Manners, Customs, and Observances: Their Origin and Significance (Forgotten Books) Book

Book Description: A well presented record of customs and traditions in all areas of life. This book was written in the 19th century, however the majority of the traditions mentioned still survive today. What is most interesting is the suggested origins.Did you know that:An IOU should not be dated, because by dating it, it becomes barred by the Statute of Limitations after six years.For the Honeymoon, we are indebted to the Scandinavian races, who drank hydromel, or diluted honey, for thirty days after a wedding.The Christian Sabbath differs from that of the Jews because it was on the first day of the week that our Lord manifested Himself to His apostles after His resurrection, and also sent down the Holy Spirit upon them in the form of fiery tongues. The Mohammedan Sabbath is Friday, in accordance with the belief that on this day God completed the work of creation.The reason why the Tuning up of Musical Instruments always takes place in the orchestra itself is, because the temperature of the ante-room being different from that of the theatre or concert-room, if the instruments were tuned up in the former place they would instantly get out of tune again in the latter.The Game of Dominoes was invented by a couple of French monks, who amused themselves with square flat stones marked with spots.The custom of wearing the Wedding Ring on the fourth Finger of the Left Hand had unquestionably a pagan origin. Both the Greeks and the Romans called the fourth left-hand finger the Medicated Finger, and used it to stir up mixtures and potions, out of the belief that it contained a vein which communicated directly with the heart, and therefore nothing noxious could come in contact with it without giving instant warning to that vital organ. When the ring supplanted the bracelet as the symbol of matrimony, the deep sentimentality of the Greeks dictated that it should be worn on the medicated finger [so as to be connected to the heart].Table of Contents: Publisher's Preface; Preface; Regal And Ecclesiastical; Naval And Military; Legal And Parliamentary; Civic And Social; Courtship And Marriage; Death And Burial; Amusements Of The People; Patron Saints And Their Attributes; Festivals Of The Church; Jewish Fasts And Festivals; Secular ObservancesAbout the Publisher: Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.orgForgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.Read More