_Something else about "Salting."_--On the first occasion, after birth,
of any children being taken into a neighbour's house, the mistress
of the house always presents the babe with an egg, a little flour,
and some salt; and the nurse, to ensure good luck, gives the child
a taste of the pudding, which is forthwith compounded out of these
ingredients. This little "mystery" has occurred too often to be merely
accidental; indeed, all my poorer neighbours are familiarly acquainted
with the custom; and they tell me that money is often given in
addition at the houses of the rich.
What is the derivation of _cum grano salis_ as a hint of caution? Can
it come from the M.D.'s prescription; or is it the grain of Attic salt
or wit for which allowance has to be made in every well-told story?