Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland

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1

30

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i-

.«

FAIRY LEGENDS

AND

TRADITIONS

OF TH£

SOUTH OF IRELAND.

PART III.

LONDON.

JOHN MURRAY.

MDCCCXXVIII.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY THOMAS l)AVISOX, WUITEFAIARS.

. t

TO

DR. WILHELM GRIMM,

Secretary of the Prince's Library, Member of the
Royal Scientific Society of Gottingen,
9fC. 8iC, SfC.

AT CASSEL, IN HESSEK.
MY DEAR SIR,

I HAVE the pleasure of pre-
senting to you and your brother the third and
concluding volume of a work illustrative of
the traditionary superstitions of my country.
You will perceive that a considerable por-
tion consist in a close translation of your in-
troductory essay to the Irische Elfefimarchen;
and I oi^^ hope • tliat its appearance in an
English dres^ may be as satisfactory to you,
as your transIsLtt<in' of the legends to which it
is prefixed has been to the writers. But
this, critically speaking, I fear, as many
words, particularly the old German, presented

a 2

IV DEWCATOjRY |.ETTEJJ#

diiSjcuItie^ similar, to those which yo^ ei;-
pisrienced in the Irish mxae BoUrn^, ^v^
with its English explanatory^ Ragweed*,
However, I trust the general jQeaning has
been conveyed.

I have given your essay without note or
comment of my own,, because I perfectly
coincide in the candid opinion which you so
kindly expressed to me in your last valuable
letter, that an essay on Fairy superstition
should exhibit a collection of inferences un*
mixed with tales and traditions. ^^ AiUiough
to the generality of readers," as you justly
remark, *^the book is thereby rendered what
is called less entertaining; yet the scientific
examination is undisturbed by the dispersion

* In justice to the care of the Messn* Oiimm, as tfWK-
lators, I give their note on the **• Field of Boliauns.*'

" Hip is here chosen, hecause barren and unprofitable tracts ,

are often covered with thorns. In the original it is eaUed
Boliaun. The ^ord is not in Nemnicfa's CathoUoon,' nor
indeed in any other dictionary. Natives of Ireknd, whom b
friend has questioned on the subject, affirm that BoUaun is a
itaff or cudgel ; bat from the context it must mean a-plant
Itis also explained by the addition Ragweed j which is likewise
not an- English word; but, as a native of Ireland says,
signifies a weed which grows like a bdsh abont an dl high,
and haa y^w flowers of a disagreeable smell."

DCmCATO&fY LETTER^ Y

of thM« peints on which it really fisilh, and a
iStear and firm view of the subject is not lost
by pontic aihpHfitetions.'' The cofrectiona
fmd additiotial noted which you have favoured
me with are inserted in their proper places^
and* I have again ta thank you for the com">
ntiinication of them.

" The collection of Welsh legends which
appears in this irolume will^ I doubt notj^
^rofve acceptable to you, as from their simi*
taity with' those current in other countries^
tktf afibrd an additional proof that the Fairy
<u^ed must have been a complete and con«-
t)ebted system. I have taken some pains to
"S^eK after stories of the Elves in England s
btrt I find that the belief has nearly disap*
peared, and in another century no traces of
£DgKsh Fairies will remain, except those
which exist in the works of Shakspeare,
Herrick, Drayton, and Bishop Corbet .
- In Devonshire, the Pixies or Pucksies ar^
still remembered and described as ^^ little
pe^le and merry dancers ;^^ but I can collect
no other anecdotes respecting their pranks
than the two following.
, About seventy years since: a clergyman

VI DEDICATORY tfiTTTfiR.

named 'l^iier held twb betiefices betwem
Crecfiton atid Southmoltoti,' adj>oining' I9t»h
bther. Tlie hrmef^of botli psffii^ke» attended
tlie tithe-audit annoaSy fit his residence; aad
in going to the glebe^honse^ Ae distant p»-
rishionens had to pass an :ea;1;en8iTe inoor^
intersected by nnmerous tracks or 8heep-'Waih&
Altliough they reached their destinatioB' in
safety in the morning, yet on their letuarn
they invariably found themselves ^^Pixy-^loid^''
and were 'compelled to pass a night of be*
wildered wandering npon the moon Such
recreation at Christmas was not very ag£ee*
able, and it was determined thaft a deputBtmi
from the parishioners should proceed to
Exeter, and consult an oM woman cekfarated
for her skill in charming away the tMiSh»«boh.
Her instructions against Pixy spells proved
eflfectual. &3ie directed the way<»laid travellers,
on reaching the verge of the moor, to .strip
themselves, and sit down on thek eloAies for
itve-ahd>thirty minutes, or nsore, according to
the state of the weather; and so soon as they
discovered the cloud which die Pixies » had
thrown around them to be dissipated^' they
tinight then safely proceed. By foUdwiag

%bb'^aluaU^ prescrq^on Mr. TaAner'fi pa*
^hioDQfft JikYamUj^ rencbdd . their Itome^
Wiitbool £uHl»ar iiiitenrupt^ firom Pii^y opellsi
otineimveiiieftce firom/tlieir hospi^le pastor's
excellet)! codsagee cider.

The 0(fb&r legQii4 of Derogian lElves re-

aeoriidks tJbe German one alluded tp in your

Esflay at page 119 of tb]3 vcJmne ; and is told

of -the i&mily of Suken^ or Sokespitch,

ttB^eetiitg whom^ if y <hi ajre prions to inquire

into their bistory^ I can refer you to Lysons's

^iMagna vBrkaauua^ V4^ 69 part ii* p« 118.

TiiiB.&mily read^d near Tc|Miham; and a

batorelof ale in their cellar bad for very many

years oantbmed to run freely without being

^eadnitttod^ It was considered as a valuable

4mMkMni» and was respected accordingly,

tnKtil* Of' 'Curious maid-^rvant toi^ out tJie

.Inmgy.to ascertain the cause oC this e;Ktra*

.oniinary power. On looking into the ea^,

f«lie ioufid it fnll of cobwebs $ but the Pixies,

itisBopposed, were offended, and on turning

'tbe cook as usual, no more ale flpwed out .

i>r. ' GoptaSh Sainthill, of the royal navy, yrbo

id now IB his eighty-eighth year^ informs ^e

:ili«t. when he was a boy, the common reply

at Topsfaam to the impiiry how any affidr
went o% when it was intended to say ibst
it was proceeding prosperously^ was, ^^irw
going W. like Sokespitch's caan/' ^ >

Some traces of Fairy superstition sliil.
linger alsd in Hampshire. Gads Hiil or
Grod^s Hill, near Newport, in the Isle of
Wight, is remarkable for a very aneient
church built on its summit, and, until lately^
th^ ciA women, as they toiled up this hill to
their devotions, might be heard lamenting
^^tliat thd Fairies would not let the church
bid6 On the plain, where it was intended to be
built"

This church, according to the traditi<Ki,
was commenced on the plain at the foot of
the hill, and considerable progress was made
with the building in that situation* Ooe
morning, however, when the workmen arrived,
they found, to their great astonishment, dmt
the walls had completely disappeared, and
at last they discoviered them on the summit
of the hill, precisely in the same state they
had been lefit in on the plain the preceding
evenings As it was not intended to have the
chorch in that elevated situation, the wock*

SMsii. pvMvd dawn tiie walb, retaoifei die
bflkaks £B«ift.tbe hill: to the plain^ and again'
oannkieiiQed the bidUiiig. , But no s6«ner
had the walls gained their former height,
tihan^they were again transported to the hill*
The wtekiaenf though less surprised than
beibrey persevered in their intention of build-*
ing eca the plain, and having brought down
the hricksy began for the third time to erect
thse ehurch* When the walls were raised to
tltfT'jaame height as before, they determined
iXL watching for the persons who had so prO->
▼oldngly removed them to the summit of the
hill, and had thus twice frustrated their inten«
tioDk . The weather fiivoured the workmen,
for it -was a beautiliil moonlight ni^t, and
they distinctly saw innumerable little people
buttly employed in demolishing the walla.
AldioiQgh the bricks seemed considerably
hufiger than these little creatures, yet they
apjKMired to carry them without difficulty,
aiud very soon completed their pmrpose of
havmg the church upon the hill. Some of
the workmen said that they saw them dancings
in a ring on the site afiker having removed th^
bridss* Ocular proof being thus given of

%• BBDICATORY I.£!VTSIU

tbe iinp€B8il»lity of carrying o» the desi^'Of
building the church cm tbe plain, it was di^
termined to erect it oa the hiU^ wkere it
was speedily completed Afithout interrupdon*
The hill, from tibe chuiroh, received 4&e naiA^
of God^s Hill, afterwards corrupted into Gads
Hill; and when t^e building was finished,
great rejoicing and shouting was heard, whidh
was supposed to proceed from the little peoj^
making merry on account of their success.

This legend I received a few modiths
since from a friend : he had obtained it from
ids nurse, who was then above ninetyy aotid
with whose death he has just acquainted aHe.
It will, I am sure, my dear sir, recall a very
siimlar tale in Mr. Thiele's Danske Folkesagn
to your memory.

On mentioning the subject of Hampsbiiie
Fidries to Mr. Landseer, who has not con-
fined his inquiries alone to <* Sabean Be»
seardies," he pointed out to my nodoe tftie
names of "Puck-pool," and "Pni^aster
Cove," in the Isle of Wight. The former,
which is about two miles from Ryde, near the
eastern skirts of the grounds belonging to
Appley, is now a small, sedgy, and neglected

OBBICATORY LKTTBB; Si

pohdy irliidi' scarcely more than answers t^
die fine, *^ Tbe nine men's morrke is fiUed
up with miid;'' and beyond its name lias
Batiiing to Tecall Puck to the imagination.
Pack-«usrter is a romantic fishingucore on tlie
south side of the island. *^ It may easily be
eonoeiTed/' said Mr. Landseer, ^ to have
jonnerly been the scene of sach fiury frolies
as that merry wanderer of the night boasts
of as being his pastime. Its hollows, where
dank yaponrs must in past ages have lingered,
are now drained ; and the plantations of Mr>
Arnold, and other gentlemen, xn^o have buik
cottages there, have rendered it a scene at
once smiling and wild. But every poetical
spectator will see at a glance that it must in
days of yore have been the very place where
Robur GoodfeUow, * in very likeness of a
iriar'*s lantern,^ has laughed at the misled
clowns; where those < fidthless phantoms,'
die wtld^fires of autumn, have often sparkled
and spwted. The name Puck-aster (or Puck
a Star) agrees precisely with these local phe-
nomena.'^

, «<i When I visited this fidry spot," continues
Mc» Landseer, ^< recoUeeting bpw large a

Kil PBBICATORY LETTER.

povtioa of Shakspeare'^s life there is of whidr
ttoddng' is kndwh, and trefledting' how itH-^
possible it is to suppose limt any portion of
his-'life could have been iilacstirely spent; 'Iny
fancy was quite ready to fill up part of the
hiatus with a supposition that our great bard
was at some time during that period rambling
with strolling players, and that in the course
of those rambles he had visited the Isle of
Wight, and gathered there some of his lodal
fedry lore* Some thirty and odd years ago,'
when I wad there, the island was periodically
idsited by histrionic strollers from < the coUr
tinent of England."* (This was an imme*
motial custom). And in the time bf Shak«
i^^are^ the Isle was so well wooded, that he
might have found in it all his fairy scenery
.(for it may well be classed under sea-i^ore
and forest scenery) ; and where else do ybu
&id the name Puck stamped on the country
itself?'* -

The northern counties of England are, I
am inclined to think, those which retain the
memory of the Elves most strongly. York*
sMre, in particular, has maiiy sedluded distiriets;
and although I hftve been unable to obtain

DEDICATORY X.£TTBn» Stlu

9py :t^es9 1 know diat some Bxist mspeotkiif
tb^ appeaifiULce and freaky of the Balneal
^fli jtjjie JBogle. At Tborn^ in that countyf
about, fifty year9 mice^ it was a common
practiQe of the ohildren to go to a neighbour*
11^ Jhill on a particular day (Shroye Tuesday)^
in i>rder that they might hear the Fairies
{ryivig their pancakes within the rock*

AiEtid this dearth of English Fairy Xegend%
I. have, been surprised at receiving from Mr*
Balmanno the foUoi^ing account of the actual
appearf^nce of a fairy within .'three miles of
the. British : metropolis. He gives it on the
authority of his late friend, Mr. Fuseli^ the
igctistv ^^ than whom,'^ remarks Mr* Balmanno^
^' there never lived a greater lover of a fairjp
tale." - t

f * For nearly half a century, a weekly dinnec
party of literary men took place at the house
of Joseph Johnson,, a respectable and honest
bookseller in St. Paul's Churchyard. Johnson
iras the publisher of Captain Steadman's work
on: iSurinam^ .and as the captain lived at Ham^
n^ersmith, he usually came to town on the
morning of the weekly dinner, by the Harni*
u^eraBoith stsige. As the eoach was proceed*

XiV JISiDICATORV LETTER.

ing atit8»3iudraiikbHagzatetKiiii»ntb<L^
Captain Steadman \irafli aroned by a rerf ^im^
edmmon sound in 1^ aar^aad oil looking ont
of the coach-doer, his surprise was increMed
by the s^parition of a little felbwy about two
feet high, dressed in a full suit of regimentals^
mih a g<^-<laoed cooked hat^^anda gold-'headed
cane, striding along the footpath, ^^ and raising
such a deyil of a sough,'^ that the captain^
astonishment knew no bounds. He rubbed
bis eyes, looked, doubted, and looked again,
but there to visible certainty was the little
man striding away, swinging his arm,^ and
^^srwishing his cane,'' in full force, going at
the rate of nine miles an hour, and leaving
the coach far behind him* Away he went at
this prodigious pace, until he came to a green
lane, which led to HoUand-house, op which
he wished with the greatest nimbleness. When
tiie coach came opposite to the lane, the little
roan was nowhere to be seen.

^' This was related by Captain Steadman air
dinner, the very day it ocoarred, and he con-^
tinned to affirm his belief in the appearance
of the goblin to the day of his death.^

In Bttckin^hamahire and Wiltshire, wlier e

JlBOZC^lTaitV XJBTTS9U XV

I have liad^pportimities of geuig ^mong ihe

peas^mtry^ and eenyersiiig vith theip, I oomld

MBlnwt no dtbef siipeniatEiraL take than diose

respectiaa^ -witi^es, aad their interooime

wiidi the EhtiI One; ^o^ aocordiiig to the

1arluKtmDB9 of these coantieB) eaanot be so

foifiiatdable aneneaay as he is gwerally eonr

^Mfexedy baviBg been more thaa onee vao*

fipiiriied by a drunken bkcksmith, whose

name varies in different distriets» but who

was well knowiiyand is perfeetly remembered

by > many ci^bk witnessei^iA each.

TbuB^ my dear Sir, I have laid before you
Ike "result of nearly three years' constant in-r
qaisy after the Elves in England. Scotland
has hadan abundance of Fairy historians, and
with wrhat they hare written, it is evident that
fbw are bettiw acquaintied than yourself. As,
howerer^ eslablishii^ the ccmnexaon which
yott have pointed out between witchcraft and
Fairy superstition (page 14Q of this volume)
yoawtUii I think, be pleased with the following
conuBttinicatlon, ht whidi I am indebted to
the kindness of Sir Walter Scott

" A rutomager of our records," writes Sir
Waiter, " sent me the other day a m^t sin-

1

gdbtir trial of an old woman, who vasr tri^
c^ademnedy and burned alive for lnoldiiig ion
close a connexion with El£Jan4 The poot
old woman was in fact tried for havings vao^
ceeded in curing maladies by her prayers and
spells, as well as her herbs and ointnients>
Her familiar was one Tom Reid, whom jibe
saw almost daily, at the hour of noon. He
died, as he told her (for to her iie was a post*
humous acquaintance), in the fatal battle of
Pinkie, called < the Black Saturday,' and, it
seems, was earned off by those . wanderii^
spirits, the fairies, who, when heaven and
hell were sharing stakes, came in> for^Bome
portion, it would seem, of so magnificent n
i^oil as < the Black Saturday' afforded. <

<< ^ I cannot help, therefore,.enclosing yim a
sketch of Tom Reid, a favourite, as it appeara^
of the queen of Elf -land. To save you and
myself trouble, I use the modern orthography^f
but retain the Scottish words.

** * Asked by what art or knowledge she
c6uld tell divers persons of things they tint'
(lost), or were stolen away, or help sick peiw'
sons? Answered and declared, < tha/t she
herself had no kind of art or sdenee so to de.

ldtti^to£at j^idde (as he hiniself affiiiiied)^
i«h» tfouM^^U her wliat she asked/ Xteni)
1^ b«iBg inqttixed (at) what hind of maa
tlda IBliOBKey Beid was ? Declared^ ^henrsa
aiKlios MBDtf aeemLy^ elderly Bum^ gray«bearded^
aild had aae gpray coat, ^Ih Lombart rieeves
of |]k9 jold^vshion, ana pair of gtaj breeks, and
H^te sehaniis (leggingB or .stoddiq^B)^ gar-
tor^ above the knee, and ane . black bonnet
op Jbis head^ elose behind and pkon before,
mijx silken laoss drawn through the lip9
(hriois) thereof, and ane white wand in his

handL'

<< <Itemi being interrogated, how and- in
whatmanner and place the saidThomey Reid
caoietoher? Answered, ^ as she was gangnsg
belwixit her ain (own) house and the yard of
Monkeaade, driving her kye to the pastmre, ffiod
making heavy sair dole (sore hunentation) with
hitme\£% greeHng (weeping: loudly) very fast
fer her cow that was dead, her Inisband ^swd
dold that wave lying dick on the kmd^iilly oad
Ae new arisen out of gisance (from gisantie^
Efenohy an in*lying woman), 'die . ftresaid

PART III. b

Haomeymethet by the way, htktd^ 'her
^sakited her cotrrteotuly)^ and ssftid^ ^ £kd#d
day,' Bessie,' ai^ she said,^^ Good day,<^gk)dd
man/ "^ Santa. Maria P said life, <'!Be»$i^
why makes thou so great dolci* lUld- gt^f^
wistingfoi^ any worldly thing?' j8he answlst^d}
f Alas ! have I not cause to niaka gr^^'dc^^^
for our gear is iraJcii (dur catUe destrey^bj^
sickness), and my husband is on tbe pd&dl ^
4eatli, and ane baby of my own will nbtfti^ifii
and myself at a weak point t have I not ikm
then, to have so sore a Ueart r^ But^Tho^^
4said, ' Bessie, thou has eraved Ood^ ^atfd
«sked something you should not 'My^ 64iie\
and therefore I consell thee to wend tO'hoini^
fdr I tell thee thy bairn '(dhild)* shall dife'^re
you come home; thy' two 'sheep sB*ll dft^' toij
but thy husband sfadll mend^'and b^ haill cltid
feir a» ever he was.* ( Then Thomfe;^ R^d
went away from tne, in through ike yard of
.Monkcastle, and I thought he ^aeel (Wen!t)
in at a narrow hole of the dike, smaller thati
earthly man could have gone th#ough,'^d^d
I was something jffeyi^ (affrightened).* •'*

• • * .

^Halte is titek ia Scotch to in Ocnnkii, &d' ' ''

b^rUs d^maocU, inwtuig, that Bessie should
j^iiy "her . Chriatendam, and yield up the
^Kife^she tooky'at. the fon't-stokie ; butoa.this
pomt ab'e wa«, byjbi^r own aecpupt, re^olHte•
N<^(Wrtbe}^88 Thdiiiey.appeai:^d afterwards in
^rr4ilifsell]2ig9 her husband and three tailors
beingj present, although neither integer nor
fraetional ' part of a man were aware of hi^
f^bHup^presence. H0 took lier out of doors
^iltihim to the kUn-^nd, where ther^ were
twelve persons, eight women and four men,.
< The men were clad in gentlemen's clothing,
^u^l.^he women had all plaids round about
^9), and were very seemly like to see, and
Thomey was with them,' < Demanded, if sh<^
ImeWi^ny -irf* them?' Answered, < none,
j^Kpept Th<miey / Demanded, what they said
{Qher? \Answeredj < they bade her sitdown^
91^4 aaids ^ welcome Bessie, wilt thou go with
up ?' But she ansvrered not, because Thomey

■

hadlbrbidde^ her;' with much more to the
same pjurpose; especially how she* excused
Thomey of the. uiost. distant approach to im-*
{ropri^ty, ^xcept th^t iA.prei^ug her to go tq

XX DEDICATORY LETTER.

Elf-land, he caught her by the apron to enforce
his request ; aud how Thomey reminded licp*,
that when she was recovering of her confin,e<!
ment, a etout woman had come into her bouse)
sat down on a bench beside her, and asked for
a drink, in exchange for which she gave
Bessie words of comfort * That,' said Thomey^
< was the queen of Elf-land, his mistress. Who
had commanded him to wait upon her and do
her good.' " Thus far Sir Walter Scott.

