ing by standing on one foot
and holding a wax taper in his hand, during particular portions of the
mass. It is common in some places to lay upon the altar, during mass,
the nails of a shoe taken from a horse which has become lame, to
restore the animal to soundness. Pieces of consecrated bread carried
home and preserved is a preventative against the bite of a mad dog.
The shepherd who first gives his offering will be rewarded by his ewes
bringing forth the finest lambs in the neighbourhood; and the horses
and cattle that are watered immediately after the owners or keepers
return from mass, will be saved from illness.

In 1589 the people placed on the altars of many of their churches in
Paris, wax effigies of King Henry III., and pricked them with pins and
needles during mass, in the hope of obtaining a speedy termination to
his existence.

The wearing of a ribbon which has been worn by a lady, or a lock of
her hair, near the heart, is supposed to be capable of securing her
affections. But if everything else fail, the proper application of
dead men's bones, holy relics, and magic spells will soften the hard
heart.

It is related by the Indians of Vixnu, that a ribbon tied round the
neck or arm, with the name "Laximi" (who for many years was worshipped
under the form of a cow, and sometimes of a horse) written thereon or
attached thereto, is a certain cure for all diseases; and is likewise
a preventative against accidents. Corns are cured by one stealing a
small piece of beef and burying it in the ground. As the flesh rots,
the corns disappear. Whenever either an enemy or friend becomes
troublesome, and it is considered necessary to get rid of him, the
desire can be accomplished by securing a garment belonging to him and
burying it in the earth. Just as sure as the burying of the beef
destroys corns, as certain will the concealment of the garment in the
earth send the obnoxious person to his long home. Fond mothers
endeavoured to cure hooping-cough by passing their afflicted children
three times before breakfast under a blackberry bush the branches of
which grew into the ground; other parents went out into the highways
in search of a man riding on a piebald horse, to ask him what would
restore to health their children affected with this painful cough.
Whatever he recommended, was adopted as a remedy.

CHAPTER XLVII.

Horse Shoes used as Charms--Spitting on Money to
secure Luck--Fortunate Persons t