Chapter VI: The Number Thirteen

In regard to the luck of odd numbers, the exception, which is commonly supposed to prove the rule, is the much maligned thirteen.

In the Scandinavian mythology Loki, the Principle of Evil and the chief author of human misfortunes, accompanied the twelve Æsir, or Demigods, and was reckoned the thirteenth among them. Moreover, the Valkyrs, or Virgins, who waited upon the heroes in Valhalla, were thirteen in number, and from these sources is believed to have sprung the very common superstition concerning the ill luck and fatality of the number thirteen, especially in connection with a party of guests at table.

The most generally received explanation of the origin of this popular belief refers it to the Last Supper of our Lord, where Judas is sometimes represented as the thirteenth guest. But why Judas rather than John, the beloved disciple? However, this is the generally accepted starting-point of this notable superstition. As with the Jews the thirteenth month, and with the Christians the thirteenth day of the year, which began with Christmas, were accounted ominous, so, with the inhabitants of India, the thirteenth year was considered to be of evil import. It is evident, therefore, that the source of this nearly world-wide belief cannot be attributed wholly either to the mythology of the north or to the Paschal Supper.[543]

When the year was reckoned as thirteen lunar months of twenty-eight days each, the number thirteen, according to one view, was considered auspicious; but when, under the present method of solar time, the number of months was reduced to twelve, thirteen’s reputation was changed for the worse.[544]

In early times the Feast of the Epiphany, which is the thirteenth day after Christmas Eve, was feared because at that time the three goddesses, Berchta, Holle, and Befana, with their ghostly companions, were especially active; and, as a guard against their machinations, the initial letters of the names of the three kings, or wise men, were written on many a door.

Of the former trio, Berchta was represented as a shaggy monster, whose name was used as a bugbear with which to frighten children. She was intrusted with the oversight of spinning, and on the eve of Epiphany she visited the homes of the countryfolk, distributing empty reels, which she required to be filled within a specified time; if her demands were not complied with, she retaliated by tangling and befouling the flax.

Holle, or Holda, was a benignant and merciful goddess, of an obliging disposition, who was usually most lenient, except when she noticed disorder in the affairs of a household. Her favorite resorts were the lakes and fountains, but she had also an oversight over domestic concerns, and shared with Berchta the supervision of spinning. Sometimes, however, she appeared as an old hag, with bristling, matted hair and long teeth.

Befana, the third goddess, was of Italian origin, and her name signifies Epiphany. On that day the women and children used to place a rag doll in the window in her honor. In personal appearance she was black and ugly, but her disposition was not unfriendly.

So universal has been the superstition regarding the number thirteen at table, that it has long been a matter of etiquette in France to avoid having exactly that number of guests at dinner-parties. The Parisian _pique-assiette_, a person whose title corresponds to the English “trencher friend” or “sponger,” is also known as a _quatorzième_, his chief mission being to occupy the fourteenth seat at a banquet.

The ancients, we learn, had ideas of their own regarding the proper size of festive gatherings, their favorite number of _convives_ being between three and nine, the number of the Graces and Muses respectively.[545]

Opinions have differed as to whether misfortune were likely to befall the whole company of thirteen persons rash enough to dine together, or only the one leaving the room first after the repast. All evil, however, was supposed to be averted by the entire company rising to their feet together. It has been wittily remarked that the only occasion when thirteen plates at table should cause disquietude is when the food is only sufficient for twelve persons.

At the thirteenth annual dinner of that unique organization, the Thirteen Club, held in New York city, January 13, 1895, at 7.13 o’clock, P. M., the custodian delivered an address in which were recounted the circumstances of the club’s formation. So prevalent was the apprehension of evil likely to result from the assembling together of thirteen persons that, when at length the requisite number were seated at table, it was found desirable to lock the doors of the banquet-room, lest some faint soul should retire abruptly.

Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, in his “Forty-One Years in India” (vol. i. p. 24), mentions a circumstance occurring in his own experience, which affords evidence, were any needed, of the falsity of the superstition in question. On New Year’s Day, A. D. 1853, Lord Roberts was one of a party of thirteen who dined together at a staff-officers’ mess at Peshawer, on the Afghan frontier. Eleven years later all these officers were alive, the greater number having participated in the suppression of the great Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, during which several of them were wounded.

In Italy shrewd theatrical managers have found it expedient to change the number of Box 13 to 12A, and in many streets of Rome and Florence one may search in vain for house-numbers between 12½ and 14. A gentleman of the writer’s acquaintance, living in Washington, D. C., sent a formal petition to the authorities asking leave to change the number of his house, for the sole reason that it contained the ominous figures.

As an illustration of the popular distrust of the number thirteen among the villagers of the Department of Ille-et-Villaine, France, may be cited the following custom, which is in vogue in that district. Children are there usually taught the art of knitting by devout elderly women. The little ones are first seated in a circle, and, to facilitate the work, on the completion of the first round of knitting they are made to repeat the following words: “_One_, the Father;” at the close of the second round, “_Two_, the Son;” and so on, as follows: “_Three_, the Holy Spirit; the _four_ Evangelists; the _five_ wounds of our Lord; the _six_ commandments of the church; _seven_ sacraments; _eight_ beatitudes; _nine_ choirs of angels; _ten_ commandments of God; _eleven_ thousand virgins; _twelve_ apostles;” and at the close of the _thirteenth_ round, the children mention the name of Judas.[546]

This remarkable and unreasonable prejudice against an innocent number seems to pervade all classes and communities. The possession of intelligence and culture is no effective barrier against it. Arguments and reasoning are alike vain. Even at this writing, an evening journal records that at a recent meeting of a newly elected board of aldermen in an enlightened city of eastern Massachusetts, one of the members objected to casting lots for seats because he did not relish the idea of drawing number thirteen. However, his scruples having been in a measure overcome, he was much relieved to find that the number eleven, which is both uneven and lucky, had fallen to his share.[547]

Brand quotes as follows from Fuller’s “Mixt Contemplations” (1660) in reference to this subject:—

A covetous Courtier complained to King Edward the sixt of
Christ Colledge in Cambridge, that it was a superstitious
foundation, consisting of a Master and twelve Fellowes, in
imitation of Christ and His twelve Apostles. He advised the
King also to take away one or two Fellowships, so as to
discompose that superstitious number. “Oh, no!” said the King,
“I have a better way than that to mar their conceit; I will add
a thirteenth Fellowship unto them;” which he did accordingly,
and so it remaineth unto this day.

Persians regard the number thirteen as so unlucky that they refrain from naming it. When they wish to allude to this number, instead of mentioning the proper term, they use words meaning “much more” or “nothing.”[548]

The Moors, or Arabs, of northern Africa have similar prejudices, whereas the American negro, ordinarily a most credulous being, appears to be quite indifferent to the evil influences of the fateful number;[549] but in Turkey, so great is the popular dislike of it that the word for thirteen is seldom used.[550]

In Scotland this number is known as the “Deil’s Dozen,” a phrase which has been supposed to have some connection with card-playing, there being thirteen cards in each suit of the “Deil’s Books.” John Jamieson, in his Scottish Dictionary, avows his inability to trace the superstition to its source, but believes that it includes the idea of the thirteenth being the Devil’s lot. The number thirteen is also sometimes known as a “baker’s dozen,” because it was formerly a common practice to give thirteen loaves for twelve, the extra piece being called the _in-bread_ or _to-bread_. This custom is supposed to have originated at a time when heavy fines were imposed for short weights, the additional bread being given by bakers as a precautionary measure.[551]

In certain cases, contrary to the general rule, thirteen is accounted a fortunate numeral, or even as one possessing extraordinary virtues.