Lengthy as my letter already is, I must
crave your indulgence while I add a few words
in conclusion, on Irish fairies, as a note of
yours reminds me of my inadvertance in
leaving the name Shefro, by which I have
desigpiated the first section of the Irish Fairy
Legends, unexplained.

The term Shefro (variously, but correctly,
writtenSlAbfitt5,Slcb|t03,Si5bito3,Sl05b|t05,
^l^'S^T^^S) &<^*) literally signifies a fairy house
or mansion, and was adopted as a general
name for the Elves, who lived in tfoops or
communities, and were popularly supposed to
have castles or mansions of their* own.

Sia^ sighf ^he^ sigheann^ siabhrOy sta^
thaire^ stoffidh, are Irish words, csndentljr

pEDlCATOaY LETTER. XXl

springing from a colnmoti root, used to express
a iairy or goblin, and even a hag y witch,
Thns we have the compound Leannan^ghej
a familiar, from Leannan^ a pet, and Sioghdh"
raoidhecu:hd^ enchantment with or by spirits.
Sigh-gdoithe^ or siaheanngdoithef a whirl-
wind is so termed, because it is said to be
raised by the fairies. The close of day is
caU<^d Sta, because twilight,

'^ That sweet hour, when day is almost closing,*'

•

18 the time when the fairies are most frequently
seen. Again, Sigh is a hill or hillock, because
iike &iries are believed to dwell within. Sidhe,
sidhea^y and sigh, are names for a blast or
blight, because it is supposed to proceed from
the £Eiirie8. I could readily produce other
instances, to show nearly as extended an use
of the word &', or sA^ (it is so pronounced) as
that of dip J which is so well illustrated in your
Essay. In that curious poem, '^ The Irish
Hudibrasj" 1689, the word Skoges is used.
This is probably ASig'A ogesj young spirits ; oge
oorresponding to our word junior.

^ WHbln a wood near to Uils place

There grows a bunch of three-leaved grass,

3(xil DEDICATORY tETTEtei

Called by the Boglanden^ shtmirogaeB {ihdMtd^iJ
A preset ^ tbe queen of j^kd^eRf,
WUch thou must first be after fetchmg, . «

But all the Running ^s in the catching,*^ &c p. 23;

In anotlier place the nun saysy

*•*• Yet for the grace I have with Joaneyj
Queen of Shoget, and my own croney,
I know as much Ness as anothtt;
But dare not tellit, were it my biotfaer." p. 81* •

It is related in O'Flaherty's Ogygia, part
iii^ and other works, that St Patrick, who,
with some of his followers, were engaged in
chanting matins at a fountain one morning
very* early, were taken for sidhe or fairies' by
the daughters of King Labgar,' whitHer the
fair 'pagans: repaired ^^ to wash their faces,
and view themselves in that fountain as 'in a
mirror." The passage is curious, and I will
quote it, as I do not. think you have seen it.
• ** When the princesses saw these venerable
gentlemen, clothed in white surpEces, and
holding books in their' hands,' astonished at
their unusual dress and attitudes, they looked
upon them to be the people Sidhe. ' The lAak

• Clowns^ f Spirits

PEJPJCAXQBY, LETTER* xxiil

call, these ^^Sicf/i^,, aerial spirits orphqntomsi
because they^are seen to come out o£ pleasant
liills) where tlie common people imagine they
reside, which fictitious habitations are called
by us Sidhs ot Modha. St Patrick) talcing
an opportunity of addressing the young ladiesy
introduced some divine, topic, which was con-
cerning' the existence of one God only. When
the elder of the sisters, in reply, thus unem*
^ barrassed, inquired, * Who is your God, and

wiere doth he dwell? Does he live in heaven;

brupder, or on earth? or is hisbabitation
, i^|i .mountains, of in valleys, or in the sea, or

in risers ? Whether has he sons remarkable

for,thciir beauty? and cure his daughters ^hand-*
, j^me, and more beautiful than the daughters

Q^t]biis world? Aremany employed about the
...education of his son? Is he opulent, and in

f^iient circumstances, and does his kingdom

1 abfpund with a plenty of wealth and riches ?

i jja what mode of .worship does he delight?

. Whether is he decked in the bloom of yoiithi

; or is* he bending under the weight of years?

J Has.',be a life, limited to. a. certain period, or

immortal?' In which interrogations there

was notawordof resemblance or comparison

XXiy SSSICAIOKY LSTTSX.

beWeea the pagan godv Saturn, Jupiter,
Apollo, Venus, Diana, Fallas, Jimo, and the
unknowtt dirinity ; nor did she allude, in her
discourse, to that Cromcruach, ihe principal
god of our heathen deities, or to any of their
attributes.

" From whence we may infer, that the
divinities of the Irish were h>cal ones ; tW is,
residing in mountuns, plains, rivers, in tlw
sea, and such places. For, as the pa^n
system of theology taught, ' aa souls were
divided with mortals at their birth, so fatal
genii presided over them, and that the Eternal
Cause has distributed various guardians*
dtiougb all nations.' And that these topi(^
genii never went to other countries." — ^Trans-
lated by the Rev. James Hely, A. B. voL ii.
p;55. Dublin, 1793.

I regret that the space to whii^ I am limited
events my giving you a curious Irish poem,
thirty verses, which Mr. Edward OReiUy,
i Secretary of the Ibemo Celtic Society,
wt politely forwarded to me. It is an
dress to a &iry chief by a wandering bard,

* Sjnuukdnu Eflmltin, b. L Eptil. 4.

JD£DI€ATOBT LETTER. XXV

!i&med*Andrew M<!artm,wlierem,by praising

fhe splendotir and hospitality of the fairy

6otirt^ 'he contrives obliquely to censure the

parsimony of the county gentry. This ideal

chief is termed Donn of Dooagh, literally

Lord of the Yatts, or sand pits ; which are

certain hollows on the coast of the county

Clare. However, as the commencement of

this poem exhibits an interesting summary of

Irish mythology, I cannot resist presentmg

you with two or three verses in my translation,

as unmusical and as rugged to the full as the

original:

Donn of tlie ocean vatts, J give low reverence to tbee ;
*Tts not with haughty Saxon nod, though such is given to me :
A mmstid blind, of humble mind, sedn pity in i^y breast,
WUb bow ivofound, unto the 'ground, and craves to be thy
guest.

Oh piinedy Doim of noble bloodi— to noble is thy race^
Thy pedigree is known to me, thy actiona can I trace )
Of Ain and Eva art thou not, the sky-descended brother,
Forhe of might, king Daha bight, did he not wed thy moiher ?

•

Grandson to Lir, who ploughed the Add of ocean round M

Erin,
Coodn to Bonn of dark Knock Uaish, and Doim of high

Knock Firinn,
Kursed in sunshine, no pains were thine, bred up in royal court,
Whence thou didst join, by gentle Boyne, young Angus in his

sport.

xxyi

PBOICATOBY XBTinSR.

JFrov thence awa^Ti with mild lioay-^^utbim tbtra left fop

_ . dangers, . . ^

And rushM to war with fierce Balar, and necromantic sttabgeils.
'Milesian barks contended then with more than itxkmyioctiti
Against the blast of magic cast, in wild and|8tnmge con^modon*

• •

iThence far remote, with Naoise of note, thoa dwelt in lonely

places;
Yet doth thy field, Murthen^) yield of mighty deeds some

traces.

« ' • • • •

<:3iief of the battlefield, to thee Conn owes his hmidrod fights {
For diou to Spain led o'er the m^iin Egiem, who fied his rights :
To Finn thou gave thy powerful aid on Traha*s shove of

slaughter, *

Where the battle cry pealed to the aky, aad blood poured fl»6

as water.

• • • • •

• • # • «

• • • • •

• • . • • •

• • • • •
« • • • •

• • • • •

Since that day *8 strife thou led a life of feasting and of sleeping ;
And where*s the need, for meindeed, to tell of thy housekeeping ?
Fair duef, whose beauty far exceeds the blossom of that fiower.
Lord of the gray and mossy rock, smooth hill and pleasant
^xnrer. See, ' .: *

On Knock Uaish and Knock Firinn, I must
dppend Mr« O'Reilly's note, as it eatf^lWhes

J3B1IICAT0JIY :LSTT£R. ZJSXVU

a «6iir)ectare offered in tbe first Tolome'^f
this work : '^ The first of these mountains is
situated in the county of Cork, and is negtr
called Knock na Noss; the other is in the
oouuty of Limerick. Of tiie fairy chiefs of
eadi. of these hills, and of their respective
hosts, many extraordinary stories are told
by the old people of the adjoining districts.
Knock Firinh is called by the people of the
country ^ Knock Dhoinn Firinne/ the moun-
tain of Don of Truth. This mountain is very
high, and may be seen for several miles round ;
and when people are desirous to know whether
or not any day will rain, they look at the top
of Knock Firinn, and if they see a vapour
or mist there, they immediately conclude that
rain will soon follow ; believing that Donn of
that mountain and his aerial assistants are coL-
lecting the clouds, and that he holds them
there for some short time, to warn the people
of the approaching rain. As the appearance
of mist on that mountain in the morning is
considered an infallible sign that that day will
be rainy, Donn is called ^Donn Firiime^^ Donn
of Truth.''

I have now only, my dear Sir, to return you
'ttiy best and warmest acknowledgments for

XXVUl

DEDICATOBY LETTER.

the iUittering manner in which you and your
brother have accepted the dedication of this
volume^ and to assure you that

I remain

your grateful and

very faithful servant,

London^
I2ih November^ 1827.

The Etchingi and Wood Engravings designed and executed
hy W> H. Brooke^ F. S. A»

CONTENTS.

Dedicatoiy Letter «

Page

iu

TRANSLATION OP THE BROTHERS
GRIMM'S ESSAY.

The Ei«ve8 in IrelanI).

1. Tlie Good People .

1

2. The Cluiicaune . .

. 1

*

. 3. The Banshee

. 10

4. The Phooka ....

. 11

5. The Land of Youth

. 12

ThB ElTBS in SCOTI.AKD.

Authorities ....

. 13

1. Descent ....

. 14

2; Form ...

. ib.

3: Dwellings and mode of life .

. ib.

4. Intercourse with men .

. 16

e.SVill .....

. 27

6k Good neighhours .

. 33

7- Spiteful tridcs

35

8. Changelings ....

. 30

XJUi- CO^TEIITS.

Page

9. Elf-bolt, weapons, and utensils . 43

10. The Elf-buU

. . 44

11. Sea Elves .

. 46

12. The Brownie

. 48

On the Nature op the Elvks

. 53

Authorities .

. 64

1. Name * . . .

. 66

2^ Deg^rees apd Varieties •

. .64

• 3. Extinction .

. . 70

4. Form ....

. . :^i

5. Dress- .....

■ . 77

6. Habitation ....

I ^ 81*

7« Lan^age . , . .

. 85

8. Food . • . . .

; 86

9. Mode of Life . .

• 87

10. Secret Powers and Ingenuity .

. 94

11. Character . . * .

99

12. Connexion with Mankind

. 105

•

13. Hostile Disposition

. 116

14. Ancient Testimonies

. 126

15. Elfin Animals . . ,

. 138

'■•■■'■ f
16. Witches and Sorceresses

. 140

Additions to the Authotities, Jrom the Manuscript
Communication qfj>r, Wilhelm Grimniy

Holland . • . ' . . , 146
Knnland • . . , . . 14^

aySTEHTB.

xni

i^

Livonia •

► . . 147

Armenia' .

. 148

Afoca •

• • . ib.

Lower Bretagne . .

. 149

Miscellaneous «

• 153

THE MABINOGION AND FAIRY LE-
GENDS OF WALES.

•> Introduction
The Mabinooion . • .
Pwyll, Prince of Dyved
. The Tale of Bran .

MVTHOLOOICAL PeBSONS

1 Arianrod .

Cawr
. Don ,

; Gwydion . . .

Gwenidw. .' .
- . Gwidhan . • . ,

Gwrach

Gwyn ap Nudd

Idris or Edris . .

MoU Walbee .
Fairy Legends of Wales.

Introduction

The Story of Gitto Bach
[- : LleweUjn's Dance .

157'
163

177
183

193
195

ib.

ib.

ib.
196

ib.

ib.
197
198
199

201
207
215

XX^U .CONTENTS.

The Egg-shell Dinner . 221

Stories of Morgan Rhys Harris • . 224

Fairy Money . . . • . • Si27

The Knockers 229

THE PWCCA— Cwm Pweca • 230

Yanto's Chase 233

The Adventure of Elidurus . . 240

Stories of Fairies . . • • 243
LEGENDS OF LAKES— Llyn Cwm

Lwch . . , . .262

Meddygon Myddvai .... 256

The Island of the Fan: Family . . 259

The Headless Lady . .* . . 263

Owen Lawgoch's Castle • • . 266

CwnAnnwn . « • • . 278

The Corpse-candle . • . • 279

Story of Polly Shone Rhys Shone . 287
The Kyhirraeth . . . .289
Additional Notes on Irish Legends in

the first volume . • • 295

THB

ELVES IN IRELAND.

t

1. THB GOOD PEOPLE *.

The Elves, which in their true shape are but
a few inches high^ have an airy> almost transparent
body ; SO delicate is their form, that a dew-drop,
when they dance on it, trembles indeed, but never
breaks. Both sexes are of extraordinary beauty, and
mortal beings cannot be compared with them.

They do not live alone, or in pairs, but always
in large societies. They are invis||le to man,
particularly in the day-time ; and as they can be
present and hear what is said, the peasantry never

* The Irish expression for Elf in this signification is
Sh^fro ; and this in the original is the name of the first division ;
hut it does not occur elsewhere, nor is there any explanation
of it She or Shi^ without doubt, means Elf; compare Ban-
>^i and the Scotch Doane-^% ^d Sh^n*

PART III. B

'i
I

2 THE ELVES IK IRELAND.

speak of them but with caution and respecfc, tenn-
ing them the good people^ or the friends ; as axxy
other name would offend them. If a great doud
of dust rises on the road^ it is a sign that they are
about to change their residence and remove to an-
other place^ and the invisible travellers are always
saluted with a respectful bow. They have their
dwplling3 in clefts of rocks, caves, and ancient
tumuli, ipvery part within is decorated in the
most splendid and magnificent manner ; and the
pleasing music which sometimes issues from thence
in the night has delighted those who have been
so fortunate as to hear it.

During the summer nights^ when the moon
shines^ and particularly in harvest-time^ the Elves
come Out of their secret dwellings^ and assemble
for the dance in certain favourite spots^ which
are hidden and secluded places^ such as moun-
tain-valleys — meadows near streams and brooks-
churchyards where men seldom come. They often
celebrate their feasts under large mushrooms^ or
repose beneath their shade.

In the first rays of the morning sun they again
vanish^ with a noise resembling that of a swarm
of bees or jfiies.

Their garments are as white as snow^ some-
times shining like silver; a hat or cap is indis-
pensable^ for which ^Mxyo^ they generally select

THE 'BJJVES iV f ftUilX]). S

tbezod A»vv»cs of Ibe faxf^ove, and if A liieiient
ptrties are distinguished.

The «eca;^ and laagie powers of die EWes cure
io gceiaJ^ 9» 8evyrQ# tp kiuiw wy bomodi. They
C8Q asBQxae in a moment^ not cnilf the human,
^ ^fifexy o^b^r £»rQ^ even th^ moM^ tesrific ; and
U js eai^ foKT tjient to /eonvey Atmaelveia in one
atpond 1^ d|Btime(» $^ fiy^ leagues.

'Mm^ their hrwA all human eneigy fails*
Tbey aometini^ eopmnmrn^ mif^mf^ni, know-
l^^ to mei^; e^d if a peWKi^ is seen w«{fcing up
9i|d down plgnoi $|]^d fnovii^g his lips as one
half distrai^ght, it is ^ sIgiL t)iat SS Mf is invisibly
pi«p9eiit and iiMnictiiig hia^.

The £(vi3# we »hove ijl thM^foaeid Qf zausic,
Xhose who hA^ hefurd lim imudQ <;aaiiot find
words to doK^ribe ibe ptowisr with wU A ii iills and
wraptuiaes |b0 soul: it rushes upon them like a
stream ; pnd yet (he tones sj!» simpk, evjen numo^
tMHUi* 9nd in general nesemiding natural sounds.

Assong tiieir amusements is that of ikying at
hall^ wbich they pursue with mudi eagerness^ and
at which tiby^ often di£fer so as even to quanel.

Their dull in dancing far exceeds the highest
art of man, and the pleasure they take in this
aoMiaem«nt is inexfaanstiUe. They dance without
iaterruption till the rays of the sun appear on the

b2

4 THE ELVES IN tftfiLAlIff^.

nHiuntains> and make the boldest leaps withoul
the least exertion. ' ' '

They do not appear to require any food^ %ut
refresh themselyes with dew-Arops which they
collect from the leaves.

They severely punish all who inquisitively
approach >pr tease them; otherwise they av^
friendly and obliging to well«meantng people ^ho
confide in them. They remove humps ftma the
shoulder; make presents of new articles of clothing;
undertake to grant requests ; though in such casesi
good-humour on the applkant's part seems to be
necessary. Sometimes too they appear in human
form^ or allow persons who have accidentally
strayed among them during the night t<!> join- in
their dances; but there is always some danger in
this intercourse. The person becomes ill in con-
sequence^ and falls into a violent fever- from -the
unnatural exertion^ as they seem to lend hf m a part
of their power. If he forgets himself^ and> accord-
ing to the custom^ kisses his pdrtner^ the whole
scene vanishes the instant his Ups touch hers. "

The Elves have another peculiar and more inhi
timate connexion with mortals. It seems as if they
divided among themselves the souls of men^ and
considered them thenceforth as their properl(y.
Hence certain families have their particular Slves;

IP wboin. Hu^ ore devoled/ in return for whioh^
however, thej receive from them hdp and aasiflt-
anee U^ eritiiuil stpuphontfl^ mid often reoovecy ftom
mortal. d&i C fU Kg i^ B«t> as after death thej hecxnae
liie property of their £lve8» tke death of a man is
tp t)»^a» ai9iv»jaa£B8||val at which one of their own
body enters inte tjbeir soeiety . Therefore they re-
quire thiat people shall he present at funerals, and
psy tlient revcvaioe; t^ oelehrate an interment
l&e a wedding, hy dandng on the grave, and it is
£or this reason that they sdect churchyards for their
fti^OBEij^e plaees of resort. A violent quarrel often
Wsea whether a child hdongs to the Elves of the
fiilher at of the mother, and in what churchyard
it is to be buried. The different parties of these
supernatural beings hlite and make war on each
citu^s with as' much animosity as nations among
mfyoihind; their combats take place in the night,
m oKOfls-roads^ and they often do not separate tdl
dsyb)!eak parto diem. This connexion of men
with a quiet and good tribe of spirits, far ftom
being frightful, would rather be beneficial : but
tine Elves appear an a dubious character; both
evU and good are combined in their nature, wd
they shcyw a dark as well as a fair side. They
ave angels expdled ftom heaven, who have not
faUen iuto hell^ but are in fear and doubt respect*'
ing their future state, and whether they shall find

6 Tfifi Bl/Vir^ IV IRELAND.

•

mercy 8t tbe ddy of judgment. Thitf mixcsie df
liie dark and malevolent is tidbly jnatiifeM^ iA
their actions and indinationtii. If in renieiijllnviic^
of their orighia} hapjyf dondidon they are beM^
fioent and friendly towards nmn^ the evil principle
within ikem prompts them to malidoai and injn^
rious tricks* Their beaul^f^ the wondrous spleii'^
dour of their dwellings^ their spri^tHneMy ii
nothing more than Ulii^v^ diow; and their tm^
figure, which is f^ghtflallf ugly, inspires terMr.
If, as ill but rarely the case, they are teen In the
day^tmie, their countenances appear to be wrinkled
with age, dr, ad people ^resir jt, '' like a withaMd
cauliflower ,'" a liMle nose, red eyes, and hair h6iatf
with dJBtreiiie age.

