Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 1, 1890.djvu/161

Rh the middle of a field was supposed to prevent a thunder-bolt from falling on it.

Another maxim of Pythagoras was this: “On setting out from your house upon a journey, do not turn back; for if you do, the Furies will catch you.” This is a rule observed by superstitious people everywhere, in the heart of Africa and of India, as well as all over Europe. I will mention only the last instance which came under my notice. A Highland servant in our family told my mother lately that in Sutherlandshire, if anyone is going on some important errand and has left anything behind him, he would stand and call for it for a week rather than go back to fetch it.

Once more, Pythagoras observed: “If you meet an ugly old woman at the door, do not go out.” Amongst the Wends, if a man going out to hunt meets an old woman, it is unlucky, and he should turn back. Amongst the Esthonians, if a fisherman or anyone else going out on important business happens to meet an old woman, he will turn back. A Tyrolese hunter believes that if he meets an old woman in the morning, he will have no luck. In Pomerania, if a. person going out of the house meets a