When children first leave their mother’s room they must go upstairs before they go downstairs, otherwise they will never rise in the world.
Of course it frequently happens that there is no “upstairs,” the mother’s room being the highest in the house. In this case the difficulty is met by the nurse setting a chair and stepping upon that with the child in her arms as she leaves the room.
MOTHERS SHOULD OBSERVE THESE THINGS
A baby laughing in its dreams is conversing with the angels.
Children with much down on their hands or arms are sure to be rich.
When the teeth of a child come early it is an indication that there will soon be another baby.
If a child’s first tooth is in the upper jaw it is ominous of its dying in infancy.
To cut a child’s nails before it is twelve months old is unlucky.
Rocking the cradle when the babe is not in it is injurious to the infant, and a prognostic of its speedy death.
WHAT ABOUT WITCHES?
“Witches can blight our corn by magic spell,
And with enchantments dry the springing well.”
– OVID.
THE POWERS OF WITCHES
An old writer, speaking of the powers of witches, says –
“1. Some work their bewitchings only by way of invocation or imprecation. They wish it, or will it; and so it falls out.
“2. Some, by way of emissary, sending out their imps, or familiars, to crosse the way, justle, affront, flash in the face, barke, howle, bite, scratch, or otherwise infest.
“3. Some by inspecting, or looking on, or to glare, or to peep at with an envious and evil eye.
“4. Some by a hollow muttering or mumbling.
“5. Some by breathing and blowing on.
“6. Some by cursing and banning.
“7. Some by blessing and praising.
“8. Some revengefully, by occasion of ill turnes.
“9. Some ingratefully and by reason of good turnes.
“10. Some by leaving something of theirs in your house.
“11. Some by getting something of yours into their house.
“12. Some have a more speciall way of working by severall elements – earth, water, ayre, or fire. But who can tell all the manner of wayes of a witch’s working; that works not only darkly and closely, but variously and versatilly as God will permit, the devil can suggest, or the malicious hag devise to put in practice?”
THE WITCH’S ATTENDANTS
The toad and the black cat are the most usual attendants of the witch, or rather the form her imps most commonly assume.
HOW TO SEE WITCHES
Grass is useful for enabling us to see witches when by their arts they make themselves invisible. Whoever wants to do so, let him place himself in a cross-way on May-night or on St. John’s eve, cut a piece of turf and lay it on his head. Under these conditions, the witches can do him no harm; they will be visible to him but he will be unseen by them.
For seeing witches rye is also of service. The only thing necessary is to gather rye from three fields and carry it in the pocket.
CHURCH BELLS
Church bells are very useful for dispersing by their sacred peals the tempests raised by the power of witches.
WITCHES IN PURSUIT
“Neither witches nor any evil spirits,” says Robert Burns, “have power to follow a poor wight any further than the middle of the next running stream.” We all know the use the poet makes of this fact in his famous poem of “Tam o’ Shanter” –
“Now, do thy speedy utmost,
Meg, And win the keystone o’ the brig;
There at them thou thy tail may toss,
A running stream they darena cross.”
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
This holy sign keeps witches and all evil spirits at a distance. To them it is a hated symbol near which they will not voluntarily approach. If anything seems in danger through their wicked wiles, make the sign of the cross over it and it is safe.
HORSESHOES AGAINST WITCHES
A horseshoe hung up behind the door is a means of securing good luck to the household and protecting it from witchcraft and from the influence of the evil eye.
Mrs. Coutts, who afterwards became the Duchess of St. Albans, was a great believer in the power of the horseshoe. The steps at Holly Lodge were composed of beautiful blocks of white marble which a statuary might envy, and on the highest step were two rusty old broken horseshoes fastened, which Mrs. Coutts and her husband had found in the road. These pieces of rusty iron they had nailed on the threshold of their home to avert evil and bring good luck.
The luckiest horseshoes and those which give the most powerful protection are those which are found, not bought ones.
Nelson, we may mention, had a horseshoe nailed to the mast of the Victory.
FLYING THROUGH THE AIR NOT ILLEGAL
Lord Mansfield had an old woman brought before him as a witch, and among other things she was charged with riding through the air. The great judge dismissed the case, observing, “My opinion is that this good woman should be suffered to return home, and whether she do so by walking on the ground or riding through the air must be left to her own judgment; for there is nothing contrary to the laws of England in either.”
WITCHES CHANGE THEIR SHAPE
Witches have the power of changing their shape and resuming it again at will. In illustration of this we may quote the following incident that occurred in the neighbourhood of a village in Cornwall. A large hare, which haunted the district, had on numberless occasions baffled the hounds, or carried off, unhurt, incredible quantities of shot. One luckless day it crossed the path of a party of determined sportsmen, who followed it for many weary miles, and fired several rounds, with the usual want of success. Before relinquishing the chase, one of them, who considered the animal as something beyond an ordinary hare, suggested the trial of silver bullets, and, accordingly, silver coins were beaten into slugs for this purpose. The hare was again seen, fired at, and this time wounded, though not so effectually as to prevent its running round the brow of the hill, and disappearing among the rocks. In searching for the hare, they discovered instead old Molly, crouched under a shelving rock, panting and flushed by the long chase. From that day forward she had a limp in her gait.