One of their ettl propentities ooMisis in stealing
faerithy and fine childran from their methers, and
snfasiitiiting in their room a changeling who Imn
some resemblance to the stolen infaxity bnt is in
fact only an ugly and sickly Elf. He moaifesfei
every evil Aifpositton, Is malkdoui, misddevous,
and, though insatiable as to food, does not thrivei
Whto i9ie name of €k>d is metttioned, he begins to
laughj otherwise he never tip^^ks, till being oblige
to do so by srdfioey his age is betrayed by his voice^
Which is that oi a tBty old man< The love 6t
music AaWt itself ifl him, as well as^sitraordinar|r
proficiency; supernatural energies are al^ mafii*

THJS BlifES Ilf itmtAnm.

evor hfe eottuM 1&6 Itrkigs -mini ft iefi«» of <iiMbr^
tttdetf «u<sce6d e^b ofche^^ the catfle beeokfie sick,
^e iuluse faiil» iilto deeay^ ftfid e¥er^ ento^Mise
pi<crt^ ftbofrtiTe. If he Is reeogttitfed and threaCi-
eO^ he meke^ hiateelf itLtsible/ ittld etttiq[ies ; h«
didilteis iiniiiiAg watef ^ aakL If he to caarried ott a
hiidge^ hd jumpis 0?er, and sltlhif upon the wates
pll^ an hk pipe^ a«^ letttirnff Uf hb ewn people*
He k^ ealled in lyish L^eek4ii^\

At pertietdiif dmety such fti May efey fet in-
stanofi^ the e^il Eltei^ seem te he peculiarly active
aftd pl^eilul ; «e thosife to Whoift they are iniiaieal^
they give A blew unpereeited^ the Conseqtieiioe of
, iMA is lame^^esdi or they bfeadie ttpen thenK/
and hoihi aitd crtireOingB itaatedlatdy appear en the
piaiise whif^ the breath has touched. Persons
#hd preteftdr to be in particniKar &Vcmr wkh the
fairies^ undertake to cure such diseases by tnagio
ted itiysfeerMis jcaimeys.

2. 'THti CLURICAtJNS.

In this quality the Elf is essentially distin-
guished from the Shefro by his solitary and awk-

• The wori, properly written Prhichdn or Pr\achan^ i«
fifid to eognxfy a xttvcBt.

8 TAB ELVES IN iRKLAfTD.

waid maimen; this Quricaune is nevar iBetwitii
in oompaiqr^ but always alone. He is mudnaorie
omrporeal, and appears in the day-time as a littlte
old man with a wrinUed countenance^ in an an*
tiquated diess. His pea-gieen coat is adorned
with large buttons, and he seems to tid:e a pani<r
cular delight in having large metal shoe-hucklea.
He wears a cocked hat in the ancient French style.
He is detested on account of his evil dispositkni;
and his name is used as an expression of contempt.
People try to become his master^ and therefoape
often threaten him ; sometimes they succeed in out-
witting him^ sometimes he is more cunnings and
dieats them. He employs himself in mating
shoeSj at the same time whistling a tune. If he
is surprised by man-when thus engaged, he is'in^
deed afraid of his superior strength, but endowed
with the power of ranishing, if he can contrive tb
make the mortal turn his eyes firom him even ibr
an instant.

The Cluricaune possesses a knowledge of
hidden treasures, but does not discover them till he
is pressed to the utmost. He frequently relieves
himself when a man fancies that he is wholly in his
power. A common trick of his is infinitely to mul-
tiply the mark showing where the treasure lies,
whether it be a bush, a thistle, or a branch, that it
may no longer serve as a guide to the perso^i who

TiiS CME» IN jui^na 9

Ito-feldbeA an iaslntnieiit to dig up the gro— d.
IftMC^uxicsBiid lias a small leftthenipuve with a
ahiUiiigr M^hM^^ however o^n he maj pajr it
«iimy> alwaja xetums^^ and which is called the
htAy sliiUiiig (qpr^ ua skillenagh). He fre-
quently cairies about him two punes; the one
oodtiazis the magic flhilling, and the other a copper
eotn; and if compelled to deliver^ he cunningly
paesents the latter^ the weight of which is satis-
ftetory, and when the person who has seised it is
egnunining whether it is correct^ he watches the
opportunity^ and disappears.

His enjoyments consist in smoking and drinking.
He knows the secret^ which the Danes are said to
hai^e brought into Ireland^ of making beer from
heather. The small tobacco-pipes of antique form^
which are frequently found in Ireland in digging
or ploughing^ especially in the vicinity of those
cifcular entrenchments^ called Danish forts, are
supposed to belong to the Cluricaunes ; and if they
are discovered broken^ or in any way damaged,
it is looked upon as a sort of atonement for the
tricks which their pretended owners are presumed
to have played^.

* There is a representation of such a pipe in the Anthologia
HUxmica (Dublin, 1793), i. 362, and in the original of
theia talfiSy p. 17^*

10 THE fiLVEB IN 1K£LA:1ID.

The CluricAiltie dlso appears connected with
men^ and then attaches himself to a family^ with
which he remains as long as a member of it ffii7<*
▼ives^ who aire at the same time unable to get rid
of him. With all his propensity to mischief aald
togaery, he nsually has a degree of respect fat
the master of the house^ and treats him wltli
deference, fie lends a helping hand^ and wards off
secret dangers ; but is extremely angry and en*
raged if they forget him^ and neglect to put his
food in the usual place.

3. THE BANSHEti.

This word is variously interpreted as the cMef
of the £lves> and the white woman. It means a fe-
male spirit belonging to certain families^ geneHsQly^
however^ of ancient or noble descent^ which appears
only to announce the death of one of the mem-
bers. The Banshee shows herself in the vidnfty
of the house^ or at the window of the sick persoh^
clasps her hands^ and laments in tones of the
greatest anguish. She wears an ample mantle^
with a hood over her head.

THB fiLVM m I&Etil j|0. 1 1

4. TH£ FHOORA.

It is difficult to obtain any correct notions of
this spirit *. There is something indefinite «^d
obscure about it. People recollect it imperfectly^
like a dream> even though they have experienced
the strongest sensations; yet the Phooka is pal-
pable to the touch. It appears as a black
horse, — an eagle, — a bat, and compels the man of
whom it has got possession, and who is incapable
of making any resistance, to go through various
adventures in a short time. It hurries with him
over precipices, carries him up into the moon, and
down to the bottom of the sea. If a building
falls in, it is imputed to the Phooka. There are
numerous precipices and rocky caverns, called
Phooka caves (Poula Phooka) ; even a waterfall
formed by the Liffey, in the county of Wicklow^
has derived its name from this spirit. The peo-
ple prohibit their children from eating blackbenies
after Michaelmas, and ascribe the decay of that
^it, which takes place after that season, to the
Phooka.

• The collector observes, p. 276, that the Welsh word
Gwyll, which signifies darkness, night, shade, mountain-
spirit, fully corresponds With the bish Phooka. It is the
Alp of the Oermans.

18 THE ELVSa IN IRELAND.

5. THB LAND OP TonTH. — (Thterna na ogej.
Beneath the water is a country, as well as
above the earth, where the sun shines, meadows
flourish, trees blossom, fields and woods alternate,
dties and palaces arise, oniy fiir more magnificent
and splendid, and inhabited by happy fairies. If
you have found, at the proper moment, the right
»pot upon the banks of the water, you may be-
hold all these wonders. Persons who have fallen
in, and reached this subaqueous world without
accident, have given an account of it on their
return. It is called the Land of Youth, because
time has no power there, no one becomes old, and
persons who have passed many years there, fancied
it only to be a moment. On particular days, at
the rising of the sun, these fairies appear above
the sUT^ice of the water with the greatest splen-
dour, decked in all the colours of the rainbow.
With music, and dancing, and rejoicing, they pass
in a certain track along the water, which no more
yields under their feet than the solid earth under
the foot ot man, till they at length vanish in mist.

THE

ELVES IN SCOTLAND.

TfiE basis of the following dissertation Is^
" The Popular Superstitions and festive Amuse-
ments of the Highlanders of Scotland, Edin-
burgh, 1823, by W. Grant Stewart ;" a book
hitherto unknown in Germany, and with which
the compiler of the Irish Legends appears to have
been unacquainted; yet it is very valuable for
the variety and minuteness of the oral traditions
preserved in it. We have also availed ourselves
of the Essay on Fairies, in the second volume .of
Walter Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border,
4th Edit Edinb. 1810. II. p. 109—183, and the
Introduction, 1. 99 — 103, of his notes to the Lady
of the Lake ; Graham's Sketches of Picturesque
Scenery on the Southern Confines of Perthshire,
p. 107 — 118; Jamieson in the Illustrations of
Northern Antiquities, I. 404^—406; Allan Cun-
ningham's Traditional Tales, Lond. 1822. XL 9»
— 122; all which, however, in comparison with
the first mentioned work, are not considerable;

14 THE ELVES IN SCOTLAM).

1. Descent. Tbe Elves are called Doane Shee :
Men of peace^ good people. They were origi-
naUy angels^ dwelling in bliss; but having yielded
to the temptations of the devil^ were cast out of
heaven in countless numbers. They are doomed
to wander amid mountains and lakes till the day
of judgment^ in ignorance of their sentence whether
they shaU be pardoned or condemned^ but they fear
Ae worst.

2' Form. No other superhuman being can
vie with the fairies in beauty, and they seem stiU
to retiun traces of their original state. They are
in general diminutive in stature, but of the mo9t
perfect symmetry. The female fairies in particular
are said to be the most enchanting creatures in the
world. Their eyes sparkle like diamonds, red and
white ^e delicately blended in their cheeks, their
lips resemble coral, and their teeth ivory, and a
profusion of dark-brown hair falls in ringlet over
their shoulders. Their garments are of a green
hue and very simple. They are angry when
mortals wear this colour, who for this reaaoo oon-
sid^ it to be an unluckj; one. In the HigJilands
it is generally a woollen stuff; in marshes they
have sometimes been seen clothed vd heath-brown,
or in dresses dyed with the lichen.

3. lUpeUings and mode qfltfe. The Elves are
a SQciaUe tribe> passionately fond of pleasure and

THje EVfE^ IN SCOTLAND* 16

fimMimnents. They imly liye together is pain,

l^rt winder about in ispmpanies; and each has a

4iitiia«t dwfUiiigorplaceof ahode^ where th^aU

9caembie a^xxnrdmg Co drcum^taaoefi, and which is

qaU^ 7\uB«Aan^ or Shian, Tbeg^ dwellings are

g^q^sraUy in the caves and precipices pf wild and

lome^ome places; they are built of stogiie, in the

ibna <^ ins^idar towers^ and so stzoQg and durable

%i to resemble pieces of rodk^ or Qioundfi pf earth.

The doors^ windows^ aud chjmp^/s are so skilfully

oonoealed^ that the naked eye cannot sap th^rn in

the day*time« but in the night they are diseovered

by the bright light which issues hasa. tJi^m* In

Pertbahve they Inhabit round a^d verdant hilis^

on vrbMsh thej dance by the light of tbe moon.

Not iar fv9VL Lochcon is a place called Coirshianj

to which they are particularly att$u^ed ; near it

aie conical ^Ijoyations^ especially on« above Lake

Kaizine^ whicb nuipy persons are a&aid to pass

after sun^set. People sometimes discover traces

of them in circles, which are sometimes yellow

and troddan down, sometimes of a dark green

fiplour : ip 4JieBe it is dangerous to sleep or to be

£(Mind after snn^set* Joy and mirth reign in such

assspibliBS of the fiuries ; fpr they are particularly

fond of dancing, and it i^ one of their chief oc^

eupations. The moat delightful music accompanies

them. But, in spite of all this gaiety, the fairies

16 THE SLVSS IN BCXyriANDi

jure jeeleiu of the more puze and perfect hiqqpinefsfi
of man ; and there is always a gloom and aaxiei^
in their secret pleasures, as well as something fiitse
en: merely illusive in the splendour of their ShiaiiB.
If not ahsolutdy malicious, they are yet peerjdi
and envious heings. The H^hlanders do not like
to speak of them, especially on a FViday, when
their power is said to he particularly great : and
as they can be invisibly present, they are never
mentioned but with much respect.

Sometimes, too, they ride invisibly in a large
body, when the ringing of their bridles betrays
their presence. On these occasions they often
take the horses out of people's stables, which
are found in the morning fatigued and panting,
their manes and tails in disorder. Their own hones
are generally as white as snow. '

4. Intercourse with men. The dwellings of the
fairies have sometimes been visited by men, who
have either been enticed by them or else discovered
the entrances at particular seasons. The people
in Perthshire believe that a person who walks
alone nine times round a fairy hill on Christmas
eve will see an open door on his left hand, by
which he may enter. A farmer in the neighbour-
hood of Cairngorm, in Strathq^y, emigrated
with his family and his cattle to the forest, of
Olenavon, .which is known to be an abode of

«HX SLVBS rs 8C(»LAN1>. 17

ISn^ atltk ma»^ ndio Iwd gone out in

Ai» nl^t to seek mMtte e^rajfed she^^ caae to a

flriua <if great exteift ; to their no small sofpxlBe

Ite^r tew tlie most brilliant ligbt issuing from

IsninnemMe ^efts in tlie rodk^ wMcli the keenest

sfEe had nev^ before discovered in it* Curiosity

psompted them to i^proacb^ and, endianted witii

llie magic notes of a violin^ accompanied hf eM«

pn e si ons a£ the gseatest mirth, the^ were in some

measure reconciled to their dangerous situation.

One o^tlie brothers^ in spite of the dissuasions of

^hmudker, ecndd not resist his desire to take part

m the dance^ and at length jumped^ at one leap^

tsto the Sltian. His brother, who did not venture

to.£aUow bim, placed himself near one of the clefts,

and, as is costomarj, called him three times by

his name, Donald MacgiUivray, and earnestly

en tr ea t ed him to return home; butidl in vaini

Donald was obliged to biing ihe melancholy

news of his brother's fate to- his parents. Every

means and art which were resorted to> to withdmw

himfrom the power of the fairies, proved fruitlein,

and he w^as given upibr lost At length a wise

man advised Donald to return to the Shian affcer

the hqMe of a year and a day ; that a cross on his

dxcn would protect him from the power of the

Sires, and he might then go in with confidence,

demand-bade Us bfother in the name of God; and

PABT III. c

tSr THE £IiV£8 IN SCOTLAND.

iu <2Rae be refused to follow Him^ 4n> carry hii^
Hiwqy.by force. Donald sees, the iight in tk^.
Shian^ and hears music and rejoicing: after seme^*
anxious hesitation he at length enters and finds -
his brother^ who^ with the utmost hilarity^ 14
dancing a highland reel. He hastens up tohiniy.
takes him by the collar^ and conjures him to ac<«
company him. He consents^ but wishes first. to
finish the dance^ saying he had not been there
more than half an hour. Donald in vain assurea
him> that instead of half an hour, he had lahready
been dancing a twelvemonth ; nor would he have
credited him on his return home had not the
growth of the children and of the calv^ convinced
him that his dance had lasted a year and a day.:
' About three hundred years ago there lived in
Strathspey two men who were celebrated for their
skill in playing on the violin. It csice happened
that they went, about Christmas time, to In*
vemess to exercise their art. They immediately
took lodgings, gave notice of their airival, and
ofiered their services. There soon appeared an old
man, with a venerable aspect, gray hair, and
wrinkles in his face, but agreeable and courteous in
his manners. They accompanied him, and came to
the door of a rather singular house ; it was nighty
but'they could easily perceive that the house wa»
not in any part of the country with whi^h they

THE ELVES IK SC01*LANI). 19

w&8t sLoqvaojo/lsed* it resembled a Tomhan in 61en«,

vMtte.' The firiendly invitatioa and the sound of

tlu3 vfton^j' oTeroame their soni|deSy and all their

fe^i^cusished at the sight of the splendid assembly

iato. wlikh they vere introduced. Tbe most d&-

lidoiis muaic Inf^ired boundless joy and pleamire^.

naad the ground trembled under the feet of the

dancers. Both the men passed the night in the

most satisfactoiy manner^ and took their leaTe>

mifdk pleased with the kind reception they had

experienced. But how great was their surprise

when^ on leaving this singular abode^ th^ found

that they were coming out of a little hill, and

that ©very thing which only the day b^ore

had looked fresh, new, and splendid, was now in

iiiing and decayed by age, while they, at the same

time, remarked strange alterations in the dress

andnsatiaers ^of the many spectators who followed

thein, full of wonder and amazement! After

coming to a mutual explanation, they concluded

that the two musicians must have been with the

iiihabitants of Tomnaforich, where the Elves in

the neighbourhood used to assemble. An old man,

who had been attracted by the crowd, on hearing

the 'Story, • exclaimed : '^ You are the two men

whb^ lodged with my great grandfather, and who,

09 was -supposed, were enticed away by Thomas

ftymer to Tomnaf urich. Your friends lamented

c2

Mf THE £LVB8 IN SCOTLAND.

you verj inuch> but a hundred yeavs^ idiith liipra
adnee elapsed^ have caused jour names to ht
forgotten." Both the men^ astonished at the
miracle which God had wrought in them^ went,
as it was Sunday, inta the dburch; ihey'sait and
listened for a while to the ringing of the bells, but
when the clergyman appxoaciied the akar to read
the gospel to his congfegation, strange to say, at ih»
first word which he uttered, they both cnimbled
into dust.

The traditions reacting the manner, in wiMOli
persons, may be released from the power of t&e
fairies are various. According to the general
opinion, it must be done within a year and a day,
and can be performed only on Christmas eve, at
the annual festive procession c^ the Elves* Who*
ever in the slightest degree partakes, of the pnof-
fered dainties forfeits, by this act, the sodety. rof
men, and is for ever united to ^e fidries. It is
supposed that a person who has once been in tbsir
power will not be permitted to return 4o the abodes
of men till after seven years. Af^c the ooiirae of
another seven years hevanidies, andisithen tan^
seen again among mortals. The aeoounts gmn
by them Kspecting their situation are different.
According to some, thc^ lead a life of uninter-
rupted action, and wander about in the mob»*
shine ; and according to others^ they infaabit a 4^

TSB SLVES IN SCOTLANIX 21

h^tfvi ^rtzietc but their situation is tendered
XBueroble by tiw circunatanoe^ t^at one or more of
them moat be saerifioed to the devil every seventh

Hie wife*af a fioner in Lothian had fedlen into
the hands of the ^uries^ and^ during the pro-
hationnry jear, sttMtines appeared on a Sunday^
tmoBg hvT ehildren, oomlnng their hair. On
these oocasfons dse vmai addressed by her hus-
band ^ she related to him the melancholy oircum«
stance which had separated them^ and told him
t^e meazis by vrhiith he mi^t recover her; she
eadu>Tted him to summon all his resolution^ as her
piesent and future happiness depended on the
•access of his underttddng. The farmer, who
sincerely loved his wife, went on Christmas eve,
and impatieatly waited on a heath lor the proces-
sUm of the ^fidries. At the rattling of ike bridles,
send the wild supernatural voices of the rideis,
hill ccnirage forsook him, and the train passed
without his attempting to interrupt it When
the last hsd ridden by, they all vanidied amidst
iavgliter «nd exclamations of rejoicing, among
idiich he recognised ike voice of his wife, lament-
ing timt she was now lost to him for ever.

A woman had been enticed into the abodes of
the good people, and was there recognised by a
person who had once been a mortid mim, but was

S9 THE ELVES IN QCQTLAfSV.

now joined to the fairies* This acquaintanoe^ ivko
still retained some feeHngs of humaaitj, 'warned
her of the danger^ and advised her, as she Tsdued
her freedom, to abstain for a eertain time fxnm
taking any food with the Kbres. She foUwwied
his counsel, and when the term had expired, she
onee more found herself on the earth among mem
It is farther said^ that the food which was 'offeved
to her, and which appeared so tempting, now t^isft
the spell was broken, she founds on chosex inspec^^
tion^ to consist merely of lumps of earl^.
. The fairies had carried a new-boJm infant td
their Shian^ and afterwards fetched its mother^
that she might nurse her own child. One di^j
during this period^ the woman observed the Sires
busy in throwing various ingredients into fhe boil>«
ing kettle, and when it was ready, they carefully
anointed their eyes with the mixture, and savod
the remainder for future use. When all .Were
absent, she resolved to touch her own eyes witK
this precious ointment, but had only time to try
the experiment on one^ as the Elves returned too
soon. Yet^ with this single eye^ she was enabled
to see clearly every thing as it really was in the
Shian; not as heretofore, in illusive, splendouir
and beauty, but in its true shape and colour*
The glittering chamber proved to be nothing
more than a gloomy cave. Soon after, having

TH£ XCVES IK SCOTLAND. ^

disbhaxgod her duty> she was sufiTered to go

ttoiae^ but still retained the power of being able

to discern^ in its true colours^ every iMng de^

oeiftfull^r tnmsiurmed. One day she reeognised

JBoaaooig a crowd the Elf in whose possession

ahe liad lef); ber child, though he was invi^

siible to every other eye. Actuated by matenud

flfiection^ abe went up to him with hesitation^ and

iB^dixed after tbe health of her child. The Elf>

gio^y flttrpriaed at being seen by a mortal crea-^

ture> asked her how she had been able to discoveif

binu Terrified at his frightful threatenings, sb^

fiimfessed what she had done. He spit into her

eje, and sbe Mras blinded for life *.

