Omens, or tokens of death, adhere to the popular belief to a more general extent than any other relic of superstition, perhaps one third of the population attaching more or less credit to them. It would be impossible to enumerate all these idle fancies, but among them are prominently the howling of a dog, a winding sheet in the candle, and the issuing of light from a candle after it is blown out. A piece of curled tallow (winding sheet) on a candle has been scarcely ever known to fail as prophetic of death in the family or among friends. When a single crow flies over you it is the sign of a funeral; two are a certain prognostication of a wedding. A bit of coal popped from the fire must resemble either a purse or a coffin, and consequently good luck or death. To have a long succession of black cards (spades or clubs) dealt to a person while at play is prophetic of death to himself or some member of the family. When a corpse is limp, it is a sign that another death will happen in the house. To have apples and blossoms on a tree at the same time is a sign of a forthcoming death in the family. If a white bean grow in the garden it is a sure sign of death. Any appearance among plants in the garden not understood is considered "a token." Thus a rose whose flower has any leaves intermixed with the red petals, as sometimes happens, is called a "death rose," and foretells death to some of the family. The first snowdrop brought into the house betokens the death of the gatherer. It is bad luck for any one to go through a house with a spade on his shoulder. If a woman go into a neighbour's house before she is "churched," some great misfortune will befall her. It is unlucky to have rain on a wedding day. "Happy the bride the sun shines on; Happy the corpse the rain falls on." Old shoes thrown after a person leaving the house are supposed to be a source of great prosperity. This is practised by the highest classes in the county, especially at weddings. So many mince pies you eat at Christmas, so many happy months you will spend during the year. A donkey braying is an infallible sign of rain. To cut your hair during the increase of the moon is said to ensure its favourable growth. A bright speck in the candle is a sure indication that a letter is coming to the individual to whom it points. If the sun shines warmly on Christmas Day there will be many fires in the ensuing year. "A great year for nuts a great year for (the birth of) children," is a common saying, and double nuts presage twins. Tea-drinking is made to foreshadow a large number of the casualties of life, including the receipt of presents, the visits of strangers, obtaining sweethearts, and the like, merely from the appearance of the tea and the "grounds" or settlement in the cup.