The remarks which have been offered are presented only by way of suggestions which could be indefinitely extended. To construct a commentary on the body of beliefs presented in this volume would be an enticing but a laborious task; such notes, also, would far exceed in volume the compass of this work. Besides, as originally remarked, the present collection contains but a part of the volume of surviving superstitions. For these reasons, it will be possible to proceed no farther.
In commending this collection to the attention of psychologists, and to the continuing industry of students of folk-lore, I need only express my hope that it may be sufficient to make clear how far-reaching are the studies for which folk-lore supplies material. The history of religion, the theory of mythologies, cannot afford to overlook modern popular beliefs, in which ancient conceptions appear as still effective. In the same way, archæology, regarded only as the investigation of monuments and literatures, and dissociated from the observation of continuing human life, is devoid of inspiration and vitality. These studies, when accompanied with disregard of the existing world, and indifference to the fortunes and relations of humanity as a whole, remain not only incomplete, but positively misleading, and devoid of their best claim on respect and attention. It is to be hoped that this interesting collection, made under so many difficulties, will have a useful effect in helping to emphasize this truth, and to render obvious the possible uses of traditional information.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS., Dec. 24, 1895.
BABYHOOD.
1. The bairn that is born on fair Sunday Is bonny and loving, and blithe and gay. Monday's bairn is fair in the face, Tuesday's bairn is full of grace, Wednesday's bairn is loving and giving, Thursday's bairn works hard for a living, Friday's bairn is a child of woe, Saturday's bairn has far to go. Massachusetts.
2. Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace, Wednesday's child is sour and sad, Thursday's child is merry and glad, Friday's child is loving and giving, Saturday's child must work for a living; But the child that is born on the Sabbath day Is blithe and bonny, good and gay. Baldwinsville, N.Y.
(Some put it, Sunday's child shall never know want.)
3. He who is born on New Year's morn Will have his own way as sure as you're born.
4. He who is born on an Easter morn Shall never know want, or care, or harm.
5. A child born on a saint's day must bear the saint's name. It is unlucky to take away the day from it. Catholic superstition.
6. Thursday has one lucky hour, just before sunrise, for birth.
BAPTISM.
7. If a child cries during baptism, it is the devil going out of it. Niagara Falls, Ont.
8. It is lucky for the child to cry at baptism, but unlucky for the godmother to wear mourning.
9. If twins are brought to baptism at the same time, christen the boy first, or else he will have no beard, and the girl will be beggared.
PHYSIOGNOMY.
10. An open hand in a baby is a sign of a generous disposition, but a habit of closing the fingers indicates avarice, or, as we say, closefistedness. Cambridge, Mass.
11. If a child "favors its father," it is good luck for it. It will get on well in the world. Salem, Mass.
12. A baby that has two crowns will live in two continents or kingdoms. Massachusetts.
13. A double crown on the head means that the owner will "break bread in two kingdoms." Northern Ohio.
14. "Two crowns will never be satisfied." This is a sign of a very changeable disposition. Chestertown, Md.
15. A baby born with a veil over its face has good luck. General.
16. A child born with a veil over its face will never be drowned. Many sailors are known to wear the caul, with which they were born, about the person as a charm against death by drowning. Sailor's superstition.
INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD.
