, 1889-12-26
DECAY OF BARBARlSM
A Few of the Most Popular
Beliefs
ARE YOU SUpERSTITIOUS ?
Some Forms That Linger in the
South and Among the
Farmers.

men and women of the nineteenth
century from the ages when their
ancestors consulted the oracles,
looked for omens in the flight of
birds and the entrails of animals.
All that survives is comparatively
harmless; but behind the remaining
sings and savings have been tre-
Observation-Disclosures the living
entombment Of falthless vestals, the
frightful sacrifices to Moloch, the
cruel rites of the Druids and the
Aztecs, down to the burning of
witches i'm colonial days. Enlight-
enment has been the antidote, and
it has prevailed gradually, though
church and state have conspired
against IL.
The time and energy devoted to
the elucidation of myths, the at
tempted performance of the impos-
sible, seem incredible. The philoso-
piers stone had it crazed votarles;
the seven cities of Cibbola lured the
flavor of Spanish chivalry to their
death, and Ponce de Leon searched
vainly in the wilderness of the New
World for the secret of immortal
youth. In this pre-eminently prac-
teal age, when we know that the
demons of the astrologer's laboratory
were only explosive gases, these
delllsions, fondly cherished by men
of great intellectual force, seem in
credible. Contrastcd with the in
ventions of the nineteenth century,
all the marvellous applications of
steam and electricity; the dissemi-
nation of books and newspapers;
the analytical spirit which endeav-
ors to fathom causes and demon
strate facts, the world of the middle
ages was asleep, its people dreamers,
and all their utterances the inco-
herent babble of the somnambulist.
Education has nearly eradicated su-
persttion. But wherever ignorance
prevails ii still fingers, and holds II
tenacious sway. And even among
the intelligent, there are few who
who will not confess to cherish
ing u secret belief in some particular
sign.
IN THE SOUTH.
The negroes of the South are ex-
tremely superstitious, and not only
do they believe in personal devil,
but those to whom he Is alleged TO
have appeared can describe him
graphically-horns, hoofs, spiked
tail, blazing eyes, with sulphurous
flames emanating from his nostrils.
Most of their omens are of semi
religious character, but they have a
large and varied collection relating
to death and evil fortune; the howl.
/ ing of dog, the croaking of raven,
with them, rs with other people,
forebode death. They dread the
evil eye unspeakably, and no power
can free the unhappy wretch who
has fallen under the fatal ban of the
hoodoo. 1t is strange that the
African savage and the Northern
Saxon both should believe in the
spell worked by the rude figure in
wax, left to melt before the fire
certain death to the enemy in whose
likeness ii was fashioned.
\ club i'm New York has waged q
praiseworthy war against the old
: supe rstition of thirteen. 1t has II
membership of thirteen, or multiplcs
of thirteen, who dare fate, and seat
themselves thirteen mt table mt al
their banQuets. But there are cour.
ageous men and sensible women
who will turn pale and ask to he
, eXuscd II the uniIcliy number sit ~
The feast to which they have been
biddcn.
Equally intelligent people hate tc
spill salt, and avert the quarre
, which 1t forecasts, propitiatlng tho
fnirics, by throwing pinch over thu
right shoulder.
; Excellent church members, good
pious dcacons and dcaconesses feel {
decided pleasure i'm seeing the new
, moon over the right shoulder, be
: lleving that the wish then mad,
, will come true; seen over the lei
shoulder 1t presagcs bad luck all TIN
month, while to see
"Is the moon in the face
To pon disgrace"
A scratch on the hand prepare
the believer in the sign for impend
ing disappointment; passing ON tn
stairs has like import; so has sing
ing at table. Only the thorough,
philosophical will go back after one
l having left the house, and If force,
< to do so, can only mitigate the evi
that Will happen by sitting down
counting ten, and making wish.
A GIRLS SHOES.
Buttoned boots have deprived TIN
l anxious maiden of one means o
knowing that her lover Is thinking
/ of her; her shoe can not come un
tied. If she loses hairpin she is t
|, be succeeded by N rival. The itch
I ing of the palm of the right han'
= presages greeting friend, of the lef
/, the depleted pocket-book is to b
: filed.
Q The significance of the right ant
left ear burning Is as familiar t.
everybody as the alphabet. Ba'
! luck that manifests itself on Sunda,
! morning will continue through tn
' week, and this ought to be an in
centive to make t, right start. Th
coming of guests is heraldcd by
variety of oncns; the cock CROWN
OH the doorstep; dropping the dish
cloth, knife or fork--the knit
, signifying u visitor of the gentle
), sex. Brcakinga a looking-glass IL
: sign of death, or seven years of Ill
', luck. The falling of a portrait
\ 4 l.