FOLK LORE.
Superstitions of the Midland Counties.—It is believed a sign of "bad luck" to meet a white horse, unless the person spits at it, which action is said to avert the ill consequences of the recontre.
A rainy Friday is believed to be followed as a natural and invariable consequence, by a wet Sunday; but I am not aware that the contrary is believed, viz., that fine Friday produces a fine Sunday.
If the fire burns brightly when a person has poked or stirred it up, it is a sign that the absent lover, wife, or husband (as the case may be) is in good spirits, and in good humour.
The itching of the right hand palm is said to portend the reception of a gift; which is rendered more certain if the advice in this distich be followed:—
"Rub it 'gainst wood,
'Tis sure to come good."
Persons with much hair or down upon their arms and hands, will at some future period enjoy great wealth; or as the common expression has it, "are born to be rich."
HENRY KERSLEY.
Corp. Chris. Hall, Maidstone.
A Rainbow in the Morning, &c.—"Mr. THOMS" (No. 26, p. 413.) says that he believes no one has remarked the philosophy of this proverbial rhyme. Sir Humphry Davy, however, points it out in his Salmonia.