A wonder is said to last three times three days. The scourge used for criminals is a "cat o' nine tails." Possession is nine points of the law, being equal to (1) money to make good a claim, (2) patience to carry a suit through, (3) a good cause, (4) a good lawyer, (5) a good counsel, (6) good witnesses, (7) a good jury, (8) a good judge, (9) good luck. Leases used to be granted for 999 years. Ordeals by fire consisted of three times three red-hot ploughshares.

There are three times three crowns recognized in heraldry, and three times three marks of cadency.

We show honor by a three times three in drinking a health.

The worthies are three Jews, three pagans and three Christians: viz.: Joshua, David and Judas Maccabaeus; Hector, Alexander, and Julius Caesar; Arthur, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Bouillon.

It is by nines that Eastern presents are given, when the Orientals would extend their magnificence to the highest degree.

The Etruscans of old believed in the omnipotence of nine gods, viz.: Juno, Minerva and Tinia (the three chief). The other six were Vulcan, Mars, Saturn, Hercules, Summanus and Vedius. Thus:

Lars Porsena of Clusium,

By the nine gods he swore That the great house of Tarquin Should suffer wrong no more. By the nine gods he swore it,

And named a trysting day. . . .

To summon his array.

- Macaulay, Lays of Ancient Rome.