Rock Island daily Argus., 1888-12-19

Day.
A belief in the i'll luck of certain days of
the year existed very early in the history of
the world The earliest nations have left
records of such beliefs Classical authors
abound in illusions to these days, which were
marked in old Roman calendars by black |
cross. From being few in number during
the year, they increased until the path of the |
superSutious was beset with minute direc- |
tions as to what must be done this day, what
was to be avoided on that day, or what was
fatal on certain black days of the year.
At some unknown time during the middle
ages there grew up a notion that one day OF
the week in particular was to be given bad
character by reason of which any important
undertakings, such as journeys, weddings,
business enterprises, ETC., were certain to
succeed badly if undertaken on this day,
known in our calendar as Friday. No su
perstiton has probably affected so many
people as this. To this day thousands firmly
believe in the i'll luck of any Friday under
taking Persons without superstition on any
other point will resolutely adhere to their
belief as to this particular, and quietly avoid
Friday undertakings.
There seems TO be no question that this
superstition Is entirely Christian in its origin,
and has particular reference to Friday as the
| day Christ suffered on the cross. IL became
| custom, moreover, TO ascribe other biblical
\ events Of a sinister nature to that day, and
certain manuscripts of an interesting kind
| exist in European libraries, recapitulating
| these unfortunate happenings, assigning them
to Friday, and prescribing increased penance
or abstinence on that day.
PROBABLE SOURCE OF TIE BELIEF.
| 1t is probable that the source of these as
| sertions concerning Friday was the Jewish
Talrnud and other Jewish writings. These
make similar statements regarding these
early events in the history of man. The
fathers of the church perpetuated the legends,
and mcukIsn copylsts transmitted them to
posterity
This unlucky character still clings to Fri
day in most Christian lands-it is curious
that II Should also be true among the Brah-
minis OF India. 1t is the Mohammedan Sun
day, and is not therefore an uulucky day
with Aoslems. II seems TO have been lucky
one to the ancestors of the Brahmins, for it is
recorded that the Mogul Emperor Aunurg
zebe sad; oh! that my death may happen
on Friday, for blessed is he who dieth on that
dayp
The things to be avoided on Friday are not
SO generally agreed upon as the character OF
the day. 1t most European countries mar
riages consummated on this day of the weel
are sure 10 be unhappy ones, and are rare
but Germany and Scotland are exceptions, i
/ being there considered a lucky day to wed
! In Lancashire, England, it is even thought
tad 4 ,.-f,, h
goes courting on that day is apt to receiv
rough treatment from other swains Some
times be is treated to charlvari, or serenade
with tin pans, horns etc, until he pays
money forfeit
: Journeys were rarely undertaken on Frida'
during the last century in many Europeal
countries. They We're sure to be unfortunat
!, in their termination, according to the super
stitious.
This phase of Fridays unpopularity par
ticularly affected sailors and fishermen. Tha
1t is far from extinct even today appear
from many instances of the unwilhngness c
sailors TO sail on this day.
i DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS CT THE rr5r.r-
In very many places the nails and hal
were never cut on Friday, but IN Holland
was believed that you would never have Ii
toothache il you trimmed the nails on thf
day. A work published IN England in lSS
says this was then deemed an unpropitioI
, day for bleeding ,physickiug or fo: journe,
= An old adage says, "Sneeze on Frida,
give gift 1t was also disastrous to sin
on this day. Sing on FRIDAY, weep on SUI
day" The i'll luck of the day was som
times however, changed to good fortune
is deemed an excellent time, in the north
England, to put on new clothes for the fir
time. English milkmaids thought Frida
dreams unusually ominous.
Many persons reverse the rule, and decla
:, that this is to them n lucky day Dickel
said that il was fortunate for his underta
ings, most of which were successful whs
begun or ended on Friday
1t has been claimed as a lucky day f
America-Columbus discovered land on tn
day, the Pilgrims landed on the same da
and Washington was born on Friday.
1t is only in late years that q custo
smacLing somewhat of superstition has be.
changed that of executions on Friday. Ne
York took the lead in this respect, but it
still hangman's day in too many states. T.
prejudice against Friday is, Of course, j
tensifed in the case Of Good Friday. Tn
quite recently no blacksmith in the north
England would drive q nail on this, the a
niversary of the crucifxion. No edged tc
7 was used in Yorkshire nor was it anythil
but uulucky to wash clothes on that day.
is alleged that woman was hanging o
washed clothes as Christ passed by on |
way to Calvary. She firted the clothes
his face, and Christ not only declared her
cursed, but also pronounced curse on al
one who should choose this day for a simil
n task.
In one place, it is asserted that the clott
washed this day would be spotted with bloc
Many shoemakers would abstain from wo
on this day because of a similar curse pl
O, nounced on the Jew, Cartaphilus.
In Devonshire, it was thought good d
to plant crops, and in other places to co
mence weaving children.
& Eggs laid on Friday will, it is said, nes
decay, and will, if eaten, cure the cola
MS In north Germany, it was said that if
rained on Good Friday, the turf would
parched up three times that year.
An elder bush hung up in the house
that day would preserve the dwelling fr,
danger of lightning. 1t was also said Il
. caterpillars would increase if the garden "
visited on that day. By entering the chur'
however, and quitting it before the blessii
any one could obtain the power Of seei
witches, and so avoid them
Portuguese sailors have custom of Dire
ing their ship in mourning on this day, a
e OF scourgiug and hanging an effigy of Juc
4 at the yard arm.-F S. Bassett in St Lo
+ Globe-Democrat.
Sharks Use the Canal.
), Sharks are reported to have become
y commonly numerous on the shores of
y Mediterranean, to the great annoyance
" | the dwellars fv the sea few years si1