Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-01-05


some this fear is more pronounced than
in others, but in the lives of most men
superstition plays an important part.
And among women, too. tlifieS, when
paraded under the limclght of supersti
ton. become deeply significant. and not
nfrequenuy have ben the means of
wrecking promising careers on the
shoals of terror and insanity.
1t is not intended herein to alude to
the ordinary superstitions to which men
and women bow until the end of time.
Every body knows of the thirteen"
persttion, and the thousand and one
signs by which impending disaster or
evil luck is foretold. Many are aware
that even the strongest minds have been
and are being daily stirred by these
signs, and that all men have more or
less faith in them Actor folks, gam
blers, business men. financiers, women in
all station in life, freely admit that they
believe in signs to greater or less de-
gree, and that they are none tie worse
because they do not unnecessarily run
counter to their belief that destiny
shapes our end, rough hew them how We
will.'
Jay Could, as a young man. had a pro-
year of his age which was divsible by
seven. When he was 81 he was solicit
Gus, and when lie was A. the fear Of
death was strong upon him until he en-
tered his 43rd year. When he was 40 the
old fear returned. but before the expira-
ton of the year he had pashed away.
This may have been a coincidsn merely,
hut life is made up of these condolences,
ar
deny.
History furnishes numerous evidences
that this mysterious divinity that shapes
our ends is constantly at work. Take the
history of the family of Napoleon at
Ajaccio, in Corsica, on August 15 1863, to
his death in exile on the island of st.
Helena on May ,. 1921. destiny dealt the
cards in the dramatic game he played
throughout his stormy career. 1t is
curious coincidence that Napoleon and
Wellington were born in the same year.
Waterloo was the prize for which both
contended and the Corscan went down
In defeat
II is II strange circumstance that near
all who enjoyed Napoleons confidence
and friendship met with disaster. Mar
Shal Ney was led II execution soon after
Napoleon fell, and un the very day that
the exiled Emperor landed from the Brit
ish man-of-war Northumberland at st.
Helena General Murat. whom Napoleon
had raised to the throne of Naples was
shot in the fortress of Pizzo in Calabria.
Assocating strange and tragic events
with the career Of Napoleon. it is worthy
Of remark, that General Desaix was shot
at the moment of victory at the battle Of
H.
in IL minutes of Desaix's death the life
OF his old friend. General Kleber. was
taken by an assassin at Grand Cairo.
One might mention, too, the fate of
Marshal Mortier, who was created Duke
of Trevso by Napoleon in 1903. During
the invasion of Russia he WAS intrusted
with the blowing up of the kremlin, and
IL was while giving orders for the eNecu-
,ion Of this project that moujik charla-
tan whispered to him: As thou doest
here, so shalt thou die" Mortier recalled
this prediction with fear every day Of mis-
subsequent career On July IS. 1885. at
Paris, he was blown to pieces by the dis
charge OF Fiessefs internal machine,
which had been intended for the King.
and the mouiik's prophecy was fulfilled.
1t is a singular fact that no Napoleon
died in France. The death of Napoleon
Ill. like that of his predecessor, took
place in a foreign country. The towering
Pillar of his hopes. the Prince imperial
was speared to death by the savages in
Zululand, while the only remaining re-
personalities of the Napoieonic family
were expelled from France some decades
ago.
The vicissitudes of earthly affairs are
startlngly eXemplifed by the misfor.
tunes which befell the members of the
royal Stuart race. James l. of Scotland
n prisoner for 20 years in England.
and was set free only TO be assassinated
by his subjects. James H.. his son, was
killed in his 29th year at the siege Of
Roxburgh, in 1860 by the accidental dis
charge OF cannon. James III, after
enduring a long torn of imprisonment
was murdered. IN iiSS, while fleeing from
abe field of battle with his own subjects
James " perished in engagement
with the English at Flodden Field
James V. died of a broken heart. while
Mary. his daughter was beheaded
Charles l., a grandson Of Mary, lost his
head on the scaffod. and his son James
after being driven from England died in
exile.
A singular coincidence is recalled by
students of history In the Geath at Wind
sor Castle on January 70. 1920, of George
III, In the S2nd year of his age and the
Geth year of his reign. Three tines prior
TO the reign of George ". and the three
preceding reigns Parliament had assem-
bed on Sunday To take action the
emergency following the death of the
ruler on Saturday. This was the case
after the deaths of Queen Anne. George
II. and George III. 1t is remarkable
circumstance that the period of reigns of
the three Edwards and those of the
Georges should have been almost identi-
cal in point Of time Edward I. ascended
the throne on November 16. 1872, while
Edward HI. died on January p. 1877.
These three monarchs ruled England 104
years, months and II days The reign
of the Georges ended with the death. on
Saturday. January 90 1890, OF George ".
The reign OF the Georges covered los
years, months and % days.