[120] The superstitions marked * have been in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire quite lately.
[121] The small heap of soil thrown up by ants.
[122] The modern custom is to lift the glass and say "Isten éltesse!" ("may God let you live.")
[123] The Finnish reformer, Michael Agricola, in his preface to the 1551 edition of the Finnish Psalms, prepared by him, mentions the idols and sacrifices of the old Finns. The passage relating to this matter is in verses, and especially of the Carialians he says the following: "Egres creates them peas, beans, and carrots, cabbage, flax, and hemp; Köndös guards their cleared grounds and ploughed fields as they superstitiously believe; and when they finished their spring-sowing, then they drank Ukko's Cup."
"Kuin kevä-kylvä kylvettiin
Silloin Ukon malja juottiin."
[124] "Wie Thor's cleinne trank man Ukko zu ehren volle Schale." Mythol Vorr xxviii. In Sweden, as toasts, the only word they mention is "skål," cup; this is a meagre reminder of "Thor's Schåle."
[125] Not Tokay; that is German. We have a hazy recollection that one of the Popes—it may have been Sylvester II. (A.D. 1000) or Pio Nono—upon receiving a small cask of Tokaj wine, exclaimed "Talc vinum summum pontificem decet!" or words to this effect.
[126] "Áldomás," from "áldani" (Latin offerre and benedicere) hence—"sacrificium" and "benedictio." Cf. "Ultemaš"—"preces" in Cheremiss. In the district of Hradist in Moravia, "oldomaš pit"—"áldoma's drink." In modern Magyar the word "áldozni" is used for to sacrifice. Whether the Magyar and Finnish Ukko are the same, or whether it is a mere coincidence, we are not prepared to say. Hunfalvy makes much of it.
[127] Ukkon-pohar-felmutato volt.
[128] In modern times the bargain is first settled and the "liquor" comes afterwards, tout comme chez nous in England.