Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 5, 1894.djvu/345

 Miscellanea. ' 337

If a corpse does not stiffen there will be another death in the family within three months.

If the eyes will not close, it is looking for another.

A screech owl hooting near the house is a sign of death.

If there is blossom on the apple tree at the same time as fruit, there will be death in the house within the year.

If a body lies over Sunday, there is sure to be another death in the village (before long is implied). (My informant "knew of many such cases".)

Bladders in coal are a sign of death ; they are called " coffins".

" Winding sheet" in the candle is sign of death. (Said to be general by people from other places.)

A robin coming into the house is a sign of death. (Bath.)

Miscellaneous Superstitions. A cat sitting with its back to the fire is a sign of frost. A cat washing behind its ear is a sign of wet weather.

" Cock crowing, going to bed, Get up with a wet head." (Sign of rain.)

If you wash on a Good Friday, the suds will turn to blood. (Believed firmly, in youth of my informant — a farmer's wife, about sixty years old — by ignorant labouring people, who took no other notice of Good Friday.)

When the clock strikes twelve on Christmas Eve, the rosemary blooms, and all the oxen stand up and low.

If you put on a garment inside out, never take it oft' to turn it, or you will lose your way before the day is over.

Never wear new shoes to get married in.

If a farmer cuts a candle in two, something will go wrong with the cattle.

If the cock crows at the door, it is a sign of a stranger.

Three candles burning at once, sign of a wedding.

A new-born babe must be carried upstairs for it to rise in the world ; if born at the top of the house, it will do if the nurse stands on a chair with it.

It is unlucky to sit under a walnut tree.

If you kill a robin (if it dies in your hand), your hand will shake all your life after.

At Longcot (Berks) a friend of mine has to put the savings of some of the men into the P.O. savings bank for them in her own name, because, though able to write, they cannot be induced to sign their names.

VOL. V. 2