~ • Captain George Burton communicated the fdl^

lowing particulars for Richard Bovet's Pandemo«

ninm, wbicb was published in 1684: ''About

fifteen years ago^ I was for some time detained

hj. business at Leith^ near Edinburgh^ and went

£requ«!itly with iny £riends to a respectable house>

* QzMbam, who oommuiiicates this legend from tradition^
and which, as. Sir W. Scott, p. 122, assures us is as current
in the Highlands as in the Lowlands, was not aware that
Crervase of Tilbury had related it with some variation in the
Oda Iniperialia. They were only spirits of the water, among
wliMn the wkiman was detained, and where she anointed hey
^ vitii «eipent*s fat

S4' VHU >m.vB8 IK ^ecmLAKti.

wih^re We draftk a glaos of wiadk 1%e inkilMSBiis^
the bouse one dajr told me> diat -tlieioe ms livia^
in the town a little fyArj^hoy, is she caUed him;
and on mj expressing a desire to ^ee bim., she aooa
after pointed him out to me^ «itying^ ^ These, mt,
that is he who is playing widi the ai^& bof s.' I
went up tolilm, and by Idnd wotrds, and a piece
ef money, induced him to aoeonipany me intio' the
house, where, in the presence of several people, I
put to him various astrological questioiis, whldi
he aasWel-ed with muG& precision, and in evei^f
thing he aiStentrards «aid, proved himself to be
viuch bejtmd his 3rears, being sppare&tly aol
more than ten or twelve years of age^ On hiB
pfa^ing Vrtth bis fingers on the taUe, I asked him
whether he Isnew how to beat the drum? ' Y4B^
sir, as well as any one in Scotland; evmy Thuit*
day night I heat it for a oertain peopk^ whomeet
in tiiat mountain' (alluding to the gmt one be»
tween fidinbuxgh and Leith). ' What sortof an
assembly is that ?' said I. ^ A large company of
men and won»»l, who, besides my diiim, have
various other kinds of music, and an abundance of
meats and wine: sometimes we are carried to
France or Holland, and back again, in one night,
and enjoy the amusements of the country/ I
asked how one could come into the mountain ^

'Sf-ipw^ gi«eat.dooi8/ fefdied he, ' wbioh ^pea of
themselveci^ thou^ invistble to othars ; witkiii are
IbkB' laDge sreoxtts^ and as hftndfiomely fwiif bed as
mtf 4xk Scodatid.' I a^«d him iiow I oould know
tliat vahMt he <told me waa true? He angwen)d,
he would ten .me my fortuBe : I shooid have two
wlv^ea^ tliat he ^w ike form of one of them sittiiig
on lay 8hoiildi^> and that both were handsome
irOBGi^. Ab he said these words^ a woman living
ih- tke Beighbourhood came in> and inquired
aSKiVEt her fortune. He told her she would have
two-f^ildien belbre her marrii^^ at whidi she
maiB io angry that she would hear no moce. The
a^tfiBBs d$ the house told me> that all the ^^e&fie
imScodaiad were not akHe to prevent his visits on
tberThorsday night. On my holdmg out to him
the prospect of a larger pt^seat of money> he pro-
mised tb meet me in the lome house on the follow-
Itt^ Thunday* He, in fact, made his appearance^
and I had agceed with some friends to detain him
Wtam^m lao^ttrnnsX visit. He sat atticmg U8» and
answered varieua questions, till about eleven
B(f4atk^ Wten he slipped away unperoeived, but
^iftantiiy miflsing him, I ran towards the doorj
hiM inm fest> and brought him baek. We ail
<wateited lum, but all at once he was again out at
tlie^oor. I'fbUoWed him ; in the street he made

SL jxoi^ as if he had been attacked.^ and fron^ tjiat
time I never saw him any more/'

In their intercourse with men^ the IEXy^ iMre
sometimes said to manifest evil propensities and
inclinations. A long time agOj there lived m t^
neighbourhood of Cairngorm^ in Strathspey^ ^
old woman> a midwife. Late one nigiht^ as 9h/»
was about to retire^ somebody knocked very, vio-
lently at the door. She opened it, and saw a m$^i
on horseback^ who entreated her to accompany him
without delay, as the life of a person was in ^eal:
danger. He would not even suffer her to d^ang^
her dress, but obliged her to ride behind him oa
the horse just as she was. They galloped o£&
and he returned no other answer to her questions^
than that she would be handsomely rewarded.
When she grew more anxious, the Elf said, " My
good woman, I am going to take you to an £lve9'
dwelling, where you are to attend on a fairy j. but
I promise, by every thing that is sacredi that no
harm shall happen to you, but that, as soon as
your business is finished, you shall be conducted
home in safety, and receive a reward as great as
you can desire." The Elf was a handsome yonog
;man, whose openness and friendly behaviour re*
moved all her fears. The fairy gave birth to a
•fine little boy> whidi was the cause of much r^

THEI ELVES IN SCOTLAND. 'St

joiieiiig; and the womaii obtained her reqnest^
that herself and successors should fdways be for*
innate in their business.
• 5. iS*t7/. *^The Elves possess great powers^
whidi ^ey knoW how to turn to the best advan-
tage. They are the most expert workmen in the
World ; and every fairy unites in his own person
the most various trades : he is his own weaver>
tadlor> and shoanaker.

' A weaver was one night waked out of his sleep
by a very great noise ; on looking out of bed^ he
saw his room filled with busy Elves^ who were
using his tools without the least ceremony. They
were employed in converting a large sack of the
finest wool into cloth. One was combings another
spinnings a third weaving^ the fourth pressing it;
and the noise of these different operations and the
cdeft of the fairies created the greatest oonfusion.
Before daybreak they had finished a piece of dotii
abdve fifty ells long> and took their departure
without even thanking the weaver for the use of
his machinery.

An Elf once made a pair of shoes for a shep-
herd during the time that he was stirring his por-^
ridge^ and another shaved an acquaintance with a
razor not sharper than a hand.

They are unrivalled in the art of building j this
is sufficiently proved by their own dweUingsi^

SIS THfi CLVKS IK SCOTLAND.

wfaicli are so strong, that they have resisted the
wind and weather for several thousand yeacs^ and
sustained no damage^ except in the stoppage of tte
chimney. .

Hie buildings whida tbey.have executed under
the direction of the famous architect^ Michael
Scott> are truly astonis^ng^ In his early dajrs
he used to go once every year to Edinburgh^ to
get employment. He was once going there with
two companions ; they were obiiged to pass over a
high hill^ psobahly one of the Giwmpiaas^ and
&tigued with the ascent^ rested on its summit
They were> however, soon startled by the hissutg
of a large serpent whic^ darted towards them.
Michael's two friends took flight ; but he resolved
to make a bold standi and just as it was about to
give him the mortal bite, he, at one stroke of his
stick, hewed the monster into three pieces. HaT-
ing overtaken his terrified companions, the^^ puiv
sued their journey, and k)G^;ed for the night in
the nearest xim. Here they talked over Miidiael's
adventure with the serpent, which die lawHaiy
by chance overheard. Her attentian seemed to
be excited, and when die heard that the aer*
feut was a white one, she promised to give a iasge
reward to any person who would hdag her the
middle piece. As the distame was not freat> one
of the three offered to go : he found id» middle

TVR ELTB8 n SCOTLAKDb 89

piece> aiad the tail^ but th^ port with the head
hftd cyoappenred, andhad -prcHatStiy taken rafuge hi
tke ivater, in order to come out again entire^ as is
the manner of serpents which have combated with
mditk (It is singular enough^ that a person who
has beetti bit by a serpent is infiillibly cured if
he readies the water befoie the serpent.) The
woman, on receiving the piece of the serpent,
which still gave signs of life, pttered a loud
crys appeared in the highest degree phased, and
gave her guests the best that her house afforded*
Mieha^, curious to know what ihe woman in^
taided to do with the serpent^ feigned to he
suddenly seized with violent colic, which could
only be cured by sitting near the fire, the warmtli
of which apparaitly relieved him. The woman
did not at all discover the trick, and thinking that
a petson in so mudi pain could not have much
cusiority to examine her pots, she willingly con-
sented to his sitting -the whole evening at the
fire. As soon as all the others had retired, she
set about her important business, and Michael had
an opportunity of observing, throu^.thekeyhale»
every thing that occurred. He saw her, after
many rites and ceremoni&i, put the serpent, with
seme mysterious ingredients, into a kettle, which
she brought, to the fire before which Michael vras
lyit^ and where it was to boil tiU morning.

90 THE ELTS8 IN SOOTLAHin

Qnce or twice during the night she cai(aG> under
pretence of inquiring aft^r ' the invalidy and. tc^-
hring him a cordial ; she then dipped her finger^
into the kettle with the mixture, whereup<>a the
oock^ which was perched on a har^ hegan to Grow-
aloud. Michael wondered at this influence of
the broth on the cock> and could not resist ^thd
temptation of following her example. He thought
that all was not quite rights and feared that thift
evil one might have some hand in it; but at
length his curiosity got the better of his oljeo*
tions. He dipped his fingers into the 6oap> aaid
touched the tip of his tongue with it> and the cook
instantly announced the occurrence in a plaintive'
tone. Michael now felt himself illuminated with
a new^ and to him hitherto entirely unknown
lights and the afinghted landlady judged it most
prudent to let him into her confidence.

Armed with these supernatural endowments,
Michael left the house on the following morning*
He soon brought some thousands of the devil's
best workmen into his power^ whom he made to
skilful in his trade^ that he was able to undertake
the buildings of the whole kingdom. To him are
ascribed some wonderful works to the north of
the Grampians ; some of those astonishing bridges
which he built in one nighty at which only two
or three workmen were visible. One day a

TH£ SLYEfi IN SCOTLAND* SI

wol«k<had just been cxMnpleted^ and his people, as
they were acctutomed to do^ thronged round hiff
faou9e> crying out, ^' Work I work I work !" Dis^
pleased at this constant teazing, he called out to
them in joke, that they should go and build a
road from Fortrose to Arderseir, across the frith
of McMray. The cries instantly ceased, and Mi«
<dkael, who considered it impossible to accomplish
the task, laughed at them, and remained at home.
The following morning, at daybreak, he went to
the shore, but how great was his surprise, when
he saw that this unparalleled labour had so far suc-
ceeded as to require only a few hours to be finished.
Uncertain, however, whether it might not prove
injurious to trade, he gave orders for demolishing
the greater part of the work, and only left in
memory of it a piece at Fortrose, which the tra-
veller may behold at this very day.

The fairies, once more out of work, came again
with their cries ; and Michael, with all his inge-
nuity, could not devise any harmless employment,
till at length he said : '^ Go and twine ropes which
may carry me to the moon, and make them of
sHme and sea-sand." This procured him rest, and
if there was a scarcity of other work, he sent them
to make rope. It is true they did not succeed in
manufacturing proper ropes, but traces of their
labour may be seen to this day on the sea-shore.

^32 THC sii\^Ks rs •eoTLAfn>.

Mis^ftl Seot^ havkg one di^ had # fiuirtd
with a pexwn who had ofiended himx he sent lim
aa a punishment to that unhappy regioB> wlnse
dwelk the evil one and his angels The dfeyil,
somewhat displeased at Michael's presumptkm^
^owed the new coiner the whole extent of hell ;
and at length al8o> by waj of consolation^ tilie i^t
he had prepared for Michael ; it was illed widi
the most horrid monsters imaginahle> toads^ licwds^
leeches^ and a frightful serpent opened its terrific
jaws. Satisfied with this spectacle^ the straager
returned to the region of day: he related all tiiat
he had seen^ and made no secret of what Michael
Scott had to expect as soon as he should have
passed into the other world. Michael^ however,
did not lose his courage, and declared that he
would disappoint ^e devil in his expeetattons.
" When I am dead," said he, " open my hreast,
and take out my heart. Place it on a pole iii a
public place, where every one may see it. If the
devil ir to have my soul, he will come and fetch
it away, under ihe form of a black raven ; bat if it
is to be saved, a white dove will bear it off: ibhis
ahall be a sign to you." After his death they
omnplied with his request : a large black raven
came from the east with great swiftness, while a
white dove approached with the same velocity &om
the west* The raven darted vidimtly towards

7i[£ SIkTtS IN SCOTLAH0. 88

Ijhe htaxt^ missed it> and flew hy, nviiile the dove,
whkit reached it at the same timej canned it off,
ainidst the diouts of the popylaee.

9* Good Neigkhours.-^Feo^e endeayour to he
en §pod terms iinth the Elves, who possess so
tnuch power, and are at the same time so capricious.
Though every thing fluid which is spilt on the
ground is theirs by right, many persons purposely
set apart for them a portion of the best things
they possess. Sometimes the subterraneous dwell*
logs of the fairies are in the neighbourhood of
men ; or, as the people express it, '^ under the
threshold ;" and then an intercourse with maukiud
arises by borrowing and lending, and other neigh-
bourly offices. In this quality they are called the
good neighbours*: and they secretly provide for
the wants of their friends, and assist them in all
their undertakings so Icmg as they do not publish
their favours.

. A farmer in Strathspey was one day sowing his
grounds, at the same time singing a merry tune,
when a very beautiiiil fairy made her appearance.

She requested him to oblige her by singing an

»

old Gaelic song; when 'he had complied, she
begged him to make her a present of some com.
He asked her what she would give him for it.

• The people pay a similar regard even to the devil, and
odPhiBi the good maa.

PABT III. I>

3* THE ELVES IN SCOTLAND.

She replied^ that if he granted her r^uest> he
should not soon he in want of seed. He gave her
a considerahle share out of his sack^ and she with-
drew. Soon after he was agreeably surprised to
find that the sack out of which he had already
sdwn a large field did not diminish^ and was still
the same in weight and size as when he met the
fairy. He sowed yet another field without per-
ceiving any decrease. Quite delighted^ he re-
turned home ; but his loquacious wife^ who had a
tongue as busy with a head as empty as the great
bell of the church steeple^ did not cease to proclaim
her surprise at this unaccountable property of the
sack out of which they had procured seed sufficient
to sow the half of their lands. Now it is well
known^ that if you invoke a supernatural power,
the charm is instantly broken. The same was the
case in this instance ; the sack became immediately
empty. '^ Thou stupid woman V exclaimed the
mortified husband^ ^^ hadst thou kept thy trouble-
sdme tongue within bounds^ the sack would have
been worth its weight in gold."

Grodfirey Macculloch was one day riding out :
he met near his own house a little old man^ dressed
in green^ and mounted on a white horse. They
saluted each other^ and the little fellow gave him to
understand that he lived below his house, and had
to make great complaints respecting the course of

I \

THB ELVB8 IN SCOTLAND. 35.

ft dmin^ which emptied itself exactly in his best
Sfpflrtment. MaccuUoch was startled at this sin-
gular speech^ but guessing the nature of the being
with whom he had to deal^ assured the old man
in the most friendly manner^ that he would give
another direction to the drain ; and immediately
commenced the necessary arrangements. Some
years after (1697) Macculloch had the misfortune
to kill a neighbouring nobleman in a dispute;
he was taken and condemned* The scaffold^ on
-which he was to be beheaded, was prepared on the
Casde^hill of Edinburgh, but he had scarcely
reached it when the little old man on the white
horse rushed through the crowd with the rapidity
of lightning. Macculloch, at his bidding, jumped
up behind ; the '' good neighbour" spurred his
horse down the steep declivity, and neither he nor
the animal were ever seen afterwards.

7. Spiteful tricks. — Necessity does not impel the
fairies to rob mankind in secret and with cunning,
but a natural inclination seems to actuate them.
The whirlwind is not the only artifice of which
they avail themselves to steal any object ; they
resort to others more pernicious, and cause mis-»
fortunes, such as conflagrations, in order to dem
rive advantage from them.

A female fairy, who lived in the towers of
iPr4fg»ail-naic, begged a farmer's wife, in I>elnabo{,

i>2

SU8 THE ELVES IN SCOTLAND.

I I

for a little oatmeal^ for her family ; psomising to
return it shortly^ as she should soon have a large
supply of it herself. The woman being afraid,
graated the request of the £lf^ and^- according to
custom^ treated her with some liquor^ and bread
and dieese, and offered to accompany her on the
voad. As they were going up an eminence above
the town^ the Banshee stopped^ and with evident
9atisfaction told the woman that she might take
her meal home again, she having now obtained
the expected supply. The woman^ without asking
the Elf where she had procured it> took back her
own with jdeasure^ and returned home. But how
great was her surprise^ when in a few minutes
after she beheld the granary of a neighbouring
farm in flames.

A farmer^ who held the farm of Auchriachan
of Strathavon^ was one day looking after his goats
on a distant hill in 61enlivat> when a thick fog
concealed the road^ and confused his senses. Every
stone was, in his eyes^ as large as a mountain ;
every little brook seemed to flow in an oj^osite
direction^ and the poor wanderer gave up all hopes
of ever again reaching his own home. As the
night was closing in^ he sat down quite exhausted^
and expecting his end^ when he saw the glimmer-
ing of a faint light. At the sight he seemed to
acquire fresh strength ; he arose and went towards

THE ELVES IN SCOTLAND. 37

it; when lie came up with tHe lights he found
thftt it was a wild and savage place^ where hu*'
man foot had probably never trod; still he took
ooiBrage^ and advanced towards an open door.
But how did his resolution fail him when he met
an old female friend^ whose corpse he had lately
accompanied to the grave^ and who appeared here
to discharge the office of housekeeper ! She in-
stantly ran up to him, and told him that he tirould
be' a lost man if he did not hide himself in a
oomer^ where he must continue tiU he could find
an opportunity for flight. He took her advice.
Scarcely had he concealed himself;, when an innu-
merable assemblage of Fairies^ who seemed to have
returned from some important expedition^ came in
vefy hungry^ and called out for food. '' What
have we to eat?" said they. Then replied a
cunning looking old £lf^ who was sitting at the
fire : " You all know and hate the miserly old
fellow of Auchriachan^ mean and avaridous as he
is ; he lets nothing come to us^ and even deprives
us of our due. From his old grandmother^ the
witch, he has leamt to protect every thing by a
dharm> and we can't even glean upon his fields,
much less touch the crop. To-night he is from
home, as he is seeking his goats, our allies/' (for
goats are ssid to haVe a good understanding with
the Elves, and to possess moire cunning than

38 THE rtVifiS IN SCOTLAND.

4ppeaS*s at firi^t sight) ; " his cardess peolfle b«r^
never thought of taking any ptecai!rtimi«i aixiiWe
can n6w dispose, at our pleasure^ of all 'his pto^
j^eptty ; come along, and let us fetcli his fatonrite vx.
for our supper !" ^' Agreed !* exdtaimed all wWi
one voice, " Thomas Rymer is right ; thef^tfiter of
Auchriachan is a miserable wretch, we'wiU have
his 0x1" " But whe$re shall we get b»e8d'?'''said
another gray-haired Elf, " We '11 also tab© :hk
new-baked bread," cried the sage oounseUoi^ ^ '^' he
is a poor old creature, and his wife has fbrgoiten
to mark the sign of the cross upon the first 'toa£^'
The unhappy man overheard all this in Im^eotn&t,
and had besides the mortification to see hjucox
brought in and killed. While all wex« bu^ia.
preparing the meat, the old woman found >«n c^
]iMQrrtahity to let him escape. When he got iont
the fog was dispersed, the stones af^ared in (dwir
intoper- shape, and the moon shone «o brightly tbat
he found his way home without any difficulty.; ifis
fannly were overjoyed to see him ; and: his^iiTife,
who thought that he must be hungry, brougfali i^toe:
inilkand newbreadi and invitedhim to partaheofi^;
^ut'he would not touch it, knowing, that the ibcaad
was not real bread, but <mly a shamed ilkiSBofei.
He Inquired after hiis ox, and whether it had Bern,
fis usual, protected against evil influenoe? ^^AB,
fltf,' dear father! in oar great anxiety fotr ynoj^ I

■JS^^J ifLV^ IN .SCOTLAND. ^9

hggqt i^"., Alas-!" cried the discoiisQlate farmer^
/' i«f favoiuate ox is goue!" '^ HowV said the
«Oii^ ^^ I savr, it only two hours ago." ^^ That was
/unly ii ^^Ise .substitute' of the Fairies; bring it
faiiher quiokJ^v that I majt get rid of it." And
•amidst .li^QXnoat violent invectives against the ma-
ievoleoiat- Blvesj he aimed such a desperate blow at
itS'fotdheadi that it feU down dead. It lay .there,
^gQther,witfa the breads and neither dog nor cat
^ould touch it-

. 'A. Chfiffgielingi^ Among the wicked propensities
o£tli& Fairies is- their inclination to steal children^
in doing which they dis^y particular sagacity.
• 'They have aft^i> in broad daylight^ taken a fa-
-vouzite child from; its inexperienced mother^ and
«iibilatlkted a ohangeling, whose fictitious illness
and death makes the lot of the poor parents stiU
sMKe hixd4 And they have even stolen a child
flut of iti fttther'A-anns when he had taken it out
otith faiot'On horseback.

