IDOLS’ CURSES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 817, 26 February 1910, Page 4

IDOLS’ CURSES.

Vengeance following on the carrying off of an idol or something belonging to it is a favourite theme of novelists. A Eondon paper reports a case in real life in which the owners of such loot are very nervous about its effect on their fate. Sixty years ago, the story goes, a subaltern brought home irom India some green and yellow idols. Ten years ago one of his descendants was suddenly accosted by an Indian and asked to say where the idols could be found. When he refused, the Indian told him that a secret society was looking for them, and if they were not returned within ten years, he would be required to disclose their whereabouts. The Englishman did not think very seriously about the matter till the other day, when he received a letter from India— “ Remember the judgment of the gods ” —and by the same post a letter from Eondon breaking the news that his wife had suddenly had a severe paralytic seizure. Fearing that this misfortune might be a result of his refusal of the Indian’s request, he implored the head of his family, a clergyman, to give the idols up, and the latter announced in the Press that the Indians could have them. The British Museum is unkind enough to laugh at this superstition. It has never before heard of any Indian secret society causing alarm in England in this way. Several things have been given me for the museum by people who thought they were unlucky,” says one of the keepers. ‘‘ One man lately gave me a little charm which he said he was sure prevented him from winning at bridge. He had never had any luck at the game since the charm came into his possession, he told me. We have also received two West African idols, one from a man whom I had known many years, and the other from a perfect stranger, both because they were supposed to be unlucky.” What with Egyptian mummies torn from their resting-places, and all sorts of heathen gods and charms, the British Museum must be as dangerous as a powder factory ; but the authorities say that so long as an article is valuable they will accept it and take the risk of dire disaster.