"The dead, shrivelled hand ...
... of the gentleman dangling up there."
[104] So far is this day considered unlucky in Portugal that we heard of a Portuguese young lady who had ordered a harp from England: it unfortunately arrived at her house on Friday, and was sent away till Saturday, although she was "dying to try it!" Tuesday is also regarded as unlucky in Portugal.
On St. Peter's Day, in Portugal, the saint is said to have a holiday, and take the keys with him, and the fisher-folk assert that if anyone is drowned on that day the chances are he will be sent to the "wrong place."
Cf. "Ma foi sur l'avenir bien fou qui se fiera,
Tel qui rit vendredi, dimanche pleurera."—
Racine au commencement de la comédie des Plaideurs.
[105] One is said to be most liable to be punished at this time on this account.
[106] Garlic is said to be a charm against evil. See Notes and Queries, 6 S. ix. 5.
[107] It is a common superstition in many parts of Yorkshire that fire must not go out of the house between New and Old Christmas Day. An old nurse told us she once went home during this time and her neighbours would not even give her a match that she might light her candle and so find her own.
[108] Cf. Yorkshire, Yule-candle.
[109] Lead is cast in Finland to see whether fortune or misfortune is in store; in these degenerate days "stearine," has been used by impatient souls. See also Burnaby, Ride to Khiva, cap. xxii.