COMMON SUPERSTITIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1136, 21 August 1913, Page 4

COMMON SUPERSTITIONS.

PEOPLE WHO FEAR TO DEFY THE FATES.

ARE THEIR WHIMS RIDICU LOUS ?

(Liverpool Evening Express)

The other day we recorded an incident which showed that the old superstition about it being unlucky for any person to pass under a ladder is not yet dead. Faced with the alternative of passing under or going round a ladder, a man at New Brighton chose the latter course, and, curiously enough, it proved to be the unlucky way for him, for he was knocked dowu, although not seriously injured.

OUR “BLIND SIDES.” All people have,' as Ibsen said on one occasion, their blind side—their superstitions. Even the strongest and most practicalminded men in the world have a strange, a deadly fear of the supernatural.

Take Napoleon, for instance. Who would have thought that the greatest soldier, and possibly the most reckless, impassive and hardened one the world has ever seen, would have believed, like a little school girl, in lucky and unlucky days ? Yet he did. And he made no secret about it, per-

milling himself on numerous occasions to be guided in momentous battles by bis superstitious beliefs. Fortunately for Napoleon, the Goddess of Luck seemed to follow him everywhere until the end ! Then when it came, the staggering blow was dealt by another fatalist —the Duke of Wellington. LORD ROSEBERY’S DREAD, Lord Rosebery, too, believes that there are certain things which foretell the coming of undesirable events. His Lordship dreads to see a hedgehog in his path ; while even the late Mr Gladstone entertained a superstitious belief that any new or vivid article of wearing apparel was bound to detract from the power of his speeches. DARED NOT DEFY THE FATES. Again, how many people are there who do not believe that illluck and the number thirteen go hand in hand ? Sir Frank L ockwood once accepted an invitation to dine with the Thirteen Club At the last moment his courage failed him, and he wrote to ibe excused. A similar invitaton was also extended to Mr George R. Sims on one occasion. A day before the event, however, he wrote to the officials declaring that for the sake of the dogs, cats, and horses dependent upon him, he dared not defy the Fates. Innumerable people have also an undisguised dread of Friday, and in this connection it is curious to observe how these superstitious beliefs differ. Byron, for instance, lived in constant terror of Friday ; Dickens, again, regarded it as an extremely lucky day In theatrical circles it is. generally considered an indication of misfortune if a new piece is produced on Friday. Mr Augustin Daly, however, dared to flout this tradition, and with so great success was the production attended, and he afterwards made a point of always staging a new piece for the first time on this so-called “unlucky day.” The most popular superstitions possibly are associated with weddings and brides. “Happy is the bride that the sun shines on” is an old saying, but even to day girls are grievously disappointed if Old Sol does not smile a blessing on them on the day they take their stand at the altar of matrimony. THE RAIN-DAY BRIDE. This idea only prevails in this couutrj, so the rainy-day bride may extract what consolation she cares from the fact that in other parts of the globe brides pray for tain, taking it as an omen that all tears will be shed before marriage, and that their future life will be along one sweat rose-strewn path of perpetual happiness. A universal belief is also entertained that it is very unlucky for a bride to see herself in a mirror alter she has completed her toilet. If one so far forgets herself as to do this and desires to appease the fates, she may do so by turning away, drawing on her glove and having some tiny ribbon, flower or jewel fastened to the gown. So the game goes on and people may laugh, deride and scorn every little whim of this character, but never will they completely drive the popular superstitions from our midst.”