The Evening critic., 1882-10-31
ALL HALLOW EiEN.
ola Traditions and Modern Obscrv.
Rnccs of the Nigbt-POctry and


nnces Of the Night-Poctry and
Facts.
Tonight is All Hallow Fen, tho night which
hobgoblins and fairies, spirits and witches,
were wont to call their own. II owes Its origin,
undoubtedly, 10 tho Drulds, but the customs
and suporstltions arc too venerable to be even
assigned correct starting point. They camo
to this country with the earliest settlers; they
grew with the country, but are now gradually
fading away as tho light OF education and ro.
nncmcnt spreads. Tho last day OF october
was tho ovo Of tho old Druid festival Of
samh'in, or the Fire of Peace. II was sacre1y
kept by the Drulds. Tho nres wore kindlOd
on the blackenod hoarths all over old Eng
land, and the blessings for tho coming winter
asked. From religious festival the
feast. TRo peasantry OF tho North, aided by
their suporstitious teachings aud ignorance
gave tho night up to the witch, tho fairy or
the spirit. They firmly believed that on this
night they were allowed glimpse into tho
future. Strange were their testing of this
power, and stranger their belief, which pic.
lures. Gradually tho customs OF the Scottish
peasantry are fading away, although many
young people yet believe that on this night
their future marital relations Will bo revealed.
Thoro is q fascination In the idea OF being
able TO peer through the darkonod space OF
the future and 500 ones llfe and as tho last
day OF October comes again many n maiden is
10 DO found testing the spell that is given
to this day. Before mirror In darkenod
room she Will stand combing, with trembling
hands, her silken hair. AZ midnlght ~
faco Will appear In the mirror over her left
shoulder. This test IL only recommended TO
young ladies with castiron nerves, for Just so
sure as he comes and he proves to be the wrong
one, there r. going to bo n row, and, perhaps,
a faint Sometimes she steals out of doors tln.
perceived and hastily sews handful OF hemp
seed, repeating these mystic words in trem
uOus whisper:
"Hcmp seed, l SOW thee; hemp seed, SOW
thee;
Let him that Is to be my true lovo come aftcr
ma nd
As soon as tho last seed is gone, tho maiden
looks oyer hor left shoulder, and, IL tho fairies
are Ieopitious, the apparition OF her lover,
eitherhnrrowing or pulling up tho hemp, will
appear. II may be recommended whom this
test is tried to take big bulldog along, for
tramps have not yet gone into wintor quarters,
and II would be narrowing to have q beautiful
idoe spoiled. Another test Is to wind new
clew OF blue yarn, and perhaps he Will hold the
other end with his unseen hands. II 80, tho
maiden must ask, "Whose hauds?" and he Will
answer her. Don't be surprised IL the voice
happens TO bo that of your mother, and tho
tones not over;coaxing. Shake on
Tho hands Will be less apt to appear
again. These are old-tme tests. Nowadays
the sentimental maiden puts chestnuts on the
back log In the open fireplace. While the flre
burns she names them and watches which
one will prove faithful. ono bursts, tho other
falls OF, but the true one burns to ashes. Bob
bling tor apples, nuts or potatoes Is also n game
for Hallow Eve. The old Scotch custom of
young people to go bllndfolded and hand.lu-
hand into the garden, and there pull the first
stalk Of colowort they can find, is still In vogue
among the country lads and lasses. The
stalks are named, and by their slzo and
straightness indicate the outward appearance
of their owners future husband or wife. The
quantity OF earth left clinglng 10 the roots
marks the dowry; tho taste OF the pith reveals
his or her sweet or sharp temper; and
finally, when hung over the door who.
over enters first Is held to boar
the Christian name of tho destined
bride or bridegroom; children born on oc::
tober 81 are said to be gifted with especial
powers regarding the supernatural world.
The small boy is generally rampant on Hal.
low Eve. He reyels In street sport and pranks.
He adorns the doorknobs of tho residences of
his enemies with cabbages, carrots, tin cans
and other domestic emblems. A prank In
high standing on this night is to tie n string
across the sidewalk Just high enough to knock
on the high silk hat OF the pedestrian. The
shouts of laughter which greet the unfortu-
nate gentleman as he shirmishes after his hat
only serve to Increase his irato feelings. To
tic q string from the door.bell to the door
knob of house on the opposite side OF tho
street, and from tho door-bell Of the second
House TO the door.knob of the first keeps the
servants busy opening tho doors to admit no