Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-07-26
SUPERSTITfONS.
Affinities Between Scottish,
English and Irish Omens.
SAME AS IN THIS COUNTRY.
Peculiar Customs and Fanciful Superstiti-
ons in the Matter of Courtships and
Wsddings-Death Tok ems and
Funeral Tokens.
Special Correspondence of the Gazette.

Special Correspondence Of the Gazette.
HAwIcK, SCOTLAND, July 13.-Collect-
ing folklore from the people of any country
is attended with many difficulties. The
Scotch are almost as evasiye as the Iris
and the delight in 1nystifying qualifications.
The intellectual classes rather resent the
possible uses TO which such information is
to be put. The average Scotchman of the
middle classes feels aggrieved that so noble
q race as his own should be suspected of
possessing superstitions. And the ignor-
ant and lowly have a well defined notion
that the charm is lost if it be divulged to
disbelievers.
To illustrate: A certain eminent litera-
tor of advanced age in Edinburgh, himself
an elucidator of the very hereditary of Scot
fish superstition, when | applied to him
humbly enough for his own verification of
very weird practice which | absolutely
know still exists among the Highlands, told
me in good round terms that the meddling
with such matters by English and Ameri-
can intellectual tramps in general was a
''moSt damnable impertinence." On an
other occasion ordered a suit OF clothing
from certain town oracle, the tailor, who
IN many respects was second, thoug "A
severe edition of delicious old Mansie
WAUGH, for the sole purpose OF securing
the lore and superstitions of his own craft
With all the diplomacy possible l ap-
preached the coveted disclosures, but the
moment this fellow comprehended the i'm
port of my wishes, condolences were at an
end, ana his dignity was so sorely tried
that he declined to hold further intercourse
with me save through the chilling medium
OF deaf and dumb assistant Among the
peasantry, and especially the crofters and
coastwise fishermen, however much you
may gain confidence and friendship the
Touch me not with impunityn' of SEQ
ua's national motto. is a stubborn fact in
character; and though itmay be often over
come, on countless occasions | have been
met and baffied in folklore researches by
the cauny remark:
''Guid truth. gin wad tell We onything,
ye wad shune hae it in prent; an tn good
OF ia me wad be duner'
But determination, diligence and honesty
of spirit in research will accomplish much
in years time, even in Scotland. 1t is easy
enough to find in the main striking affinities
between Scottish, English, Irish and even
New England, omens, portents and super
stitious beliefs of the more trivial and ordi-
nary character. There IS no end to these,
and few examples will Illustrate their
universally of
ADOPTION AND ADAPTIoS.
A babe must never see its image in
looking-glass until all its teeth are cut. Bad
luck always follows the removal of the
wedding ring. If you find two spoons in
your cup or saucer, it is a certain omen that
You will never wed. Some one IS thinking
of you when your nose itches. The omens
colnected with burning sensation in the
right or left ear are the same as with us.
The itching of the right palm indicates that
you will soon shake hands, and OF the left,
that you are to receive Nancy; while if the
soles of your feet disturb you in Ii Ike man
ner, you are to journey over strange
ground. The potency of the horseshoe is
the same the world over, but, in Scotland.
If you find one you must throw it over your
left shoulder to secure good luck during the
month to come. The spilling of salt is IN
lucky, but evil may be warded off if you
will toss portion over your left shsulder
When the fire is blown, if sparks fly spite
fully, strangers are TO visit you. Even
numbers are lucky, and odd ones are
calamitous. In handing any object or
article of food to another if it falls or
spills, it is certain sign of much further
intercourse; but if by chance any
two persons wash in the same bowl of Wa
ter they are certain to quarrel Enter
ing service, or beginning any enterprise or
journey on Saturday, will compel an unfort-
innate outcome. The same superstitions re-
garding cauls, and children born with cauls,
exist in Scotland as elsewhere in Europe.
When a spider is found on ones clothing or
person, money will shortly be received. A
gift of a knife or other sharp-edged utensil
is always to be avoided. There are count
less weather omens and portents in Scot
land which are common in England and Ire
land, and which any student OF American
folklore will find have passed into usage
INCUR OWN COUNTRY.
Again. Vulnerable Evolutionary customs