Dr. Daniel G. Brinton, in “A Primer of Mayan Hieroglyphics” (p. 25), says that in the old language of the Mayas, an aboriginal tribe of Yucatan, the numbers nine and thirteen were used to denote indefinite greatness and supreme excellence. Thus a very fortunate man was possessed of nine souls, and the phrase, “thirteen generations old,” conveyed the idea of perpetuity. The “Demon with thirteen powers” was a prominent figure in the mythology of the Tzentals, a Mayan tribe.

According to a widely prevalent popular impression, a brood is usually odd in number, and therefore it is folly to set an even number of eggs under a hen. In spite of the falsity of this idea, it is still quite customary to set thirteen eggs, an even number in this case being accounted unlucky.

Gerald Massey, in “The Natural Genesis,” remarks that “there were thirteen kinds of spices set out in the Jewish religious service, along with the zodiacal number of twelve loaves of shew-bread. There are thirteen articles to the Hebrew faith, and the Cabalists have thirteen rules by which they are enabled to penetrate the mysteries of the Hebrew Scriptures. Thirteen are the dialectical canons of the Talmudical doctors for determining the sense of the law in all civil and ecclesiastical cases.”

In England the day of twenty-four hours was formerly divided into thirteen parts, as follows:—

1. After midnight.
2. Cock-crow.
3. Between the first cock-crow and daybreak.
4. The dawn.
5. Morning.
6. Noon.
7. Afternoon.
8. Sunset.
9. Twilight.
10. Evening.
11. Candle-time.
12. Bed-time.
13. Dead of night.

Recurring now to the prevalent notions regarding the sinister and portentous character of this number, one may well inquire in all seriousness whether the harboring of this and other firmly rooted superstitious fancies is compatible with a deep and abiding Christian faith. The answer is plainly in the negative. Therefore it is doubtless true—and the truth should make us free—that the greater our indifference to the various alleged omens and auguries which so easily beset us, the more readily shall we acquire and retain a firm and enduring dependence on Divine Providence.

FOOTNOTES

[1] _New Cabinet Cyclopædia._

[2] _Archæologia_, vol. iii. 1775.

[3] John Kitto, D. D., _Cyclopædia of Biblical Art_.

[4] John Beckman, _A History of Inventions_.

[5] Carmen XVIII. 26.

[6] Suetonius: “Soleis mularum argenteis.”

[7] Pliny: “Jumentis suis soleas ex auro induere.”

[8] Fosbroke, _Dictionary of Antiquities_.

[9] _Knight’s Mechanical Dictionary._

[10] Alexander Adam, LL. D., _Roman Antiquities_.

[11] _Archæologia_, vol. xlvii.

[12] _Scribner’s Magazine_, November, 1894.

[13] John Beckman, _A History of Inventions_.

[14] Fosbroke, _Archæologia_, vol. iii.

[15] _Notes and Queries_, series 3, vol. v. 1864.

[16] _Leicestershire and Rutland Notes and Queries_, vol. i. 1889-91.

[17] Margaret G. Finch, _The History of Oakham Castle_. Oakham, 1897.

[18] _Chambers’ Journal_, March 10, 1866.

[19] Cameron’s _Across Africa_.

[20] W. Crooke, B. A., _North Indian Folk-Lore_.

[21] Clara Erskine Clement, _Naples_.

[22] George Borrow, _The Zincali_.

[23] A. Certeux and E. Henry Carnoy, _L’Algérie traditionnelle_, tome i. p. 159.

[24] _Folk-Lore_, June, 1896, p. 148.

[25] Lieutenant-Colonel N. Prejevalsky, _Mongolia_, vol. ii. p. 207.

[26] William M. Thomson, D. D., _The Land and the Book_.

[27] S. S. Thorburn, _Bannú_.

[28] Sir John Bowring, F. R. S., _The Kingdom and People of Siam_, vol. i. p. 145.

[29] Clara Erskine Clement, _Naples_.

[30] Elworthy, _Evil Eye_, p. 261.

[31] _Popular Science Monthly_, November, 1896.

[32] Goblet D’Alviella, _La migration des symboles_, p. 25.

[33] Rennell Rodd, _The Customs and Lore of Modern Greece_. 1892.

[34] _Revue des traditions populaires_, tome viii. 1892.

[35] _Mélusine_, tome viii. No. 4. 1896.

[36] M’Clintock and Strong’s _Cyclopædia_, art. “Head-Dress.”

[37] Lucy M. J. Garnett, _The Christian Women of Turkey_.

[38] _L’Algérie traditionnelle_, tome i. p. 159. 1884.

[39] H. Clay Trumbull, _The Threshold Covenant_, p. 74.

[40] _Folk-Lore_, March, 1898, p. 10.

[41] _Mélusine_, tome viii. No. 3. 1896.

[42] _L’Algérie traditionelle_, tome i. p. 159. 1884.

[43] Richard Folkard, Jr., _Plant-Lore_.

[44] Rev. Timothy Harley, _Moon-Lore_, p. 192.

[45] Isaiah iii. 18.

[46] _Cornhill_, March, 1877.

[47] Thomas Inman, M. D., _Ancient Faiths embodied in Ancient Names_.

[48] Barclay V. Head, _Historia Numorum_. Oxford, 1887.

[49] _A Dictionary of Roman Coins._ London, 1889.

[50] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. 84. 1814.

[51] _Popular Science Monthly_, November, 1895.

[52] _Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland_, vol. 19. 1890.

[53] Bernard de Montfaucon, _L’antiquité expliquée_.

[54] Ph. Charles Berjean, _The Horses of Antiquity, Middle Ages, and Renaissance_. London, 1864.

[55] Theodore Andrea Cook, B. A., _Old Touraine_.

[56] Professor C. H. Rochholz, _Alt-deutsches Bürgerleben_.

[57] Richard Folkard, Jr., _Plant-Lore_.

[58] Laisnel de la Salle, _Croyances et legendes du centre de la France_. Paris, 1875.

[59] Merlin, _Book of Charms_.

[60] William A. Craigie, M. A., _Scandinavian Folk-Lore_, p. 396.

[61] Rudolph Keyser, _The Religion of the Northmen_, p. 299.

[62] _Popular Science Monthly_, vol. 44. 1894.

[63] Dr. Karl Sittl, _Archäologie der Kunst_, p. 210. 1895.

[64] Edward B. Tylor, LL. D., _Primitive Culture_.

[65] William S. Walsh, _Handy Book of Literary Curiosities_.

[66] Rev. Justus Doolittle, _Social Life of the Chinese_.

[67] _Rennell Rodd_, p. 165.

[68] William George Black, _Folk-Medicine_. London, 1883.

[69] J. B. Friedrich, _Die Symbolik und Mythologie der Natur_.

[70] F. Nork, _Mythologie der Volkssagen und Volksmärchen_. Stuttgart, 1848.

[71] Paul Sébillot, _Légendes et curiosités des métiers_.

[72] _The Folk-Lore Journal_, vol. vii. 1889.

[73] Jacob Larwood and John C. Hotten, _The History of Signboards_.

[74] William Mackay, _Urquhart and Glenmoriston_, p. 434.

[75] Daniel Wilson, _The Archæology and Prehistoric Annals of Scotland_.

[76] Thomas Keightley, _The Fairy Mythology_, p. 352.

[77] F. S. Bassett, _Sea Phantoms_.

[78] James W. Mackinlay, _Folk-Lore of Scottish Lochs and Springs_, p. 6.

[79] William Jones, _Credulities Past and Present_.

