The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-11-20
cREDuL1rY OF GREAT MINDS.

Superstition by No Means Confined to
the Ignorant,
It is mistake to imagine that SUI
perstition is a weakness confined to
seamen or persons of feeble and uncul-
tured minds, Men possessing the
strongest intellects have been swayed
by almost childish credulity with re-
gard to the supernatural The great
Napoleon was a firm believer in pre-
sentiments. Once, when he was
anxiously awaiting news from Egypt.
he heard that a Nile boat had run
ashore and that the crew had been put
to death. This boat bore the name of
L'Italie. Napoleon was much concern
ed when he heard this last piece Of
news. He looked upon it as an omen
that his hopes of annexing Italy to
France were to be shattered. Nothing
would induce him 10 believe the con-
trary. My presentiments never de-
ceive me" he said; ''all is ruined;
am satisfied that may conquest is lost"
The presentiment in this case certainly
became true.
n lalAtOuS "14IEL HOS cca4O VI wa
poleon: He was all star and destiny"
Certain it is that Napoleon had faith
in his star, and it appeared to be the
ruling omen of his entire career. Cen
eral Rapp, who for long period was
NapOleon's aide-de-camp, refers to the
subject in his interesting memoirs.
Rapp had just returned from the siege
of Danzig, and, seeking Napoleon's
presence, found him gazing intently
through the window, his eyes fixed up
on the heavens. 1t was some time be-
fore the Emperor noticed the presence
of Rapp, when SUDDENLY Selling him by
the arm, he exclaimed: Look there;
up there!' Il see nothing but the pale
twinkling stars replied the astute
aide-de-camp quietly. What" ex-
claimed the Emperor excitedly, lis it
possible that you do not see my star?
The fiery red one. almost as large as
the moon? 1t is before you now, and
at the sight, he fairly shrieked as he
cried out: 1T has never abandoned me
for a single instant. I see it on all
great occasions; it commands me to go
forward; it is my sign of good fortune,
and where it leads I will follow"
The Roman Admiral Appius Claudius
on being informed by the augurs on
the eve of an engagement that the sa-
cred chickens would not eat, said: Let
them drink, then" and ordered them
thrown overheard, after which he at
tackled the Carthaginian fleet and re-
Ceived a terrible thrashing.
The astute Bismarck was supersti-
tious, the number thirteen having a
very deep meaning for him. He would
never sit down to table when he made
the thirteenth. Count Bismarck Bob
len states that one day in 1870 at
Rheims, when the Chancellor gave
one Of the invitations had to be
because otherwise
there would have been thirteen at ta-
BILE. General Boyer, Bazaine's envoy, |
arrived at the German headquarters at
Versailles on Friday, October /, but
Bismarck would not see him till the
next day, saying that he would never
do anything of importance on any Fri
day. much less on Friday the date of
which conceded with the anniversary
of Horchlsirk. Jena and Auerstadt. He
was talking one day of a defeat the |
Germans had experienced in the course
Of the campaign of 1870. Il beg you to A.,
observe, gentlemen" he said that
that happened on a Friday" Bis |
marck did not believe In lucky or an
day, but he believed that his !
life was seriously influenced by
mystic number.
The prosaic Dr. Johnson always
counted his steps before entering any
place, so as to arrange that his right !
foot should always precede his left; or,
again, touched every post which he
passed along a certain route, fearing
that. if he missed one, some misfortune |
would befall him.
Lord Wolseley writes: II not only be-
lieve in many superstitions, but | hug
them with the warmest affection. They .
link me, if not with a spiritual world
Of which / know nothing, at least with
a glorious and artistic and picturesque !
past of which history has told me
much. 1 believe in ghosts and in .
I have worn out the rims of /
several hats since I have been in Dub
lin through my salutations of single
That mystic bird abounds in
and 1 would not on any ac- /
count walk under a ladder, etc. In
fact, | am prone to adopt any super
stition I am told of which / find others
believe ill.,"
The Shah of Persia is superst itious |
He always carries with him when he !
travels a circle of amber which is said
to have fallen from heaven in Mo-