CHAPTER SIX
LOOKS SHOW YOUR CHARACTER
ONE may certainly read the characters of men and form an accurate estimate of what they are by studying their general appearance, and particularly their faces. We need the help which it supplies to enable us to distinguish between fit companions and unfit, trustworthy customers and untrustworthy, rogues and honest men, wise folk and simpletons.
A GOOD GENERAL RULE
If the first moment in which a person appears in a proper light be entirely advantageous for him; if his first impression have in it nothing repulsive or oppressive, and produce in you no kind of restraint; he will always, so long as no person intervenes between you, gain upon you and never lose. Nature has formed you for each other.
NOT ALWAYS PLEASING AT FIRST SIGHT
Take notice, however, that some countenances gain greatly upon us the more they are known, though they do not please at the first moment.
UNCHANGING FACES
When people have countenances that never conspicuously change, they are very discreet, or very cold, or very dull.
NOT AT ALL STRAIGHT
Of any one whose figure is oblique, whose mouth is oblique, whose walk is oblique, whose hand-writing is oblique – that is, in an unequal, irregular direction – we may infer that his manner of thinking, character, and conduct are oblique, inconsistent, partial, false, sly, crafty, whimsical, contradictory and wanting in sensibility.
THE FOREHEAD
DIGNIFIED WRINKLES
When a finely arched forehead has in the middle, between the eyebrows, a slightly discernible, perpendicular, not too long wrinkle or two parallel wrinkles of that kind – especially when the eyebrows are marke
d, compressed, and regular – it is to be ranked among the foreheads of the first magnitude. Such foreheads, beyond all doubt, belong only to wise and masculine mature characters; and when they are found in women it is difficult to find any more discreet and sensible, more betokening royal dignity and propriety of manners.
A WEAK INTELLECT
That forehead betokens weakness of intellect which has in the middle and lower part a scarcely observable long cavity. Every forehead which above projects, and below sinks in towards the eye, in a person of mature age is a certain sign of incurable imbecility. The fewer hollows, arches, and indentations, the more is that forehead common, mediocre, destitute of ideas, and incapable of invention.
SMALL, BLACK, SPARKLING EYES
These, under strong black eyebrows – deep sunken in jesting laughter, are seldom destitute of cunning, penetration, and artful simulation. If they are unaccompanied by a jesting mouth, they denote cool reflection, taste, elegance, accuracy and an inclination rather to avarice than generosity.
Eyes which, in the moment when they are fixed on the most sacred object of their adoration, express no veneration and inspire no seriousness and reverence, can never make claim to beauty, nor sensibility, nor spirituality. Trust them not. They cannot love or be loved. No lineament of the countenance full of truth and power can be found with them.
OF WHAT COLOUR ARE THE EYES?
Black eyes are usually a sign of good powers of physical endurance; but they are choleric, and may be, though they are not always, treacherous.
Grey eyes indicate a quick temper, coolness in the presence of danger, and a love of novelty.
Those with grey eyes are generally keen, energetic, and at first cold; but you may rely upon their sympathy with real sorrow.
Hazel eyes are found with shrewd people, and such as take pleasure in intercourse with friends.
A calm blue eye well enclosed by the eyebrows shows a good judge of character.
Clear blue eyes are associated with love of change and progress.
We add a companion rhyme often repeated to young girls –
“Brown eyes – beauty,
Do your mother’s duty.
Blue eyes – pick-a-pie,
Lie abed and tell a lie.
Grey eyes – greediness,
Gobble all the world up.”
DROOPING EYELIDS
A drooping of the upper eyelids is not a good sign; it is generally observed in persons of low, cunning disposition and very secretive habits.
NO WRINKLES
Eyes which discover no wrinkles when they appear amorous, always appertain only to little, feeble characters, or even betoken total imbecility.
THE EYEBROWS TELL THEIR TALE
HORIZONTAL EYEBROWS, rich and clear, always denote understanding, coldness of heart, and capacity for framing plans. Wild eyebrows are never found with a mild, ductile, pliable character.
THICK, BLACK, STRONG EYEBROWS, which decline downwards and appear to lie close upon the eye, are only to be consulted for advice when revenge is sought, or the brutal desire of doing injury to others is entertained – in other respects they are to be treated in as yielding a manner as possible, and that yielding as much as possible concealed.
HEAVY EYEBROWS denote a strong character; light ones indicate a weak or flippant temperament. If the brows are straight and-square they show a direct and earnest character. If they have an uncertain curve you may infer a wavering disposition.
A CLEAR, THICK, ROOF-SHAPED, overshadowing eyebrow, which has no wild luxuriant bushiness, is always a sign of a sound, manly, mature understanding.
