Pigeons' Feathers

( Originally Published 1884 )

Superstition has done much mischief in the world in the days of our forefathers ; and perhaps, in some instances, their children of the present day are not quite exempted from its influence. May I be permitted to select the following as a specimen ? It is common to throw away the feathers of pigeons, as unfit to be used for beds; and the only reason assigned for this is that persons cannot die easily on beds which contain any such feathers. [See ante, p. 210.]

Will any of your correspondents be so kind as to inform us whether pigeon-feathers are unfit in their own nature for beds ? or whence the opinion with respect to dying persons took its origin ?