The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-04

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to the myth of Prometheus, who made
an image of clay and wished to give it
life. From the sun he stole reedful of
rays, and fastening back to his statue he
placed the reed under it's nostrils, pro-
ducing sneeze-a phenomenon we may
at any time produce by standing in the
sun. At this sign of life in his creation,
| Prometheus calculated blessing and
prayer for its preservation, and this re-
Spouse to sneeze has been handed
down through all generations.
Also in the story of the Shunamite
child restored to life by the prophet
Elisha do we find the idea that this con-
vulsive effort of nature is the first sign
of life. 1.-THE child sneezed seven times,
and the child opened his eyes," Accord
| ing to the Scottish folk lore, newborn
child is under the fairy spells until it
sneezes. Aristotle mentions the practice
of physicians who, when death seems
near, give medicines to induce sneezing,
hoping thereby to arouse the failing
faculties. Aristotle seems to have given
much attention to omens Of sneezing.
He says a sneeze on the right hand
brings good fortune; on the left hand it
betokens ill. In the Odyssey" when
Penelope calls on the absent Ulysses to
punish wrong,
Telmachus then sLeezed aloud,
The smiling queen the happy omen blessed;
$50 may these impious fall by Fate oppressed"
And in the "Anabasis" it is related
that while Xenophon was haranguing
the army some one sneezed. "Immedi-
ately the general voice addressed ejacula-
tions to protecting Jupiter. whose omen
it was supposed to be. A sacrifice to the
gods was then proposed, universal
shout declared appreciation, and the
whole army in one chorus sang the
Pecan"
ancients arose in the morning, if they
sneezed while putting on their shoes,
they Immediately went back to bed
in order to get up more auspiciously,
and so escape misfortunes likely tooccur
during the day. II Hindu sneezes
while performing his morning additions
in the Ganges he touches his forehead,
nose, chin and cheeks with the tips of
his fingers and recommences his prayers
from the very beginning. In illness
sneezing is considered good omen,
sign Of returning health. Howell, in
1859 said: HE that hath sneezed twice,
turn him out of the hospital" Among
the ancients, if any one sneezed directly
after dinner, dish was brought back
and tasted to avert misfortune.
The custom of saluting belongs to
every nation and cline. In Ethiopia,
when the King sneezed, those about him
saluted SO loudly that they we're heard
and echoed through the whole city. In
1542 De Soto had an interview in Florida
with cacique, who, during converse
ton. happened to sneeze. All his at
tendants bowed their heads, opened and
closed their arms. and saluted the prince
with MAY the sun guard you, shine on
you. defend you, prosper you," and SINH
lar phrases. An italian child's primer
of 1858 says: Being prompt in saluting
any one who may sneeze, and returning
thanks to any one who on such an occa
sion may have wished you WE'LL"
An epigram in the Greek Anthology
shows it was customary to say, God
bless you" The ancient Romans said
"Salve." The modern Roman of the
lower classes says. "Figli maschi!" MAY
you have male children.) The North
Germans say "Your good health" in
Vienna, GOD be with YOU" in Ireland
the peasant says, "God bless your honor"
"Long life to your honor" The Russian
form is "To your good health" or "How
do you dor" Erasmus, in his "Collo-
quies," bids one say to the sneezer, "Sit
faustum &C felix" or "Servet to Deus" or
"Bene vertate Deus.' The French say
"Dieu vous benisse," the Italians 'Felic-
ita" In old German it was Got hef,"
"Nu helfen Got" The natives of Samoa
say Life to you," the Kaffirs MAY God
ever regard me with favor" Other
tribes believe sneezing sign that good
spirits are near, and so pray for what
ever they most desire, The Parsees give
thanks for victory of good over evil.
English folklore is full of rhymes about
sneezing on certain days. In Devon
shire they say:
"Sneeze OH Sunday morning fasting.
You'll enjoy your own true love everlasting"
In Lancashire:
"Sneeze on Monday you sneeze for danger;
Sneeze on Tuesday, you kiss a stranger;
Sneeze On Wednesday, you sneeze for letter;
| Sneeze on Thursday, for something better;
Sneeze on a Friday, You'll sneeze for sorrow;
Sneeze on a Saturday. your sweetheart tomor-
row;
| Sneeze on Sunday, your safety seek;
| The devil will have YOU the rest of The week.
An old Puritan book had for its title;
THE Spiritual Mustard Pot, to Make
the Soul Sneeze with Devotion. "-Neac
York EUening Post.
AGRICULTURE.