Specimens of Modern Mascots and Ancient Amulets of the British Isles

THERE appears to have been a great revival in this country, during the last few years, of the belief in luck and protective amulets.Such amulets have, of course, continued to be used by the illiterate from prehistoric times.Amongst the educated classes, while protection from the evil eye and from witchcraft is now rarely sought, " pocket pieces " have persisted for ' luck' and for the prevention and cure of rheumatism and certain other ailments, and these classes have also been the principal field for the huge sale of rheumatism rings, ' electropathic' belts, and other objects which appeal to the charm instinct while professing to have a scientific reason for their success.The revival and survival of amulets have been, however, mainly amongst bridge-players, actors, sportsmen, motorists, gamblers, burglars, and others engaged in risky occupations

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