[80] Giuseppe Pitré, _Usi e costumi, credenze, e pregiudizi del popolo Siciliano_. Palermo, 1889.

[81] A. Wuttke, _Der deutsche Volksaberglaube_, p. 92.

[82] _Cornhill_, N. S. vol. xix. 1892.

[83] Dr. H. Ploss, _Das Kind in Brauch und Sitte der Völker_, p. 122.

[84] A. Wuttke, _Der deutsche Volksaberglaube_, p. 336.

[85] _Natural History_, book xxviii. ch. 81.

[86] Dr. G. Lammert, _Volksmedizin in Bayern_, p. 120.

[87] Campbell.

[88] W. Crooke, B. A., _Popular Religion and Folk-Lore of Northern India_.

[89] Letter to the writer from H. Clay Trumbull.

[90] _The Folk-Lore Journal_, vol. vi. p. 77.

[91] Jones and Kropf, _Folk-Tales of the Magyars_, p. 410, note.

[92] Thomas Keightley, _The Fairy Mythology_, p. 148.

[93] Moise Schuhl, _Superstitions et coutumes populaires du Judaisme_.

[94] John Gregorson Campbell, _The Fians_, p. 52.

[95] Fräulein Helene Raff.

[96] _L’Initiation_, 19ᵉ volume, April, 1893.

[97] J. C. Brown, LL. D., _People of Finland in Archaic Times_, p. 112.

[98] W. A. Craigie, _Scandinavian Folk-Lore_.

[99] T. F. Thiselton Dyer, M. A., _British Popular Customs_, p. 424.

[100] _Mélusine_, tome iv. p. 367.

[101] R. G. Haliburton, _The Dwarfs of Mount Atlas_.

[102] Dr. Ludwig Beck, _Die Geschichte des Eisens_, p. 879.

[103] A. Wuttke, _Der deutsche Volksaberglaube_, p. 263.

[104] For this legend, and for other information regarding the traditions and customs of the Bavarian and Tyrolese peasantry, the writer is indebted to Fräulein Helene Raff, of Munich.

[105] Crooke, p. 199.

[106] Gregor, _Scotch Folk-Lore_, p. 45.

[107] E. Daumas, _The Horses of the Sahara_, pp. 150 _et seq._

[108] Rev. James Macdonald, _Religion and Myth_, p. 92.

[109] Dr. O. Schrader, _Prehistoric Antiquities_.

[110] Richard Andree, _Ethnographische Parallelen und Vergleiche_, p. 155.

[111] Chambers’ _Encyclopædia_.

[112] Banier, _Mythology_, vol. ii. p. 570.

[113] Brinton, _Religions of Primitive Peoples_, p. 142.

[114] Henry Yule, _Cathay and the Way Thither_.

[115] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. 281, p. 514. 1896.

[116] _The Comical Pilgrim’s Pilgrimage into Ireland_, 1723, p. 92.

[117] Dyer, _British Popular Customs_, p. 322.

[118] W. K. Kelly, _Curiosities of Indo-European Tradition and Folk-Lore_, p. 48.

[119] Campbell, p. 24.

[120] Campbell, p. 318.

[121] L. Maria Child, _The Progress of Religious Ideas_, vol. i. p. 276.

[122] Theophilus Hahn, Ph. D., _Tsuni-Goam_, p. 77.

[123] The Werner Company, _Art Treasures from the World’s Fair_. Chicago, 1895.

[124] _All the Year Round_, N. S. vol. xxxix. 1887.

[125] _Indian Antiquary_, vol. xv. 1886.

[126] _Cornhill Magazine_, vol. xix. 1869.

[127] E. G. Squier, A. M., _The Serpent Symbol_.

[128] Sir John Lubbock, _The Origin of Civilization_.

[129] Marc Monnier, _Les contes populaires en Italie_.

[130] _Grosses Universal Lexicon._

[131] Astley, _Collection of Voyages_.

[132] Dr. Friedrich S. Krauss, _Sréca, Glück und Schicksal im Volksglauben der Südslaven_. Wien, 1886.

[133] A. W. Buckland, _St. Paul’s Magazine_, vol. i. 1874.

[134] _Amer. Antiq._, vol. xviii. p. 141. 1896.

[135] Lucy M. J. Garnett, _The Christian Women of Turkey_.

[136] _Popular Science Monthly_, vol. 35. 1889.

[137] _Mélusine_, tome viii. No. 2. 1896.

[138] _The Myths of the New World_, p. 132.

[139] John Newton, _Notes and Queries_, 7th series, vol. iii. April, 1887.

[140] W. Crooke, B. A., _Popular Religion and Folk-Lore of Northern India_.

[141] Jacob Grimm, _Deutsche Mythologie_.

[142] Friedrich Creuzer, _Symbolik und Mythologie der alten Völker_, vol. iv. p. 380.

[143] _Das Kloster_, vol. ix. p. 97.

[144] Friedrich, p. 454.

[145] L. Austine Waddell, M. B., _The Buddhism of Tibet_, p. 413.

[146] Campbell, p. 457.

[147] Schuyler, _Turkistan_, p. 30.

[148] _Mélusine_, tome viii. No. 1, p. 17. 1896.

[149] Max Jähns, _Ross und Reiter_, i. 371.

[150] _Ulster Journal of Archæology_, vol. vii. p. 69.

[151] _Cornhill Magazine_, article on “Comparative Folk-Lore,” vol. lxxvi.

[152] Thomas A. Wise, M. D., _History of Paganism in Caledonia_.

[153] Mallet, _Northern Antiquities_, p. 154.

[154] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. 278, p. 417. 1895.

[155] Fräulein Helene Raff.

[156] Professor Dr. Sepp, _Die Religion der alten Deutschen_, p. 340. 1890.

[157] Jähns, i. pp. 294-296.

[158] Wuttke, p. 185.

[159] Wuttke, p. 423.

[160] Richard Andree, _Braunschweiger Volkskunde_, p. 128.

[161] Grimm, vol. i. p. 47.

[162] S. Baring-Gould, M. A., _Strange Survivals_.

[163] J. Scheible, _Das Kloster_, Band ix. p. 101; Thomas Carlyle, _Early Kings of Norway_, p. 8.

[164] Dr. Karl Weinhold, _Altnordisches Leben_, p. 145. 1856.

[165] Brand, vol. ii. p. 664.

[166] Fräulein Helene Raff.

[167] J. B. Friedrich, _Die Symbolik und Mythologie der Natur_.

[168] E. Rolland, _Faune populaire de la France_, tome iv.

[169] C. G. Leland, _Gypsy Sorcery_.

[170] Gerald Massey, _A Book of Beginnings_.

[171] _Folk-Lore_, vol. iv. p. 6. 1893.

[172] _Mélusine_, tome viii. No. 1, p. 17. 1896.

[173] Professor Dr. Sepp, _Die Religion der alten Deutschen_, p. 263. 1890.

[174] Jähns, vol. i. p. 373.

[175] _Das Buck der ritterlichen Reutterkunst._

[176] Heinrich von Wlislocki, _Aus dem Volksleben der Magyaren_, pp. 9, 10.

[177] Heinrich von Wlislocki, _Volksglaube und religiöser Brauch der Zigeuner_.

[178] M’Clintock and Strong’s _Encyclopædia_, art. “Shamanism;” E. B. Tylor, _Primitive Culture_, vol. ii. p. 142.

[179] _Gentleman’s Magazine._ 1867.

[180] Rev. T. Thiselton Dyer, _Domestic Folk-Lore_.

[181] _Museum of Foreign Literature_, vol. xxvi. 1835.

