Customs of Birth and Death Superstition and custom cross our paths from the day we are born. The Peak has its own version of an old rhyme about the day of a baby’s birth: ‘Born on a Sunday it’s the child of God, Born on Monday will smart ‘neath the rod, A Tuesday born child has beauty and grace, A Wednesday’s child seldom stays in one place, A Thursday’s child is thrifty and clean, A Friday’s child is not fit to be seen And a Saturday’s child will be poor and mean.’ Birth used to be a hazardous event for both mother and child. Salt was given to the new baby as a protection against harm. Similarly, a plate of salt was laid on the chest of a person who had died; this was believed to protect the soul from evil. Any birth or death in a bee-keeper’s family had to be reported to the bees or they might die or fly away. Read More >> More Information Customs observed in 1817 More Pictures Customs