GERMAN SUPERSTITIONS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2283, 5 February 1912, Page 2

GERMAN SUPERSTITIONS.

AN INTERESTING CATALOGUE. The Germans profess to have found a remedy against the evil alleged to be signified by the spilling of salt—they spill some more, throwing it 1 over the left shoulder. “ Over the I left ” is a way of expressing disbelief, and “to give the cold shoulder” indicates a wish to cut a pci son s acquaintance. The story goes that during a State dinner held ot the Berlin Palace shortly before the dismissal of the former German Chancellor, Prince Buelow, the Kaiser upset the salt-cellar in front of his plate, and, to forestall any ill effects despatched a pinch of salt in the manner indicated. It so happened that Prince Buelow at that moment passed behind the Kaiser’s chair, desiring to clink glasses with him. The Prince got the salt into his Tokay, and of course, had to drink the spoiled wine with as pleasant a fa™ as be could manage. As it turned out, he not only got the salt, but also the “sack.” It is extremely important for a German to step from his bed with the right foot. The man or woman that does not will have no luck all day long. The explanation is, of course, that right is lucky. “ Hail, gentle bird, and fly on my right hand,’’ says Goethe, in “Reynard the Fox.’: The ' righteousness of right is a superstition as old as Rome. The Roman Augur marked out the space of the heavens to be the field of observation with his wand, dividing tbe space in two. If the birds appeared on the left side of the division the augury was unlucky, and vice versa. When the German housewife serving you a boiled egg, sets down the humble fare with a hearty “ May it please you,” rely upon it that you get a well-blessed meal, for German cooks always say the Lord’s Prayer while boiling hen fruit. If, instead, she timed the process by the clock or by consulting a sand-glass, why the egg would be spoiled—that is a superstition you cannot eradicate from a German cook’s mind, and it is one of the few fatal to the hatch for “ there might be twins.’’ In vain you argue that the twin habit unfortunately does not attach to fowl — eleven is the limit, or there will be trouble, sure. Nearly everybody objects to sitting down to meat with thirteen. The aversion to thirteen as unlucky is traceable to a legend of German mythology. This is the story :In the grey mist of byegone days the gods gave a banquet in Valhalla, twelve covers being laid. But a thirteenth god named Loki intruded ; a fight ensued and one of the guests was slain ; hence the superstition that one of the thirteen at table is bound to die. However, it is no longer sudden death. By common consent be is allowed to live a few months longer, but that he must die in the space of one year—of that everybody is satisfied. German storekeepers make it a practice to return a trifle to good customers “ for luck,’’ and few Ger'mans fail to carry in their purse a penny with a hole in it, since the same is supposed to insure good fortune ; but when you wish a German Nimrod good luck he would as lief knock, you down, being convinced that the mere wish will “ bedevil his gun ’’ and cause all the game to escape him. That this foolish superstition is quite universal in the Fatherland may be inferred from the fact that Emperor William never allows himself to be addressed by strangers or give audiences on days when he goes hunting. Believing that “ well-wishers ” have spoiled many a days’ shooting for him, he doesn't want any more of their “ good luck.’’—" Montreal Standard.’’