Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-19
BUILDING TRADITIONS.
LEGENDS CONCERNING STRUCTURES
INTENDED FOR MANS USE.

flee and Its Substitutes-Modern Cere- I
> monies,
There are in various parts of the world
many curious traditions concerning struct-
Tres intended for mans habitation or use.
When the nomad finally strikes his tent and
adopts fixed structure in some chosen spot
for his future home, much Importance is
usually laid on the manner of selecting this
spot then upon certain propitiatory rites
deemed necessary TO insure the safety or con-
tinuance Of the new dwelling. Many of our
modern ceremonies are harmless survivals of
these ancient nsages. and these customs them
selves are still perpetuated by symbolcal
substitution.
If we are to believe ancient authors, many
trihas were Of Old guided to their future
homes by mysterious agencies. The Phoc9ns
claimed to have been led to aprosperous land
ing bv seal, CvrcnianS by raven, the
Irpini by wolf, etc, etc. So the sites of
buildings were frequently chosen by these
wise animals Six vulrures indicated to Re
mus and twelve to Romulus the location Of
the future mistress of the world. Sometimes
these Intelligent guides transfer the building
materials 70 Ia propitious spot. There are
many tradition, in England and Scotland, as
well as ON the Continent Of such interference
in the choice of a building site.
II has been the custom in nearly all lands
10 attribute 10 ancient races or to certain
mysterious beings the construction of Eigan-
tie works ancient CASTLES, walls, etc. Among
the Greeks these structures were attributed |
r. the Titans, IA race Of giants once possess
iur the earth. som Scandinavia, the Jotuns |
or giant GODS performed these mighty featS |
of construction In Germany, it was the |
dwarf inhahtam Of the mountain cave, in |
the more romantic lands Of southern Europe, |
Tho fairy or witch In the middle ages, these |
gave way gradually 10 the devil, whose in |
fuence and reputation spread with the |
growth of Chrlsteniom. In time he
proved 10 be- mighty builder, although his |
iabo- was always performed for his personal
advantage and to the loss of the owner of
the habt'atlon-
The devil ds'lkei the building of churches,
and Is seldom credited with assisting III their
construction. but frequently tried 10 prevent
their erection He is the champion bridge
builder in many old world lands, and has
bestowed his name on many bridge, as, for
instance, that on 81. Gothard Pass, over
stream which he alone could span. An an
ecdote frequently related OF these building
enterprises is, in the words Of the poet, told
of this.
Ishewed you IN the valley bowlder
Marked with the imprint Of his shoulder,
As he was hearing 10 up ms way
peasant l pa pl'gu i h5i 'g
A. VI. .Iti --.i,.,I,. ,,,+ -F ~,
-, a, -. -,---- ;
lhtSe ''',eS a. IMAM ~ man piaI'S III
GeItilany' 'o'|"} M i'li'ii''t n ol'e al
Lunuo",E Las ''' l',.i' p, VI uis io' ~ "ueie
ne las uo"u - p',ii7 'no
ascent Oh sue uliL III a'io'nef iiacV are
eieFen iii y s''i'i tie ''e'i was
carry M .'e 1"5,.'l up " ~ ny mr.
"heu ne s'oPPt,i 90 iTe', nc was ul'oie 70
resulne MS uuIuen' "nl'A '''tiIs me imprint
VI MS suoui'e' uiale. \ ''l I''lii church wan
tn Ensiahd Is SAu I" tear the ihipIlh OF us
loot where be stamped 10 SHOW bis defiance
vi popery'
a VICTIM Is usually required as the price
o'-pis satanic majesty services as an arcni-
tect MANY stoiies are lolu oI out"IllhS
nlil, "hei h'iii''n siCriuce was required
SWISS peasant ohtalned alaoohc ana IN
building bridge across valley cheating
the archltec1 WIN goat herman tales OF
Similar SUBSTITUTION are numerous foH,
VOL, dog cat or cock being the sacrifice,
1t was an universal custom formerly 20 cause
dog Or cat to enter new house first, as a
propitlatory victim IN yorkshire, II was
thought necessary 10 bury dog or cat under
the church walls us ghoSt haunting the
church yard. As the devil required victim,
it was SAID in Lancashire that any one coun-
selling or planning repairs TO an old building,
or the building OF new one, would die with