The father’s blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother’s curse rooteth up the foundation.

“Foundations. St. Augustine (City of God xxii. 8.) gives a memorable instance. The pagans deemed such curses most terrible. (Orpheus) (Genesis ix. 25.) — They are executed upon the wicked.”

“The blessing of the father, etc. The patriarchs blessed their sons, etc., up to they most savagely tore the mockers.”