A Scotch Superstition

"In a recent visit I paid to friends abroad, I came across a superstition that was new to me," said a traveler the other day. "One day at dinner somebody hit a glass, which began the ringing, jingling noise that is familiar when glassware is struck, and immediately another guest covered the piece with his hands so as to muffle the sound. Every one present said, 'That's right; stop the ringing.' I found out on inquiring that when one causes this ringing of a glass piece to cease it saves a human life from drowning.  How the notion originated I can't explain, but these people I speak of were intelligent and not generally given to cherishing absurd notions. It Is said to be a Scotch superstition, but none my friends could throw light on its origin."