1. All texts heard in a church to be remembered by the congregation, for
they must be repeated at the day of judgment.
2. If the clock strikes while the text is being given, a death may be
expected in the parish.
3. A death in the parish during the Christmas tyde, is a token of many
deaths in the year. I remember such a circumstance being spoken of in a
village of Somerset. Thirteen died in that year, a very unusual number.
Very many attributed this great loss of life to the fact above stated.
4. When a corpse is laid out, a plate of salt is laid on the chest. Why, I
know not.
5. None can die comfortably under the cross-beam of a house. I knew a man
of whom it was said at his death, that after many hours hard dying, being
removed from the position under the cross-beam, he departed peaceably. I
cannot account for the origin of this saying.
6. Ticks in the oak-beams of old houses, or death-watches so called, warn
the inhabitants of that dwelling of some misfortune.