Curses and heirlooms of supposedly supernatural provenance are a' common
feature of many ancient families, especially Scottish ones. Like the ghosts, and underground passages of the old family castle many of these phenomena, though claiming remoter origin, seem to date from the Gothic revival. Mr. Lockhart has not apparently gone very deeply into occult matters, and in this book - (Blest 8s. 6d.) does not attempt more -than to tell briefly the story of some of the more famous curses and " lucks " mainly for their story-value. Of course, in many cases the curse has been invented to account for, and excuse, the decline of a family's fortune, but in a few cases there -are references- to the curse_ before the decline' sets- in. The unbeliever will, of course, put forward the force-of- suggestion. explanation. Others will quote Hamlet% remark tip Horatio, and enjoy Mr. Lockhart's collection. And such luck-bringing talismans as the-fairy flag-of Dtmvegan, the skulls and magic cups still treasured by various families, and such unlucky objects as the Orloff diamond and the fatal Mummy Case of the British Museum make, at the worst, good stories- for Christmas parties. - No doubt that is what Mr. Lockhart and his publishers thought.
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