Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/280

 thrashed for their ignorance. Pale-faced persons are said to have white livers; thin-lipped women are considered to be very ill-tempered; and if we ask advice from a woman, we are advised always to take her first suggestions, since her instinct is an unerring guide. When we are in doubt respecting the propriety of commencing any new undertaking, or with respect to taking any step in life which involves risk, it is usual to open the Bible for direction. The first verse that meets the eye is supposed to contain a hint as to the course we ought to adopt. The aristocracy sometimes complain that their estates are rapidly being absorbed by the money-making, trading population. If the Lancashire adage be true, their misfortunes will only be temporary. We frequently hear it affirmed that "It only takes three generations from clogs to clogs." This evidently means that a father will get riches during the time he wears clogs; that his sons will squander his money and estates; and that their children will come to wearing clogs again. This is no doubt correct in numerous instances; but there are many marked exceptions. It is customary for tailors or friends to give a boy a penny when he puts on his first suit. This is done that he may have good luck during the time he wears it." Children are also advised to wrap up a tooth, after it has been extracted, in a piece of brown paper with salt, and then burn it in the fire. If this is not done, they are informed that they will have to seek their teeth in hell. When we see a "Will o' the Wisp," we ought to thrust the blade of a clasp-knife into the ground, and lie down upon it. The Wisp is supposed to be a demon, which leads persons into quagmires, but is afraid of sharp implements, and hence will soon disappear. On the fifth day of November, and on St John's Eve, two fires