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CERTAIN COMMON SUPERSTITIONS. The following superstitions are given, not as altogether unrecorded, but as examples of beliefs generally diffused:

If a cat, while sitting beside a door, is seen to wash its face, expect company.

If two spoons, knives, forks, or a double allowance of food be given at meals, some one may be expected who will arrive hungry.

Dogs howling at night indicate death.

If a child, before it is a year old, obtain a glimpse of its own face in the mirror, it will not live.

Breaking a mirror is certain death to the person in less than a year's time.

To see one's shadow while looking in a mirror is a sign of death. Spilling salt is an indication of a quarrel; to avert this throw a pinch over the left shoulder into the fire.

Whether going on business or pleasure, iti s an unlucky omen to meet a funeral procession.

When one hears an evil wish or prophecy, in order to avert it, it is necessary to quickly cross the first fingers of each hand.

Always pick up pins; if the head is toward you, it is good luck; if the point is towards you, bad.

If you

Look at the new moon over the right shoulder and wish. see it inadvertently over the left shoulder, bad luck will attend you until the next new moon.

A dream of a wedding indicates a funeral; of white flowers, sickness, and probably death; of white horses, trouble.

If one chances to pass an axe or a hatchet, lyinging upon the ground with the edge turned towards him, expect misfortune.

Dropping a dish towell is a sign of company.

When soot burns on the bottom of pots and kettles, a storm is soon expected.

If a clock strikes out of time, it betokens a calamity in the household, and probably a death.

If the palm of the right hand itches, it indicates that one will shake hands with a friend from a distance; if the left hand itches, it means money.

A stem from a tea leaf, floating upon a cup of tea, means a visitor. There is also a charm to insure the arrival of a guest :

Bite off his, throw him under the table,

And he will come if he is able.

If the right ear burns, some one is speaking good of us; if the left ear burns, he is speaking evil.

In speaking, if one bites one,s tongue, it is more than likely that the statement would have been a falsehood.

A sore on the tip of the tongue, shows that it has uttered a falsehood. Always avoid meeting a cripple face to face; it brings bad luck. Always wish when you see a shooting star; if the wish is uttered be fore the star is out of sight, it will come to pass.

To find a horseshoe is good luck; always place it over an outside door and nothing but good luck will enter.

When knives, forks, and scissors, in falling, stick upright in the floor, prepare for guests.

Never watch a departing friend out of sight, for if you do he will

never return.

If swallows fly lower than usual, expect rain, if roosters crow more than usual, look for rain or news.

If land-birds fly towards water, and sea birds towards land, rain is portended.

The first article carried into a new house determines the future of its occupants; never begin with taking in knives or sharp-edged tools. Remember the dream you have when sleeping for the first time in a strange room; it is sent for a warning..

If one chance to see a spider suspended from its web directly in front of the face, and utter a wish, if the spider ascends, the wish will come true; if it descends, it is true.-Mary E. Chamberlain, Muskegon. Mich., in American Folk-Lore Journal, April-June, 1893.

WASTE BASKET OF WORDS. Pernickety-This word is given in Stormouth's Dictionary as is use in Scotcland, and as coming from French par niquet, a trifle, indicating a precise, over-careful person. Angularity would thus seem to be a derivative sense, especially as applied to objects. -Louise Kennedy.

Ferrydiddle, a chickaree or red squirrel, Sciurus hudsonius. This is a common name in the mountains of Virginia. The word is not found in the" Century Dictionary."

Keil, a kind of red chalk used by railroad engineers, and to be had of country drug-stores in the Southern United States. This word is in very common use, but does not occur in the "Century Dictionary.” Skin the Cat.-An expression used by boys to describe an athletic sport; a boy hangs by the hands from a trapeze, and passes his legs though the circle formed by the wooden rod and the upper part of his body. Boys commonly "skin the cat " both forwords and backwards. -H. Carrington Bolton, New York, N. Y.

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