[182] The Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL. D., _Dictionary of Phrase and Fable_.

[183] Robert Ford, _Thistledown_.

[184] _Boston Transcript_, May 9, 1898.

[185] Turner’s _Anglo-Saxons_.

[186] John Brooks Felton, _The Horse-Shoe_, a Poem. Cambridge, 1849.

[187] James Napier in _Folk-Lore_.

[188] H. Clay Trumbull, _The Threshold Covenant_, chap. i.

[189] Ralston, _Songs of the Russian People_, p. 136.

[190] Bonami, _Nineveh and its Palaces_, p. 159.

[191] _Popular Science Monthly_, vol. 44, p. 520. February, 1894.

[192] C. G. Leland, _Etruscan Roman Remains_, p. 282.

[193] Petersen, _Hufeisen_, p. 7.

[194] Waddell, p. 484.

[195] Edmond O’Donovan, _The Merv Oasis_, vol. ii. p. 141.

[196] A. Featherman, _Social History of Mankind_.

[197] Rev. Charles Rogers, D. D., _Social Life in Scotland_, vol. iii. p. 229.

[198] Robert Ford, _Thistledown_, p. 262.

[199] Gregor, _Scotch Folk-Lore_.

[200] A. Wuttke, _Der deutsche Volksaberglaube_. Berlin, 1869.

[201] Robert Thorne, M. A., _A Dictionary of Rare and Curious Information_.

[202] _The Denham Tracts._

[203] _Fortnightly Review._

[204] Sidney Oldall Addy, M. A., _Household Tales_. 1895.

[205] Edward W. B. Nicholson, M. A., _Golspie_. Edinburgh, 1897.

[206] _Notes and Queries_, 5th series, vol. ix. p. 65. January, 1878.

[207] Rev. James Macdonald, _Religion and Myth_, p. 92.

[208] _Novellenzeitung_, sechster Jahrgang, No. 51, p. 812.

[209] C. G. Leland, _Etruscan Roman Remains_.

[210] Thomas A. Wise, M. D., _History of Paganism in Caledonia_.

[211] _The Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopædia._ London, 1824.

[212] Petersen, _Hufeisen_, p. 8.

[213] Camden’s _Britannia_.

[214] Thorpe’s _Northern Mythology_.

[215] Francis Parry, F. R. G. S., _The Sacred Symbols and Numbers of Aboriginal America in Ancient and Modern Times_.

[216] _The American Antiquarian_, vol. xii. p. 356; vol. xiii. p. 58.

[217] Leopold Wagner, _Manners, Customs, and Observances_.

[218] S. H. Killikelly, _Curious Questions_.

[219] _Leicestershire and Rutland Notes and Queries_, vol. ii. 1891-93.

[220] Grimm, p. 34.

[221] J. Scheible, _Das Kloster_, vol. ix. p. 422.

[222] Arnold Frost, _The Ballad of the Wind, the Devil, and Lincoln Minster_. Lincoln, 1897.

[223] J. W. Wolf, _Beiträge zur deutschen Mythologie_, p. 91.

[224] Ignaz V. Zingerle, _Sitten, Bräuche und Meinungen des tiroler Volkes_. Innsbruck, 1857.

[225] Herman Schmid and Karl Stieler, _The Bavarian Highlands and the Salzkammergut_.

[226] Anton Birlinger, _Sagen, Legenden und Volksaberglauben_, vol. i. p. 49.

[227] _Belgravia_, vol. iv. 1887.

[228] _Yule-Tide Stories_, edited by Benjamin Thorpe. London, 1853.

[229] J. Scheible, _Das Kloster_.

[230] Thorpe’s _Northern Mythology_, vol. ii. p. 190.

[231] Ernst Meier, _Deutsche Sagen, Sitten und Gebräuche aus Schwaben_. Stuttgart, 1852.

[232] Friedrich Panzer, _Bayerische Sagen und Bräuche_, vol. i. p. 127.

[233] _Cyclopædia of Arts._ Philadelphia.

[234] F. Allègre, _Étude sur la déesse grecque Tyché_. Paris, 1889.

[235] Plutarch’s _Opinions of Philosophers_.

[236] Lyon, _Nouveau dictionnaire historique_. 1804.

[237] _History of Rome._

[238] George Crabb, _English Synonymes_.

[239] Andrew Tooke, A. M., _The Pantheon_. Dublin, 1792.

[240] Anthon’s _Classical Dictionary_.

[241] F. Noel, _Dictionnaire de la fable_. Paris, 1803.

[242] P. Galtruchius, _History of the Heathen Gods_. 1671.

[243] Daniel Watson, A. M., _A History of the Gods and Goddesses_.

[244] Plutarch’s _Roman Questions_.

[245] Roscher, _Lexicon der griechischen und römischen Mythologie_, p. 1523.

[246] _The Antiquarian Repertory_, vol. iv. p. 256. London, 1784.

[247] Basil H. Chamberlin, _Things Japanese_.

[248] L. Austine Waddell, B. A., _The Buddhism of Tibet_, p. 512.

[249] _Mythology and Monuments of Ancient Athens._

[250] Rodolfo Lanciani, _Pagan and Christian Rome_.

[251] Thomas Wright, _The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon_.

[252] Read at the Annual Meeting of the American Folk-Lore Society, New York, December 29, 1896.

[253] Banier’s _Mythology_. London, 1739.

[254] Bancroft, _Native Races_, vol. ii. p. 353.

[255] J. J. L. Ratton, M. D., M. C., _A Hand-Book of Common Salt_.

[256] J. B. Friedrich, _Die Symbolik und Mythologie der Natur_.

[257] Calmet’s _Dictionary of the Holy Bible_.

[258] Philemon Holland, _The Morals or Miscellane Works of Plutarch_.

[259] Horst, _Dæmonomagie_. Frankfurt, 1818.

[260] Richalmus, _Liber Revelationum de Insidiis et Versutiis Dæmonum adversus Homines_.

[261] Dr. Heinrich von Wlislocki, _Volksglaube und religiöser Brauch der Magyar_, p. 151.

[262] W. Mannhardt, _Germanische Mythen_. Berlin, 1858.

[263] W. Crooke, B. A., p. 147.

[264] Alexander Adam, LL. D., _Roman Antiquities_.

[265] _Grosses Universal Lexicon._ Leipzig and Halle, 1742.

[266] John Borrow, F. R. S., _Travels in China_.

[267] _Natural History_, book xxxi. ch. 41.

[268] Elias Artista Hermetica, _Das Geheimniss vom Salz_.

[269] _Il a répandu le sel à pleines mains dans ses écrits._

[270] Baret, 1580.

[271] Brewer’s _Dictionary of Phrase and Fable_.

[272] _Edinburgh Monthly Magazine_, June, 1817.

[273] Chevalier d’Arvieux, _Memoir_. Paris, 1735.

[274] J. J. Manley, M. A., _Salt and Other Condiments_, p. 90.

[275] Karl Baedeker, _The Eastern Alps_, p. 124. 1895.

[276] _Spectator_, vol. 66. 1891.

[277] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, part i. 1833.

[278] Felix Liebrecht, _Die Symbolik und Mythologie der Natur_.

[279] Owen on _Serpents_.

[280] The writer is indebted for this translation to John P. Hopkinson, Esq.

[281] Felix Liebrecht, _Zur Volkskunde_. 1877.

[282] Shakespeare refers to this subject in several passages, and among them the following:—

How came her eyes so bright? Not with salt tears.

_Midsummer Night’s Dream._

With tears as salt as sea.

