Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-12-17
CREDUL1TY OF GREAT MINDS.
Superstition BY No Means Confined
to the Ignorant.


It is a mistake to imagine that su-
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
was a firm believer In pre-
sentiments. Once, when he was anx-
iously awaiting news from Egypt, he
heard that 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 to believe the con-
trary. my presentiments never de-
ceive me-" he said; "all is ruined; am
satisfied that my conquest Is lost
The presentiment in this case certainly
became true.
A famous writer has said Of Napo-
leon: 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. Gen.
Rapp, who for long period was Ma
poleon'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
upon the heavens. It was some time
before the emperor noticed the pres
ence of Rapp, when, suddenly seizing
him by the arm, he exclaimed: Look
there; UP there!" II see nothing but
the pale twinkling stars" replied the
astute aide-de-camp quietly. What"
exclaimed the emperor excitedly, "is it
possible that you do not see my star?
The fiery red one, almost as large as
the moon? It is before you now, and,
ah! how brilliant" Then warming up
at the sight, he fairly shrieked as he
cried out: 1T has never abandoned
me for single instant. see 1t on all
great occasions; it commands me to go
forward; it is my sign Of good fortune,
and where it leads will follow"
The Roman Admiral Appius Claudi-
us, 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 q 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, Boh-
len states that one day in 17S0 at
Rheims, when the chancellor gave a
dinner, one Of the invitations had to be
because otherwise there
would have been thirteen at table.
Gen. Boyer, Bazaine's envoy, arrived
at the German headquarters at Ver-
sailles on Friday, October 1; but Bis
would not see hirl till the next
day, saying that he would never do
of Importance on any Friday,
much less on Friday the date Of which
with the anniversary Of
Horchkirk, Jena and Auerstadt. He
was talking one day Of defeat the
Germans had experienced in the course
Of the campaign Of 1870. 7 beg you to
observe, gentlemen he said, that that
happened on a Friday" Bismarck did
not believe in a lucky or an unlucky
day, but he believed that his life was
seriously Influenced by mystic num-
Der.
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, rearing
that, if he missed one, some misfortune
would befall him.
Lord Wolseley writes: IT not only
believe in many superstitions, but I
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 pict-
uresaue past Of which history has told
me much. I believe in ghosts and IN
amulets. I have worn out the rims Of
several hats since I have been in Dub
lin through my salutations Of single
magpies. That mystic bird abounds
in Ireland; and I would not on any ac-
count walk under a ladder, etc. In fact
I am prone to adopt any superstitions
I am told Of which find others be-
lieve in"
The Shah Of Persia is superstitious.
He always carries with him when he
travels a circle Of amber which Is said
to have fallen from heaven in Moham-
med's time and which renders the
wearer invulnerable; a casket Of gold
which makes him invisible at will, and
a. jewelled star which Is potent to
make conspirators instantly confess
their crimes is always worn upon his
person.
Abraham Lincoln, a few days before
his death had vivid dream In which
he beheld his own body lying In state.
The vision made great impression up
on him and he was rallied on account
Of it by his wife.
Ulysses S. Grant would not have been
a military man had it not been that his
rival for a West Point cadetship had
been found to have six toes on each
foot instead of five. Gen. Grant was
a firm believer in dreams, and to dream
of crockery was sure to be followed by
good luck. The night before he re-