-
Articles/Ads
Article THE UNIVERSALITY OF SUPERSTITION. ← Page 16 of 20 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Universality Of Superstition.
similar ; and to them and nature is left the cure of all diseases , a system arising out of tlieir faith in predestination . In Samothracia , the famous talismans are set in rings , ancl xvere considered as infallible . The Maltese use peculiar petrifactions , which are believed to be eyes of serpents , ancl which , used b y suspension in waterare certain preventives of poison : this is
, a tradition from the miraculous handling of the Aiper b y St . Paul when wrecked upon that island . Talismans are still in favour xvith the Spanish and Portuguese , and are very much venerated by the Jexvs . The Chinese use one consisting of old copper-coins fastened together on a string . The Madagascar islanders make use of charms resembling the fetish
deities , to guard against a A'ariety of disasters . Love-charms Avere knoAvn to the Pagans , AAIIO bruised poppyflowers in tlieir hand to divine tlieir chance of gaining the heart of the object of affection . In 1640 , Dr . Ferrand describes a similar custom in use among country-girls . The accusation against Othello , in reference to Desdemona , runs thus —•
" Thou hast practised on her with foul charms ; Abus'd her delicate youth with drugs or minerals Tiiat waken motion . She is abus'd , stolen from me , and corrupted , By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks . " Some rural charms are extremely simple . The folloAving , against being benighted in traveloccurs in Herrick ' s
"Hes-, perides" — " If ye fear to be affrighted , AVhen ye are by chance benighted ; In your pocket , for a trust , Carry nothing but a crust : For that holie piece of bread Charmes the danger and the dread . "
Among all our varieties of superstition , that of Fairies is the most poetical and beautiful—allied to the deli ghtful fancies of the East , as embodied in its charming fictional literature . The Fairy of our clime is doubtless of the same famil y and parentage as the Persian Peri and the Arabian Genie ; and we may further compare our Imp , or AYitch , xxith the Evil genius , or Jinn , and
our Devil Avith the Ghoul , of Eastern natiA'ity . In Eastern fiction , moreover , Gemiestan ansAvers to our Fairy-land . The Chaldeans , Egyptians , and all nations of the East , referred natural effects , Avhich xvere to them unaccountable by other means , to the agency of demons presiding over rivers , mountains , animals , and herbs ; as Ave find noAV in other countries , xvhere the Greenlander , unsuccessful in fishing , the Huron in
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Universality Of Superstition.
similar ; and to them and nature is left the cure of all diseases , a system arising out of tlieir faith in predestination . In Samothracia , the famous talismans are set in rings , ancl xvere considered as infallible . The Maltese use peculiar petrifactions , which are believed to be eyes of serpents , ancl which , used b y suspension in waterare certain preventives of poison : this is
, a tradition from the miraculous handling of the Aiper b y St . Paul when wrecked upon that island . Talismans are still in favour xvith the Spanish and Portuguese , and are very much venerated by the Jexvs . The Chinese use one consisting of old copper-coins fastened together on a string . The Madagascar islanders make use of charms resembling the fetish
deities , to guard against a A'ariety of disasters . Love-charms Avere knoAvn to the Pagans , AAIIO bruised poppyflowers in tlieir hand to divine tlieir chance of gaining the heart of the object of affection . In 1640 , Dr . Ferrand describes a similar custom in use among country-girls . The accusation against Othello , in reference to Desdemona , runs thus —•
" Thou hast practised on her with foul charms ; Abus'd her delicate youth with drugs or minerals Tiiat waken motion . She is abus'd , stolen from me , and corrupted , By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks . " Some rural charms are extremely simple . The folloAving , against being benighted in traveloccurs in Herrick ' s
"Hes-, perides" — " If ye fear to be affrighted , AVhen ye are by chance benighted ; In your pocket , for a trust , Carry nothing but a crust : For that holie piece of bread Charmes the danger and the dread . "
Among all our varieties of superstition , that of Fairies is the most poetical and beautiful—allied to the deli ghtful fancies of the East , as embodied in its charming fictional literature . The Fairy of our clime is doubtless of the same famil y and parentage as the Persian Peri and the Arabian Genie ; and we may further compare our Imp , or AYitch , xxith the Evil genius , or Jinn , and
our Devil Avith the Ghoul , of Eastern natiA'ity . In Eastern fiction , moreover , Gemiestan ansAvers to our Fairy-land . The Chaldeans , Egyptians , and all nations of the East , referred natural effects , Avhich xvere to them unaccountable by other means , to the agency of demons presiding over rivers , mountains , animals , and herbs ; as Ave find noAV in other countries , xvhere the Greenlander , unsuccessful in fishing , the Huron in