158 SALMONIA. 



the sea coast was referred to a spirit or 

 goblin, called Bucca, and was supposed to 

 foretel a shipwreck : the philosopher knows 

 that sound travels much faster than currents 

 in the air — and the sound always foretold 

 the approach of a very heavy storm, which 

 seldom takes place on that wild and rocky 

 coast, without a shipwreck on some part of 

 its extensive shores, surrounded by the At- 

 lantic. 



Phys. — All the instances of omens you 

 have mentioned are founded on reason ; but 

 how can you explain such absurdities as 

 Friday being an unlucky day, the terror of 

 spilling salt, or meeting an old woman ? I 

 knew a man, of very high dignity, who was 

 exceedingly moved by these omens, and 

 who never went out shooting without a bit- 

 tern's claw fastened to his buttonhole by a 

 ribband — which he thought ensured him 

 good luck. 



Poiet. — These, as well as the omens of 

 death watches, dreams, &c. are for the most 

 part founded upon some accidental coinci- 

 dences ; but spilling of salt, on an uncom- 