_2 Henry VI._

[283] _Current Superstitions_, edited by Fanny D. Bergen.

[284] Clifton Johnson, _What they say in New England_, p. 92. 1896.

[285] M. J. Schleiden, _Das Salz_, p. 73.

[286] _The Study of Sociology_, p. 5.

[287] _Revue des traditions populaires_, tome i. 1886.

[288] _A Theological and Philosophical Treatise of the Nature and Goodnesse of Salt._ Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Richard Boyle at London, 1612.

[289] James Napier, _Folk-Lore_, p. 33.

[290] Pitré, vol. iv. p. 102.

[291] R. T. Hampson, _Medii Ævi Kalendarium_. London, 1841.

[292] Pitré, vol. ii. p. 161.

[293] Dr. Heino Pfannenschmid, _Das Weihwasser im heidnischen und christlichen Cultus_.

[294] _Notes and Queries_, 6th series, vol. ix. p. 428. May, 1884.

[295] _Century Dictionary._

[296] Francis Grose, _Popular Superstitions_.

[297] Spenser’s _Faerie Queene_.

[298] Clara Erskine Clement, _Naples_.

[299] Grimm’s _Teutonic Mythology_.

[300] _The Folk-Lore Journal_, vol. vii. 1889.

[301] _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, No. xviii. 1892.

[302] _The Washington Post_, November 27, 1894.

[303] William Henderson, _Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Countries of England_.

[304] _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, No. 19. 1892.

[305] Keightley’s _Fairy Mythology_.

[306] Giuseppe Pitré, _Usi e costumi, credenze e pregiudizi del popolo Siciliano_, vol. iii. p. 426. Palermo, 1889.

[307] _Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft_, edited by Rev. Oswald Cockayne. London, 1865.

[308] Rev. Charles Rogers, LL. D., _Scotland, Social and Domestic_.

[309] _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, No. 13. 1891.

[310] James M. Campbell, _Notes on the Spirit-Basis of Belief and Custom_.

[311] Lady Wilde, _Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland_.

[312] _Revue des traditions populaires_, tome vi. p. 43. 1891.

[313] _Zeitschrift für deutsche Mythologie und Sittenkunde_, Band iv.

[314] _Sitzungberichte der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften._

[315] Abraham Fornander, _An Account of the Polynesian Race_, vol. i.

[316] _Aus dem Volksleben der Magyaren_, p. 111.

[317] William Elliot Griffis, A. M., _The Mikado’s Empire_.

[318] Rogers, vol. iii. p. 288.

[319] Henderson, p. 217.

[320] Burkhardt’s _Nubia_.

[321] M. J. Schleiden, _Das Salz_.

[322] Waldron’s _History_.

[323] Pitré.

[324] M. J. Schleiden, _Das Salz_, p. 71.

[325] _The Leisure Hour_, vol. xliii. p. 805. 1894.

[326] _The Book of Ser Marco Polo._ London, 1874.

[327] Lieutenant-Colonel N. Prejevalsky, _Mongolia_, vol. i. p. 122.

[328] J. J. Manley, M. A., _Salt and Other Condiments_.

[329] J. J. Manley, p. 13.

[330] _Nares’ Glossary_, vol. ii. p. 763.

[331] _Cosmopolitan_, vol. xx. p. 94. 1894.

[332] _Contemporary Review_, vol. xxxi.

[333] R. H. Busk, _Roman Legends_.

[334] Schleiden, p. 73.

[335] M. Dacier, _The Life of Pythagoras_, p. 60. London, 1707.

[336] Feu M. Jean François Buddeus, _Traité de l’athéisme et de la superstition_.

[337] Thomas Wright, _A History of Domestic Manners in England during the Middle Ages_.

[338] Richard Boyle. 1612.

[339] Chambers’s _Book of Days_.

[340] Emily S. Holt, _Ye Olden Time_, p. 130.

[341] Fosbroke, _Encyclopædia of Antiquities_.

[342] _Leges Curiales Regis Canuti; apud Bartholin_, p. 583; J. S. Forsyth, _The Antiquary’s Portfolio_. London, 1825.

[343] Elizabeth Hodges, _Some Ancient English Homes_.

[344] Rogers, vol. i. p. 233.

[345] P. H. Ditchfield, M. A., F. S. A., _Old English Customs_. 1896.

[346] Martin Schoock, _De Sternutatione Tractatus Copiosus_. Amsterdam, 1664.

[347] Joh. Gerhardus Menschen, _Disquisitio Philologica de Ritu Salutandi Sternutantes_. Kiloni, 1704.

[348] John Potter, D. D., _Antiquities of Greece_.

[349] Francis Rous, _Archæologiæ Atticæ_. London, 1685.

[350] _Encyclopédie méthodique._ Paris, 1788.

[351] U. S. _Literary Gazette_, vol. iv. 1826.

[352] Eustace Neville Rolfe, B. A., _Pompeii, Popular and Practical_. London, 1888.

[353] Gerald Massey, _The Natural Genesis_, vol. i. pp. 83-85.

[354] Henderson, p. 128.

[355] _Mélusine_, vol. iv. 1888-89.

[356] William Jones, _Credulities_.

[357] John Beaumont, Gent., _A Treatise of Spirits_. London, 1705.

[358] _Twelfth Annual Report of the Thirteen Club of New York_, January, 1894. The writer has also consulted the original manuscript.

[359] Grimm’s _Teutonic Mythology_.

[360] A. Featherman, _The Social History of the Races of Mankind_.

[361] R. H. Codrington, D. D., _The Melanesians_.

[362] _Notes and Queries_, 1st series, vol. xii.

[363] Rev. Charles Rogers, LL. D., F. S. A., _Scotland, Social and Domestic_.

[364] Alexandre Desrousseaux, _Mœurs populaires de la Flandre française_.

[365] _Gentleman’s Magazine_, vol. 252, p. 237. January, 1882.

[366] Wuttke, p. 243.

[367] _Philadelphia Inquirer_, February 24, 1898.

[368] Eugene Schuyler, _Turkistan_, p. 29.

[369] Griffis, _Japan_, p. 187.

[370] _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, vol. x. p. 272. 1897.

[371] Henderson, p. 206.

[372] Vol. 73, pp. 41, 42. 1896.

[373] _Cornhill Magazine_, vol. 76.

[374] Lecture by Dr. D. G. Brinton, at the Lowell Institute, Boston, Mass., November 9, 1896.

[375] Elijah M. Haines, _The American Indian_, p. 416.

[376] D. G. Brinton, _Myths of the New World_, p. 307.

[377] Andree, _Ethnographische Parallelen_, p. 177.

[378] Herbert Spencer, _Principles of Sociology_, vol. iii. p. 186.

[379] Rev. William Wyatt Gill, B. A., _Myths and Songs from the South Pacific_.

[380] L. Maria Child, _The Progress of Religious Ideas_, vol. i. p. 276.

[381] Schuyler, _Turkistan_, p. 29.

[382] Isabella L. Bishop, _Among the Tibetans_, p. 104.

[383] Rev. J. A. Graham, M. A., _On the Threshold of Three Closed Lands_, p. 76.

[384] G. Maspero, _The Dawn of Civilization_. 1894.

[385] Professor E. P. Evans, _Popular Science Monthly_, November, 1895.

[386] W. Crooke, B. A., _Popular Religion and Folk-Lore of Northern India_.

[387] S. Baring Gould, _Legends of the Patriarchs and Prophets_.

[388] _The Catholic World_, vol. iii. 1866.

[389] Brand’s _Popular Antiquities of Great Britain_.

