Silver.
A new-born infant must be washed with a piece of silver in the water: the larger the sum the better the luck. The midwife's fee of five shillings is generally put in the bath; but to make matters safe, in poor houses, where there is no fee, the midwife wears a silver ring.
[In Russia children are generally baptised in a silver font. A rich Greek merchant will make a point if this for luck, and even a Presbyterian minister will use a silver basin at a christening.]
Miscellaneous Sayings, &c.
"Deine nan seachd satharn ort!" or, "The fag end of seven Saturdays befall you!" You must not wish evil to the fairies, or indeed say any harm of them, except on a Friday. On that day they are "at home," and not anywhere in man's vicinity (witches' sabbath), then say, "Beannachd nan suibhal a's nan imeachd! Sé 'n diugh di n'aoin, cha, chlimm iod Linne"; or "Blessed (ironical) be their travelling and their departing! This day is Friday, and they do not hear us. "Bithidh di h'aoin au aghaid na seachain," or, "Friday is contrary to the week."
Of the Weather.
If February is mild, the winter is past. A gloomy Friday makes a wet Saturday. A fair Sabbath a fair week. When the sun shines in the evening of a very rainy day they say, "Am fear a wharbhadh a mhathair a chianamh bheireadh e veò nois "; or, "The man who killed his mother is now trying to bring her alive again." Of the winds they say, "Gaoth a deas, teas, ajus, toradh. Gaoth au rar vasg is bainne. Gaoth a tuath, fuachd is gaillshion. Gaoth au carmeas air crannaibhe"; or, "The south wind brings warmth and fertility, the west fish and milk, the north cold and storm, the east fruitfulness of trees."