THE EYEBROW WITH A BEAUTIFUL CURVE and graduated ending belongs to persons of an imaginative and amiable disposition. Should the eyebrows turn upwards at the ends the person is of an inquiring turn of mind.
THESE WHO FROWN under overhanging eyebrows are eccentric and penurious; the broad, smooth eyebrow betokens meditation, and that with the raised tuft in the middle, humour.
NOTES ON NOSES
A nose is the sum of the forehead and the root of the underpart of the countenance.
NOSES WHICH ARE MUCH TURNED DOWNWARDS are never truly good. When arched in the upper part they are fearful and voluptuous.
NOSES WHICH ARE SOMEWHAT TURNED UP at the point are by nature inclined to pleasure, ease, jealousy, pertinacity.
NOSES WITHOUT ANY REMARKABLE CHARACTER may indeed be found with rational, good, and occasionally in some degree superior characters; but never with such as are truly great and excellent.
NOSES WHICH EASILY AND CONTINUALLY TURN UP in wrinkles are seldom to be found in truly good men, as those which will seldom wrinkle, even with an effort, are in men consummately wicked.
WHEN NOSES WHICH NOT ONLY EASILY WRINKLE, but have the traces of these wrinkles indented in them, are found in good men, these good, well-disposed men are half fools.
NOSES OF CONSIDERABLE SIZE. A person with a long nose has, as a rule, also a marked and forcible character. It has been said indeed that Nature provides men with long noses that she may have a good handle to lay hold of when she wants to pull them to the front.
THE MOUTH
EVERY MOUTH WHICH IS FULL as broad again as the eye, that is, from the corner towards the nose to the internal end of the eye, both measured with the same rectilinear measure, denotes dullness or stupidity.
THE WISEST AND BEST MEN have well-proportioned upper and under lips.
LARGE, WELL-PROPORTIONED LIPS always denote a sensual, indelicate, and sometimes a wicked man.
HE, THE ENDS OF WHOSE LIPS SINK conspicuously and obliquely downwards, has contempt on his lips and is devoid of love in his heart – especially when the under lip is larger and more projecting than the upper.
CHARACTER IN THE CHIN
A long, broad, thick chin – we speak of the bony chin – is only found in rude, harsh, proud, and violent persons.
CHARACTER IN THE HAIR
LONG-HAIRED MEN are generally weak and fanatical, and men with scanty locks are the philosophers and soldiers and statesmen of the world.
ABUNDANT HAIR is neither an indication of bodily nor of mental strength. The easily wheedled Esau was hairy; the mighty Cæsar was bald.
RED HAIR, according to Lavater, characterises a man singularly good or singularly bad, and, he adds, “a striking contrast between the colour of the hair and the colour of the eyebrows inspires me with disgust.”
THE COLOUR OF THE MOUSTACHE
This indicates character. According to an Italian writer, a black moustache shows a manly boldness; brown, a hot head and good temper; red, wiliness; blonde, a noble soul; white, a lack of vital heat; bristly, fury; thick, rusticity; coarse, audacity; and scanty, languor.
OBSTINATE PEOPLE
The higher the forehead and the less the remainder of the countenance appears in consequence, the more knotty the concave forehead, the deeper sunken the eye, the less excavation there is between the forehead and the nose, the more closed the mouth, the broader the chin, the more perpendicular the long profile of the countenance, the more unyielding the obstinacy the harsher the character.
EARS SHOW CHARACTER
According to Aristotle, large ears indicate imbecility, while small ones announce madness. Flat ears point out rustic and brutal people. Those that promise best are firm and middling-sized ears. That man is happy who boasts of square ears – a sure indication of sublimity of soul and purity of life.
FORWARD WOMAN
No forward, confident woman is formed for friendship. Such a character no woman can conceal, however prudent or artful she may be. Observe only the sides of the nose and the upper lip, in profile, when mention is made of another woman, whether a rival or not a rival, who excites attention.
A BAD SIGN
A broad brown wart on the chin is never found in truly wise, noble persons, but very frequently in such as are remarkable for imbecility. When it is found in the countenance of a man of sense we may be certain of frequent intervals of t
he most extreme thoughtlessness, absence of mind, and feebleness of intellect.
WORTHLESS INSIGNIFICANCE
Puffed, withered cheeks, a large swollen mouth; a middling or rather small figure; freckles in the face; weak, straight hair; forbidding, interrupted wrinkles in the forehead; a skull with a steep descent towards the forehead; eyes which never survey an object naturally and tranquilly, and of which the corners turn upwards – form together a receipt for a character of worthless insignificance.
THE SMILE
He who gains on you in a smile and loses in a laugh – who, without smiling, appears to smile condescendingly and when silent conciliates him all around him – who, when he smiles or laughs at what is witty or humorous, betrays no cold contemning derision – who smiles with pleasure when he observes the joys of innocence or hears the praise of virtue – will have in his physiognomy and his character everything noble, everything harmonising.
Consult the Oracle Page 6