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[45] In Berlin ist es noch scherzhafte Sitte, am Sylvesterabend oder bei andern Gelegenheiten Nußschalen mit kleinen Lichtchen in Waßerbecken zu setzen und sie paarweise schwimmen zu laßen; schwimmen sie ruhig nebeneinander, so werden die beiden, denen sie zugeeignet sind, ein Paar; wessen Licht zuerst ausgeht, der wird zuerst sterben.

Brockett, Glossary of North-Country words, s.v. nut-crack-night – All Hallow's eve, Abend des 31. October. »This was formerly a night of much rejoicing and of the most mysterious rites and ceremonies. It is still customary to crack nuts in large quantities. They are also thrown in pairs into the fire, as a love divination, by young people in Northumberland, anxious to obtain an insight into their future lot in the connubial state. If the nuts lie still and burn together, it is said to prognosticate a happy marriage, or at least a hopeful love; if on the contrary, they bounce and fly asunder, the sign is considered, unpropitious to matrimony.« Ebendas. St. John's nut, a double nut, St. Mary's nut, a triple nut. Chambers, Edinb. Journ. (Nov. 1842), citirt Gray:

»Two hazel nuts I threw into the flame

And to each nut I gave a sweetheart's name

This with the loudest bounce me sore amazed

That in a flame of brightest colour blazed.

As blazed the nut, so may thy passion grow

For 't was thy nut that did so brightly glow« –

und Brand, Pop. antiquities: »It is a custom in Ireland, when the young women would know if their lovers are faithful, to put three nuts upon the bars of the grate, naming the nuts after the lovers. If a nut cracks or jumps, the lover will prove unfaithful, if it begins to blaze or burn, he has a regard for the person making the trial. If the nuts named after the girl and her lover burn together, they will be married.« Mannhardt in seiner Zeitschrift, III, 100.