316 NETHER LOCHABER. 



uncertainty of human life, and the unabidingness generally of all 

 sublunary things; and the superstition was perhaps more effectual 

 in this direction than would be the most carefully composed sermon. 

 But the philosophic aspect of the case apart, let us inquire why the 

 facts mentioned should be held as premonitory of death. The crow- 

 ing of the cock has probably some connection with the denial of St. 

 Peter, and in it, too, may perhaps be traced a faint remnant of the 

 bird divination of the ancients. As to the itching of the nose, we 

 confess our inability to say anything satisfactory, beyond the fact 

 that in old times anything unusual and difficult to be reasonably 

 accounted for in man's physical economy, as well as in his mental, 

 was at once attributed to a supernatural cause. Of this the ringing 

 in the ears, as well as the itching in the nose, must be held to be 

 an example. The well-known ringing in the ears does come with 

 extraordinary suddenness, as we have all experienced, and when it 

 comes makes the most staid philosopher look foolish and out of sorts 

 for the moment. Its connection with death is perhaps to be traced 

 to the passing bell of early and mediaeval times, and to the tolling of 

 bells at funerals even in our own day. Sir Walter Scott, who 

 knew the peasantry of Scotland so well, and sympathised so much 

 even with their superstitions, has a happy reference to the death- 

 bell in a passage in Marmion : 



" For soon Lord Marmion raised his head, 

 And, smiling, to Fitz-Eustace said 

 ' Is it not strange, that, as ye sung, 

 Seem'd in mine ear a death-peal rung, 

 Such as in nunneries they toll 

 For some departing sister's soul ? 

 Say, what may this portend ? ' 

 Then first the Palmer silence broke 

 (The livelong day he had not spoke), 

 ' The death of a dear friend. 1 " 



On this passage there is an interesting note very apropos to our 

 subject : " Among other omens to which faithful credit is given 



