Ellsworth American., 1880-06-17
Various. Quaint Devices and superstitions
Of the 0ldan Time.

In whatever grade of society or position
of prosperity We are placed, we still hope
for something better, and as mankind is
never in this world perfectly happy, we find
ourselves constantly wishing for some future
blessedness superiative to that we at pres
eut enjoy. Consequently host of futile
customs 10 meet this want are practlced
among the vulgar. who believe in their eff
cacy aud many of them are even patronized
BY the educated In the West of England
wishing Wells" are very plentiful. and
young damsels longing for marriage felicity
offer up the following petition
a husband, St Catherine,
A handsome one, -. Catherine,
A rich one, st. Catherine,
A nice one. st. Catherine,
And soon, 1t. Catherine.
At Abbotshury they used TO 90 on Ger
tain da, of the wear to the Norman chapel
of St. Catherine, at Milton Abbey. and
make the same prayer. Il is somewhat
singular thar on the Continent this saint
should be considered the special patroness
of spinsters At Ilolywcli. or St Wini-
frcds Well, in North Wales, those who are
not satisfied with their circumstances in
life must find wishing stone" which is
two feet below the water, and while kissing
it make the necessary wish
During the season when the euckoo's
note Is heard many curious customs are OBJ
served. Thus, in England. as well az in
Germany, It is believed hv the peasaniry
that, II asked il will tell you how many
years YOU have 10 live by the repetition Of
It's CRY so they say
Cuckoo. cherry TIRE,
Good bird. tell me
How many years have 20 lives
As soon NJ the Danish village girls hear
this bird they Kiss their hands and ask,
Cuckoo, cuckoo when shall be married -
Among the Swcde>, too, the girls exclaim:
Cuckoo gray, tel - me.
| p IN the true, true and free,
How many year, must live and 20 unmarried;
Supcr~titions in connection with the ap-
pearancc of the moon are very numerous
it generally prcsldc1 over lovers wishes.
In ncyonshirc the Young people, as soon
as they see the first new moon after md
summer. 20 TO u stilc. turn thcr backs 10 il,
and say
All hail, new moon. all hail 10 thee
pTyths good moon, reveal to me
This night who shall nv true love be:
W no Is he. and what he wears,
And what he does all months and years.
...-.
n lfG'"'M' 'heA H'iht''''''S 'AI% ~ "e"
mum ! N''-4'' ''''' '''''"'''7 '''' ''''!
ry, say
New moon, true morrow bc tru' no" 70 me
lhat ere ihr morrow my srH" ''Nc may see
n:t,rwarti, placing the knife under the pill
low, and keeping strict silence lest the
charm should be broken. In berkshire, at
the new moon the maidens go INTO the
tisld-. and looking At ], say
New moon. new moon. hail thee,
HN 'ti th' virtue IN my body
nFahj this h.Shi thA' ! may Sec
II "h' ny true row : (" u'
Ia DcNoushirt tLr girls believe that II
they pluck yarruw from a mans grave. and
place X under pl..oa repeating these lines,
they Will dream Of taeIr lovers:
Narrow sweet y1rrow. the hr-t, the first
ihAi have fouLd'
Ah' ~ lh' name "I Jesus l P'u'N u ""'A Wv
ground
y Jo,''Ph IoN'd sweet MARY AhH ''"N h'' '"'
a. 4,T, ,.
''' ,",c " ~ NH MI, ana ,.',r "'o" '''' ~
+. r.,.l..' ~. ;ua,.,-..- ,.;.t... -
= ~ ,'.,.,.s,,
N''9T ,,'' 80 .h',,,I .ai sa,, r'frd ri
- - .'.',..,.,.J ,.,, L,,, /,
4. .,,r,,.,..J !, n, (, ~. direction ,f IN
II IA IL.
''''t '""St' iA'S' "O'u' i'' '1'' ~ ''''
same TINE
rippin, pippin paradise