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Article THE UNIVERSALITY OF SUPERSTITION. ← Page 11 of 20 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Universality Of Superstition.
The Greeks used the Castalian and other fountains for prop hetic purposes . The Patreans sought for information as to tlie results of sickness , from the form taken by Avater upon the smooth surface of a mirror . The inhabitants of Laconia derived omens from the sinking or SAvimming of cakes of bread . Among the Romans the great system of divination was that of
augury from the flight of birds , derived from the Egyptians . Observations were taken from a certain eminence , and at a particular season ; ancl , among other birds , consecrated chickens Avere kept for the purposes of augury . The Romans sacrificed a brown clog at Canicula , Avhich was to the Shins , derived from the EgyptiansAvho considered the dog-star as
propheticinas-, , much as it foreAvarned them of the season of the overflowing of the Nile . The Aruspices , who divined events from inspection of the entrails of beasts , Avere founded by Romulus , ancl formed an order which was frequently consulted by the Senate , ancl Avhich , as well as that of the augurs , professed to interpret the oracles . The Roman people also drew prognostics of impending
evil from comets and eclipses . The Druids foretold events by the bubbling of water when stirred by them Avith a branch of oak ; and pretended to learn
the future from the motion of the logan , or rocking stone , of Avhich some remain still in Devonshire ancl Cornwall . In these counties many Druidical customs stdl exist , which haA'e Avithout doubt been retained from the period of Celtic domination . Thus , Cornishmen consult the spirit of the well at Madern respecting their future destiny ; a similar notion to the Druidical
divination from wells and fountains . And since , then , Druids were a branch of the Persian Magi , Ave must conclude , in addition , that in our western counties superstitions are still to be found which OAVB their origin to Eastern antiquity . AVe may be alloAved here to quote from Mr . AVhitaker the folloAA'ing remarks on Druidism : — " There Avas something in this species
of heathenism that Avas well calculated to arrest the attention and impress the mind . The rudely majestic circle of stones in then * temples , the enormous cromlech , the massy logan , the huge carnedde , and the magnificent amphitheatre of woods , Avould all very strongly lay hold upon that religious thoughtfulness of soul xvhich has ever been so natural to man amid all the
Avrecks of humanity—the monument of his former perfection !" The ancient church Axriters , moreover , inform us that the early Christians drexv omens from such occurrences as sneezing at certain critical times , meeting animals on a tM-eshold , or a blind or lame person . The Devonshire peasantry think it very
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Universality Of Superstition.
The Greeks used the Castalian and other fountains for prop hetic purposes . The Patreans sought for information as to tlie results of sickness , from the form taken by Avater upon the smooth surface of a mirror . The inhabitants of Laconia derived omens from the sinking or SAvimming of cakes of bread . Among the Romans the great system of divination was that of
augury from the flight of birds , derived from the Egyptians . Observations were taken from a certain eminence , and at a particular season ; ancl , among other birds , consecrated chickens Avere kept for the purposes of augury . The Romans sacrificed a brown clog at Canicula , Avhich was to the Shins , derived from the EgyptiansAvho considered the dog-star as
propheticinas-, , much as it foreAvarned them of the season of the overflowing of the Nile . The Aruspices , who divined events from inspection of the entrails of beasts , Avere founded by Romulus , ancl formed an order which was frequently consulted by the Senate , ancl Avhich , as well as that of the augurs , professed to interpret the oracles . The Roman people also drew prognostics of impending
evil from comets and eclipses . The Druids foretold events by the bubbling of water when stirred by them Avith a branch of oak ; and pretended to learn
the future from the motion of the logan , or rocking stone , of Avhich some remain still in Devonshire ancl Cornwall . In these counties many Druidical customs stdl exist , which haA'e Avithout doubt been retained from the period of Celtic domination . Thus , Cornishmen consult the spirit of the well at Madern respecting their future destiny ; a similar notion to the Druidical
divination from wells and fountains . And since , then , Druids were a branch of the Persian Magi , Ave must conclude , in addition , that in our western counties superstitions are still to be found which OAVB their origin to Eastern antiquity . AVe may be alloAved here to quote from Mr . AVhitaker the folloAA'ing remarks on Druidism : — " There Avas something in this species
of heathenism that Avas well calculated to arrest the attention and impress the mind . The rudely majestic circle of stones in then * temples , the enormous cromlech , the massy logan , the huge carnedde , and the magnificent amphitheatre of woods , Avould all very strongly lay hold upon that religious thoughtfulness of soul xvhich has ever been so natural to man amid all the
Avrecks of humanity—the monument of his former perfection !" The ancient church Axriters , moreover , inform us that the early Christians drexv omens from such occurrences as sneezing at certain critical times , meeting animals on a tM-eshold , or a blind or lame person . The Devonshire peasantry think it very