Chapter XXI: Conclusion

Whatever may be the origin of the superstitious employment of the horse-shoe, its adoption as a token of good luck appears to be comparatively modern, its earliest use having been for the exclusion of witches, evil spirits, and all such uncanny beings.

Before leaving the subject an extract may be given from an article in the “London World,” August 23, 1753, against the repeal of the so-called Witch Act, wherein the writer offers the following satirical advice to whomever it might concern:—

To secure yourself against the enchantments of witches,
especially if you are a person of fashion and have never been
taught the Lord’s Prayer, the only method I know of is to nail
a horse-shoe upon the threshold. This I can affirm to be of the
greatest efficacy, insomuch that I have taken notice of many
a little cottage in the country with a horse-shoe at its door
where gaming, extravagance, Jacobitism, and all the catalogue
of witchcrafts have been totally unknown.

The world moves and civilization progresses, but the old superstitions remain the same. The rusty horse-shoe found on the road is still prized as a lucky token, and will doubtless continue to be so prized; for human nature does not change, and superstition is a part of human nature.

FORTUNE AND LUCK

If Fortune favor you, be not elated;
If she frown, do not despond.

AUSONIUS.

When Fortune means to men most good,
She looks upon them with a threatening eye.

_King John_, III. 4, 119.

When smiling Fortune spreads her golden ray,
All crowd around to flatter and obey;
But when she thunders from the angry sky,
Our friends, our flatterers, our lovers fly.

OVID.

Since Fortune is not in our power,
Let us be as little as possible in hers.

STEELE.