Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-08-31
BUILDING TRADITIONS.
LEGENDS CONCERNING STRUCTURES
INTENDED FOR MANS USE.

I6GENOS CONCERNliNG . HUI OhCo
INTENDED FOR MANS USE.
Choice of Building Site-The Devil Said
to Be a Mighty Builder-Human Sacri-
fee and Its Substitutes-nIodern Cere-
monies.
There are in various parts of the world
many curious traditions concerning struct-
ures 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 usages, and these customs them
selves are still perpetuated by symboical
substitution.
If we are to believe ancient authors, many
tribes were of old guided to their future
homes by mysterious agencies. The Phocens
claimed to have been led to prosperous land
ing by seal, Cyrenians by raven, the
Irpini by wolf, etc., etc. So the sites OF
buildings were frequently chosen by these
mus and twelve to Romulus the location of
the future mistress of the world. Sometimes
these intelligent guides transfer the building
materials to ia propitious spot. There are
many traditions in England and Scotland, as
well as on the continent, Of such interference
in the choice of building site.
1t has been the custom in nearly all lands
to attribute to ancient races, or to certain
mysterious beings the construction of gigan
tic works. ancient castles, walls etc. Among
the Greeks, these structures were attributed
to the Titans, a race of giants once possess
ing the earth. So in Scandinavia, the Jotuns
or giant gods performed these mighty feats
of construction. In Germany, it was the
dwarf inhabitant Of the mountain cave, in
the more romantic lands of southern Europe
the fairy or witch. In the middle ages these
gave way gradually to the devil, whose in
fuence and reputation spread with the
growth of Christendom. In time he
proved to be a mighty builder, although his
labor was always performed for his personal
advantage, and to the loss of the owner of
the habitation.
The devil disliked the building of churches,
and is seldom credited with assisting in their
construction, but frequently tried to prevent
their erection. He is the champion bridge
builder in many old world lands, and has
bestowed his name on many a bridge, as for
instance. that ON st. Gothard Pass, over a
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:
Showed you in the valley bowlder
Marked with the imprint of his shoulder,
AS he was bearing it up this way,
A peasant, passing, cried Herr, Jer'
And the devil dropped it in his fright,
And vanished suddenly out of sight.
These stones are shown in many places In
Germany, Norway and Denmark. One at
Lundborg has the impress of his form, where
he lay down to rest before attempting the
ascent of steep hill. In another place are
eleven large stones. 1t is said the devil was
carrying the twelfth up a neighboring hill,
7 when he>stopped to rest. He was unable to
resume his burden, which bears the imprint
of his shoulder blade. A certain church wall
in England is said to bear the imprint of his
foot, where he stamped to show his defiance
of popery.
A victim is usually required, as the price
of his satanic majesty's services as an archi-
tect Many stories are told of outwitting
him, when human sacrifice was required.
A Swiss peasant obtained diabolic aid in
building a bridge across a valley, cheating
the architect with goat German tales of
similar substitution are numerous a fox, a
wolf, a dog, cat or cock being the sacrifice
It was an universal custom formerly to cause
dog Or cat to enter new house first, as
propitiatory victim. In Yorkshire, it was
thought necessary to bury dog Or cat under
the church walls, its ghost haunting the
church yard. As the devil required victim,
;y,T hot
selling or planning repairs to an old building,
or the building Of new one, would die with
in year.
From this notion of the devil as builder,
there arose a custom prevalent in many
places during the Middle Ages, and surviving
to modern days in Asia and Africa. This
was the sacrifice of living being upon the
commencement of a new ediice, usually by
burying alive within the walls Greek and
Latin authors contain many illusions to this
practice.
A pathetic tale is told of Liebenstein
castle, in Germany. A young child is said to
have been walled up in its foundations.
having been purchased from its mother. To
prevent its cries, it was seated and given play
things. While munching roll as the walls
went up, it said, "Mother, I can see you"
Then later, Mother, I see little of you
STILL" and finally, ''Mother, 1 see nothing of
you now"
The border castles of Scotland were, &C
cording to legend, washed with human blood
by their savage builders, the Picts. Bally-
portree castle, in Clare county, Ireland, is
said to have been erected by the Danes, who
pressed into service workmen from far and
near, and made them labor night and day
without rest or food, and when any dropped
with fatigue or hunger, he was at once i'm
INJURED within the walls.
Medieval legends abound in instances of
such sacrifices. In Africa, hundreds of vic
Tins suffered when a new palace was COM
menced.
Substitutes were afterward chosen, when
human sacrifices had been abandoned. In
Bulgaria the shadow Of some one passing was
walled in. The person thus losing his other
self would, 1t was thought, die within year
A dog, cat or cock is still used in many parts
of Europe. Danish traditions tell of lamb
being buried under the altar that the church
| might stand mistaken. In Germany it is
said that long term Of good weather may
be insured by walling in a cock.
Modern ceremonies at the laying of the
corner stone of building are doubtless sur
| vivals Of these ancient heather sacrifices
Religious rites are still held, but the victim
| is no longer represented either in person or
by a substitute,-F. 8. Bassett In Globe
| Democrat
In minute an express train goes mile