"LUCKY HORSE-SHOES"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1923, Page 15

"LUCKY HORSE-SHOES"

The horseshoe, an ancient mascot or luok-bringer, is often misused. How often do you see it, not inverted a3 it should be, to " catch the luck," but suspended in the opposite direction? It is a very ancient mascot or luckbringer—so ancient that its origin" cannot be traced. It's use, however, is common to all classes; of society, and sailors, who are more, superstitous than mosv mortals, have always held it in high respect. It used to be an invariable custom to nail one to the foremast of a ship. ; Nelson himself is reputed to have performed this, office for the "Victory." . '.

In early times the practice of fastening a horseshoe over a door or gateway was influenced by the belief that it acted as a deterrent to witches and evil spirits. .-■■,:

, " Straws,laidsacross my path retard; The horseshoes .nailed each threshold's guard."

Even Pliny recalls the common belief that it is lucky ts pick up an old horseshoe, especially if there are nails attaching to it. Aubrey, a quaint old writer, insists that the horseshoe must be found if it is to bring luck. '■■ One that is bought does not possess the same virtues. .

■ Dr. James, whose wonderful " Powders " are described by Dr. Johnson, Fanny Burney, and others, ascribed the success of his wares to the fact - that he picked up a hjrses"hoe just before he put them on the market. Later he adopted the horseshoe as his crest.

Cox, another old writer, thinks that the • superstition attaching to horseshoes arose from the fact that all shoes are considered lucky—a belief which survives in the habit of throwing a shoe after a bridal couple. Horseshoes of white heather are still a favourite emblem at wedding breakfasts and on bridal cakes.