Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1895 — French Superstitions. [ARTICLE]

French Superstitions.

Old beliefs mid superstitious. which are gradually disappearing from the more Important of French cities, still retain a powerful hold on the inhabitants of this part of the country, where successive regimes have implanted a curious medley of customs and legends. In the villages adjoining Dunkirk, and In the streets adjacent to the hrabor, where the sailors and their families reside, supernatural agencies and manifestations are firmly believed in. Certain old women and men are credited with the power of wishing evil to any person who offends them, and should they, with extended finger, touch a human being or an animal, disease or death will of a surety ensue. The counter-charm consists in rapidly pursuing the worker of the spell, and in placing a hand on his or her head. A number of these so-called witches are much dreaded, and create quite a reign of terror around themselves. Some are reputed to enjoy the faculty of changing their outward appearance at will, and a certain old woman, who died a few years ago, was stated to have occasionally transformed herself into a black cat. It. happens not Infrequently that tb.e victim of a spell appeals to the priest, and begs him to intercede.