD, Iowa, March Sth, 1876.
MARRIAGE sUPERSTITIONs.
Since marriage became an institu-
| ton there have been certain signs and
superstitions that have clung to its
celebration through all ages and in all
countries. Even to-day in the most
civilized nations we have not entirely
rid our minds of these superstitions,
and l warrant there is never a bride
but indulges herself in looking for
some happy omen. Few people are
dauntless enough to be married on
Friday, and we all have the most un-
limited confidence in that old shoe
thrown after the newly-wedded pair.
Nearly every bride of to-day wears
about her when she is married some
,trifling thing borrowed from a lady
friend, and all know that "Blest is the
bride on whom the sun doth shine
and are equally certain that - gag
ITO change the name and not the letter.
Is change for the worse and MT for the better,
So on, quite indefinitely, it is won-
derful how these ancient signs are
ehanded down from generation to gem
Grafton, and how impotent reason is
to do away with their hold upon the
human mind. Say what you will we
are naturally given TO supersti,ious
fears, and there are the fewest people
who are not more or less affected by
them But let US recall few of the
olden beliefs concerning marriage SUI
perstitiens. 4sstsfs s.i1 1is is.1 S
In the earliest weddings we read of
among the Jews we find that the
fourth day of the week was consider
ed the unlucky day for virgins TO wed
and the fifth for widows. The RO-
mans also believed that certain days
were unfavorable for the performance
of marriage rites, and these were the
Calends, Nomes and Ides of every
month. the whole months of February
and May. and many of their festivals.
June was considered the most propi-
tious month of the year for matrimo-
ny, especially if the day chosen We're
that of the full moon or the conjunc-
ton of the sun and moon. .ai
The month of May was especially to
be avoided, as it was under the influ-
ence of spirits adverse to happy house,
holds, and for centuries this supersti-
tion seemed to prevail in Italy against
May marriages, and even to this day
prevails in some parts of England and
our own country. In China, marriages
are positively prohibited at certain
times and seasons, on account of their
being unlucky. .4a{f 5asl.s.-.
There was at one time superstition
current in England against marrying
on Innocents' Day. the 2Sth of Decem-
Der, a day of ill-omen, because it was
the one which commemoratea Herod's
massacre of the children. And it is
still thought unlucky to marry in
Lent. 'sMarry 'sM in Lent and you'll live
to repent" An old line also says,
s'May never was ye month of love-"
and another, "Who marries between
ye sickle and ye scythe will never
strive" The old rhyme that we have
all heard tells us to marry on
adunl monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health. tssz
ga Wednesday the best day of all;
Thursday Tor crosses, it
Friday for losses,
oss5 Saturday no luck at ALL"
At one time it was thought that all
those who married on Tuesdays aud
Thursdays would be happy. Among
the Romans no marriage was celebrat-
ed without an augury being first con-
suited. sa2 Asal
In the middle ages it was considered
an i'll omen if the bridal party, in 60
ing to the church, met a monk, priest,
hare, dog, cat, lizard or serpent while
all would go well if a wolf, spider or
toad were encountered.
1t is lucky if the initials of we'd
ded couple spell word.
In the South Of England it is said to
be unlucky for bride to look in the
glass alter she is completely dressed
before she goes 10 the church; so
glove, or some other article is put on
after the last look has been taken al
the mirror. Gray horses at wedding
are lucky. 1t is supposed to be un-
lucky if a wife does not weep on her
wedding day. In Scotland it is con-
sidered all unhappy omen if couple
are disappointed in getting married
on the day first fixed for that purpose.
In the Isle of Man it is believed that
it insures good luck to carry salt in
the pocket when going to be married.
AT Hull it is considered unlucky to
go in at one door and out at another
when a person gets married.
Whoever goes to sleep first on the
wedding night will die first.
II there is an odd number of guests
at wedding one is sure TO die within
the succeeding twelve months.
SAID Il wife TO her husband: GLOW
is it that you can't come home nights