[390] _Encyclopædia of Arts and Sciences._ Philadelphia, 1798.

[391] Pedro Mexio, _The Treasurie of Auncient and Moderne Times_. 1613.

[392] _Legends of Iceland_, collected by Jón Arnason, 2d series, p. 646.

[393] Edward B. Tylor, _Primitive Culture_.

[394] _Temple Bar_, vol. 43. 1875.

[395] _Dictionnaire des sciences occultes._

[396] William S. Walsh, _Handy-Book of Literary Curiosities_.

[397] Edward William Lane, _The Modern Egyptians_.

[398] James Owen Dorsey, “A Study of Siouan Cults,” _Eleventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology_, Washington, D. C.

[399] Lady Wilde’s _Ancient Cures, Charms, and Usages of Ireland_.

[400] M. l’Abbé Bertram, _Dictionnaire de toutes les religions_.

[401] _Cornhill Magazine_, vol. 76.

[402] Brand, vol. i. p. 361.

[403] C. F. Gordon-Cumming, _At Home in Fiji_, p. 105.

[404] E. Henry Carnay, _Litterature orale de la Picardie_. Paris, 1883.

[405] Ernst Meier, _Deutsche Sagen, Sitten und Gebräuche aus Schwaben_. Stuttgart, 1852.

[406] François Lenormant, _Chaldean Magic_.

[407] Adolf Erman, _Life in Ancient Egypt_, p. 351.

[408] F. Chabas, _Le calendrier des jours fastes et néfastes et de l’année egyptienne_, p. 124.

[409] M. Court de Gebelin, _Monde primitif_, vol. iv. Paris, 1776.

[410] Jean Baptiste Thiers, _Traité des superstitions_. Paris, 1679.

[411] _Historia litteraria_, vol. ii. London, 1731.

[412] Monsieur Danet, _A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities_. London, 1700.

[413] Chabas, p. 124.

[414] Rev. Edward Cockayne, M. A., _Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England_.

[415] Brand’s _Popular Antiquities_.

[416] Dr. C. Edward Sachan, _The Chronology of Ancient Nations_. London, 1879.

[417] Israel Abrahams, M. A., _Jewish Life in the Middle Ages_, p. 184.

[418] Bowring, _Siam_, vol. i. p. 158.

[419] Mallet’s _Northern Antiquities_.

[420] Mallet, p. 426.

[421] Clifford Howard, _Sex Worship_, p. 119.

[422] Mélusine, tome iv. 1888-89.

[423] Cockayne, vol. iii. p. 163.

[424] “Popular Superstitions,” _Gentleman’s Magazine Library_, vol. i.

[425] William Jones, _Credulities Past and Present_.

[426] T. F. Thiselton Dyer, _British Popular Customs_.

[427] Isaac Disraeli, _Curiosities of Literature_, vol. i. p. 280.

[428] Sir William Muir, K. C. S. I., _The Life of Mahomet_.

[429] John J. Pool, _Studies in Mohammedanism_, p. 103.

[430] M. l’Abbé Bertrand, _Dictionnaire universel de toutes les religions_.

[431] Thomas Patrick Hughes, B. D., M. R. A. S., _A Dictionary of Islam_.

[432] S. S. Thorburn, _Bannú_.

[433] Israel Abrahams, M. A., _Jewish Life in the Middle Ages_, p. 186.

[434] Gerald Massey, _The Natural Genesis_, vol. ii. p. 298.

[435] Moritz Busch, _Deutscher Volksglaube_.

[436] Rogers, vol. iii. p. 278.

[437] Lady Wilde, _Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland_, p. 136.

[438] Lady Wilde, _Ancient Cures, Charms, and Usages of Ireland_.

[439] P. G. Heims, _Seespuk_, p. 135.

[440] Wilhelm Kolbe, _Hessische Volks-Sitten und Gebräuche_.

[441] _Shropshire Folk-Lore_, p. 260.

[442] “Wily Beguiled,” Hawkins’s _English Drama_, vol. iii. p. 356.

[443] Dr. Adolf Wuttke, _Der deutsche Volksaberglaube_. Berlin, 1869.

[444] E. L. Rochholz, _Alt-deutsches Bürgerleben_, pp. 52, 53.

[445] Wlislocki, _Aus dem Volksleben der Magyaren_, p. 68.

[446] _Zeitschrift des Vereins für Volkskunde_, vol. iv. p. 307. 1894.

[447] Giuseppe Pitré, _Usi e costumi, credenze e pregiudizi del popolo Siciliano_. 1889.

[448] M. Jean-François Bladé, _Contes populaires de la Gascogne_. Paris, 1886.

[449] M. l’Abbé Migne, _Dictionnaire des superstitions populaires_.

[450] Giuseppe Pitré, _Il venerdi nelle tradizioni popolari italiane_.

[451] Busch, _op. cit._

[452] _A World of Wonders_, edited by Albany Poyntz.

[453] _Zeitschrift für deutsche Mythologie_, iv. 147.

[454] _Boston Herald_, May 1, 1898.

[455] W. R. S. Ralston, M. A., _Russian Folk-Tales_.

[456] Larousse, _Grand dictionnaire universel_.

[457] M. D. Conway, _Demonology and Devil-Lore_.

[458] Fr. Noel, _Dictionnaire de la fable_.

[459] Danet’s _Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities_. London, 1700.

[460] Andrew Lang, _Custom and Myth_.

[461] Ermete Pierotti, _Customs and Traditions of Palestine_.

[462] _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, vol. x. No. 39, p. 274. 1897.

[463] Leland’s _Gypsy Sorcery_.

[464] Brewer’s _Dictionary of Miracles_.

[465] Rev. Walter Gregor, M. A., _Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northeast of Scotland_.

[466] Hulme, _Natural History Lore and Legend_, p. 241.

[467] Thorpe, ii. p. 84.

[468] Schuyler, _Turkestan_, p. 30.

[469] Edward Jewitt Robinson, _Tales and Poems of South India_, p. 378.

[470] E. Rolland, _Faune populaire de la France_. Paris, 1877.

[471] Wuttke, p. 118.

[472] Wuttke, p. 276.

[473] Dr. Joseph Virgil Grohmann, _Aberglauben und Gebräuche aus Böhmen und Mähren_, p. 232.

[474] _Encyclopédie theologique_, tome, “Sciences occultes.”

[475] John Thrupp, _The Anglo-Saxon Home_. London, 1852.

[476] _Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft_, edited by the Rev. Oswald Cockayne.

[477] Francis Lenormant, _Chaldean Magic and Sorcery_.

[478] Francis Rous, _Archæologiæ Atticæ_. London, 1635.

[479] Grohmann, _Apollo Smintheus_, p. 60.

[480] Grohmann, _Aberglauben_, vol. i. p. 59.

[481] Grohmann, _Aberglauben_, vol. i. p. 61.

[482] Thomas Gage, _A New Survey of the West Indies_. London, 1677.

[483] Rev. Hilderic Friend, _Flowers and Flower-Lore_, p. 554.

[484] John Henry Gray, M. A., LL. D., _China_, p. 169.

[485] Martin Frederick Blumber, _A History of Amulets_.

[486] Richard Folkard, Jr., _Plant-Lore_, p. 160.

[487] _The Buddhism of Tibet._

[488] _The Nation._ June 15, 1866.

[489] R. T. Hampson, _Medii Ævi Kalendarium_. See, also, article by W. W. Newell in _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, vol. v. No. 14.

[490] Anthon’s _Classical Dictionary_.

[491] Garnett, p. 340.

[492] Lucy M. J. Garnett, _The Women of Turkey_, p. 286.

