Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-24
SlaperssitiOns About Cats.


In Ireland it is considered highly unlucky for
family to take with them cat when they are
moving, more especially, too. when they have
to cross a river. Mr.. Gregor also tells us that,
in the northeast Of Scotland, if a COW or other
domestic animal was seized with disease. one
mode Of cure was to twist rope Of straw the
contrary way, join the two ends, and put the
diseased animal through the loop along with
cat. By this means the disease was sup
posed to be transferred to the cat, and the
animals lite was SO saved by the cat dying.
This. Of course. was only one of the extensive
charms Of which the leading idea was that of
substitution. A remedy for erysipelas, lately
practiced in the parish Of Locharron, in the
Northwest Highlands, consisted in cutting of
One-half of the ear Of cat. and letting
the blood drop on the part affected. Abiding,
moreover, to the numerous other items of folk
lore in connection with the cat, there ia q pop
ular notion that a May cat-a cat born in the
month Of Nays of no use for catching rats
and mice, but exerts an injurious influence on
the house through bringing into it disagreeable
reptiles OF various kinds. Mrs. Latham in her
West Sussex SuperstitiOns," says that May
cat is supposed Ito be inclined to melancholy,
ana to be much addicted to catching snakesand
bringing them into the house. had heard that
this West-cOuntry belief existed in our village;
and, very lately, observing q most detected
looking cat by the fire in cottage, said, in Jest,
should think that cat was born in May 'Oh,
yes said the owner Of it, that she was, and so
was her mother, and she was just as sad-loOk-
Ing, and was always bringing snakes and vipers
within DOORS" In HuntingdOnshire there is a
common saying that "a May kitten makes a
dirty cat" This supposed Ill luck attaching to
cat born in the month of May is no doubt
founded on the old notion that Nav was an I'M
fortunate season for births of any kind in
allusion to which there is an old proverb which
says:
May chefs
Bad luck begetS
According to q curious notion, still extensively
credited by our north-country peasantry, black
cats are supposed to bring not only good luck,
but also lOvers-in Illustration of which we may
quote well-known rhyme on the subject:
Whenever the cat o. the house Is black.
The laSses o. lovers will have no lack.
Mr.. Henderson. speaking of this superstition,
tells us that an old nOrth-cOuntry woman on one
occasion said to lady, "It's ma wonder Jock
IS lasses marry of 30 fast, ye ken what
Draw black cat they've got" It is considered
prevalent In Germany, where, il one dreams of
black cat at Christmas, 1t Is an omen of some
alarming illness during the following year.
Equally unfortunate too, Is 1t for cat to sneeze
this act being supposed to indicate that the
family will have colds. Thus, we are informed
by Mrs. Latham that in Sussex, "even the most
favored cat if heard to sneeze, is instantly shut
out OF doors; for should she stay to repeat the
sneeze three times indoors, the whole family
will have colds and coughs"
Lastly, there are many quaint traditions In
which the cat holds a prominent place; and an
amusing one, current In the north Of England,
we may quote In conclusion: A gentleman was
one evening sitting costly In his parlor, reading
or meditating, when.he was interrupted by the
appearance of cat, which came down the
chimney and cried out, ''Tell Dildrum Doldrum's
dead" He was not unnaturally startled BY
this strange occurrence; and when shortly after
his wife entered, and he related to her what had
happened, her own cat, which accompanied her.
exclaimed, lis DOldrum dead?" and immediately
rushed up the chimney and was heard Of no
more. OF the numberiess conjectures stated
to account for this extraordinary event the
Doldrum had been king Of Catiand, and that
Dfidrum was the next heir.