Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-26
ODD SCOTCH BELIEFS.
Signs and Omens That Still Have
Weight Among the Lowly.
THE FACTS HARD TO GET AT.
Intelligent Glasses Ashamed to Tell and
Others Afraid To.
4 SORT OF WITCHCRAFT IN THE NORTH

Is attended with many difficulties. The
Scotch are almost as evasiye as the Irish,
and delight in mystifying qualifications
The intellectual classes rather resent the
possible uses to which such information Ii
to be put The average Scotchman of the
middle classes feels aggrieved that so noble
q race as his own should be suspected Of pos.
sessing superstitions. And the ignorant
and lowly have q well defined notion that
the charm is lost if it be divulged to disbe-
Gevera
To illustrate: A certain eminent htera.
tor of advanced age in Edinburgh, himself
an elucidator of the very herediay of Scot
tish superstitution, when I applied to him
humbly enough for his own verifcation of a
very weird practice which I absolutely
know still exists among the Highlands, told
me in good round terms that the meddling
with such matters by English and American
intellectual tramps in general was "most
damnable impertinence. On another occa-
sion ordered a suit of clothing from a GER
tain town oracle, the tailor, who in many
respects was second, though severe, edi-
tion of delicious old Mansie WAUGH, for the
sole purpose of securing the lore and SUPER
stitions of his own craft. With all the d.
plomacy possible approached the coveted
disclosures, but the moment this fellow
comprehended the import of my wishes,
condolences were at an end, and his
dignity was 30 sorely tried that he de-
clined holding further intercourse with me
save through the chilling medium of deaf
and dumb assistant
Reasons the Lowly Give.
Among the peasantry, and especially the
orofters and coastwise fishermen, however
much you may gain confidence and friend
ship the 'Touch me not with impunityP' of
Scotia's national motto is a stubborn fact in
character; and though it may be often over
come, on countless occasions I have been
met and batfied in folklore researches by
the canny remark: "Guid truth, gin wad
tell ye onything, ye wad shune had it in
prent; an tn good OF ia me wad be dune"
But determination, diligence and honesty
of spirit in research will accomplish much
In years time, even in Scotland 1t ID
easy enough to find in the main striking
affinities between Scottish, English, Irish
and even New England omens, portents
and superstitious beliefs of the more trivial
and ordinary character. There is no end to
these, and few examples will illustrate
their universally Of adoption and adapta-
ton.
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, 1t Is q certain omen that
you will never wed. Some one is thinking
Of you when your nose itches. The omens
connected 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 money; while if the
soles of your feet disturb you in like man.
ner, you are to journey over strange ground
Luck of the Horseshoe Is Universal.
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 In order to secure good luck dur
ing the months to come. The spilling Of
salt is unlucky, but evil may be warded of
If you toss q portion over your left
shoulder. When tho fire Is blown, if
sparks fly spitsfully, 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, II Is o certain sign Of much further
Intercourse; but If by chance any two per-
sons wash in the same bowl of water they
are certain to quarrel Entering service, or
beginning any enterprise or journey on
Saturday, will compel an unfortunate out
come The same superstitions regarding
cauls, and children born with cauls, exist in
Scotland as elsewhere in Europe. When q
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 some countless weather omens
and portents in Scotland which are common
in England and Ireland, and which any
student of American folklore will find have
passed into usage in our own country.
Again, innumerable traditionary customs
and beliefs of the simpler sort will be found
peculiar to the Scottish people themselves,
Of which give few examples;
Beliefs Peculiar to Scotland
IF you first see the new moon with empty
hands, you will be unfortunate for month
to come. If you see COW lick either of her
fore feet, YOU will Immediately hear of a
death. Seeing snail on bare ground is a
bad omen: but to find one on the grass is
sign of plentiful year. In Roxburghshire
those meeting black snails take them by the
horns and throw them over their left shoul-
ders, in order to go on their way prosper
ously. The sudden loss of hair is prog
nostio of the loss Of children, health or
To dream of ones teeth falling
out is a certain sign of the death of friend.
The shrinking of meat in pot while cook
ing presages downfall in life, and should it
swell you will be prosperous. 1t is unlucky
TO be recalled, after having set out on jour
ney, to be tod of something you have for
gotten; but you can destroy the spell By At
once partsking Of meat and drink.
When you first put on new coat II you
will place money IN the right-hand pocket
you place it In the left-hand pocket you
will be in need as long as that coat is worn.
To sweep house by night is the greatest
possible insult that can be offered to the
fairies and the spirits Of the dead; and to
sweep out the dust by the front door is to
drive away good fortune. A doek-leaf will
cure nettle sting if you will meant.
Nettle out, dock in;
Dock remove the nettle sting
Turing the operation. Down about Yet
lolm If any of the travelling tinkers or ped
Hers on setting out i'll the morning meet a
person whose face they do not like, they
urn back, for to have proceeded would have
yiven an unlucky day.
Bathing for Bodily Ailments.
Highlanders to this day at midnight Of
August 1st Gold style) bathe in Lochmanur,
Sutherlandshire, to cure themselves of
Ill bodily ailments, repaying the Spirit of
he Lake in coin for these benefits. Soap
md salt are still sneared over COWS afflicted
With "the evil-eyc." And Goals and salt
must be tossed INTO new house before TAX |
ng possession of it, to drive out lingering
,vlI spirits.
The Scotch baby is the subject and object
If very many traditional superstitious safe |
guards and ominods portents II, in prais- |
:, - Io LoLuo,J oolIinc II nrettv Won d,, |