[493] Jean Frederic Bernard, _Superstitions anciennes et modernes_, tome i. p. 101. 1733.

[494] Scot’s _Discoverie of Witchcraft_.

[495] _The Folk-Lorist_, vol. i. July, 1893.

[496] William Jones, _Credulities Past and Present_.

[497] J. B. Thiers, _Traité des superstitions_.

[498] W. Crooke, B. A., _North Indian Folk-Lore_.

[499] _Folk-Lore._ June, 1896.

[500] W. W. Newell, _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, No. 16. 1892.

[501] M. D. Conway, _Demonology and Devil-Lore_.

[502] James M. Campbell, _Notes on the Spirit Basis of Belief and Custom_.

[503] _Bulletin de la societé d’ethnographie._ July, 1887.

[504] Rev. J. G. Wood, M. A., _The Uncivilized Races of Men_.

[505] _The Occult Sciences_, from the French of Eusebe Salverte.

[506] _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, No. 13. 1891.

[507] L. Lalanne, _Curiosités des traditions_. Paris, 1847.

[508] E. P. Evans, _Atlantic Monthly_, vol. 54. 1884.

[509] W. Lander Lindsay, M. D., _Mind in the Lower Animals_.

[510] Banier’s _Mythology_.

[511] J. B. Thiers, _Traité des superstitions_.

[512] Louis Duval, _Rôle des croyances populaires dans la protection des animaux_. 1889.

[513] _The Student and Intellectual Observer_, vol. iii. 1869.

[514] Rev. G. Oliver, D. D., _The Pythagorean Triangle_.

[515] Pliny, _Natural History_, book xxviii.

[516] _Century Dictionary._

[517] Sir John Bowring, F. R. S., _The Kingdom and People of Siam_, vol. i. p. 139.

[518] Mallet’s _Northern Antiquities_, p. 112.

[519] Folkard, p. 377.

[520] Robert Vilvain, of Excester, _Enchiridium Epigrammatum_, p. 148. 1654.

[521] T. Wain, _The Wonderful Number Seven_.

[522] Charles De B. Mills, _The Tree of Mythology_.

[523] _The International Cyclopædia_, vol. xiii. p. 360.

[524] Smith’s _Dictionary of the Bible_, art. “Seven.”

[525] F. Lenormant, _Chaldean Magic and Sorcery_.

[526] _Enchiridium Epigrammatum_, p. 141. 1654.

[527] T. Wain, _The Wonderful Number Seven_.

[528] S. Pancoast, M. D., _The Kabbala_, p. 247.

[529] _The National Review_, vol. xxi. p. 199. 1893.

[530] D. Person, _Varieties_.

[531] _All the Year Round_, vol. iii. 1870.

[532] Cockayne, vol. ii. p. 335.

[533] Crooke, p. 199.

[534] Campbell, _Spirit Basis of Custom and Belief_, p. 208.

[535] _Times’ Whistle._

[536] Fräulein Helene Raff.

[537] _Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft_, edited by the Rev. Oswald Cockayne.

[538] _Archæologia_, vol. xxx. p. 427. 1844.

[539] _Celtic Magazine_, vol. viii. p. 252.

[540] William G. Black, _Folk-Medicine_.

[541] _Social Life in Scotland_, vol. iii. p. 227.

[542] C. G. Leland, _Gypsy Sorcery_.

[543] _Das Kloster_, Band xii. p. 771; Thorpe’s _Northern Mythology_, vol. i. p. 227; Grimm’s _Teutonic Mythology_, vol. i. pp. 272 _et seq._

[544] Gerald Massey, _Luniolatry_, p. 17.

[545] J. B. Salgues, _Des erreurs et des préjuges_.

[546] _Zeitschrift des Vereins für Volkskunde_, vol. iv. p. 250. 1894.

[547] _Boston Transcript_, December 30, 1897.

[548] Surgeon-General Edward Balfour, _The Encyclopædia of India_.

[549] _Journal of American Folk-Lore_, No. 17. April, 1892.

[550] Brewers’ _Dictionary of Phrase and Fable_.

[551] _The Century Dictionary._

TOPICAL INDEX

Above and below the salt, 202-205.

Æsir, the twelve; demigods, 331.

Animals, superstitious dealings with, 279-311.
charms against, 292-297.
spirits assume the forms of black, 284-287.
legal prosecution of, 308-311.

Archangels, 321, 322.

Artisans, dwarfish, 28, 49.

Astrology, 19, 20, 248-253, 255-257.

Auguries derived from the sneeze of a cat, 212, 218, 219.

Augustine, Saint, quoted, 211.

Aureole or nimbus, 120, 121.

Avadanas, or Buddhist parables, 235.

Beelzebub, the fly-god, 283.

_Bhúts_, or malignant spirits, 160, 227.

Black animals not more vicious than others, 287.

Blacksmiths, credited with supernatural attributes, 40-53.
usually able to recognize the Devil, 50.

Board’s end, 202.

British Apollo quoted, 170.

Camels instinctively browse upon saline plants, 187.

Ceremonies associated with sneezing, 231.

Cernabog, the black Slav demon, 285.

Chah-Miran, the serpent-king, 304.

Changelings, 176, 177, 271.

Chinese pagodas have always an odd number of stories, 314.

Chkaï, the Mordvine sun-god, 276, 277.

Clement, Saint, 46, 47.

Copernican system, 248.

Cosmopolitan condiment, salt thus termed, 188.

Covenant of salt, 157, 164-166.

Crescent, the Turkish symbol, 21, 22.

Crescents and half-moon-shaped amulets, 18-26.

Cross, the, most potent of talismans, 99.

Crows, as foreboders, 285-287.

Cure for deafness, 219, 220.

Cyclops, the, 41, 49.

Dactyls, mythical artisans, 41.

Days, of good and evil omen, 239-278.
Egyptian, 239-243.
Roman superstition concerning, 243-245.
mediæval belief in day-fatality, 245-253.
modern belief in day-fatality, 253-257.
the sixth day of the week, 258-263.
Friday in modern times, 263-278.

Demon-mare, 74.

Deodand, obsolete term of English law, 309.

Deuz or Deuce, the number two, 313.

Devil, the, 26, 31, 50, 69, 98, 123, 124, 130, 135, 136, 158, 159, 167,
218, 238, 254, 279, 285, 286, 290, 313.

Devil’s foot, imprint of, 136.

_Dies atri_, 244.

_Dies Egyptiaci_, 239-243, 247.

_Dies fasti_ and _nefasti_, 243, 244.

_Dies mala_, 246.

_Dies Veneris_, 262.

Diet regulated by the days of the week, 255.

Divining rod, 15.

Elf-bolt, 33.

Eloy, Saint, 47, 48, 235.

England, the day formerly divided into thirteen parts, 339.

Exorcism, of haunted house, 93.
of vermin, 287.

Evil eye, 10-13.

Evil spirits, keep aloof from iron, 38.
dislike salt, 159.
cause sickness, 220-227.

Fairies, when especially alert, 266, 267.

Farriers, 52.

Farriery, introduction of modern, 4.

Fire, a spirit-scaring element, 54-58.

Fires, midsummer, 55, 56.

Fireflies, 28.

Fish, an emblem of Freyja, 259.

Fortune, the Roman goddess, 141-149.

Fortune and luck, 145-153.
temples of, 149, 150.

Foxes, charm against, 303.

French Canadian legend, 97, 98.

Freyja, the Northern goddess of love, 258, 259, 269, 274.

Friday, 258-278.
Moslem beliefs regarding, 264.
Jewish beliefs regarding, 265.

