Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-08-21
BUILDING TRADITIONS.
LEGENDS CONCERNING STRUCTURES
INTENDED FOR MANS USE.

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-
FINANCE OF the now dwelling Many Of our
modern ceremonies are harmless survivals of
these ancient usages, and these customs them
selves are still perpetuated by symbolical
substitution.
II 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
wise animals. Six vutures indicated to Re
mus and twelve 10 Romulus the location of
the future mistress of the world. Sometimes
these intelligent guides transfer the building
materials TO "a propitions spot. There are
many traditions in England and Scotland, as
well as on the continent, Of such interference
III the choice OF a bulldlnG Site
It 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, race Of giants once possess
ing the earth Soin Scandinavia, the Jotuns
or giant gods performed these mighty feats
OF construction. III Germany, it was the
dwarf inhnbitant Of the mountain cave. in
the more romantic lands Of southern Europe.
tho 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 20 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 tho building Of churches.
and is seldom credited with assisting in their
construction, but frequently tried TO prevent
their erection. Ho is the champion bridge
builder in many old world lands, and has
bestowed his nnma 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 n bowlder
Marked with the imprint OF his shoulder,
As he was bearing Il up this way.
A peasant passing, cried "Herr, Je!"
And the devil dropped II in his fright,
Ard vanished s-ddonly Ont Of sight.
These stonss 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 a ste,p hill. In another place are
eleven large stones. II is said tho devil was
carrying the twelfth up q ncighboring kill,
when lac stopped TO rest. lie was unable to
resume bis burden, which bears the imprint
OF his shoulder blade \ certain church wall
in England is said to bear the imprint OF his
foot, where he stamped 70 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 arc told Of outwitting
him, when human sacrifice was required.
A Swiss peasant obtained diabolic aid IN
building bridge across a valley, cheating
the architect with goat German tales Of
similar substitution are numerous, fox,
wolf, dog, cat, or cock being the sacrifice.
1t was an universal custom formerly to cause
a dog or cat TO enter new house first, as q
propiti0tory victim. In Yorkshire, it was
thought necessary to bury dog or cat under
tho church walls, its ghost haunting the
church yard. As the devil required a victim,
it was said in Lancashire that any one coun-
selling or planning repairs TO an old building,
or the building Of q new one, would die with
in year.
From this notion Of the devil as n 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 a living being upon the
commencement OF a new edificc, usually by
burying alive within the walls. Greek and
Latin authors contsiA many illusions to this
practice
A pathetic tale is told Of Lebenstcin
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 q roll as the walls
went up, it said, "Mother l can see you"
Then later Mother, / see a little of you
still, and finally, Smother, ! see nothing Of
You now.n
Tho border castles Of Scotland were, ac-
cordng to legend, washed with human blood
lf AAtNAA tAta AAtIAAtANf NaAa lAtas 4atAiAN
portree castle in Clare county, Ireland is
said TO have been erected by the Danes. who
pressed into service wor,men from far ana
near, and made them labor night and day
without rest or food, and when any dropped
with fatigue OF hunger, he Yves ct once inn
INJURED within tho walls
Medieval legends abound in instances Of
such sacrifices In Africa, hundreds Of vic
TINS suffered wtcn a new palace was com
menccd
Substitutes were Gfterward chosen, wher
human sacrifices had been abandoned. Ii
Bulgaria the shadow Of some one passing wa
walled iii. Tho person thus losing his othoi
self would, it was thought, die within year
a dog, cat or cock is still used in many part
Of Europe Danish traditions tell Of lanai
SeinS buried under the altar that the churc,
might stand mistaken. In Germany it i
said that a long term Of good weather MAJ
bo insured by walling in q cock.
Modern ceremonies .at the laying Of th
corner stone Of a binding are doubtless sur
vivals OF these ancient heathen sacrifices
Religious rites arc stiH held, but tho victim
is no longer represented either in person o
by a substitute.-F s. Bassett in Globe
Democrat
Danger on tho High Seas.
The statement OF DR.. A. j.. Fuller, the dis
/ tnguiahed SCHOLAR, about the ocean TRACED
I T., which fine steamship Fulla on which 4