Phillips.] ^46 [March 18, 



Second Contrihulion to the Study of Folk- Lore in Philadelphia 

 and Vicinity. 



By Henry Phillips, Jr. 



{Read before the American Philosophical Society, March IS, 1S92.) 



Signs, Portents and Omens. 

 Sunday is always the best or the worst day of the week. 



If one sews anything upon a garment that is already on, it is a sure sign 

 that some one will tell a falsehood about you. 



It is unlucky to measure a child with a yardstick before it can walk. 



It is unlucky to get out of bed left foot foremost. 



It is unlucky to count one's money, as it will surely decrease. 



One must never count what is eaten, as hunger and poverty will be the 

 result Liter in life. 



A servant who comes on Saturday makes a short flitting. 



If a man dies suddenly, leaving any appointments unfulfilled, his ghost 

 will keep them. 



It is lucky to dream of excrement. 



Children who pick dandelions will urinate in their bed {pis-en-lit). 



Bachelors' and old maids' children are always well brought up and 

 well behaved. 



Vessels named after women are unlucky as compared with those bearing 

 the names of men. 



Vessels with a boasting or high-sounding title (such as Monarch of the 

 Seas, Drcadnaught, etc.) are unlucky. 



It is unlucky to name a child after one of the same name, that has died. 



When speaking of one's good fortune, one must always add : "I hope 

 I speak in a lucky hour," 



One must always wear something new on Easter day. 



One must always wear something new on New Year's day. 



A four-leaved clover is considered to bring good luck to its finder. 



The tick of the "death watch" announces the speedy death of a mem- 

 ber of the family. 



If you can't make a fire you'll get a bad husband. 



Throw pepper after a disagreeable person to prevent his return. 



