12
The Dumb Cake.
In order to make the Dumb Cake to perfection, it is necessary to observe strictly the following instructions:—Let any number of young women take a handful of wheaten flour, (not a word is to be spoken by any one of them during the rest of the process) and place it on a sheet of white paper; then sprinkle it over with as much salt as can be held between the finger and thumb: then one of the damsels must bestow as much of her own water as will make it into a dough: which being done, each of the company must roll it up, and spread it thin and broad, and each person must, at some distance from each other, make the first letters of her christian and surname, with a large new pin, towards the end of the cake; if more christian names than one, the first letter of each must be made. The cake must then be set before the fire, and each person must sit down in a chair, as far distant from the fire as the room will admit, not speaking a single word all the time. This must be done soon after eleven at night; and between that and twelve, each person must turn the cake once, and in a few minutes after the clock strikes twelve, the husband of her who is first to be married will appear, and lay his hand on that part of the cake which is marked with her name.
Birth of Children and other Events.
With Respect to the Moon's Age, and Day of the Week.
To be born on the first day of the new moon, portends their life shall be pleasant, with an increase of riches.
