Charles Aldrich, Webster City, Iowa. Miss Ellen Beauchamp, Baldwinsville, N.Y. John G. Bourke, Capt. 3d Cavalry U.S.A., Ft. Ethan Allen, Vt. Miss M.A. Caller, A.C.F. College, Tuskeegee, Ala. John S. Caulkins, M.D., Thornville, Mich. Miss Ellen Chase, Brookline, Mass. Miss Ruth R. Cronyn, Bernardston, Mass. Uriah A. Greene, Flint, Mich. Professor George M. Harmon, Tufts College, Mass. W.J. McGee, U.S. Geol. Survey, Washington, D.C. Hector McInnes, Halifax, N.S. John B. Nichols, Washington, D.C. John G. Owens,[viii-1] Lewisburg, Pa. Prof. Frederick Reed, Talladega, Ala. Mrs. Amanda M. Thrush, Plymouth, O. Miss Helen S. Thurston, Providence, R.I. Rev. A.C. Waghorne, New Harbor, N.F. Miss Susan Hayes Ward, "The Independent," New York, N.Y. Miss Ellen L. Wickes, Chestertown, Md.
Above all am I indebted to Mr. Newell, whose generous coöperation and advice have been invaluable to one working under peculiar hindrances.
FANNY D. BERGEN. CAMBRIDGE, MASS., 1. 15. 1896.
[viii-1] Deceased.
CONTENTS.
CHAP. PAGE INTRODUCTION 1 I. BABYHOOD 21 Baptism.--Physiognomy.--Introduction to the World.--First Actions.--Various. II. CHILDHOOD 26 Asseveration.--Challenge.--Fortune.--Friendship.-- Mythology.--Punishment.--Sport.--Various. III. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 32 Beauty.--Dimple.--Ears.--Eyes and Eyebrows.-- Finger-nails.--Foot.--Forehead.--Hair.--Hand.--Moles.-- Nose.--Teeth. IV. PROJECTS 38 Apples.--Apple-seeds.--Babies.--Bed.--Bible.--Birds.-- Buttons.--Four-leaved Clover.--Counting.--Daisy Petals.-- Doorway.--Eggs.--Fingers.--Garments.--Letters of the Alphabet.--Midnight.--Plants.--Ring.--Stars.--Tea-leaves.-- Walking Abroad.--Water.--Various. V. HALLOWEEN AND OTHER FESTIVALS 55 VI. LOVE AND MARRIAGE 59 Engagement.--Attire of the Bride.--Lucky Days.--The Marriage Ceremony.--Courting and Wedding Signs. VII. WISHES 67 VIII. DREAMS 70 Animals.--Colors.--Dead Persons.--Earth.--Eggs.--Fire and Smoke.--Human Beings.--Meteorological Phenomena.--Money and Metals.--Teeth.--Water.--Weddings and Funerals.-- Miscellaneous IX. LUCK 79 Cards.--Days.--Dressing.--Horseshoes.--Pins.--Salt.-- Sweeping.--Turning Back.--Miscellaneous. X. MONEY 87 XI. VISITORS 89 XII. CURES 94 Amulets.--Charm.--Water.--Miscellaneous. XIII. WARTS 101 Causes.--Cures. XIV. WEATHER 106 Cold.--Days and Times.--Fair or Foul.--Moon.--Rain.--Wind and Storm. XV. MOON 117 Divination.--Fortune.--Moonlight.--Wax and Wane. XVI. SUN 123 Domestic and Mechanical Operations.--Cures. XVII. DEATH OMENS 125 XVIII. MORTUARY CUSTOMS 131 XIX. MISCELLANEOUS 134 Actions.--Bodily Affections.--Apparel.--Customs.--Days.-- Domestic Life.--Various. NOTES 151
CURRENT SUPERSTITIONS.
INTRODUCTION.
The record contained in the present volume forms the first considerable printed collection made in America of superstitions belonging to English-speaking folk. Numerous as are the items here presented, only a part of the matter is included, the collector having preferred to reserve for separate presentation superstitions connected with animal and plant lore, material which would require a space about equal to that here occupied. Again, the present gathering by no means pretends to completeness; while certain departments may be adequately represented, other sections exhibit scarce more than a gleaning. The collection, therefore, will be looked on as a first essay, subject to revision and enlargement.
The designations of locality will suffice to show the width of the area from which information has been obtained, as well as the degree of similarity which appears in the folk-lore of different regions belonging to this wide territory. Here and there may be observed items showing a measure of originality; a new superstition may have arisen, or an ancient one been modified, according to the fancy of an individual, in consequence of defective memory, or in virtue of misapprehension. But on the whole such peculiarities make no figure, nor does recent immigration play any important part. Almost the entire body of this tradition belongs to the English stock; it is the English population which, together with the language, has imposed on other elements of American life its polity, society, ethics, and tradition.
