Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, &c./Part 6/Superstitions respecting Courtship

COURTSHIP

Is always an engrossing subject, and has appropriated its full share of omens and superstitious ceremonies. The dictum that "Long courtships make bad marriages," is never questioned by any; for it is well known that—

"Happy is the wooing
That 's not long a-doing."

In cases of extreme haste we are told that, "Cold pudding cures hot love;" and are at the same time reminded that, "It is best to be slow to make haste." Rubbing against a newly-married couple is said to be infectious; and if an unmarried person stumbles on going up-stairs it is taken as a sign of early marriage. When a bramble, or briar, or a thorn branch, adheres to a lady's dress when she is walking with her lover, it is a sure omen that he will be faithful. The same encouraging information is obtained by placing sprigs of the tea plant on the back of one hand and striking them with the other. If they stick firmly to the hand which strikes them, so will the lover whose intentions are being tested. Should a young female attend church when her own banns are published, her children will be born deaf and dumb as a punishment for her want of decency. No one ought to try on her wedding-dress before the day of the marriage; for popular opinion affirms that if she does she will never live happily with her husband. Fortune in marriage is still tried in Lancashire as it was in the days of Gay; his "Spell" has lost nothing of its force by lapse of time:—

"Two hazel nuts I threw into the flame,
And to each nut I gave a sweetheart's name;

This with the loudest bounce me sore amazed,
That in a flame of brightest colour blazed;
As blazed the nut, so may thy passion glow,
For 'twas thy nut that did so brightly glow."

Priority of time as to marriage is frequently determined by means of the "merrythought" bone of a fowl. Two persons take hold of it with their smallest fingers, holding the bone the forked side downwards; and the one who breaks the largest piece from the bone will be the first to be married. It is considered to be highly improper for lovers to see each other on a Friday evening. When a couple are found transgressing this rule, they are followed home by a crowd beating frying-pans, shovels, tongs, or any implements that will make a discordant noise when struck, whilst the leader of the gang loudly proclaims the crime they have been committing. Great care ought to be taken when the day of the marriage is selected. The popular dictum is—"As the day of the wedding so will be the married life of the couple." The sun ought to shine on every wedding party, for, "Happy is the bride that the sun shines on." On no account refuse to relieve a beggar on that day, lest you be subjected to crosses, denials, and disappointments through life. Sunday is considered to be a very improper day for marriages, and hence they are seldom celebrated on that day, especially in country churches. In East Lancashire Thursday appears to be the favoured day; and this is in accordance with the practice of our Scandinavian ancestors, although it is somewhat at variance with the following metrical regulations:—

 
"Monday for health—Tuesday for wealth—
Wednesday best day of all;
Thursday for losses—Friday for crosses—
Saturday no luck at all.