OLD POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 41, 13 July 1878, Page 3

OLD POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS.

The following superstitions, handed down hy traditions from the past, are fervently believed in in muiv parts of this country, (says the San Francisco Chronicle), and by pj >ple who rank among the most intelligent: White-specs on the nails are luck. Whoever epitaphs loses his memory. To rock the cradle when empty is injurious to the child. • IV cat when a bod is toiling "or af u neral causes toothache. The crowing of a hen -indicates some approaching disaster. vV'ueu a mouse gnaws a gown, some misfortune may he apprehended. He who h.is teeth wide asunder must seek his fortune in a distant laud. Whoever findsafour-leof trefoil—shamrock—should wear it for good luck. When children play soldiers on the roadside it forbodes the approach of war. Beggar's bread should be given to children who are Mow in learning to speak. It a child less than twelve months old bo brought into a cellar he becomes fearful. A child grows up proud if suffered to look into a' mirror while less than twelve months old. He who prop ses moving into n new house must send in beforehand bread and a new broom. Whoever sneezes at an early houreither hears some news or receives some present the same day. The first tooth ea*t by a child sho ltd be swallowed by the mother to insure a new growth of teeth. Buttoning the coat awry or drawing on a stocking inside out causes matters to go wrong during the day. By bending the head to the hollow of the arm the initial letter of the name of one's future spouse is represented. Women who sow flax seed should, during the process, tell some confounced lies, otherwiso the yarn will nevor bleach white. When women are stuffing beds tha men should not remain in the houso, otherwise the feathers will come through the ticks. When a stranger enters a room he should be obliged to seat himself, if only for a moment, us he otherwise takes away the children's sleep with him. The following are omens of death: A dog scratching on the floor, or howling in a particular manner, and owls hooting in the neighbourhood of the house. Domestic harmony must lie preserved when washing day ooines, in order to insure fine weather, which is indispensable, as that ceremony is generally performed Out of doors.

Yarn spuu by a girl under the age of •even years possesses extraordinary virtue. Linen made of it furnishes the best bandages for gouty patients, and when wrought into garments forms a complete coat of mail, not only against bullet and dagger, hut evon against the more formidable operations of witchcraft. The very yarn itself can be wound into unerring musket balls.