The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-24
SUPERSTITION ABOUT THIRTEEN.
Ideas Of Some Prominent People About This
odd Number.

A number of prominent persons have
been interviewed on the subject of the sup
eIstition connected with the number thir-
teen and their views have been published
in the Belford Magazine.
j. b. Abarhanell says: OF all these minor
supersttions, perhaps the most prevalent is
the one which is the subject OF this article
that of sitting thirteen at table. An idea of
its prevalence among all nations may be
obtained by adverting 10 the well-known
facts that the Turks have almost expunged
the number Q3) from their vocabulary; that
the Italians never use it in making up the
numbers for their lotteries, and that the
thirteenth card in one of their games bears
the figure Of death that no house in Paris
bears the number -, and that in that city
the QuartorZleneS are recognized as persons
In society who hold themselves in readiness
TO be invited to any dinner which otherwise
would have the fatal thirteen at the festal
board.
The thirteen superstition, briefly stated,
is that II thirteen persons, either by accident
or design, dine together at the same table,
one viii die within "a year. It's origin has
been traced back to the old Morse mythol-
0gy, in which occurs the story of the gods
sitting down to a feast with Loke In the
Valhalla. Baldur was the thirteenth ut the
table and had to die. IL is hardly likely,
though, that so obscure tradition con-
nected with an ancient faith limited to a
comparatively small locale would be able
to spread its perniciOus influence so broad
cast over the earth. The popularity
accepted origin NAV be taken as the
right one. The Last Supper, which so i'm
mediatey preceded the crucitixiOn of the
Savior, must always have excited a sent-
ment of awe in the breasts OF the faithful,
which in an unenlightened age easily de-
generated into feeling of superStitious ter
rQr Leonardo da Vinci, in his famous
painting on the wall in the refectory of
the Dominican convent OF Santa Maria
della-Gracie in Milan, unwittingly perhaps,
gave the first impulse to the superstition in
the minds OF the ignorant masses who be-
held the twelve Apostles and the Master at
table. To see before their eyes the fatal
feast itself must have affected them far
more profoundly than could the most elo-
queDt sermon on the subject. In this pic
ture, too, we see Judas in the aet of spilling
the salt; thus it is fair to presume that both
suDerstitions have practically the same
origin.
Il am superstitious by heredity," says Mrs.
Frank Leslie, being by French extraction,
creole OF Louisiana, and my natural ten
dency was no doubt foStered by my c0lored
nurse. In our country ye are apt to con-
slider that superstition goes hand in hand
with Ignorance, but among the Latins it
exists among those of the highest as we'll as
the lowest classes, and there is great ten
dency to it among their descendants, and
indeed among all people of representative
natures who are impressionabie and of ex-
citable temperaments. No one can deplore
or combat superstition more than myself,
and had children i should from their ear
Hest years endeavor to eradicate any suclf
tendency. Although personally l should
be entirely willing to make one of
party of thirteen at the table, it
discomfort
whom l love to do so. My Unborn prejudice
against thirteen was foStered BIZ the follow
ing painful experience: A birthday dinner
was given in my honor. just as we were
about to enter the dining-room, two dear
friends just from Europe happened 10 drop