“Tuck babies in May,
You’ll tuck them away.”
It is of course considered an unfortunate month for marriages. Neither should babies “be tucked” on a week day, but on a Sunday, which day should also be chosen for leaving off any article of clothing; as then you will have the prayers of every congregation for you, and are sure not to catch cold. A friend lately sent me the following charm of one year’s duration which prevents your feeling or taking a cold. “Eat a large apple at Hallow-een under an apple-tree just before midnight; no other garment than a bed-sheet should be worn. A kill or cure remedy.”
An empty cradle should never be rocked unless you wish to have a large family, for—
“Rock the cradle empty
You’ll rock the babies plenty.”
Rev. S. Rundle says, “It is unlucky to rock an empty cradle, as the child will die.”—Cornubiana.
The jingles which follow are often repeated by Cornish nurse-maids with appropriate actions to amuse their little charges. First, touching each part of the face as mentioned with the forefinger,
“Brow brender,[5]