The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-19
TAKING AN OATH.


There is more than n touch OF the
grotesque, az well as of the solemn. in
the modes OF administering oaths I'm
certain countries. says Tit-Bits. When
a Chinaman swears TO tell the truth he
kneels down and "a china saucer Is
given 10 him. This he proceeds 20
break I'm pieces. and the following oath
is then administered: You shall tell
the truth and the whole truth The
saucer is cracked. and If you do not
tell the truth your soul Will be cracked
like the saucer"
Other symbolic variations of the
Chinese oath are the extinguishing of
"a candle or cutting off a cocks head.
the light OF the candle representing the
witness soul and the fate of the cock
symbolizing tha fate of Il perjurer.
In certain parts of India tigers ana
lizards skins take the place OF the
Bible Cf Christian countries, ana the
Ionalty Of breaking the oath Is that
In one case the witness viii become
tho prey of tiger. and I'm the other
that MS body will be covered with
scales like lizard.
One of the most terrible of Europron
caths is that administered in Norwe-
gian courts OF law. The prelude TO
the sanctity OF the oath and the terri
BILE consequences of not keeping 1t. Part
of this lengthy serman takes this
form:
IF you swear n false oath the good
ness and mercy of God will not avail
YOU. but YOU will be punished eternally
i'm hell as n perverse and hardened
sinner If you swear falsely all your
possessions will be cursed: your land
and meadows, so that they Will yield
you no fruit: your cattle and sheep
will be barren. and all that you enjoy
I'm this world VIII become curse TO
YOU"
When the witness Is duly crushed by
the sense of his fearful responsibility
the oath is administered. while he holds
aloft his thumb ana fore and middle
fingers. as an emblem of the Trinity.
Ii Ii a little curious that the express
sion. the truth. the whole truth. and
nothing but the truth" I'm very slightly
varied forms. runs through almost all
the oaths administered i'm European
courts.
In an Italian court the witness. with
his right hand resting on an open Bible
declares. II will swear to tell the truth
the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth"
The Mohammcdan takes the oath
with his forehead revercntly resting on
lnt open Moran. lie thkfS MS DlD'e
in hls hands and STOPPING low as If
in the presence of higher power
slowly bows his head until IL touches
tho book which Ia him Is Inspired. In
the reverence OF his acis and the un-
swerv'ng LOYALTY 10 an oath mary Fu-
ropeans Rave much 10 learr from a fol-
lower of Mohammed
In certain parts of SDein the wit
ness when taking ~ oath, crosses the
thumb of one hand over tho forrfnrer
of the other and kissing this SYMBOLIC
" primitive. cross. saws by this cross
j swear To tell the truth
IN The more usual form Of admins
ter'nE the oath in Spain. the witness
fneels solennly before the Bible and
nlaces his right hand reveren;ly uuon
IT, The Judge then asks him. "Will
v"i swear. in the name Of God and
His holy Book. To speak the truth in
anSwer To- nl questions that may be
asked vcu?" The witness answers. ~
swear" The Judge then concludes, "If
YOU 10 this God will reward you: but
" vor fail He Will require an account Of
YOU"
An Austrian takes his oath In front
~ q crucifx. lanked by lighted can
dies. with upraisad right hand he
saws. "T\swear by the all powerful and
all wisc God that VIII sneak the whole
and cleenNtruth. and nothing but the
truth. I'm answer 90 any questions that
may be asked in this court" "