' Two*, men of Sfirathspey used to visit a famUy
at <6]»nlivat for the . purpose of dealing in npirits^
which eoiildhe>the most seeurely carried on dusing
the aig^* . One nighty while engaged in measuring
the whiskeyyan infant^ which was lying in the
iSBdie> gave a violent ^hriek^ as if it had been sho|«
.She mother immediately made the «ign of the
Scsan^ oier the child^.^nd took it out of the cradle :

40) THB £X.YBS ly SCX>TLANO;

ih»i^o men took no further notice of'ityitQdyi
their husiness was finished^ went away widi.tJKiir
load* At a short distance from Hie house tii^
were surprised to fod a little chiid quite akba
in the road. One of them took it vxp, when it iii*^
stantlf left off cryiiig, threw its arms round his
neck^ and began to smile. On looking at it more
closely, they recognised their friend's «hild> and
directly suspected the £lves, particularly as they
remembered the shriek. They had carried off the
real child, and put a diaageUng in its place ; but '
on the mother's making the sign of the cross^ it
was delivered out of the power of the Fairies, wh<»
were forced to abandon it. As their time was
limited^ and they could not turn back on the spot
to explain the mysterious event, they continued
their journey, and took every care of the young
traveller. A fortnight after^ business again brought
them to Glenlivat; they carried the child with
them^ but concealed it on their entrance. The
mother began to complain of the obstinate illness
oi her child> with which it had been afflicted since
their last visits and which would ceitainly be the
cause of its death. At the same lyioment the
changeling uttered lamentable cries, as if in the
greatest pain. The strangers told the mother to'
be ci good coun^-*-H»he should have her own diild
restored as healthy an4 lively as a fish in water--?

motibfir 'Xaeeiyed ber owQichild wkb jof ; . ihe meu'
lighted a bulifleiof straw to throw the diaiAkgeliiig
iiij ImM at t^ r^^ df it the £lf made ito eBoape
durough.the ch^iinjiejr*

If a .mo^h«r wishes to protect her child agaiafll
fiiiriof^ she iBuat let its head hang down when she
is dxiesaiilg it in the mcKming. A red thread tied
round the throaty or a cross^ is likewise a safe*
giisasd. If the child has already been exchanged
foe a fairy^ it can be obtained again in the follow*
ing naanner : The changeling is laid before night*
fall^ in a plaee where three lands^ or three rivexs^
me^t; in the night the Elves bring back the stdkm
chjidj put it down^ and carry the substitute away
with, them-

On the. east coast of Scotland^ the people resort
to a peculiar method to avert the danger. Duriiq;
the moiuth of March, when the moon is on her
increase, they cut down branches of oak and ivy,:
which are formed into garlands, and preserved till
the following aDtumn. ^ If any one of the family
should grow lean, or a child pine away, they
mu^t pass Aree tines through this wreath.

The JBlves likewise endeavour to gain potsession
of wottien who are near their lying-in ; an4/ as in
the case of diildrstealing, th^substituto a ficti*
tious aad iHusiye being.

.42 THE ELVB6 IK BCOTtAK<l>«

At Glenfarown^ in die pairiflh of AbemetibTV
lired Jdkn Bey, a veiy oounigeoui man* Ope
night be was going over the mountaim^ wheajbe
fell in with a company of Elves, whose m^de of
travelling clearly indicated that they were €an7-
ing a person off with them. He recollected to
have been told, that the fairies are obliged to gire
up what they have, for any thing offiured to them
in exchange, even if it should be of inferior valuer
John Roy pulled off his cap, threw it to them, and
cried, " Mine is yours, and yours is mine !" upon
which the Elves were oUiged to take his cap, and
resign their prey, which proved to be nothing lesf
than a beautiful woman, by her dress and lail*
guage a Saxon. John Roy brought her Mrith
much kindness to his home, whene, for seven
years, she was treated with the greatest respects
She gradually accustomed herself to het new
mode of life, and was looked upon as a member of
the family. It chanced that ''the new king"
caused the great public road in this neighbour-
hood to be made by soldiers. John Roy forgot
his dislike to a Saxon, and offered a lodging;
(which could not otherwise have been easily ob*
tained), in his house, to a captain and hia son, who
commanded a body of workmen in the vidoityo
Both the host and his guests were mutually
pleased with each other; only it was

i(Me"f6 Roy that tke latter regarded the English
IS^Sfy wi^li sd-much attention On6 day the fa-
Aet 'Mid to his Boh, *^I am struck with the re-
temMftnce of' this woman to my deceased wife;
t^iit fidsters could dot be more like each other^ and
if it ^ere not' mondly impossible^ I should say
that ahle was my own beloved wife;" at the same
time mentioning her name. The woman^ attentive
to theii* conversation^ on hearing her own name,
^^eogniseis her husband and son^ and runs to em*
Ursiee them. The Elves who inhabited the Shian
of Ooiiiaggack had undertaken an expedition into
^e south of England^ and made no scruple to steal
the woman even during her illness. A false being
tif^'laid in her room^ who died a few days after;
snd the husband^ supposing it to have been his own
urifey had her buried.

< 9l Eifboit, weapons, and utensils. The most
Shamefol action of the Elves^ however^ is their
killing men and animals with a magic weapon ge«
Herally called an elfbolt. These bolts are of various
meXy of a hard^ yellowish substance^ resembling
flittk^ which they can always replace. The bolt is
fscquently in the shape of a hearty the edges sharply
iMdttited like a saw. The Fairies shoot this mortal
wei^n- at men and beasts with so much precisaon
that they seldom miss their aim^ and the wound is

44 THE ELVES IN SCOTLAND,

always fatal. So great is the force with which
it strikes^ that the moment it touches its object it
pierces it to the hearty and in the twinkling of an
eye the man or beast lies dead and cold upon the
ground. Strange it is^ an ordinary man is not
able to find the wound, unless he possesses the
power whidh enables some wise people to trace the
way by which the bolt came, and to discover it in
the dead body. Whoever finds it should preserve
it with much care, as the possessor of it is always
secured against death from such a weapon.

The rude metal battle-axes which are met with
are made by Fairies, who are here hammering in the
defts and caves of rocks. The pierced and rounded
stones which are formed By attrition in the beds of
the rivers are the dishes and goblets of the Elves.

The lightning sometimes cuts out pieces of turf
with extreme regularity: these are supposed to
have been dug out by th^ Elves.

10. The E(fbulL In the fine days of autumn,
when the fields have been reaped, and a number
of cattle are collected together from the difierent
fannis, the creatures oftentimes run about and bel-
low as if mad, though there appears no cause for
this confusion. If you l6ok through an Elf's knot*
hole, or thtpu^ the ' aperture made in the skin
of an animal by an elf bolt, you may see the elf

THE ELVES IN SCOTLAND. 45

bull butting -with the strongest bull in the bezd :
but this eye is ever after deprived of sight ; and
many a one has become blind in this way. The
elf bull is small in comparison with the real one ;
of a mouse colour^ has upright ears^ short horns
and legs; bis bair is shorty smooth, and shining
like an otter. He is, besides, supematurally strong
And courageous : he is mostly seen on the banks
of rivers, and is fond of eating green grass in the
night.

A farmer who lived near a river had a cow
which regularly every year, on a certain day in
May, left the meadow and went slowly along the
banks of the river till she came opposite to a small
island overgrown vrith bushes ; she went into the
water and waded or swam ^towards the island,
where she passed some time, and then returned to
her pasture. This continued for several years ; and
every year, at the usual season, she produced a
calf wbicb perfectly resembled the elf buH. One
afternoon, about Martinmas, the farmer, when all
the com was got in and measured, was sitting at
his fireside, and the subject oi the conversation was^
which of the cattle should be killed for Christmas.
He said : *' We '11 have the cow ; she is well fed,
and has rendered good services in ploughing, and
filled the stalls with fine oxen : now we will pick

. 46^ THE %iJVE» IN SGOnXiAHD.^

her old bones." Beaanxlf hod he uttered 'thesd
words when the cow with her joung oaes- rushed
through the Walls as if they hftd heen made h^'
pB^er, went round the dunghill, bellowed ^t eaah.-
of her calves, and then drove them, all before hery
according to their age, towards the river, wrher^
they got into the water, reached the isknd, slnjd
vanished among the bushes. They were never,
more heard of.

11. Sea Elves, On the north coast of Sootkui}
dwdt a man who got his living by fishing, and
particularly by catching those singular cveatores
called seals, for the skins of which he was well
paid. Yet most of these are neither seals nor fish,r
but are properly Elves. One day, as the fishery-
man was returning from his business, he was*
called by a person who appeared to be a strangery
and who told him that he had been sent by one
who wished to bargain with him for a number of
seals' skins, but that he must instantly accompany
him* The fisherman, overjoyed at the prospect aS
a good job, consented, and mounting a horse' whiofa
belonged to the stranger, he rode with him • so
swiftly that the wind, which was an their baoks>'.
seemed, from the rapidity of their mo^on, to bloHv
in thdbp faces. They reached a frightful crag'
which prelected into the sea, when the guide said

THE £IJVXS IS SCOIXAND*' 4/7'

tfaejr liad now conke to* tiie place of their deitiiiaK
thmy- and seizing the fisherman vdth move than
hiimiihi utrengthi threw himself with him into the
sea. They aunk^ and simk> till they came at
length to an open door at the bottom^ throilgh
whidi they entered into a suite of rooms^ all filled
with dsalB, which, however, have the power of
language, and possess human feelings ; at length
the fisherman, to his utmost surprise, found that,
without being aware of it, he had himsdf been
changed into a seaL His guide produced an enor*
mous knife> and he already thought that his end
was come ; when the latter quieted his fears, and
asked him if he had never before seen the knife?
He; recognised it to be 4iis own, with which he
had that morning wounded a seal, which, how**
ever,' had eaoaped. ^^ That was my father," said
his guide ; ^^ he lies dangerously ill, and cannot
recover without yoiir assistance." He brought the
terrified fisherman to the patient, who was lying,
in great pain, in. a bed: the man was obliged to
dress the wound, and the seal immediately re-
covered. The mourning was now converted into
general joy. The guide said to the fisherman,
'^'i .will m3r8elf bring you back to your family,
but you must promise that you will not kill
another seal as long as you live." Both swam

4S TVE ILVES 179 ^C^LAIID.

towasda tbe sar£ace, and landed at a plac^ wl|#re
Ihey found homes ready for them. The guide
breathed on the fisheztnan, and hoth receive^ the
human fonn* At the door of his house he se-
ceired a present so large as not to leave en j cf^pae
of regret at having renounced his trade.

12. The Brownie. He never speaks of his de*
soent^ but seems upon the whole to belopg to the
JBlves. His figure is not very slim, but well pro-
portioned and agreeable; while others represent
him as lean and rough coated. He derives his
name from his peculiarly brown colour. He is
industrious^ intent on his master's servioej and
always willing. According to some, he remains
concealed in his comer night and day; and ac-
cording to others, only in the daytime, and works
at night. He labours for scanty fare, and some^
times cast-o£f clothes ; nay, he even vanishes when
any other recompense is given him. So cheap and
useful a servant is naturally very valuable, but
caipiot be obtained with money. He continues in
A family so long as a member of it survives, and
hence he is the heir-loom of an ancient and r^
spected house. Besides unparalleled fidelity, he
is unremitting in promoting his master's interest ;
and his services are still further enhanced by tbe
gift of foretelling future events. He mMntai^g a

THS ^V£8 IK SCOtLANl). 49

fttfict Watch oteit the serdmti^ teportu their good
tod bad \BLCtianB, and they are therefore but flddoai
On iriendly terms with hitn : if he is left to their
metcy^ his fidelity is not likely to meet with any
extraordinary reward. The rnast^ who regards his
own interest must take care that the Brownie
firoperly receives his food. He likes to lie down
at night near the fire ; and if the servants loiter
too long around the hearth^ he seems apprehensive
bf kdng his place^ and several times makes his
appearance at the door^ as if it was his business to
see that they retire in proper time^ and exhorts
tfaem^ ffaylng^ ^^ Go to bed, and I'll mind the fire !"
A certain family had a Brownie, and the mis-
tress of the house being taken in labour, a servant
was desired to go to Jedburgh for a midwife ; but
being'rather dilatory, the Brownie slipped into his
great coat, rode oh his master's best horse to town,
and took the woman up behind him. Meantime
the Tweed, through which they must necessarily
pass, had swollen ; the Brownie, who rode with
the velocity of a spirit, was not to be stopped ; he
plunged into the water with the poor old woman,
and they reached the house in safety. When he had
taken the horse into the stable, where it was after-
wards found in a very miserable condition, he went
itfto the servant's room, whom he found just about

PABT HI. B

QQ THE Er.V£S IN SCOTIiAND.

to put On his boots, and gave him some hearty bldw9
with his own whip. So extraordinary a service
excited his master's gratitude ; and as he thought
hq had understood that the Brownie wished 4o
have a green coat^ he had one made and laid in
his accustomed comer. The Brownie received the
present^ but was never heard of more. Perhaps
he went in his green dress to join the fairies.

The last Brownie, that was known in the forest
of Ettrick dwelt in Bodsbeck^ a wild and solitary
vaUey^ where he lived in perfect tranquillity till
the officious piety of an old woman obliged him to
remove^ as she had a dish of milk^ with a piece
of money^ placed in his abode. After this hint to
depart he was heard crying and lamenting tho
whole nighty '* Farewell^ dearest Bodsbeck! " whi^
he was now compelled to leave for ever.

Formerly every family of consequence had. its
Brownie> but now they have become more rare.
The two last that were known in the Highlands
belonged to the ancient family of TuUochgonn in
Strathspey ; they were a man and his wife, Th^
man> of a droll and merry disposition^ often made
game of people ; he was particularly fond of pelting
those who passed by with lumps of earthy whence
he received the name of Brownie^clod. Howeviet,
with all his good humour^ he was rather simple;^

THE BLVES TN SCOTLAND. 5.1

aad wad tricked hy Aose whom he himself in-
tended to triek. The best instance is an agree-
ment which he was foolish enough to make with
the sei*vants of Tullochgorm^ and by which he
engaged himself to thrash as much com as two
men could do in the whole winter ; for this he
was to receive an old coat and a Kilmarnock cap,
to which he seemed to have taken a great fancy.
While the servants lay down in the straw and
idled away then* time^ poor Brownie thrashed
without ceasing: in shorty before the agreement
was completed^ the men^ out of gratitude and com-
passion^ put the coat and cap into a com measure
in the bam. He instantly left off work^ and
said contemptuously, that as they had been simple
enough to give him the coat and cap before the end
of his task, he would take good care, and not
thrash a single sheaf more.

His wife, on the contrary, instead of being the
sport of the maids with whom sl^e worked, was a
sort of mistress among them. She was seldom on
good terms with them, on account of the fidelity
with which she acquainted her master with every
neglect of their duty. She had a profusion of hair
on her head, whence she was called hairy Mag
{Maug imluchd). She was an honest and able
housekeex>er, and particularly clever in waiting at

52 THE KLVE8 IN SCOTt-AND.

table. The care with which she invidbl^ set out
the table was amost entertaining dght to stiangen;
the thing asked for came as if fay magic, and placed
hielf on the table with the greatest speed and
nicety : 4he had no equal in the whole counOT
for deanlinesB and Etftention.

ON THE

NATURE OF THE ELVES.

Thb Scotch traditions contain the most con^
pLete system of belief in a people of spirits in*
visibly filling all nature^ and neady connected
with mankind;, and therefore desenred the pre>^
ceding detfuled account^ in which we have con-
sulted all accessiMe sources* With xeq>ect to
what is new in this work concerning Izelan4> ih^
foregoing view seemed to be use^ to feualit^te
the understanding of it. The traditions of other
countries^ as far as we are acquainted with them,
are> on the whole, more inoonaplete, though in
parts sometimes more detailed* To continue in
this manner, and treat of every people by itself,
would, indeed, oSer some. advantages; but, on ac-
count of the many and yet necessary repetitiona,
occupy more room than can be allowed for this

n

64 ON THE NATURR OF THE ELVES*

introduction. It therefore seemed more to ike
purpose to select the principal points; andy in
considering them^ to notice the pecnliarities of
other nations^ as well' as the important eoht-
cidenoe and the remote antiquity of the whole.

The method we have pursued is different from
that adopted hj Sir Walter Scott^ in the heffH:«<*
mentioned treatise^ which is undoubtedly valuable
for its contents. He endeavours^ in a manner
which appears to us too arbitrary^ being founded
on mere supposition^ to elucidate various parts of
this belief in spirits ; a belief said to be established
on history^ which is presumed to have given the
|)resent fornix although it is very much on the
decline. Our object^ on the contrary', ia to re^^
present it as something which, so long as it sub*
sisted, must have been a complete and connected
whole. By not confounding different ages, billb
on the contrary, separating each, and showily .the
great influence of Christianity in effecting changes
ill it, we think that we preserve the right. i»f
historical investigation. It was, therefore^ part
of our object to seek the earliest traces of the ex**
ifttence of fairies t they have cchifirmed, and even
esplained, the still existing belief, or derived light
from it.

LlTBBATUBB.— Gebmant. Out SammluHg

OK THE KATURB OF THE £LVBS. 16

Deutscher Sagen, ci which the first volume, Berlin,
1816, coutains a number of traditions relative to
this ' subject ; likewise the Hausmarchen, second
edition, Berlin, 1819. Dbnmark. DanakeFolke^
9agiu Samlede af J* M. Thiele, 1 — 3 vols.
Copenhagen, 1818—1820. Danske Viser fra
Middelalderen, 1 vol. Cc^nhagen, 1812. Junge,
dm Hordsfallandgke Landahnues Character, Copen-
hagen, 17d8« Bm Nyerup, Overtro hoa den Danske
^Ahmue. In the journal : Dagen, 1822, Nos. 291
--94. 297- 299. Swbdbn. Svenaka Folk-
wiser utgifne of Geyer och Afzelius, 1 — 3 vols.
Stockholm, 1814 — 1816, particularly voL ill. p.
114 — 174. E. M. Amdt, Reise durch Scktoedetl,
iii« 8 — 18. NoBWAY. Hans Strom, Beskrivehe
over Sondmor i Norge. Forste Part. Soroe, 1762,
p. 637*— 541« Iceland. Finni Johannei ^u/om
EeelestasHca Island, ii. 368. Fabo. BeskriveUe
overFarbeme af Jorgen Landt, Copenhagen, 1800,
p. 44 — 46. Wales. The Cambrian Popular
Antiquities, by Peter Roberts, London, 1815, chap.
24. IsLB OF Man. Waldron Works. Shbtlanp
IfiLANBd.. A Description of the Shetland Islands, by
S. Hibbert^ Lood. 1821. Old Pbussia. Lucas
Dftfidi Preussische Chronik, published by Ernst
Hennig. Konigsburg, 1812, i. 126—132.

^ ON THE KATUJUS OF. THE B^VEfti

4

1. NAME.

That the word Eif is the most general exprtB^
sion in our (the €^erman) language for these
spiritual beings^ is evident from the examinatioti
of ^very dialect of the German. More restrictive
appellations were afterwards introduced, or the
name itself was lost.

I. The form Aip belongs to the high German
language ; which simple word is not, indeed, met
with in any ancient document previous to the
thirteenth century; without doubt, merely be**
cause there was no occasion to make mention of a
heathen notion despised by the learned. The ex-
pression, however, must have been current iii the
remotest ages. A number of masculine and fe*
minine proper names are formed and compounded
with it : Alpine, Alpirih, Alpk62, Alpkast, Alp-
hart, Alpkdr, Alpwin, Alphari, Alptac, Alphilt,
Axplint, Alploug, Alpsuint, Westralp, which «
clearly shows that no evil or odious idea was at-
tached to it.

The middle high German poets sometimes use
this expression, though in general very rarely.
It is usually in the masculine form. In the old
Meistergesangbuch (Book of the Meister-Singers),
37^ the poet addresses God : Got unde niht alp ;

OK THt; KATURE O^ THE fitVES. St

'* God, no deceitful spirit!" Zer wilder albe
klusen, in Pare. 46% is^ indeed^ uncertain^ as it may
nff^iy, ** to tbe haunt <^ wild spirits/' and^ also>
'' to the wild Alpine, or mountain retreats."
(Vide Sari. 194, gein dm milden alben, and Pare.
68* zer wildeu muntdne.J The following passages
more clearly indicate the spirit.

A travelling student (Altd. Wald. ii. 55) men-
tioDA a semedy good against the Alp fguot viir den
AlpJ. Most of the allusions are in the still in«>
edited poem of Ruodigers, the zwein Gesellen (Kd-
nigsberg MS.) 12^.

dlch haigeriUn der mar,

ein ElUtchez dt,

dH tolidaz HJbele getv/dt

mU dem kriuxe veriHben ;

sit, daz hdt man von in tcibeny

swenne uns mannen iht geschehe ;

daz ir Unmer detjehet

uns triege der Alp*.

