When a young horse received his first set of shoes there was always a merry-making. The owner went to the smithy with his pocket lined with a bottle of whisky. When the job was accomplished, the smith, with all in the workshop at the time, received "a dram," and sometimes two.
One old farmer there was in the parish of Aberdour, Aberdeenshire, who would not allow his young horses off the farm without their shoes. When one was to be shod, the blacksmith was sent for to measure the animal's feet. He returned to the smithy, and made the shoes according to measurement. He then went to the farm, carrying the shoes and the shoeing-tools, and shod the animal. A feast was then held, when the best produce of the farm was spread, as well as a fair quantity of whisky. The practice of partaking of whisky on the occasion of the shoeing of a horse for the first time still lingers.
THE "WISE CHOICE."
WHATEVER may be the ultimate conclusion as to the homogeneity of classical and savage myths, it is unquestionable that in the living folk-lore of Aryan and non-Aryan populations there exist points of coincidence that are very well worth observing. The more we know, and especially the more methodical becomes our knowledge, the better shall we be able to estimate the precise value and significance of these resemblances; at present the best that can be done is to point them out when they occur, and to leave all inference to a time that shall possess fuller information.
I do not think that any folk-lore student can read the story of "The old man and his three sons," in the Rev. James Sibree's valuable collection of Malagasy Tales (vide Folk-Lore Journal, vol. ii. part iii.)
