CONCERNING SALT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 175, 20 April 1929, Page 27

CONCERNING SALT

A UNIVERSAL CONDIMENT OF VIRTUE

“Ye are the salt of the earth,” said One in high authority. Often We hear others says in terms of depreciation, “He is not worth his salt,” or “He cannot earn his salt.” Salt is so common that no one who uses it ever gives it a second thought. At the table we take a pinch of salt, or use the small spoons set apart for the purpose. Our breakfast egg, the mutton, or hie boiled potato, even the porridge which we take in winter, would not be relished’ without the addition of some salt;, It is a most important element in our lives, ranking with our daily bread ; and it has enjoyed a place of distinction in the estimation of the human race of every clime or colour; has even stood out conspicuously in superstitions which we openly ridicule to-fl'”’. yet secretly respect. >

According to Homer, salt was a divine substance, and Plato held it was especially dear to the gods (says the Melbourne “Age”). Pythagoras said salt was "begotten of the purest parents, of the sun an<T the sea.” The Chinese have an idol, Phelo, which represents a person who was believed to have discovered salt and its use. He disappeared, but at regular annual festivals he is looked for; when he comes, it is confidently believed he will announce the end of the world. Salt has always played its part in religious ceremonies. Presumably its durability suggested immortality. His satamc majesty was believed to hate it, and because of its permanent character it typified perpetual friendship—hence the fear of spilling salt and bringing about a quarrel. Though I have heard the expression, “Help you to salt, help you to sorrow,” I am reminded that salt is put before strangers in Eastern countries as an assurance of goodwill. Byron wrote, “Why dost thou shun the salt? That sacred pledge, which, once partaken, blunts the sabres edge, etc.” We rend in the Book of Numbers (xviii ID), “It is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord.” References to it are also to be seen in Leviticus ii. 13. 2nd Chron. xiii, 5, and Ezra iv, 14. The Arabs' use salt and bread to confirm

an oath. Its use was recognised by the Jews at circumcision, and the Roman Catholic Church at baptisms. Whatever may be said by the sceptics and knowalls concerning many of the uses and beliefs in the efficacy of salt in the direction of the supernatural, there is surely some allowance to. be made for the faith in salt as a forecaster of weather, for it has a capacity for absorbing the moisture of the atmosphere; and careful observation in that direction might lead to fairly reliable results. What would happen if we spilt the salt? Whether we believe. in such nonsense or not. we try to avoid spilling salt just as we endeavour to avoid passing under a ladder leaning against a wall. It was said to bring (ill-luck to the one who spilt it—destroy friendships or resuit in quarrelling. Judas is supposed to have spilt the salt at the Last Supper, when, let us remember, thirteen sat down at table, a condition' about which we feel shiveringly apprehensive to-day. By way of digression, let me say that I believe our Australian comedian and theatrical manager Bland Holt set himself deliberately against the thirteen business and zealously cultivated its acquaintance, choosing that number on the hotel doors when touring and deciding on his rooms. On the other hand, when Steele Rudd’s latest adaptation of'his “On Our Selection” stories, “The Rudd Family.” was being presented, more than one actor interested in its welfare beseeehed those who might have been able to effect some change in the title to alter it because it had thirteen letters in it.

To-day, when fashion decrees that children are not desirable, salt should be kept at a distance, for it has long enjoyed a reputation for inducing fecundity in humans and animals. We may quote Elisha when he threw salt into the fountain of Jericho (2 Kings, ii. 21). “Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; and for the future they shall not be the occasion either of death or barrenness.” Before setting out for church in the Pyrenees a couple about to be married would put salt in their pockets; in other parts it was. the bride, or the bridegroom alone, who did it.' Salt has been strewn in the shoes of a bride in Germany; and in Scotland it was a custom to placa, salt ’on the floor of the new house of a couple about to be married. Salt cellars have been popular as w,edding presents, and a generation ago we used,to select a cruet for that purpose. —possibly with some connection, though unconsciously influenced. In another part of the world a plate containing salt is passed before the guests at a wedding ceremony for the receipt of gifts of money. Salt water has been poured before the door of a childless couple with the object of removing their reproach. Saliva has been credited with a like potency—to be drunk by the woman. We can then understand how a boy may be said to be “the spit of his father,” an expression not yet extinct. In fact, sweat, blood, tears, and other fluids from the human body in which there is a flavour of salt have been credited with capabilities in the direction indicated, as well as in general medicinal uses. A few days ago I was interested to hear a fellow journalist recommend to another the use of a body liquid for the removal of a wart; he assured me that moles and other excrescences would yield to it. In Shakespeare’s “King John” Prince Henry says, “Oh, that there were some salt in my tears —that might relieve you,” to which the Kipg rejoins. “The salt in them is hot.” Though there may be a connection still further back probablv the good effects acknowledged by sea bathers' as attributable to the salt water have led to the recognition of salt as a purifier in a religious sense. Tn the fourth verse of chapter xvi of-the Book of Ezekiel reference is made to a practice which in that instance had not been observed: “When thou wast born, neither was thou washed with wafer for thv health, nor salted with, salt.” etc. If it is not done to-day it is not so very long ago since salt was placed in the cradle of a- newborn babe in Holland. No doubt this was to protect it from evil influences.