And immediately after :

dif enhAt nieman nihi getdn
ioNin 90 viiy daz didi zonmet

* ThiB nigbt maie has ridden thee, an Elvith moOBter ; you'
ihould drive away the eyil spirit (illusion?) with the cross ;
see that is what we get by you women, when it happens to us
men' then you always fancy the Alp deceives us.

56 ON THE KATURE OF THE ELVES.

ein Alp, ddxfon dir iroumetf
der var der Sunnen haz**

The last line is also a form of imprecation.
And 14\-

in bedu/Ue, daz er vlUge^
Qder daz in lihte triige ,

ein Alp in time troume'^.
14*^: ez gez'dme michel haz,
daz d4 mit zUhten lagei
unt tolher ruawe pfldges,
aU Hfder beite ware
denm eUnscTien geb'dref.

Farther on, 16 * :

«cA sehe wol, daz dd elhisch hist§ ;
17': ein elMscfte ungehiure I

sprach tie, d4 titt verw&zen \\ / .
18' : nH tag& mir, eUtitchez getwdt,

vil rehte dinen namen %.

In another poem (Old Meister^ Singers-hook,
2b):

* No one has done any thing to you; it may be that
an A^ plagues you, of which you dream^ which is odious to
the sun !

f Tell him that he flies, or that, perhaps, an Alp deceives
him in his dreams.

t It would be more proper Michael baz that you should
lie still, as on a bed, than behave yourself in such an Elfish
manner.

$ I plainly see that thou art Elfish.

II Cursed be thou, thou Elvish monster !

51 Now tell me truly* Elvish illusion, thy name.

OK THE KATURB OF T£l£ £LV£S; Ad

elbe triegent nVii to viljunge
unde atte^ altd ez mich tuot *.

Herbort (Trojan war, 84-) speaks of elbischeni
viure (ignes fatui); but instead of der alp, he
seems to use the neuter daz alp, or elbe. Plural^
diu elber (idem 5'^) :

diu elber triegent tnich f
and 6* : unreinez getwds f ;

m the same manner at an earlier period; be*
sides the masculine, der tiuvel, daz tiuvel, plural,
diu tiuvler (old high German diufilir, Otfr. iii. 14.
103) was used. Otherwise the devil of Christi*
anity, whom we conceive as masculine, is often in
the old German language feminine ; because, ac-
cording to our popular belief, witch and sorceress
w^re more familiar than the evil spirit and en-
chanter. Ulfilas says, rather unhultho than un-
hultha; and in old high German documents (hymn
xxiv. 3. gloss. Ker. 85), diabolus, instead of th^
masculine unholdo, is translated by the feminine
unkoldd. German fables, at least, give the devil
a grandmother ; and the evil genius Grendel, in
the Anglo-Saxon poem, is assisted by his still

• An Elf does not deceive so many young and old as it

does Die*
f The Elves deceive me. | Impure illusion.

60 OK THE NAT0RE OF THE BLVEft

more wicked mother. We maj, therefore^ be tbe
less surprised that the feminine dm alp, genitive
der elbe, occurs. Henrj of Morunge says (MS.
i. 50^),

von der elbe Ufirt enitehen vil maniger man^
aU6 wart ich von grSzer Ikle enUehen»

That is^ Many people have been bewitched by the
Alp; so have I been bewitched by love. The
meaning of entsehen (bewitched) is confirmed by
the following passage from the inedited Eradius^
line 3329-^3335 :

ieh tage in guoHu mare^

sprach diu altej do sie tie ertath^

iuwert kindet ungemach

kan ich wol vertriben,

hie geredet under unt wihenf

ich hAn in guegentf er wot enUehen,

im sol arges niht getchehen *•

this restricted meaning of a nocturnal
spirit oppressing mankind^ the older> and^ ori-
ginally^ more common signification for spirit in
general might have subsisted^ as may be inferred^
partly from the Elberich of the Nibelungen and

* ** I will tell you a good tale,'* said the old woman when
Ae perceived it, ^ youf diild*s illnetf I eaa core : hen —
fpoken among us women— I have channed him ; if he has
seen any thing do ham shall hi^ipen to him.*'

ON THE MATURE OF THE ELVES. 61

the Hddenbuch ; pardf from a pasrage in the
Gennaii transUtion of Ovid's Metamcwphoses (B.
% cbap* 9), where the ^^reSiion the Elben and
EUnnnen occurs. Wikram probably met with it
in the work of Albrecht of Halberstadt^ which he
paraphrased. In the legend of Brandan (Bruns^
p. 195) > we meet with the following :

*' to hawt kam de d&vel aUenthalven

*

Upen mtt glttnden ahen *.*'

Hercj therefore, the fiery spirits are called Elves
ofhelL

At present^ only the superstitious belief of the
pressing and suffocation by the Alp continues in
Germany with the old name : all other stories of
spirits are ascribed to dwarfs^ wights, and not
to Elves (ElbenJ, though this expression is oc-
casionally even met with in the later trials of
witches t- We should have avoided the term
Elfeuy which is not high German^ and was never
current among the people, had it not been intro-
duced by the poets of the last century in trans-
lations from the English, without regard to the

* <« The devil came ranning every where with JUry

f \^de Pomarius CoUeg. Synopt. Fhys. disp. 13. sent. 23,
24. 20, and Prtttocius's Geognq^by, L 181, 182.

6S ON THE KATUHE OF THE ELvES.

peculiarity of our language ; bo tHat it has now
become familiar.

3. The French have taken from the Qerman the
yroxd Alp for Spirit^ but have changed it to suit
their language into Aube, for so we must under«k
^t^nd the word Auberon, afterwards Oberon, which
occurs in an old French tradition* It nearly cor^^
responds with our Elberich, and has all the quali-
ties of the benevolent Elves. From this ancient
French source the English poets have borrowed
their Elfin king Oberon^ which they would more
properly have translated by Elfric^ since Ob sig-
nifies nothing more than the English word Elf,

3. In Anglo Saxon words we meet as well
'with the simple ^^as with the compounds AlfriCj
Alfred, &c. The feminine is alfeny genitive, alfenne*
Hespecting the older and more extensive signifi-
cation, there can be no doubt; mdgdlfKrA aff seine
are used in poems as epithets applied to men
(Cadm. 40. 58. Beov. 194. Jud. 9.) No traditions
seem to have been preserved. In MSS. we indeed
meet with the expressions dunal/enne (monticolie,
castalides), felddlfenne "(naiades, hamadryades),
muntdlfenne (oreudes), sadl/enne (naiades), vudal"
fenne (dryades) ; but they appear rather to have
been made for the translation of Greek words,
than to teach us any distinctions among our indi-

. ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES^ 6ft

geqpuS'SpiritB. Later old £ngli$h poets contaiii
numerou3 examples of the general continuance oi
the word^ and of the thing. ' Jt will be sufficient^
po subjoin a few from the Canterbury Tales.

5174| the mother was an elve by ayenture,
yoome by chaimes or by'sorcerie.

6442, the elfque&e with hire joly compagnie
danced ful oft in many a grene mede,
this was the old opinion, as I rede,
I speke of many hundred yeres ago,

, but now can no man see noo elves mo. *..

I37I8, 13720, 13724/ an el/quene; 13633/ se
semeth elvish by his countenance; 16219^ elvish
craft; 16310, e/v/^A nice. Many more are found
in Spenser and Shakespeare*, and the almost
synonymous term of Fairy has gradually become
more common. Now, though this Elf has some-
times entirely the meaning of the later high Ger-
man Alp, and elvish precisely that of fantastic,
yet there is a series of genuine Elfin tales by the
old name, without this restriction to mere en-
chantment,

4. The northern traditions and poems have
preserved this denomination in the greatest purity

*

* Mr. V088, in his remarks on the Midsummer Night^s
Dream, p. 609 — 511, has enumerated the properties of the
Fairies in Shakespeare, in which the poet may perhaps have
» considerable share, though upon the whole he has tnken th^
popular belief as the foundation,

64 OK THE MATUKB OF THE ELVES.

and in the original extensive signifioation* Old
Norwegian Alfr^ plural iXfar', Swedish e{f> ^.elfwry
«f which the feminine plural elfvar is frequently
used; Danish elv^ pi. elve; in composition at
present^ ellefolk, ellekane, ellekonge, instead ofehe-
folk, &c,; from which eUekonge, the incorrect
German termination erlkbnig, has originated by a
misunderstandings as the spirit has nothing to do
with the erle tree^ Danish elle, old Norw^ian
elm (alnus).

5. The original meaning of the word a^f, off,
ilfr, is probably connected with the Latin albus
(white) ; compare the Greek oiXfirov (flour) £a^
^iroi, a femide spirit, of which people were afiraid
(white woman ?) ; but not with the Latin alpes
(mountains). It is also connected with the ge-
neral name of rivers, Elbe^ elf, albis (French
aube)s without our however being obliged to con-
clude that the Elfs are water spirits^ which is
only sometimes the case.

2. DEOBREd AND VABIETIE0.

The traditions which represent the fairies as
angels expelled from heaven and half devoted to
hell^ and, therefore^ as half devilish beings*, have

* Vide the Irish Legend, No. 4 of the '^ Prieft^s Supper,**
and the note upon it, where the similar Danish and Seotdi
tradition ii qnoted. In Sweden too it is every where known^

t

CSV THE KAT0RB 07 THE XLVXa M

»■ €oujaibeiip&rt, whiek alzeady existed) ez^ined
en Christian principles; but it was piohaUy of
eailierdate. The Edda distinguishes white shimng
Elves of lights and black Elves of darkness^ not as
good and evil, but to designate them as the spirits
of the different regions ; of the brilliant heaven
and tkte gloomy earth. This is manifest from the
dreumstanee that the black Elves are called also
Mwr^B (in the same manner as a dwarf^ in the
Kenningar^ bears the name of AlfJ, this being
tile peculiar expression for subterraneous' spirits
djvdling in dark mountain caves. The Elves of
lig^t^ of a pure colour^ seem nearly transparent^
quite ethereal^ with white garments, shining like
■Ohrer, as in the Irish legend. In German tra«
ditions (No. 10 and 11) they are represented as

only (and that is nmarkable) with a contrary solution.
(Schwedische Volkslieder, iii 128). Two children are play*
ing on the banks of a river — a Nix (a water sprite) was
sitting on the water plajing on his harp. The children call
to him — *' Of what use is it tliat you sit there and play, you
will not be saved.** The Nix cried bitterly, threw aside his
harp, and sank to the bottom. When the children returned
home to their father they related what had happened. The
Attbsr tid them go back, comfort the Nix, and give him
the Msuraooe of lus redemption. On reaching the river, tfaej
found the Nix sitting on the water and crying. '' Nix, do not
gxieve,** said they; '^ father says that thy Redeemer also
hveth.** Upon this the Nix took up his harp and played a
cheerful air. (See also iii. 158.)

PART III. F

66 ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES.

snow white virgins sitting in the sunshine; ap-
pear at noon (No. 12) ; and are not permitted to
remain after the setting of the sun; which is
hence called in the Edda (Sam. i. 70 and 231)
dlfroduU, " shining on the Elves." The ter-.
restrial Elves^ on the contrary^ are corporeal^ and
of a dark colour; hence in Norway they are
called blue, in the same sense as in the Nor-
wegian language a negro is called hldmadr : the
Scotch Brownie is brown and shaggy, like the wild
Berta in the German tradition (No. 268); and
brown dwarfs in Northumberland are mentioned
in a note to Scott's Lady of the Lake. The ter-
restrial fairieS; also, wear dresses of a dark colour :
they apjpear only in the night ; and, unlike the
Elves of light, avoid the sun; which is hence
called in the Edda (Hamdismal Str. i.) ^* the dread
of the Elves" (graeti dl/aj. If daylight surprises
them, the rays of the sun change them into stone.
(See Edda, Sam. i. 274, ii. 44.)

This distinction of course ceased when refers
ence was made to moral qualities, and the two
kinds of Elves were confounded ; but that in
Germany the notion of the Elves of light existed,
(and, perhaps, in direct opposition to later times,
was the more general), is shown, not only from
the already explained affinity of the word with the
Latin albus, but by the circumstance, that after

ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES. 67

the conversion^ the Christian engil was ^used just
in the same manner as Alp had been before in the
composition of proper names^ and so far took its
phice ; for example^ Engilrich, Engilhart, Engil-
gir, &c. Among the Anglo-Saxons^ composition
produces A If seine, i. e. shining like an Elf.

Elherich affords the best instance of the mixture
ci the two kinds. His very name discovers his
origin. In the Nibelungen (1985)^ and in Otnit
(Str. 127> Mone)^ he is called a wildez getwerc (a
wild dwarf) : he hammers and dwells in moun-
tain caves^ and yet he is superior in intellect ; and
cKtemally brilliant^ where he appears in the latter
poem, of which he is in fact the hero. In Nor-
wegian traditions it is indicated that the dwarf is
more corporeal and less spiritual than the Elf;
but the more intimate his connexion with man
the more human are his wants. As a domestic
spirit, he serves for food and clothing, while he
can perform wonderful things, and is a being at
once in need of help and possessed of supernatural
power.

The expressions wichte, schrate, schretlein, sig-
nify nothing more than the little subterraneous
beings, or dwarfs, though to that particular de-
nomination a peculiar indistinct secondary mean-
ing, often difiicult'to be defined, may be attached.

f2

68 OK THE NATUBE OF THE ELVES.

We will subjoin the passages in wliich w« Iiiiye
met with these names :

Glossae Lindenbrog. 995% faunij silvestres ho^
mines : waltacrechel, which run about the fovefit*
996^ larve^ lares mali: screzQ, GL Vindobi»
larve : screzzol scraUo. GL Trev. screig, larw,
and inserted by a later hand : Kleim herchin^ Bar-
laarn^ 251^ 11. ein wilder . wakwhrate (a wild
mountain schrate)^ and Alt Walder, iii. SSfi^
where it stands for faun« Schretel in Cod. Palat.
No. 341. f, 371. Titurel, 190, sie ist viUihte em
echrat' ein geist von helle. (She is perhaps a schrat^
a spirit of hell.) Hans Vintler's Tugendbuch of
the year 1411 (according to the Gotha MS.) :

— etlicke diejehent.

dag Schretlin daz ti ein kleinez ki$a
unde H alt ringe alt der wint
unde si ein verzwivelSier geitt •.

In Joke Vocab. 1482. Schretlin, penates> tm^
reinez wiht (Duitiska, i. 13), unreiner Schraz (Altd«
Walder,iii. 170), Schrahaz (Titurel, 4164), Schra-^
waz (Gudrun,448), waltschrate (seeHerrad.200^) ;
ephialtes, daz nacht schrettele (Dasypod, p. 292^
and 45^).

The Norwegian Vaettur answers to the German

* Some who fancy that the SchreiHn is a little child, and
as swift aa the wind, and that it is a fallen angeL

ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES. 69

and Anglo-Saxon wiht; hoilar vaettir, amiable
spirits, are invoked in the Edda (Oddrillnar grfitr,
viii), wihtel in Cod. Palat. No. 341. Wolfdiete-
rich, Str. 789. 799. Klemez wihtelin (little wight),
I^ederaaal, i. 378. 380. Kleinez wihtelin, ez moht
kdme einkmc sin (little wight> it might scarce be
an ell* hi^.) Vocab. 1482. Wihtelin, penates.
See gl. bias. 87^ wihnlstein (penas), perhaps
wihtiktein ? jet gl. txev. 36^, have wihilstein*

The water, too, is inhabited by fairies ; and as
this element is shiniilg and transparent, thej ap-
pear to be classed among the Elves of light. Thej
ture called Niaeen^ Noldsen (old high German, nt^
hus, pi. nihhussd) by Conrad of WUrtzburg, Man.
Samml. ii. 200"^, the vertdnen wazzer-nixen ; tcas-
sermdnner, and wasserfrauen, schwanen-jvngfrauen :
and as they wear garments white as swans, it
foUows that they do not belong to the Uack Elves.
Wikram, 171% calls them wazzerh6lde.

The Christian notion of many, especially Scotch
and Danish, traditions, which rej^sent the fairies
as heathens, and associates of the devH, though it
was adopted by the poets of the middle ages, was
not generally received, as many of the already
quoted passages prove. The dwarf, who in Otto-
kar of Homeck appears to the Scherfenberger,

• The GemMn dl is onlj two ftec

70 ON THE NATUEE OF THE iELVES.

has the Christian faith (Deutsche Sagen^ No. 29)r
Elberich himself is a Christian (Otnit^ Strophe
283)^ and even assists in converting and haptising
the heathens. (Str. 351 and 504.) In the German
traditions^ which are still. current^ they are fre-
quently represented as good and benevolent spirits^
and particularly as Christians ; they pray^ exhort
mankind to piety^ abhor swearing, and are highly
incensed if they are taken for unclean spirits. .A
domestic spirit repeats the Lord's prayer and the
creed (Deut. Sag. i. p. 113), though not quite
perfect^ muttering unintelligibly some parts^ while
the Scotch Elf^ who converses with the priest^
changes some passages.

3. EXTINCTION.

The traditions respecting the gradual disappear*-
ance of fairies are generally spread, and most pro*
bably arose through the introduction of Christi-
anity. They do not merely withdraw from the
noise and bustle of men^ but there is a geneiBl
emigration of the subterraneous beings. They
enter into an agreement with meki, and are heard
tripping away^ in countless multitudes^ in the
nighty by a way before determined on, ot^ ji
bridge ; or they are conveyed over the water^ and
their great number almost causes the ship to sink.

ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES. 71

(Deutsche Sagen^ No. 152—154. Danish^ Thiele^
ii. 2.) It is said^ that by way of remembrance^ or
out of gratitude for the favours they have received
from man^ each deposited a small coin, of ancient
ds(te> in a dish placed there for the purpose.

Some persons have fancied that they recognised
in the emigration of the dwarfs an historical fact
— the oppression and expulsion of an ancient ab-
original people by new comers, which the trait of
shyness, sorrow, and irony, that is difiused in the
character of these spirits, seems to confirm.

4. FOBM.

If you see an Elf in his true form, he appears
like a beautiful child, a few years old, delicate and
well-shaped: the Scotch and Welsh legends de-
scribe him decidedly in this manner. £lberich is
lying, under the form of a child of four years old,
beneath a lime tree, where Otnit sees him, by
virtue of a ring, and purposes to carry him off as
a child. (Str. 99. 108.) And when the Elf shows
himself to men, it is said (Str. 517)^/' Ich wane
daz nie kein ouge schbner bilde ie gesach*"

In the Wilkina Saga (chapr xxvi.)> the fairy
begs of Dieterich, who has laid hold of him, " that
he would not squeeze his little body and tender

• I ween that no eye ever saw a fairer form.

72 ON TH£ NATURE OF THE ELVES.

limbs." In the same manner it is related of Oberooy
in the French traditions^ that he is only three feet
high^ but has a face of sudi exquisite beauty that
none can behold without delight^ p. 28 : ^^ Oberon^
qui n'a que trois pieds de hauteur^ il est tout bossu^
mais il a un visage angelique^ il n'y a personne sur
la terre^ qui le voyant ne prenne plaisir a le con-
^iderer^ tant il est beau." Hinzelmann (Deutsche
Sagen^ No. 7^) shows himself to boys with whom
he is playing, as one of themselves, but with
a beautiful countenance. With this agrees the
notion of the Norwegians, who imagine the Elves
to be little naked beings. The beauty of the female
fairies is represented in the Scotch, Irish, Danish,
and Swedish traditions, to be in the highest degree
attractive and fascinating, far beyond all human
beauty. They are described in the same manner
by Swabian legends in the Magdleinsfelsen (V.
Gustav Schwab die Schwab. Alb. Stutgard, 182S,
p. 71 )> £uid the water virgins enrapture all men,
(Deutsche Sag. No. 58. 60.)

2. The Scotch and Welsh traditions particularly
mention that the fairies of both sexes are adorned
with long hair, and hence a Brownie is called
'' hairy Mag." Sir Walter Scott, in his notes to the
Lady of the Lake, p. 387^ mentions a Northumber-
land dwarf who had curled red hair. The Swedish
woman of the forest is of short stature, with fair

ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVE& TS

locks^ as wdl as tibe Nix. This trait is not wanting
In the G^erman traditions : the domestic spirit^ and
a beautiful female f airy^ who appears at noon, hate
ringlets of yellow hair floating over their shoulders
(Deut. Sag. No. 11. 65. 75) : a mountain woman
has sucli beautiful hair^ that a man falls in lore
with her, and his wife^ who sees her asleep^ cries
out^ '' God preseire thy fine hair !" (Deut. Sag*
No. 50.) In another similar tradition (Strack.
Beschr. Yon Eilsen^ p. 120)^ she actually cuts off
one of the fairy's fine long tresses^ which the latter
afterwards urgently requests her to return. The
female fairies in the north dance with their tresses
unbound. (Thiele^ iii. 44. Schwed. Ideder^ iii.
165.) They seem to bestow particular attention
in combing their long hair. Dame HoUe or Hulda,
vrho without doubt belonged to them (Huldevolk
18 still the name of fairies in the Faro islands^ and
Huldrer that of the female fairies in Norway), is
very food of having her hair combed. (See Haus-
marchen^ iii- 44.) The water £lve8 are seen en-
gaged m this oocupati<m (Schwedische Lieder, iii.
148); and Waldron, p. 128, relates of a change*
lingy that if left by himself it was discovered, on
returning to him, he had been carefully combed,
pioibably .by some of his own tribe. The domestic
spirit is very fond of currying the horses. The
hjack Elves, on the contrary^ entangle men's hair.

