Current Superstitions Part 3

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:--