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41. If a child cries at birth and lifts up one hand, he is born to command.
42. If the baby smiles in its sleep, it is talking with angels.
43. If a baby yawns, the sign of the cross should be made over it that the evil spirit may not enter.
_Niagara Falls, Ont._
44. While tying on a baby's cap repeat,--
Look up there and see a fly, Look down there and see it die.
Its chin will follow the direction indicated, and the tying is hastened.
_Brookline, Ma.s.s._
VARIOUS.
45. First a daughter, then a son, The world is well begun.
First a son, then a daughter, Trouble follows after.
_Maine and Ma.s.sachusetts._
46. First a son, then a daughter, You've begun just as you oughter.
_Brookline, Ma.s.s._
47. Rock a cradle empty, Babies will be plenty.
_Peabody, Ma.s.s._
48. Rock the cradle empty, Have children a plenty, Rock the chair empty, Have sickness a plenty.
_Nashua, N.H._
49. To rock the cradle when the baby is not in it will kill it.
_New York._
50. If the empty cradle be rocked, the baby will have the colic.
_New York and Ohio._
51. The first time a baby is taken visiting, if it is laid on a married couple's bed there will be a baby for that couple.
_Salem, Ma.s.s._
52. The mother who gives away all the clothes of her dead baby will eventually be comforted by the coming of another child.
53. However many children a woman may have, the last will be of the same gender as the first, and they will look alike.
_Maine and Ma.s.sachusetts._
54. One article of an unborn infant's wardrobe must be left unmade or unbought or the child is liable not to live.
_Salem, Ma.s.s._
55. A baby's nails must not be cut with scissors before it is a year old; it will make it steal.
_North Carolina._
56. To cut a baby's finger-nails deforms it; if the baby is a month old, to do this will cause the child to have fits.
_Georgia._
57. To allow a child to look into a mirror before it is a month old will cause it trouble in teething.
_Georgia._
58. Tickling a baby causes stuttering.
_Georgia._
59. If an infant be measured, it will die before its growing time is over.
_Georgia._
CHAPTER II.
CHILDHOOD.
a.s.sEVERATION.
60. A child to whom is told any story which he considers remarkable will usually reply by an expression of skepticism, such as: "Really and truly?" "Honestly?" "Earnest, now?" or, "You are fooling." The first speaker answers by some formula or a.s.severation, as, "Honor bright" (_New England_); "Deed, deed, and double deed" (_Pennsylvania_); "True as I live," or, "Hope I'll die if it isn't so," or simply, "Hope I'll die."
_General in the United States._
61. A formula of a.s.severation in Maryland and Pennsylvania is, "I cross my heart," accompanied by the sign of the cross.
62. A sign resembling that of the cross is made on the chin or throat.
"You won't tell?" "No." "Well, cross your throat."
_Cambridge, Ma.s.s._
63. When a child wishes to make an a.s.severation, he wets his finger on his mouth and signs a cross on his throat.
_Salem, Ma.s.s._
64. In a.s.severation, the proper method is to use the words, "Hope to die if I don't," the speaker drawing the forefinger across the throat from ear to ear.
_Biddeford, Me._
65. a.s.severation in Maine and Ma.s.sachusetts is often made by the following formula. First boy: "Honor bright?" Second boy: "Hope to die."
First boy: "Cut your throat?" Second boy draws finger across throat. This is the strongest possible form of oath that can be taken by a boy.
66. Little girls, without any idea of the meaning, employ the following formula of a.s.severation:--
Certain, true, Black and blue.
A variant of the first line: "Certain and true."
_Ma.s.sachusetts._
67. A form fuller than the preceding:--
