GHOSTS FROM DREAMLAND 



Nor is it the direct dream-world alone that has such 

 influence. These elemental superstitions have given 

 us a long line of residual misconceptions that are a 

 constant menace to the sober judgment and the happi- 

 ness of mankind. Indeed, there is scarcely any limit 

 to the credulity of the mind that allows itself to be 

 inveigled beyond the bounds of the natural. And the 

 effects of such credulity are vastly important in their 

 influence on the happiness of the individual. 



We are accustomed, indeed, to speak of superstition 

 as a thing of the past, but in point of fact it would be 

 hard to find an individual who has altogether banished 

 it from his daily life. One man believes in lucky or 

 unlucky days, and is directly influenced in his everyday 

 actions by this belief. Another is downcast if he has 

 seen the new moon over his left shoulder. A third will 

 not pass a pin on the street without stooping to pick it 

 up, or is greatly annoyed if a wayfarer chances to pass 

 between himself and a companion with whom he is 

 walking. And so on throughout the absurd and 

 wearisome list. 



Certain classes of people notably gamblers, specu- 

 lators, and actors seem peculiarly under the spell of 

 superstitious ideas, but it is hard to find a person in 

 any calling who down in his heart does not cherish at 

 least one eccentric little idea which, if analysed, must 

 be confessed to be a pure superstition. Even if he openly 

 tries to root that idea out of his mind, very likely it 

 will still cling. A member of the Thirteen Club, who 

 prefers to begin a journey on Friday, may shudder 

 in spite of himself if he chances to break a mirror. 



[325] 



