Author Description

In The Magic of the Horseshoe, Leads presents his study of the origin and history of popular customs and beliefs affords an insight, otherwise unattainable, into the operations of the human mind in early times. Superstitions, however trivial in themselves, relics of paganism though they be, and oftentimes comparable to baneful weeds, are now considered proper subjects for scientific research. While the ignorant savage is a slave to many superstitious fancies, which dominate his every action, the educated man strives to be free from such a bondage, yet recognizes as profitable the study of those same beliefs. It has been the writer's aim to make the chapter on the horseshoe as exhaustive as possible, as this attractive symbol of superstition does not appear to have received hitherto attention it merits. Also included are other folklore notes on the folklore of common salt, omens of sneezing, days of good and evil, superstitions dealing with animals, and the luck of odd numbers.