Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-07-25
MR.. wAKEmAN's JoURNBYINGs.

The Superstitions OF Scotland-Scot-
tish Evasiveness Information
Seeking Regarded as Impertfnent-
Odd and. Even MISUNDERSTANDING
Superstftions-Those of CourtshfP
and Weddfngs-Folk-Lo of Birds
and Fowls-Numerous Death and
Funeral Tokens - Malicious and
Barbarfc Diablerte-A BODY of Clay.
HAwIoK, Scotland, July 10.
Tothe Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
Collecting folklore from the people of
any country is attended with many diff
culties. The Scotch are almost as evasive
as the Irish, and delight in mystifying
qualifications. The intellectual classes
rather resent the possible uses to which
such information is to be put. The aver
age Scotchman of the middle classes feels
aggrieved that SO noble race as his own
should be suspected of possessing super
stitions. And the ignorant and lowly
have well defined notion that the charm
is lost if it be divulged to disbelievers.
To illustrate: A certain eminent htera-
tor of advanced age in Edinburg, himself
an elucidator of the very heredity of Scot
tish superstition, when I applied to him
humbly enough for his own verifcation of
q very weird practice which absolutely
know still exists among the Highlands,
told me in good round terms that the med
ding with such matters by English and
American intellectual tramps in general
was "most dsmnable impertinence. On
another occasion ordered suit of cloth
ing from certain town oracle, the tailor,
who in many respects was second,
though severe, edition of delicious old
Mansie WAUGH, for the sole purpose of Sc
curing the lore and superstitions of his
own craft. With all the diplomacy posi-
BILE approached the coveted disclosures,
but the moment this fellow comprehended
the import of my wishes, condolences
were at an end, and his dignity was SO
sorely tried that he declined holding fur
ther intercourse with me save through the
chilling medium of deaf and dumb as
sistantl Among the peasantry, and espe-
cially the crofters and coastwise fishermen,
however much you may gain confidence
and friendship, the "Touch me not with
impunityl" of Scotia's national motto, is
a stubborn fact in character; and though
it may be often overcome, on countless
occasions have been met and baffied in
folklore researches by the canny remark:
"Guid truth, gin 1 wad tell ye onything,
ye wad shune hae it in prent; an tn good
OF ia me wad be dune!"
But determination, diligence and homes
ty of spirit in research will accomplish
much in years time, even in Scotland.
1t is easy enough to find in the main
striking afinities between Scottish, Eng
hsh, 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 exam
Piles will illustrate their universally of
adoption and adaptation.
A babe must never see its image in q
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 SEN
sation 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 dis
turb you in like manner you are to jour
ney 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 in order
to secure good luck during the month to
come. The spilling of salt is unlucky,
but evil may be warded off If you will
toss a portion over your left shoulder.
When the fire is blown, If sparks fly spite
fully, strangers are to visit you. Even
numbers are lucky and odd ones are ca
lamitous. In handing any object or arti-
Gle of food to another, if it falls or spills,
it is a certain sign of much further inter.
course; but if by chance any two persons
wash in the same bowl of water they are
certain to quarrel. Entering service, OF
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 spider is found on ones clothing
or person money will shortly be received
A gift of knife or other sharp-edged
utensil is always to be avoided. There art
countless weather omens and portents in
Scotland which are common in England
and Ireland, and which any student o.
American folk lore will find have passed
into usage in our own country.
Again, innumerable Evolutionary Gus
| toms and beliefs of the simpler sort vii
be found peculiar to the Scottish peopl,
themselves, of which 1 give a few exam
Piles. If you first see the new moon will
| empty hands you will be unfortunate fo
| a month to come. If you see cow licl
either of her fore feet you will immediate
| " hear of death. Seeing q snail on bar
| ground is bad omen; but to find one oil
the grass is sign of plentiful year. Il
Roxburghshire those meeting black snail
take them by the horns and throw then
| over their left shoulders, in order to 60 ol
their way prosperonsly. The sudden los
of hair is prognostic of the loss of chill
dren, health or property. To dream o
ones teeth falling out is certain sign o
the death of friend. The shrinking o
downfall in life; and should it swell yoI
will be prosperous. 1t is unlucky to
recalled, after having set out on a journey
to be told of something you have forgot
ten; but you can destroy the spell by a
once partaking of meat and drink
When you first put on a new coat, if yo'
will place money in the right-hand pocke
| you will not know want; but if by mis-
take you place it in the left-hand pocke
you will be in need as long as that coat i
worn To sweep a house by night is tn
greatest possible insult that can be offere.
to the fairies and the spirits of the dead
and to sweep out the dust by the from
door is to drive away good fortune. !
dock-leaf will cure a nettle sting if yo
will meant
Nettle out, dock in;
| Dock remove the nettle sting
during the operation. Down about Ye
holm If any of the travelling tinklers @
peddlers on setting out in the mornin
meet person whose face they do not like
they turn back; for to have proceede
would have given an unlucky day. Higt
landers to this day at midnight Of Angus
first (old style) bathe in Lochmanur, Sutt
erlandshire, to cure themselves of all boo
lily ailments, repaying the Spirit of th
Lake in coin for these benefits. Soap an
with "the evil-eye." And Goals and sal
must be tossed into a new house befor
taking possession of it; to drive out ir
gering evil spirits.
The Scotch baby is the subject and oil
ject of very many traditional superstition
safeguards and ominous portents. If i
praising the baby and calling 1t pretty
you do not add, ''Save It'll" your eye wi
"evil eye." It Is equally necessary, whe
to add, "My eye will not take 1t on!
Babes are atthe mercies of the fairies b,
fore baptism. For partial safeguar
-