74 ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES.

and twist the tails and manes of horses into
knots : elf locks, elvish knots. (Vide the passages in
•Nares). German, elf klatte (Brem. Dictionary,
'i. 302), and mahrenzopf

3. The mixture of the heavenly and terrestrial
Elves explains why in the traditions of these fairies
they are described at the same time as young and
•beautiful, and as old and ugly. The dwarf, too,
has the infant form, but is aged and disagreeable in
appearance, has a long nose, and is of a dark bluish
gtay, or earth-brown colour, as was stated before.
As the light never shines on him, his face re-
sembles that of a corpse ; hence, in the Edda ( Al-
vism^l, ii.) the god says to the dwarf: " Why is
thy nose so pale ; wast thou with a corpse in the
gloom of night }" Hagen ( Wilkina Saga, chap.
150) has a pale ash gray countenance, because he
is the son of an Elf. He is also deformed. A hump
is improperly ascribed to Oberon (il est tout bossu),
it belongs to the black Elves. (Vide Thiele, i. 121,
122.) Elberich shows here how apt the traditions
were to make this confusion : while in Otnit he is
described as a beautiful child, he appears in the
Nibelungen as a bearded old man: 2001. " D6
vienc er (Siegfried) bi dem barte den altgrisen
man*," And his own age is also mentioned by

* Then he (Siegfried) took the grey old man by his beazd.

OK THE NATURE OF THE ELVES. T5

the child in Otnit^' str. 252. *^ Ich trage ttf minem
riicken mS dan vierdehalp hundertjar*" Just the
same as the Elfin changeling in the Grerman Kin-
dermarchen (i. 205) exclaims : " Now I am as old
as the Wester Wald;" which may be compared
with the corresponding passage in the Irish (p.
38) and Danish legends (Thiele, i. 48). Ah
old Welsh poem (Fairy Tales, p. 195, 196) calls
the fairies ^^ wry-mouthed." The Cluricaune is
ugly, and his aged face resembles a shxivelled
apple : this is also the appearance of the Elf of
Bottle-hill, and he is described in precisely the
same manner by Oervase of Tilbury, in the thir-
teenth century, in a remarkable passage which we
shall quote at length hereafter. The dwarfs of
the mountains in the German legends are always
old and gray-headed. The Nix is represented in
Sweden as diminutive, with gold-coloured locks,
or old, and with a beard : he is frequently seen
sitting on the rocks and wringing out his beard.
(Schwed. Volkslieder, iii. 133.)

In the composition of names the Christian Engil,
as We have already observed, took the place of the
heathen Alp ,- a contrary process seems to have oc-
icunred in the arts. There is nothing in the BiUe
or in the Fathers of the Church^ which warrants

* 1 carry on my back more than three centuries and a half.

76 ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES.

the adoption of a diminutive form of the angels^
bat the people had been used to fancy the Elves to
be children of great beauty. This idea was trans*
ferred to the i^iritual beings of Christianity. It
Is deserving of a more accurate investigation at
what period these little angels were first intio-
duced into pictures and statuary^ and also when
the diminutive Engekin was first used. It must
have beg^n in the twelfth or thirteenth century*
In Otfned and other G^erman writers of the ninth
and tenth centuries, the angeb are always re-
presented as youths^ and called the messengers of
Ood. This had been altered about the year 1250i.
Berthold, a Bavarian clergyman, who died in the
year 1272, and was distinguished for his animated
and popular eloquence, said, in his sermon, of the
holy angels (Kling's edit. p. 184), *^ Ir iehet wol,
dag si allesamt smt juncliche gemdlet, alls m lani,
ias d& viinfjir ait ist swd man sie mdlei *" The
some allusion is made in other sermons (p. S3&
282). The small form of the angels does not
seem to have been derived from the genii of the
Greeks and Romans, though peiiiaps thdlr whigs
may; no gi^uine tradition gives wings to the
fairies. Might not the dwarf's name, Buglia, ia
the poem of Hlimin Siegfried, be more oorrecdy

* You see that they are all painted young, like a child of
Ave yean old.

ON THE NATUaX OF THE ELVXA. 77

Englin^ aad be a mere translation of tlie oMer
Elbench ? Even the Egwald in the ^ Volksbuch/
might be explained from £ngelwald.

5. DBE88.

1. We have already noticed the variety in the
dreas of the fairies according to the difference of
their origin^ and have now only to observe, that
the Servian Vilen, which answers to the female
fairies of the north, are dressed in white* £1«
berich wears a shining garment adorned with gold
and precious stones. (Str. 104.) In the German
(No. 48. 270), as well as in the Welsh, Scotch,
and Shetland legends, the dress of the sub-
terraneous tribes is of a dark tint, generally green
or moss-'Coloured. In the Faro islands and Den-
mark, gray (Thiele, i. 122. 125) ; though here,
too. Elves attired in green sometimes occur.
Spirits which are connected with men wear va*
negated and red coats (Deut. Sag. No. 71* 7^)>
or they receive them as presents from men (No.
37) . That in Iceland the Elves were supposed to
wear variegated and red dresses, is proved from
Niala, p. 70> where a person gaily dressed (t lit^
Idedum) is ironically called raud-^lfr. There is a
remarkable coincidenoe. In the Irish legend of
Bottle-hill, the Elf appears entirely wrapped up
in his garment in order to conceal his feet: a

T8 OK THE NATURE OF THE ELVES.

Swiss tradition says the dwarfs tripped along in
large cloaks which quite covered their feet. A
person^ out of curiosity^ strews ashes on the
ground, and discovers that their feet are broad
like those of geese, though such appear to belong
properly to the water Elves : we may also mention
the white Bertha with the large foot. (See Altd.
Walder, iii. 47, 48.)

2. The hood or cap is of particular importance ;
insomuch so, that the Norwegian Elves, though
otherwise without clothing, wear a slouched hat.
The Irish fairies make use, for this purpose, of
the red flowers of the magic foxglove, or they
have broad white hats like mushrooms. In Den-
mark and Sweden, too, they wear their caps of a
red colour (Thiele, i. 122. ii. 3. Schwed. Volksl.
iii. 1 27), as do also the Ni»»er, in the Faroes ;
otherwise they are black in these islands. In
Prussia their hats are pointed and cocked like
that of the Claricaune : the caps also of the do-
mestic spirits in Denmark are pointed ; while the
hats which they wear in summer are round
(Thiele, i. 136). In the German traclitions the
hat is not wanting. The little men of the moun-
tains have white hoods attached to their dress
(No. 37)* The Nix wears a green hat (No. 52) ;
and another gay spirit a large slouched hat (No.
271)* Hodeken has derived his name from a largo

ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES. T9

hat^ which he wore so low over his forehead that
nobody could ever see his face ; and this hat pro-
duces in some measure the effect of the neheh-kappe
(mist-hood)^ which renders the wearer perfectly
invisible^ which is already alluded to by the
young Misener (Man. S. ii. 156)^ and which is
assigned to the dwarfs of the Hartz mountains
(Deutsche Sagen, No. 152^ 153. 155). There is
an evident connexion between this and Elberich's
tam-kappe} though it also includes the cloak^ and
answers to the tamhut. He and his kingdom be-
came subject to Siegfried, because the hero had
taken his tam-kappe : this is made still more clear
hy the German traditions (Nos. 152, 153. 155),
which relate, that blows with rods were aimed at
the invisible dwarfs till they struck and beat off
their caps, upon which they became visible, and
fell into the power of man. Eske Brok acci-
dentally hit off, in a field, a dwarf's hat ; and in
order to recover it, he granted all his requests
(Thiele, iii. 49). This shows the importance of
the head-dress to the fairies, as it enables them to
remain concealed from human eyes. Laurin has
a mist-cap, like Euglin, which he throws over
Siegfried, and thus hides him from the view of
the giant; Rosengarten attributes the same powers
to the veil of Kriemhild. The goblin Zephyr (in
the old French romance, Perceforest, Melanges,

Of OV THE NATURE OF'THE XliVKg^ .

t. m.) who, like tlie dwatfcr of the E}Ma, i^ ao
called after a wind, wears a hlack cap, whiehrijiii
ables him to render himadtf inyisible, or tonssaiii^
any other form.

Mist-caps are also assigned to fickle, togaiAt
people, resembling the dwarfs in temper (Man.'
Samml. ii. 258^) ; and the popular superstition of
the Romanji fancied their incubo, which may be
compared in all respects with the German Alp, in
like manner, with a hat to which they attached
the invisibility of the spirit. The passage is in
the Satires of Petronius, c. 38 (Burm. p. 164) :
'^ Sed quomodo dicunt, ego nihil scio, sed audivi,
quomodo incuboni pileum rapuisset et thesaurum
invenit." ^^ Incubones qui thesauris invigilant."
(Sabinus ad ii. Georg. v. 507.) And a more re-
cent expositor of Petronius adds, from the tra-
ditions of his day, ^^ Ex superstitione veteri, cujus
hodieque passim exstant reliquie, velut incubones
sint omati pileis, quibus surreptis, compellantur
ad obsequium in indicandis pecuniis absconditis.*'
This wholly agrees with the words of the Nibel-
ungen Lied :

399 d6 er die tam-^kappen Hi Alherich angewan^

d6 wat det hordet herre Stvrit der vreitltche man*.

* When he had got the tam-kappe from Elbeiich, then
was Seigfrled the most teiriUe inai> of the horde.

•t . •

. ON TBE NATURE OF THE £I.VB8. 81

The small household gods of Phoenician and
Grecian antiquity^ the Patiaeci^ Gabiri^ and Tri-
topat<»e8> which correspond to our fairies and
dwarfs^ appear with pointed caps^ and have many
other traits of resemblance with them^ in form^
dress^ and skill.

6. HABITATION.

1. According to the Edda^ the Elves of light
dwell with Freir, the god of the sun; but the
black ones in the ground and in stones. The cur-
rent traditions all assign them an extensive king-
dom in mountains^ wild and inaccessible defiles^
tumuli^ and clefts of rocks. They have often re-
gularly constructed abodes in them^ filled with
gold and silver : the Scotch Shians are represented
as very splendid^ resembling the Frau Venusberg
(Venus's Mountain) of the German tradition (No.
1 70) . In Sweden it is believed that they sit in small
circular^ hollowed stones^ which are called Elfin
mills {alfquamar), which elf mills occur also in
the Scottish traditions^ and correspond with the
Iceland dlfavakir, small holes in the ice. Wol-
fram, in Saint William, p. 26^ says of mountains ;
" daz den mlden getwergen ware ze stigenne dd ge-
mtoc */' Hugo von Langenstein, in the St. Mar-
tina, f. 128^:

* That the wild dwarfs descended into them.
PABT III. ®

9ft OK TXE iPATUBB^Cn' TlffiB XLTIM.

In poems of the middle ages : Dieterich's nucht^
646»:

zwei tusent man
under heim vnt TuMergeny
den wUden gtstwergen
vuoren He vil ntch geltche
mit Uen sicherUche^^,

Also, Conrad von Wiirzburg, Trojan War,
6183:

er muoite hufsn unde gdn
Hfmenigen hShen bert^
dd weder katae noch gttwert
niShte uber dn geklummen |.

Unter der Erde wohne ichy unter dent Stein habe
ich meine Statte^, says the dwarf of the Edda
(AlvismM, iii.) In the Nibelungen :

1366 van vUden geltoergen h&n left gehoeret MogfH
ne An in holn hergen ||.

* They run np the mountains like the wild dwarfs.

t Two diousand men, in helm and hauberk, hastily pur-
sued the wild dwarfs into the morasses.

^ He was obliged to run oyer many a high mountain,
which neither cats nor dwarft could dimb.

$ Beneath the earth I dwsUi under tfaa stone I have my
abode.

I Of the wild dwarfs I haye heard it mid, that they dwell
in hollow mountains.

ON TBE ms^JXKBOT THE ZEYBS^ 8^

And in Qtoit, EHmkh exdaims^ 8tr. 127> ^ «ti>
dienet manec ted unde here" (many ft vale ^m^
nwwitaln secre me) ; and Str. 249. 278: "" im
was hunt beidiu tai unde here" (to him was known
both bill and vale), Th«re he possesses all the
zfches of the WGrU; the treasuxe of the Ni«<
helungen> consisting ctf gold and precious stones^
which, he watdies^ is well known. In Qfenit, too^
he says^ Six. 138 and 525 :

khgibe ttol twem mi^ hutet tUher oder goU
ieh^mahseeinen man wel rkhe^ dem iM wnre hek*.

m

And to the emp^nr himself^ Str. 137 :

unde hAst M ufder erden de$ bmdet dim vtf,
i& h&nt kft darvnder iMre* gdldfit rwaz kh wi^f .

In the WiUdna Saga^ he offers to ransom him«
sdf out of the power of Dieteiich by gold and
silver.

2. The Nixen have under the water a country
which^ in German traditions (No. 52. 65) is de-
scribed with as much magnificence as in the Irish^
where there are splendid houses and cities^ adorned
with all the riches of the world. Dame HolTe

* I give to whom I list silver or goldj and make him rich
to vhom I am friendly.

t* And'if iboa bast so nmeh land on Ae e8r6^ I havte be*
B9alh it as much pure gQld as X like.

g2

84 ON THE NATUEE OF THE ELVES.

•■ ' ' .

has beneath her pond a garden abounding with
the finest fruit.

3. Above ground the fairies have favourite
haunts; meadows^ enclosed and solitary fore^ts^
especially trees^ beneath the shade of which they
like to assemble. (See Thiele^ iii. 18.) Thus
Elberich lies on the grass/ under a lime tree;
among the ancient Prussians^ the elder was sacred
to him^ and it was uxilawful to damage it ; and
the same, superstition still prevails in Denmark.
(Thiele^ i. 132.) It was also customary in Ger-
many to pay a particular respect to this tree on
the first of May, or about Midsummer, when the
Elves of light go in procession (Praetorius Gliicks-
topf, p. 217). In Norway it is forbidden, on
their account, to cut down certain high trees.
Domestic spirits are used to have particular paths.
Hiitchen's road was over mountains and forests^
and Hiitchen therefore always got the start of all
others (Deut. Sag. i. p. 100). Bolieta (in French
Switzerland) always followed the same steep path,
which was so clean that a stone was never seen
to lie on it though there is a whole bed of boul-
ders on the mountains : it is still called Bolieta's
path.

4. Men have sometimes been in the dwellings
of the fairies ; and their spiritual nature has. th^
been shown by the circumstance that time cea^s

ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES. 85.

with them. A girl who had passed a whole year

in an Elfin mountain fancied that she had heen

there only three days (Hausmarchen^ No. 39);
#

and a hundred years appeared to the two Scotch
musicians as but one night passed in pleasure;
while a poor woman (Deutsche Sagen^ No. 151)
slept the whole time. Tannhauser does not per-
ceive how quickly the time passes in the suhter-
raneous mountains.

7* I/AN6UAOE.

1. The £dda ascribes a peculiar language to
the fairies^ different &om that of gods^ men^ and
giants ; the terms in which^ for the principal na-
tural phenomena^ are given in the Alvism^l. In
the same manner as Homer in several places di-'
stinguishes between divine and human appellations.
It is remarkable that in northern traditions the
echo is called dvergmdl, or bergmdl ; that is^ ^^dwarf^
or mountain language." (See Biom Haldorson^
i. T^S and Faroiske Quader. Randers, 1822^ p.
464. 468.) The subterraneous beings in Wales
have an entirely distinct language^ of which a
person^ who had been among them^ learned a few
words.

^ 2. The Elves speak in a very low voice. In
Ituodiger'S poem of the Zwein Geaellen (Konigs-
berg MS. fol. 17*^)^ a person speaks in a low voice,

88 ON THE KATX7Bf: OF THE SLYSS.

quite in fobUffs katgtuiffe. In the I&le of Man,
Waldion h«ftrd a wliiqpeiing:, whidi mugi have
proceeded from them. In Sweden, too, tlv^
voiee is soft as the air. Hinaelmann (Beut. Sag.
i. 104. 111. 113) liad tlie gentle accents tif a de-
UoKte bof .

3. Tbei^, dunvdied Elf in the Irish legend
speaks in a snaxUng and pierdng tone, whkh
terrifies men. As a changeling, he does not speidc
at all, but howls and screams in a frightful man-
ner ; and, if compelled, his voice sounds like that
^ a very old nuin«

4. ScHne mountain spirits cry aloud and roar.
The Servian Yiie is said to have die voice of a
woodpecker.

8. F09BW

The fairies Kqnire some delicate ibod'3 It Is
not till thej are more intimately connected with
men that they manifest a desSte fi>r mote gloss
meats. In Ireland they sip the dew drops ; odier-
^ise sweet milk seems to be their peculiar eus-
tenance. According to Oerman traditions (No.
38. 45. 76. 273. 298), a bowl of it is frequently
placed ready for them ; and in Wales a similar
custom prevails. A basin of sweel), fresh cream
was every evening placed on the foGtdiilbe oMr-
alM^a mountain (spSrift fai French fihritmriAMi^

p^.74]k . Thegr. will.*}*) eflit.crttmii of cheese, or
9]^ l^ri^ad. Ii^. Pm»ia> h^eU laid beet lued
^ql^n^ly.^ b&.|i^«INalsM them in tbeniglit, and

fiteiid in the morning thut they h«d psct^ken. cif
thmfK. U is €0(prei^ mA (Peiitaebe S^g. No.
$7) .^aM; % tbi^ ISSxen tbet^e mu«t. bo no s«h
aaj^Eod utriih the food*

. §M^. W^lt^r Soptt (Minsbreby,.iL 163) observe
>4m! oA.tbe ^j^yiBwt.^ MinchmuiTj a motmibain in
Pe^les-shire^ there is a sprixig Called the Cheese
m^iikg^ heqojBfle, fiftm^y, ev^ person who pi^HSOd
tte^w intd it a piece of <^ee0bi aift an ofieritag to
th6 fairies, to yfrhom k wds dedieatedw It is singu-
kr that, in th6 Stx)tch H]gM&nds,aee(»dmg to Mr:
Stewart (p. 136)^ cheese is regarded as an anti-
dote against the influence of fairies. It must be
|fi«^[)cred from the nulk of a cow which has eaten
ae^iainherb, called in Graelic mohan, which grows
^ the t€^ or dedivitites of high mountains^ and
where no quadruped has ever been in quest of
&od.

9. MODB OF LIFE.

i. The^ £]/v«a live in large societies, smttetiToefc
uidependent, sometimes under a chief. In the
lBi^3i§^^iims€t is 3iU>^hiog known of the. queen.

88 OHf THE N^TjmB QF, f^HBi Mhy»9*

yAo Is liowe^7«r menlioiied in theEi^Iifih and Jaeatii
legends. In Wales they liave alang> who laM^^
tended 1)7 a courts as also in S^^eden (Scbwedisebe
Lieder^ iii. 1683 159)^ wheie. tbeQr imitate this
forms usual anumg men. , In lodand the relation
is more organised. There^ the subterxanean mode
of goyemment is almost quite like the hunum.
An Elfin king resides in Norway^ whither the
stattholder^ with some other offioefs^ repair every
two . years to make their report ; upon which
judgment is pronounced and executed. In Oennaa
poems of the middle ages we meet, with dwarC
kings who are powerful^ and reign over extensive
kingdoms. Elberich wears a crown (Otnit^ Str.
iii.) and is sovereign of large subterranean do-
minions ; he says to Otnit (Str, 173) :

ich hdn eigens landes mS dan diner dri *.

Thus^ too> Laurin is a king, and governs many
dwarfs.

