The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-03-10
SOME QUEER BEL1RFs.

oSu many VI Tic O10 OASho
anq superstitions have passed, there
stlli remain among every race hum
dreds and thousands of popular be-
liets. Early religious teachings, fan
atleal beliefs, worship of idols, ,sorcery,
necromancy and the like perhaps laid
the foundation for the supersititions
found among the people of the globe.
It may be interesting to specify few
particularly. By comparing them
with those that have come to his own
observation in the United States the
reader will be astonished at the SINH
larity Of number and set to wonder
ing how they became so widespread.
Did they in some form exist before
theconfusion of languages, or were
thef carried from country to country
by lestless individuals in their travels
an1 xplorations during the centuries?
~ isitthat the most important and
degraded tribes on the other side of
world hive some superstitions in COM
mon with the most civilized and pro-
gressive Ouutries on this side?
The Essimos believe in ghosts. To
change th. wind they drum, chant
and bawl, shoot against it, build fires
and as lat resort fire the graves of
the dead. When a child dies in
| Greenland he natives bury live dog
with it to beused by the child as a
guide to the other world. When
asked about tlis superstition they an
swer that "a cog can find his way
anywhere. Similar to this custom
is the pathetic ene prevailing in some
parts of France, where mother buries
her dead child with its favorite toy or
her own hair, that it may not feel
quite alone"
Speaking of France, the belief is
popular that the position of drown
ed body may be discovered by float
ing loaf Of bread-possibly the only
scientific basis being that the loaf is
apt so be carried by current just as
a body is. In Java live sheep is
thrown into the water to locate
drowned body by sinking near it. In
certain sections of the United State
shirt of the d deceas sed or some
near relative is thrown in to float on
its gruesome mission, but in Norway
those in search of drowned body
row to and fro with cock in the boat
fully believing that the bird will crow
when the boat reaches the spot where
the corpse lies.
The cock and certain omens have
long been connected in various coun-
tries. If it crows at a particular time
in Persia it is the sign of some event
affecting the family, and the master
of the house rushes out to feel the
birds feet if they are cold, it is
forerunner of death, but if warm, the
sign is propitious. In West Virginia
the Growing of cock before the door
tells of coming company" while
it is believed in other portions of the
souh-if not by the rural populations
of other sections of the Union-that
the shrill clarion after sunset indica-
ties early weather changes or the an
nouucement of unwelcome news.
The natives of Cuba have one be-
lief at least in common with Ameri-
cans. They regard the hooting of an
owl as very bad sign. If they can
succeed in killing the owl they be-
lieve this will break the spell involv-
ing the life of some member of the
family. There is something weird
in its hooting and I have known per-
sons to get out of bed at midnight to
drive it from the tree or a corner of
the dwelling, believing it barbinger
of ills. Perhaps the bird is held in
awe in other countries. Others of the
feathered tribe are so held or regard
ed with reverence. The people in
the south OF Ireland are particularly
fearful of the robin entering their
houses it is prognostic of severe
SHOWS and frosts. The crow and
pigeon are looked upon as unlucky in
Poland, where the goat is harbinger
of good luck In Sweden if one kills
a wren he will break bone before
the year is out.
The animals and insects that Ill
friendliness live near the abodes OF
man ought to have outlived the super
stitions surrounding them long ago
but they have not. In Switzerland
if a huntsman going out in the morn
ing sees fox cross his path or meets
an old woman he turns back home.
The first means no game, the second
that he will shoot a man hidden Ill
the leaves or do some other irreparable
mischief. In America it is the rab-
bit crossing ones path which brings
some sort of bad luck. In Hull,
England, it is unlucky to kill crick-
cts. In Lancashire it is thought
they cut holes in the stockings OF
those who kill them. In portions OF
England also it is customary to an
nounce to the bees a death in the
family, especially that of the master.
while if a swarm settle on the dead
branch of tree death will occur in
the family within year. In rnral
America if one kills the first snake
he sees in the spring it presages that
he will overcome his enemies during
that year. On the other hand the
African natives reverence the snake,
and once year kill a cobra and hang
its skin 10 tree, tail downward, where
all the children are brought out and
made to touch it. as this will put
them under the serpent's care. If
they find dead snake they dress it in
clothes and give it great funeral.
The American Indians believe white
deer has maidstone in its stomach.
The cat and dog, universal pets though
they be, are associated with superstiti-
Gus belief. In England it is considered
unlucky to sell dog. If one howls
before the door of some American
household they fear the brute fore
tells an early death in the family.
Tn Garnauv If is believed that any