3. The falling of Salt is an authentick presagement of ill luck, nor can every temper contemn it; from whence notwithstanding nothing can be naturally feared: nor was the same a general prognostick of future evil among the Ancients, but a particular omination concerning the breach of friendship. For Salt as incorruptible, was the Symbole of friendship, and before the other service was offered unto their guests; which if it casually fell, was accounted ominous, and their amity of no duration. But whether Salt were not only a Symbole of friendship with man, but also a figure of amity and reconciliation with God, and was therefore observed in sacrifices, is an higher speculation.
4. To break the egg shell after the meat is out, we are taught in our childhood, and practise it all our lives; which nevertheless is but a superstitious relict, according to the judgment of _Pliny_, _Huc pertinet ovorum, ut exorbuerit quisq; calices protinus frangi, aut eosdem coclearibus perforari_; and the intent hereof was to prevent witchcraft; for lest witches should draw or prick their names therein, and veneficiously mischief their persons, they broke the shell, as _Dalecampius_ hath observed.
5. The true Lovers knot is very much magnified, and still retained in presents of Love among us; which though in all points it doth not make out, had perhaps its original from the _Nodus Herculanus_, or that which was called _Hercules_ his knot, resembling the snaky complication in the caduceus or rod of _Hermes_; and in which form the Zone or woollen girdle of the Bride was fastned, as _Turnebus_ observeth in his _Adversaria_.
6. When our cheek burneth or ear tingleth, we usually say that some body is talking of us, which is an ancient conceit, and ranked among superstitious opinions by _Pliny_. _Absentes tinnitu aurium præsentire sermones de se receptum est_, according to that distick noted by _Dalecampius_.
_Garrula quid totis resonas mihi noctibus auris? Nescio quem dicis nunc meminisse mei._
Which is a conceit hardly to be made out without the concession of a signifying _Genius_, or universal _Mercury_; conducting sounds unto their distant subjects, and teaching us to hear by touch.
[Sidenote: _The original of the proverb_, Under the Rose be it, _etc._]