Superstitions

The London ïrnth gives the following inside view of a great historical event said to have been hitherto nupnblished: When Sir Charles Napier had couquered Mehemet Ali, he fonnd it impossible to force or ooax the wily Egyptian into siguiug the treaty wbich only would make his victory effective. He had 19 interviews with Mebemet, in which the Euglishrnan by turns argued, flattered aud threatened his antagonist, who listened day after day with the same itnmovable, smiling conntenanoe. One day Sir Charlea, in speaking of Englaiid, said casually that it "was governed by a lucky woman. " A strange flash passed over the pasha'9 countenance, tut be made uo auswer. As soou as Napier was gone, Mehemet sent for the Euglish consul, who was an Egyptian, anti demanded: "Yon were in London when the English queen was crowned. Were the omens bad or good?" "All good. " "You think that good luckis written on her forehead?" "I did not think npon the matter before, but now that you aak me I believe that it is. When she asked Allah to help her in her work, her eyes ran over. Allah loves the innocent." "No doubt of that, " said Mehemet anxiously. "She must be lucky." Early the uext morning he sent for Sir Charles and signed the treaty. English power and English cannon he could brave, but not "the luck" written upon the forehead of a good womau whom he had never seen. General Gordon's remarkable influence over the Chinese waa in a large degree due, it is stated, to their belief in his extraordinary luck. During the Tae-Ping rebellion he was followed by an army which did not comprehend either his ability or his religious zeal, but which believed that he was protected by an invisible being who led him to victory. No sword could wound him or bullet kill. A certain black ebony cane which he carried was supposed to be the magio talisman which bronght him victory, and General Gordon was shrewd enough alwaya to carry thia cane when he led them into battle. These superstitions seem absurd to ns, but they at least show that the ignorant men who hold them believe in an invisible power who can give good or ill fortune at his will. Are they more foolish than the educated, busy man, who recognizes no power in life stronger than his own will and effort?