Froth from a horse’s mouth repels demons, 68.

Geoponica, the, Grecian treatise on agriculture, 287, 306.

George, Saint, 126, 127.

Gertrude, Saint, patron saint of travelers and cats, 288.

Half-moon tavern symbols, 120.

Hamlin, the pied piper of, 288, 289.

Hammer, Thor’s emblem, 127.

Hand, symbol of the open, 16-18.
in Palestine, 16.
in Syria, 17.

Hand, symbol of the open, in Germany, 17.

Hatto II., Archbishop of Mayence, legend concerning, 282, 283.

Hebrides, preference for odd numbers, in the, 329.

Hecate, 23.

Hernia, cure for, 37.

Holy water, 182.

Horapollon, a treatise on Egyptian hieroglyphics, 210, 279.

Horn, of the fabulous unicorn, 9.

Horns, and other two-pronged objects, 8-15.

Horns of animals, used as amulets:—
of the stag, 10, 14.
of cattle, 10, 11.
of antelopes, 11.
of reindeer, 14.

Horse, the, a luck-bringer, 68.
a divinatory animal, 69, 70.

Horse-shoe, history of the, 1-6.
as a safeguard, 7, 8.
as a symbol of the horse, 68-78.
as a favorite anti-witch charm, 88-94.
position of, as a protector of buildings, 99-104.
as an emblem of good luck, 104-116.
as a phallic symbol, 116-118.
on tavern sign-boards, 118-120.
on church-doors, 120-127.
legendary lore, 128-136.

Horse-shoe arch, in Caledonian hieroglyphics, 65-68.

Horse-Shoe of Luck, story for children, 107, 108.

Horse-worship, 73.

Horses, Wodan’s favorite animals, 76.

Horses’ heads, as talismans, 78-87.
on house gables, 82.

Horses’ hoofs, the sound of, frightens spirits, 71.

Horses’ skulls, 86, 87.

Houses, haunted, 93, 94.

Huixtocihuatl, Mexican goddess of salt, 155.

Idiots alleged to be incapable of sneezing, 216.

Inscriptions above entrances of dwellings, 101.

Intellectual force not incompatible with superstitious fancies, 274.

Ireland, origin of name, 30, 31.

Iron, as a protective charm, 26-40.
use of, in folk-medicine, 36, 37.
religious prejudice against, 29.

Iron and flint, affinity between, 33.

Iron-workers, regarded as sorcerers, 48.

Jinn, the, mythical demons, 29, 30.

Kalevalla, ancient Finnish epic poem, 42.

Legends, 30-32, 43-46, 50, 69, 70, 79, 91, 128-136, 154, 155, 160, 192,
193, 227, 228, 236, 237.

Leonard, Saint, 124, 126.

Lesbos, charm against insects in vogue in, 305.

Lincoln Cathedral, 123, 124.

Lincoln Imp, 123.

Locusts invade fields, 295.

Loki, the Principle of Evil in Northern mythology, 331.

_Lutins_, mischievous imps, 179, 236.

_Mano cornuta_, or anti-witch gesture, 12-14.

Medical superstitions regarding days, 251, 252.

Metal working and sorcery, early association of, 53.

Mexican priests, use magical ointment as a charm against wild
beasts, 307.

Moon, superstitions concerning the, 19-21.

Moon-worship, 19.

Moonwort, 25.

Nagendra, Cingalese serpent-king, 65.

Nail, story of the, 6, 7.

Neapolitan evil-eye amulets, survivals of ancient Chaldean symbols, 13.

_Neck_, or Scandinavian river-spirit, 38.

North, the unblessed heathen quarter, 122, 123.

Numbers, the luck of odd, 302-339.
early significance of, 312-314.
the number three, 315-318.
the number seven, 318-324.
odd numbers in witchcraft, 324-327.
odd numbers in folk-medicine, 327-330.
thirteen, 331-339.

_Nundinæ_, or market days, 245.

Oakham castle in Rutlandshire, 4, 5.

Odd numbers, 312-339.

Ormuzd, chief deity of the Parsees, 57, 223.

Passover, Feast of the, 7, 8, 257.

Perforated stones as talismans, 75, 97.

Persians, share popular distrust of the number thirteen, 336.

Phelo, Chinese idol, 155.

Popiel II., king of Poland, pursued by rats, 282.

Position of horse-shoe as amulet, 94-103.

Prascovia, Saint, 274, 275.

Prometheus, myth concerning, 227, 228.

Put-sign, Egyptian, 66.

Pythagorean doctrine of numbers, 312.

Rats and mice as avengers, 279, 284.

Rats rhymed to death, 305.

Raven, the, a portentous bird, 285.

Recapitulation of theories of the origin of the horse-shoe
superstition, 137, 138.

Rickets, cure for, in Scotland, 51.

Rites connected with sneezing, 230-233.

Rowan-tree, 92, 102, 196.

Salt, the folk-lore of common, 154-205.
origin and history of, 154-157.
uncongenial to witches and devils, 158-161.
the Latin word _sal_, 161-163.
employed to confirm an oath, 164-166.
salt-spilling as an omen, 166-172.
helping to salt at table, 172, 173.
as a protection to infants, 173-177.
as a magical substance, 177-184.
miscellaneous remarks on, 184-196.
used as money, 186, 187.
regarded as an obnoxious article, 189-191.
The Value of Salt. A Roman folk-tale, 193-196.
the salt-cellar, 196-205.

Saxon superstitions, 260.

Septentriones, or seven stars of the constellation of the Great
Bear, 319.

Serpent as an amuletic symbol, 58-60, 64, 65.
as a tutelary divinity, 61.
serpent-worship, 59-61.

Serpentine shape of the horse-shoe, 58-65.

Seven, the number, 318-324.

Shastra, or holy books of the Hindus, 224.

Sneezing, the omens of, 206-238.
in ancient times, 206-211.
mediæval beliefs concerning, 211-214.
modern superstitions about, 215-220.
doctrine of demoniacal possession, 220-227.
salutation after sneezing, 227-236.
alleged origin of custom, 229, 230.
legends, 236-238.

Spite-stake, 79.

Talismanic coiffure, 14.

Talismans, complex, of the Tibetans, 100.

_Tantura_, head-dress, 15.

Teutonic beliefs about sneezing, 215.

Thieves fear to steal on a Friday, in Palermo, 271.

Thirteen, the number, 331-339.

Thirteen Club, 334.

Three, the number, 315-318.
a favorite of witches, 316.

Threshold, a sacred place, 96-98.

Triads, in the codes of ancient Welsh laws, 315.

Tyche, Grecian goddess of good luck, 140, 141.

Typhon, the personification of evil, 26.

Ukko, a Finnish deity, 154.

Unit, a symbol of harmony and order, 312.

Universality of horse-shoe amulet noteworthy, 88.

Valhalla, 331.

Valkyrs, or thirteen virgins, 331.

Vermin, curious methods of expelling, 291, 294.

Vulcan, Roman god of fire, 40-42.

Water-sprites, active on Fridays, 267.

Witches crave salt, 159.

Witches’ sabbath, 265, 266.

Wodan or Odin, the chief Northern deity, 29, 44, 69, 76, 85, 111, 112,
126, 132, 136, 138, 258, 289.

Words used as charms, 300-306.

Xenophon, processes for strengthening the hoofs of horses recommended
by, 1.
regards sneezing as a happy omen, 208.

Yawning considered dangerous, 226.

_Yoni_ symbol, 117.

Zadkiel’s Almanac, 20, 256.

Zend-Avesta, or sacred Persian writings, 232.

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