Social Moods.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 415, 28 April 1904, Page 7

Social Moods.

SCHOOL GIRLS. JO&EAN PIGOU once visited a school WHb in ew York ' atSw some questions to the girls in arithmetics:—l asked them to write down in figures: Eleven thousand eleven hundred and eleven. Not one could do it. Another question, with the same result: 'lf one hundred hurdles will enclose one hundred sheep, what is the least number of hurdles that w : ll enclose two hundred sheep t' I proceeded to ask them to write: One hundred in nines. Not;Qne could do it. I-said : ' 1 will give you something simple. What are eggs a dozen when two more in the shilling's Worth reduces the oiigisai price of the eggs by b penny a dozen ?' The girls were aghast. 1 said: ' Let me give you .something still more simple: If there are 'more cows in the world than hairs on any one cow's tail, it follows, as a matter of course, that two cows in the world must have the same number of hairs on their tails. Do you see why V I felt a hand, on my shoulder. The mietreas, much overcome at their inability to answer these extremely simple questions, said: ' Would you, sir, change the subject and examine my girls in geography P*

GHABMS. The belief in the effiaacy of charms and their power to avert' evil i<j ancient history. The Egyptians, proved by the amulets found on the necks of their long-dead kisada, oherished the idea, So did the Bomaas, while Ganius in all ages was not exempt from the superstition, the great Napoleon included, who placed implicit belief in the star. Personal relicß of any6n'e famous were generally regarded as a talisman against misfortune, such as the cross worn by Mary Queen of Scots, or the handkerchief dipped in the blood df King Charles, A piece of rope with which a criminal has been hanged is another weird charm in this category, or a locket containing hiß hair. The four-leaved shamrock is a familiar charm, and the bean (from association with the Bean Stalk legend) is thought to bring good luck. Pigs are amongst the .most popular of ' portes-bonheui s,' and, modelled in gold or silver, is übiquitous, as in the flesh, in Ireland.

A cock is another lucky charm, while a shoe, horae-Bhbe, moon-face, heart, tortoise, fish acorn and nut are all included, as a rule, in every modern collection of charms, with «La Poupee' and «Punch 'as well, besides innumerable others equally bizarre and fanciful. '■■"

In Italy, where the «evil eye' is much dreaded, charms are Baid to be as universal as crosses,' a hand "clasping aMbit of coral or a little horn being most generally seen. A coin, with one's birth-stone, is also Efficacious., Even the opil, banned by many, is thought fortunate for October's child.

Actresses are particularly superstitious respecting-:.their fetiches, and'careful to wear their pet talisman on the first night of a play. Most visitors to Monte Carlo (intent on a little 'flatter') have a favourite ' portebbnheur.'

The story of the lucky five-centime piece, stolen there, as frequently as the Qaucy diamond, is, of course, well-known; while a spade guinea, or a four-penny piece with a hole in it, both, come under the heading of ' lucky-money' charms.