The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1914-03-13

day of the month. Once last year this
day and number came together, enC
In 1914 this will happen three times.
Most people dsclaim suDerstitious
belief, yet it is a safe assertion that
few If any escape being more or less
influenced by signs, omens, charms,
dreams, etc. Superstition, like hab-
It, takes a thousand forms. We often
believe without a reasonable basis.
We adapt ourselves in conduct and
thought to the habits and beliefs of
our ancestors.
1t would be interesting to find to
what extent superstitions persist
among intelligent people. The results
OF duel or the ordeal" are not
now the only methods of determining
guilt or. innocence, but belief in the
potency Of the rabbits foot, the comet,
the hnchback, the coming together
of the red haired girl and the white
horse, that toads cause warts and
horse chestnuts cure rheumatism are
still deeply rooted In modern human
Imagination
Perhaps two as common and WIDE
spread superstiticns are those re.at
ing to Friday and -. Both are asso-
ciated with TIE life Of Christ. He was
crCcined on Friday, and there were
thirteen persons at the Lords supper.
friday, however, was considered an
unlucky day by nations whose tradi-
tons 20 back long before the begin
ming of the Christian era.
The fact that Friday is hangman's
day" adds to the common antipathy.
1t seems that in the very early tines
the history of English jurispru-
dence. II became Il common practice
n sc ect ing II day for the execution
Of criminals to cAcose Friday, This
plact CO was ttansplanted to the
courts of America In colonial times,
and has been generally, though not
invariably, observed ever since, not
only IN the original 10 states, but In
all the states. There IL no statutory
provision so far as known making Il
obligatory on judges to follow this old
custom IL ls only an incident OF
many IN showing how men and racaj
follow presidents.
A writer OF an inventive turn o.
mind has suggested that Fridays IN.
popularity in these times Is partly ow-
ing 10 its being late in the week, just
before the Saturday pay, when money
runs short to the poor and the day Is
accordingly DREADED,
Friday among the Mchamedans,
however is considered the best and
lucklest day in the calendar With
them 1t the most popular day for
beginning any enterprise of impor
lance, whether building house, plant-
Ing a garden, embarking on a voyage
or journey, contracting a marriage,
or making garment. Friday to the
Mos,ems, corresponds TO the Sunday
of the Christian and the Saturday OF
the Jews.
Friday was the most auspicious day
for weddings among The Jews in me.
dieyal tines, but It's selection appears
TO have been due to exlediency be-
cause of its nearness to the Jewish
sabbath and the convenience of asso.
chatting the marriage ceremony with
the services In the synagogue Gu the
latter day.
Friday has net been an unlucky day
"A American history. Columbus sailed
from Palos on his first voyage Of dis.
coyery on Friday, II was on Friday
that he first discovered land In the
new word. II was on Friday that Ca.
bot received his commission from
Henry VIII the first American state
paper OF England which led to the
discovery of the North American con,
tinent aud the basis OF Englands
claims.
II was on Friday that the Mayflow-
or put into Cape Cod barber and
reached the shores OF Massachusetts.
II was On Friday that the house OF
Rurgesses. the first representative us.
sembly in America, met et James.
town, Va.
II was on Friday that Gates fought
his first battle with Burgoyne, which
ended later In another battle and the
surrender of the British forces. n vic.