Old-Shoe throwing at Weddings.—Can any of your readers inform me what is the origin of the custom of throwing an old shoe over the bride and bridegroom upon their leaving the church, or the "maison paternelle" after their wedding?
This ceremony, though peculiar as I believe to Scotland and our northern counties, has lately been adopted at our aristocratic marriages in London, and more should be known of its history.
Braybrooke.
Herbé's "Costumes Français."—The valuable work by M. Herbé, Costumes Français; Civiles, Militaires et Religieux, 4to. Paris, is doubtless well known to your readers.
I have heard that after its publication sundry persons, judging perhaps from the eccentricity of many of the costumes, doubted their accuracy, and even considered them the result of M. Herbé's fancy; and that that gentleman, annoyed at the imputation, subsequently published another work citing his authorities.
Query, Can any one verify this statement? and if true, inform me of the title of this latter work; and whether it is to be found in any library in this country, and where?
Pictor.
Minor Queries with Answers.
Humphry Smith (Vol. vii., p. 80.).—Having heard of a work of his, giving an account of the persecution in his time, will you or one of your contributors be so good as furnish a list of the titles of his works; with a note naming where they may be met with for inspection?