DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15#0300
287
THE HISTORY OF SUNDAY.
It is rather singular that two of our small wars
with Africa, those with the Ashantees and the
Zulus, should have presented an illustration of the
influence which the observance of special days may-
have on human conduct. In one case a foolish
superstition was involved, in the other what many-
regard as a most weighty religious duty. It is
worth noticing that the superstition prevailed,—
the religious duty was for the time being set on
one side.
At a rather critical epoch in the Ashantee war,
when it was a matter of extreme importance that
certain military stores should be forwarded to the
British army with as little delay as possible, it so
chanced that all preparations for loading the ship
which was to convey those stores were completed
late on Thursday night. In the ordinary course of
things the ship would have sailed early on Friday
morning. But it is well known that sailors have a
superstitious objection against beginning a journey
THE HISTORY OF SUNDAY.
It is rather singular that two of our small wars
with Africa, those with the Ashantees and the
Zulus, should have presented an illustration of the
influence which the observance of special days may-
have on human conduct. In one case a foolish
superstition was involved, in the other what many-
regard as a most weighty religious duty. It is
worth noticing that the superstition prevailed,—
the religious duty was for the time being set on
one side.
At a rather critical epoch in the Ashantee war,
when it was a matter of extreme importance that
certain military stores should be forwarded to the
British army with as little delay as possible, it so
chanced that all preparations for loading the ship
which was to convey those stores were completed
late on Thursday night. In the ordinary course of
things the ship would have sailed early on Friday
morning. But it is well known that sailors have a
superstitious objection against beginning a journey