Recurring now to the prevalent notions regarding the sinister and portentous character of this number, one may well inquire in all seriousness whether the harboring of this and other firmly rooted superstitious fancies is compatible with a deep and abiding Christian faith. The answer is plainly in the negative. Therefore it is doubtless true—and the truth should make us free—that the greater our indifference to the various alleged omens and auguries which so easily beset us, the more readily shall we acquire and retain a firm and enduring dependence on Divine Providence. FOOTNOTES [1] _New Cabinet Cyclopædia._ [2] _Archæologia_, vol. iii. 1775. [3] John Kitto, D. D., _Cyclopædia of Biblical Art_. [4] John Beckman, _A History of Inventions_. [5] Carmen XVIII. 26. [6] Suetonius: “Soleis mularum argenteis.” [7] Pliny: “Jumentis suis soleas ex auro induere.” [8] Fosbroke, _Dictionary of Antiquities_. [9] _Knight’s Mechanical Dictionary._ [10] Alexander Adam, LL. D., _Roman Antiquities_. [11] _Archæologia_, vol. xlvii. [12] _Scribner’s Magazine_, November, 1894. [13] John Beckman, _A History of Inventions_. [14] Fosbroke, _Archæologia_, vol. iii. [15] _Notes and Queries_, series 3, vol. v. 1864. [16] _Leicestershire and Rutland Notes and Queries_, vol. i. 1889-91. [17] Margaret G. Finch, _The History of Oakham Castle_. Oakham, 1897. [18] _Chambers’ Journal_, March 10, 1866. [19] Cameron’s _Across Africa_. [20] W. Crooke, B. A., _North Indian Folk-Lore_. [21] Clara Erskine Clement, _Naples_. [22] George Borrow, _The Zincali_. [23] A. Certeux and E. Henry Carnoy, _L’Algérie traditionnelle_, tome i. p. 159. [24] _Folk-Lore_, June, 1896, p. 148. [25] Lieutenant-Colonel N. Prejevalsky, _Mongolia_, vol. ii. p. 207. [26] William M. Thomson, D. D., _The Land and the Book_. [27] S. S. Thorburn, _Bannú_. [28] Sir John Bowring, F. R. S., _The Kingdom and People of Siam_, vol. i. p. 145. [29] Clara Erskine Clement, _Naples_. [30] Elworthy, _Evil Eye_, p. 261. [31] _Popular Science Monthly_, November, 1896. [32] Goblet D’Alviella, _La migration des symboles_, p. 25. [33] Rennell Rodd, _The Customs and Lore of Modern Greece_. 1892. [34] _Revue des traditions populaires_, tome viii. 1892. [35] _Mélusine_, tome viii. No. 4. 1896. [36] M’Clintock and Strong’s _Cyclopædia_, art. “Head-Dress.” [37] Lucy M. J. Garnett, _The Christian Women of Turkey_. [38] _L’Algérie traditionnelle_, tome i. p. 159. 1884. [39] H. Clay Trumbull, _The Threshold Covenant_, p. 74. [40] _Folk-Lore_, March, 1898, p. 10. [41] _Mélusine_, tome viii. No. 3. 1896. [42] _L’Algérie traditionelle_, tome i. p. 159. 1884. [43] Richard Folkard, Jr., _Plant-Lore_. [44] Rev. Timothy Harley, _Moon-Lore_, p. 192. [45] Isaiah iii. 18. [46] _Cornhill_, March, 1877. [47] Thomas Inman, M. D., _Ancient Faiths embodied in Ancient Names_. [48] Barclay V. Head, _Historia Numorum_. Oxford, 1887. [49] _A Dictionary of Roman Coins._ London, 1889.