The old practices and ceremonies of heathenism have been preserved more completely among the Esthonians than among any other Lutheran people. All the trees, caves, or hills which were then sacred, are so still, and there are many such spots where the peasants yet offer up sacrifices ; at some places food, money, or trinkets ; at others garlands, branches, and crosses. Many old trees are regarded by them as the haunts of mighty spirits. There is one where they would not venture to pluck a ^eaf or blade of grass as far as its shadow reaches, much less to touch any leaf of the tree itself. It is a singular fact that the Esthonians seem to have an aversion to the consecrated places of Christianity ; if they can, they much jirefer burying their dead in some spot of their own choice, in the depths of the forest, or in the wilderness, rather than in the churchyai-ds. Many such lonely graves may be found in the wildest parts of the country, marked only by the solitary mounds erected over them.
Among the Esthonlans, Thursday is the unlucky day of the week, as Monday is with the Russians, and Friday with many other nations. They ascribe supernatural influences to various substances, but particidarly to asafoetida. Serpents are to them the most sacred of all animals ; they scarcely ever kill them, and never but when they wish to apply the healing powers ascribed to them to the cure of some disease. They are fond of concealing a bottle of brandy about them, when they go to church, " that the word of God may pass over it, and sanctify it," after which it is considered an infallible specific against many diseases.
When they are about to build a house, they lay herbs and leaves on the ground to attract the ants ; if black ants first make their appearance, it is a good, if red, an evil omen. Good or bad omens are also drawn from the behaviour of a horse when taken to the house of a sick person.
AGRICULTURE OF THE ESTIIONIANS.
During the five centuries they have been subject to German sway, the Esthonians have scarcely adopted from their masters a single improvement in any of the useful arts, and they still cultivate, not only their own fields, but those of their lords, in the old Esthonian fashion. Barley, oats, and rye are the kinds of grain most cultivated ; wheaten bread is never eaten but on great festivals. Horticultm-e is unknown among the Esthonians ; they have neither flower, fruit, nor vegetable gardens. It is rare to see so much as a few stunted and solitary apple-trees growing in their courtyards. Even potatoes are all but unknown to them, and cabbages are almost the only vegetables they eat. The tending of bees is a very important part of their occupations. By means of thick trunks of trees, which they saw off and hollow out, and in which they place their beehives, they manage to preserve these animals even through the piercing cold of the northern winter. They use honey in the making of cakes, mead, and all holiday dishes.
The Esthonians are far bolder himters and fishermen than the Lettes. An Esthonian, though alone and armed only with a single-barrelled piece, will foUow a bear into his den, when one false aim is likely to be followed by certain death.
No branch of industiy or manufacture is carried on by the Esthonians with a view to commerce. Each man makes for himself every thing he needs. In their houses the men employ themselves in bending and fastening the birchwood into sledge-runners, or in splitting it up into staves ; in making hoops for casks, in manufacturing wooden plates, dishes, spoons, &c., or in preparing their sheepskins. The women, meanwhile, are engaged in weaving, spinning, sowing, and bleaching ; in cutting torches out of birchwood, and m plaiting itf. bark into sandals. Thus have they gone on for a thousand years ; will the next thousand years work no greater change among them ? Who knows ?
This practice is founded, however, on experience, as may be the case with many other national superstitions, could we trace them to their origin. Red ants — the evil omen of the Esthonians — are generally found in a damp soil; black ants in a dry one.
THE SLAVERY AND RECENT EMANCIPATION OF THE ESTHONIANS