Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/281

 are occasionally lighted out of doors, not very far from each other. Young persons, of both sexes, then chase each other between them; in utter ignorance, however, that this "passing between two fires" is of early eastern origin, and was formerly of much significance. The virtues of the symbol of the cross are acknowledged by our peasantry on many widely different occasions. If the fire will not burn readily, almost every housewife will place the poker against the bars, and amongst the coals, so as to form a cross, in full confidence that the fire will soon burn briskly. Blackberries are considered to be unwholesome, and ought not to be eaten, after the spiders have covered them with their silken webs; for then "the Devil has thrown his club over them." Very few mothers will suffer the full moon to shine in at the bedroom windows when their children have retired to rest; for the popular opinion is, that her rays will cause the sleepers to lose their senses. Should children observe the moon looking into their rooms, they are taught to endeavour to avert her influence by repeating the words—

Common salt is considered to have many purifying qualities; and a plateful is frequently placed on the chest of a corpse, under the impression that it will prevent the body from swelling. Miners are in general very ignorant, and consequently very superstitious. Very few of them go to work without some charm being hung round the neck, or worn in the pocket. Gambling is one of their besetting sins, and they possess quite a code of observances in order that every one may leave off a