hey would secure
success in the field. The shamrock was highly esteemed by lovers. An
exchange of this plant frequently took place between betrothed persons
in the same way as engagement rings are exchanged in our time. In
Ireland many people continue to put faith in incantations and spells.
Women's hair is thought to be a precious amulet; hence the custom of
wearing hair bracelets, guards, and other such like ornaments.

Smugglers and brigands are much addicted to superstition. On the
apprehension of one Jackson, a smuggler, who died in Chichester, there
was found in his possession a linen purse containing the following
charm:

"Ye three holy kings,
Gaspar, Melchior, Balthasar,
Pray for us now and at the hour of death."

The charm had actually touched the heads of three kings at Cologne,
and was thought by the smuggler to be an effectual protection against
accidents, headaches, falling sickness, witchcraft, and various kinds
of mischief. Jackson died suddenly, but this did not prove the charm
to be worthless, as he lost it before his end came.

Various nations in the East entertained superstitious opinions
concerning serpents and reptiles. They attributed numberless powers of
good and evil to these reptiles. A belief prevailed, that if one
killed a snake, the whole race to which it belonged would persecute
the cruel individual. When any one was bitten by a serpent, a
sovereign remedy was found in a particular stone. Such valuable stones
were rare, and consequently they were greatly prized, even, more so
than gold.

Arabs believed that the smoke of burnt hair taken from a Christian's
head would cure a patient, whatever the disease was under which he
laboured. They also wore enchanted rings, and carried herbs to
strengthen their arms in the day of battle.

A young lady thought she could discover the social position and
character of her future husband, by pulling a large flower and taking
off the leaves and petals one by one, while she repeated,

"Rich man, poor man, farmer, ploughman, thief."

The one who happened to be named at plucking the last leaf or petal
was, she supposed, to be her husband. Another way: pluck an even ash
leaf, and keep it in the hand, saying,

"The even ash leaf in my hand,
The first I meet shall be my man;"

then put the leaf into the glove, and say,

"The even ash leaf in my glove,
The first I meet shall be my love;"

and then put it into t