. 2. Every where the employment and deUgh^
of the fairies consists in dancing. They pass whole
nights in this amusement without being tired^ and
axpLj .the beams of the rising sun force them to
desist and conceal themselves. The circles whidb
they have trodden in the dewy grass are also met

* Ihave land of my own more than three of you.

fikA 'OUti o# 8(gbtiflkiid, in Sdsnditiflvia) and die
ri^h of'Otttnany; did evety one who beholds
tM^' e^diffmSi ^^ 'Here the fairies have been
Madhig V In the Isle of Man traces of their
ftaj* feet went ev#n visible in the snow. It is
so* enchanting^ that the youth who witnesses the
dlmoe of the female fedries by moonlight cannot
avert his ^es. (Danske Viser, i. 235. 237. 23a)
A German tradition (No. 31) describes the mar«
riage-feast of the subterraneous beings; Count
Ekilenburg dances with them ; but^ like the Irish
dancer^ is oldiged to turn round so swiftly in the
giddy mazes of the spirits^ as almost to lose his
breath. Mountain mannikins issue. from their
pits^ and the Nixen from the deep^ to td^e part
in the dances of men^ and distinguish themselves-
by their peculiar gracefulness and skill. (No. 39.'
51. 58.) The Nixen^ too^ are seen dancing oh
the sui^ce of the water (No. 61), and the dwarfs
before the giant. (Dieterich and Hildebr. Str.'
159.) Thiele relates some Danish traditions on
this subject; i. 48; and ii. 32. In an Austrian
popular song (Schottky, p. 102) it is said: '^und
dudrt drobn afm beargl, da damn zwoa zweargl, de
danzn so rar *."

* And there upon the mountain there dance two little
dwarfs, and they dance so rarely.

90 ON THE MATURB OF THE ELVES.

The SerWioL Vilen, too (wlio> like the feMk
Slveiy fine young and beautiful^ with flowing hair »
dweiUag on mountains and in forests)^ celehrate
the koh (cirettlar diouse) on the meadows; a soog
in die Wukisch Sammhing, vol. i. No» J5, begins
with,

heb He AetH cben,

unter dir die VUen
fuhren Zaubertanze ;

HadUcha vor ihnen

iK^ifigt Thau mii Set G^iel,
fiikrt Mwei VUeny

redet zu der drUten *.

3* To their passion for dancing the^ add a lov^
of nniflic* Wherever the Juries hold a feast th^
axe aeoompahted hy music ; nor is it wanting in
their large festive processions: in this the tm*
ditions of all nations are unanimous. The waltefc
a3nDiphs sin^ unknown songs (Dent. Sag. 906) ;
and it is imposnble to describe the magib effectd

* O cherry tsee, cherry tree,
Lift up thy boughs,
BeneBth thee the YUen
Lead on their magic danee;
Radischa at their head
Sprinkles dew with her wand,
Leads on two Vilen,
And talks to a third.

QV TRB NATURB OV THE BXtTIB. 91

(Duttke Viaer, i. 234) widcli the cmig of tlie
fismBle faiiies psodudes on the wkoie crestioii ; all
iBeni to heaiken^ and with motaoiiless attei^fioii*

The tntammif of a German poem of the finnw
teenth oentniy (CM. lU. No. 341, fbi. 367^) it
lemaricdble^ where, speaking of the mnRiciana who
l^fod a peculiarly sweet music : " me videlUn alk
dmMkkh" (th^ aQ pkyed theoA&tcA).

A Scotch fairy comes to a fiomer and requests
kim to fiiiig an old Gaelic song, and rewards him
hfmdsomdy for it. Elberich, also, has not foi^-
gotten music, as the Swedish Nix, or the Strom*
htrly who, sitting beneath the water, plays to the
dancing SSlyes; or the biidegroom who, by his
music, compels the Nix to restore to him his bride*
(Danske Viser, i. 3Sa Svenska Visor, iii. 140.)
He has a harp; Otnit (Str. £22) :

Mr ruorie also geswinde die teUen attetamt
III einem Hteten iSaney da* der tal erdoz *.

Of the domestic spirit Gk)ldemar (Meibom. Script,
i. 286) it is said : ^^ Lusit duldssune in instrumento
musicali chordis aptato." Another sings (Deutsche
Sagen, i. p. 113), and the Irish Cluricaune whistles
at his work. In Norway the music of the sub-

* Hs strucik all the strings In so sweet a tone that the hall

9i ON THE NATURE OP THE ELVe6.

t^iraneous beings ii caHed Huldre slaat, and bas a
hollow and monotonous sound. The mountaineers,
sometimes play this^ and pretend that they. have,
learned it by listening to the subterraneous spirits
of the rocks^ which dwell in caves. In Scotland and-
Ireland it is heard to issue every night from the.
tumuli and the shians of the fairies. A Shetlander^
who had a good ear for music^ learned the melody of
a train which passed during the night. The people
in' Zealand and in the south of Sweden know an
difin king's air^ which compels all who hear it^
both old and youngs and even inanimate objects;
to begin to dance < like the Irish melody of the
yoiing bagpiper; and the musician himself cannot*
leave off unless he knows how to play the air back-
wards quite correctly^ or somebody behind him
cuts the strings of his violin.

Like mankind^ the Elves have two great fes-
tivals when the sun is at the highest and at the
lowestj which they celebrate with solemn pro-
cessions. On the first of May, in the mornings
when the sun is approaching the summer solstice^
the Irish hero O'Donoghue^ under whose dominion
the golden age formerly reigned upon eartli^
ascends with his shining Elves from the depths of
the lake of Killamey; and^ with the utmost gaiety
and magnificence^ seated on a milk-white horse/

ox TH£ Ib^ATUBB OF THESLVSS, 98

leads- die f«stiTe train « along tlie water. His ap«
pearance announces a blessing to the land« and
hffgjgy is that man who beholds him.

At. Christmas^ when the sun is at the< lowestj

the subterraneous beings celebrate their nocturnal

procession with the wildest and most awe-inspiring

mirth.-' It. is the fairies in green garments who

rush' over forests and secluded haunts ; the tram-

pHng of the horses^ the loud shoutings^ .and the

noise of the bugles^ may be. distinctly heard.

(Waldron^ p. 132.) Hence they are called " das

wiithende heer" (the furious host), ^' die vnithenden

jdger" (the furious huntsmen), and in the isle of

Moen, the leader, " Gron Jetter (Thiele, i. 196.)

Xhe expression itself is an ancient one,' for the

poet Reinfried of Brunswick (f. 4*^) says, ". he

rushes on like' the furious host ;" and in the befoi^

mentioned poem of Ruodiger's (fol. 17"^) a penson

swears " by the furious host." In the priest

Konrad's poem of Roland, of the twelfth century,

it is said (ver. 5736) '' der tiuvel hat dzgesant sin

geswarme unde sin her/' (the deviL has sent out his

swarms and his host) ; and in the Saint Martina

oiJIvLgq of Langenstein (fol. 174**), '' der helk-

j'eger mit sinen banden" (the huntsman of heU with

his band). It is as dangerous to follow, nay even

to witness, this furious train, as it is considered

fotttihiite to behold that of CyDonog^ue* Hero,
too^ a leader goea on before^ finr whieh Otnuaa
tradiiiom (No. 4. 5) place Dame HoUe in her- evil
qiulity, and the Tiitoid (No. 311), or else thejr
{Hit at the head Hackelberg (No. 348), Rodent
atain (No. 180), the knight o£ Daveasberg (Mim^
iter Sagen, 1895, p, 168, 140), and in Denmark,
Waldemar, Palnatoke and Abel (Thiele, i. 62. 90.
100; ii. Oa). Thejr ride, on Uack and hideoue
honei with diaherelled manea.

10. aSCRBT FOWBB8 AMD XMOBNUITY.

1. The poieewion of the mist cap akeadj ac^
quaintt ui that the Jilyes can raaiih and make
themselvei in?iiible at pleasttro. Thb belief prai^
irails erery where ; we will therefore merely quote
tome ancient teftimomes. Elberich makea hinu
ielf invifible to Otnit, though there is nomentldoi
of a tam-kappe in this poem, perhaps because he
wears acrown, and Otnit hiuiself saw him merely
by virtue of a ring. Nobody can take hold of
him:

Btt, 208, ^ wU sol man gevAhen dag nieman enMiet^ P*
And yet he is not present as a shadow, but cor«

* Ho«cwiws|MreDMwirli«tiiibOiM.canssaP

pflfveaMy. This falij presence is vezy beautx&Uy
described:

Xo. 404i sie tluoc unde roufte tieh diu maget miimetXkhy
d$ hUopir iiehendeder khme ElbtHdkg
ir minneclidte hende er in di$ sinen gevie^
diu tohter sprach zuo der muoter; '' wir sin niht

einec hie
mich Tuxt einez hcvangeti*,^

»•

Elberich speaks unseen^ like tlie domestic spirit.
The latter shows himself very unwillingly, and
at length, after much entreaty, will not show any
part of his body except his tiny hand (Deutsche
Sagen, i. p. 125. 129); and in perfect agreement
with this it is related of Goldemar : ^' manus sibi
duntaxat palpandus prsebuit, sed videri negavit et
erant manus graciles et molles, ut si quis tangeret
murem et ranam ;" or else he disappears for evex,
if he has been watched and seen (Thiele, ii. 5).
Orthon, too (in ^roissart), will not show himself.

2. From the rapidity of the Elves, space almost
seems to vanish. The Irish fairy queen in one
bound jumped from one mountain to another three
leagues distant. (See legend of Knocksheagowna.)
Kobold passes one night in Scotland and the next
in France, or even in another quarter of the world.

* The wiiuame maiden stru^ heiself, and bevailed ber-
lelf. Then the little Elberich took her pretty hands in his.
The daughter then said to the mother, *' We are not alone
here, somebody has taken hold of me.**

^ QN ,THS .NATURE OF, THE. BLV^j^S.

TheCluricaune go^s without any difficul^,tliroq|^
keyholes^ and rides through the air on a rush. An
£lf, according to the Nomagest Saga (p. 2)^ pene-
trates through holted doors. Alvis the dwarf^ in
the Edda^ has wandered through all the nine
worlds (Alvlsmal ix).

3. The Elves know the future^ and also what
is taking place at a distance (Deutsche Sag. No.
175). They prophesy (Thiele, iii. 63), and an-
nounce impending misfortunes : the little men of
the mountains foretel death to the mountaineers
hy knocking three times at their door (Deut. Sag.
No. 37). See the Hopfer of Hohenrechherg in
Gustavus Schwabs Beschreibung der Alp, p. 227.
The Water Elves, too, in the Nibelungen predict
to the Burgundians their future destiny. The
Servian Vile likewise informs the hero Marco of
his death. The dwarf Alvis (the All wise) in the
Edda, whose very name indicates his powers, does
not leave a single question of the god Thor un-
answered; he has been every where, and knows
every thing.

4. They can assume any form. They frequently
appear of the size of men . The Nixen, which come
on shore and mingle among men, resemble the
most beautiful young women, and adopt their dress;
only as an indication of their origin a lappet of
their garments is invariably wet (Deut. Sag. No.

ON THE 19^ATt7RE OF THE ELVES. 9t

CO). The domestic spirit, on his master's Te-

moving, flies along by the side of the carriage^ in

the form of a white feather (Deut. S. i. p. 105.

116) ; he makes his escape under the figure 6( a

marten (p. 111)^ or appears as a seipent (see

No. 305). The fairy queen in Tipperary scared

the poor herdsman with the most terrific images.

5. They communicate supernatural knowledge

and powers. £lberich presents Otnit with a stone^

saying, Str. 256 : " der I4ret dich alle sprdchea,"

(this will teacb you all languages) . This coincides

with the promise made to the youth by the female

fairies (Danske V. i. 235) : *' mr wol-en dich lehren

Uunm schneiden, schreiben und lesen" (we will teach

thee to cut^ to read and to write the Hunic hand) :

Runcapituli^ tod^ assigns to the dwarfs the power

of carving and explaining the Hunic character.

A ring presented by Hiitchen (Deut. S. p. 74),

and which communicates the greatest learning, has

the same meaning. In the poem of Dieterich and

Hildebrand, Str. 54, the dwarf gives a ring, the

owner of which experiences neither hunger nor

thirst. The Scherfenberger in Ottokar of Hor-

neck (chap. 573) receives another which secures

to him riches.

6. The skill of the Elves is infinitely superior
to any thing in the power of man. According to
the Edda they even excel the gods in this respect.

PART III. H

ite QN THE M^TVAE 0F TH£ fiLVBfi*

Ittip for Sii& «ttd the gM« of gQl4 for Fieja. Tbe
meij jngenkus ahip 8kidUAd&^> which nu^ be
fbUed up like a hfaidk«iG}iief> is oCtlteif worknuiiit
dup; and when the gods wished to Idiid the wotf
Fenrir;, they sent a mesnge to the bladi: Blfj.wb^
upon this made the band Gleipnar of miraovlous
materials. OU German jaidnonh^m poems otn^-
tain numareus accounts of the skill of the dwarf^k
in carious smith's-work; most of the c^ebcated.
ann^ suits of armooTy and swords were manu-
factured in subt^nraneoufl forges. WiaLand serves
an apprenticeship with dw:arfs (Wilkina Sage^
chap. 20)^ and Elbericb> though he is a king» has
himself made a sw<»d in Mount Cauoaau^ (Otnit^
Str. 122)> and greaves (Str. 124) i and when he is
going to fetch the proaused armour for the em<«
peror^ it issaid:

Str. 188. dS huop tich der kleine wider in den here,
d$ namer^a der essen daz herUthe wereK

• 9

The Wilkina Sage attributes to him the manu-
facture of the swords for Nagelring and Eckesar^
and of the latter expressly says^ that it had been
made under ground (Chap. 40) . The Irish Cluri-
caune is heard hammering ; he is particularly fond

* He went again into the mountain, and took flrom the fbige
thelcaaiiAlfworib

tf meAdng alioeSy hot^kmrnw^e^ la tttoieat titte*
laacb (^ matdl (ia the old ncHthem language a
Aoemaker ia^aalled a •hoe-tmith) ; aandj smgularly
QAoag^^ the w^buiaa German txaditiim (No. 30)
ttatti&st liie same pn^Nsnsity; for whatever ww^
the aboemaker has been aide to cut oat in the daj,
thef ftddsh with incredible quickness daring the
ni^. The Scotch legends contain striking in^
sUuKseaof the dextqd^ of the fiuiies in nuuiiy other
lihiagfik

The female fairies are ibnd of sewing and i^in-r
nsK^ (SaaMon Fa^r. Sag. p« 31 ; Thiele^ iii. 25) ;
sod in the Danish song thej offer the youth a
gSR&eaot bleaehed in the moonlight* The popular
si^perstition in Qermany considers the threads
whidi are seen fljring about in autumn to be a
web made by Dwarfs and Elves (F. H. Voss^
Note to Luise^ iii. 17)- But what the older
traditions relate of £lve8 and Dwarfs^ is ascribed^
in modem nursery tales^ to industrious animals^
such as ants and others, in the same manner as
the throng of the dwarfs has been compared to
that of the ants and other insects.

11. OHABACTEB.

The temper and disposition of the Elves display
a stirange combination of good and evU, dupli(jity
and sincerity, which naturally proceeds from the.

h2

i(fy ON tHE NA«riTRE' O* '<1?HS ]fc!LVl»*

mi!Eturb6ftwo originally o]pposite qualities. How-
ever decidedly they are fi^quedtly impelled'in one
6r tlxe otlier direction^ fihowing tbemselves eltber
generous and obliging/ or in tlie higkest d^itte
malicious; they, on the whole; so strictly observe
a dubious mean, that this must be stated as tlieir
natural characteristic. ' '

'I. ,They are fond of teasing, vexing, and mock-
ing mankind, without intending them any iisal
harm ; and a certain good nature manifests itself
with this difi^iosition. The domestic spirit in the
German tradition (No. 7^) to(^ the greatest de-
light in setting people quarelling, but first removed
all deadly weapons, that they might not be able to
injure one another. He plagues and makes game
of people wherever he can, amuses himself with a
fool, and makes songs in ridicule of those who had
fallen into his trap. Elberich shows the same
inclination (Otnit, 6tr. 451) :

er wolde die heiden irren, Elberich wot kluoc^

der heiden dbgote er in die lure iruoc

dd mite woU* er tie ^n unde iriben sinen tpot *•

He then calls to them invisibly, that he is God,
and that they should worship him. Laurin, by a

* He wished to deceive the heathens ; Elberich was cun-
ning ; he carried their idols into the mountain, intending to
mock and make game of them.

O^ 'TWE ;lir^VBS OF THE £!.¥£& lOi

sudden clasikties^^ UauM^ those wbo had accompanied
him into ■ the mofuaitain, Elberich entices the
wimdaifiil xing. from Otnit^ . then makes himself
invisibb, Jbughs at him^ and ridicules hi9 threats^
hut, ^M)d naturedly restores it.
?/ The wi^ts in the mines (Deut. Sag. No. 37)
call out, and when the workmen come. Tunning
vcj^ they find no one there. In Norway they carry
off people's tools, and then bring them badr,
laughing the owners to scorn. " To laiigh like a
Kobold/' is a proverb in Germany. In a book
published in the seventeenth century (Reimedich
Nordh; 1673, p. : 149) we find the expressions
i' You laugh as if you would split your ddes like
a KobdW."

> Tlie fairies, however, will not suffer themselves
to be joiced; and fond as they are of laughing at
people; they do not permit them to retaliate. The
dcnnestic spirit will not allow himself to be teased.
The Elves once invited a servant girl, of whom
they were very fond, to be present at a wedding.:
as the bridal pair came tripping along> a blade of
grass lay unfortunately in their path ; the bride-
groom got safely over, but not so the bride; she
stumbled : the girl could not suppress her laughter,
•and the whole scene instantly vanished (Swenska
Visor, ill. 169). A servant once laughed at on^
of these little spirits because a single grain of wheat

IM oir ^iSE ^jmmn lov YHSTBcnca

tiizew k en the groimd — it was of the pumt giU
•^^bot fiaiii that time be and hja feliows dis»
appeacect and the house £bU. into decay (Staa^
Beschr. v. Eilsen^ p. 124). The old prorerb of
the straw in the path (Berthcdd's SennaOR, p.
194*) is illnstrated hy sach traditions.

The furies like above all things to tease peopk
h^ pelting them inyisiUj with small stones* A
Scotch Brownie deriTed its nickname from thili
circumstance. The mountain dwarfs in Germali
traditions (No. 37) are fond of this jest; Elbericfa^
too, pelts Otnit^ but ao that he cannot see him
(Str» 162)« According to the Legenda Aurea,
cap. 177^ there was a spectre in Majence, in the
year 856, who threw stones at th& jniests while
singing mass. The ignis &tuus is odled in
Hanover the Tuckebold, and is regarded as a ma«
lidous spirit, which, hy its elfish light, entices the
wanderers into bogs. (J. H. Voss, Lyr. Ged. ii.
Anm. p. 315. SeeHebelAleman.Ged.31— ^).

S. But the Elves are likewise faithful, and only
seem to require confidence ficmn men. '^ No one
shall break a solemn vow," says the dwarf, in the
Edda. ( Alvismal, ilL) Elbezich, who, in the song
of the Nibelungen, is entirely and onoerely de*-
voted to Siegfiied from the moment that he has
vowed fideKty to him, kacps his wand also to

em- VHK^ NATimi Dtfi^SB «£.¥«•» 198

QtBit^ttnd acqnitB Uattdf as lii bis pruteMfJ

Str. 1^6. fi4 U mlch {LfSk triuwe mtn,
tttAl^l 13t. ex tprtt^tetanAn gehSzen^ iax^getrUftfei^*,

. Od the other hand, they threaten those who
do not fulfil their promise to them (Thiele^ iii.
4B)y or even punish such (Deut* Sag. No. 29).
In Iceland, it is supposed that they exercise jus-
tice and equity in all things. A person wha se-
cretly took from them a golden slipper had his
who}e house humt down (Thiele^ iii. 64). The
fidelity of the domestic spirit, which tolerates no
dishonesty, and for this reason even punishes the
servants, is never impeached. The greatest at-
tachment is evmced by the Irish Banshee, which
always announces the death of a member of the
family with the utmost grief; and its lament is a
counterpart to the deriding laugh of other Elves.
In the Tyrol, too, they believe in a spirit which
lool^s in at the window of the house in which a
person is to die (Deutsche Sagen, No. 266) ; the
white woman with a veil over her head (267)
answers to the Banshee ; but the tradition of the
Klage-weib (mourning woman), in the Liine-
burger Heath (Spiels Archiv. ii. 297}> resembles

♦ Now depetad on iny lldeKty,
My feltoiM) «y Ifatt I «a IMfudl

il^tfli i60k:e dcttelj. Onf atosay^ nigjb^ ^Mi'
^ ittoon lilies Huntly tlbcoogli tthe. Adetii^
clouds^ she stalks^ of gigantic stature^ with ddatiM'
1^ a8]pect> and black hollow eyes^ wisapt id giiif er
dothes; which float in the wind, and stretches her^
immense aim over the solitarj hut, uttensg la^
mentaUe cries in the tempestuous darkness.. Be*/
neath the roof over which the Klage-weib hat^
leaned, one of the inmates must die in the coarse^
of the month. r'

3. The dwarfs are every where represented as^
subtle and cunning ; and it is unnecessary to cite-
instances. Elberich, also, is cunning (ist kbtoCy
Str. 451), atid knows how to make himself master*
of every thing by ingenious stratagems; the ling,^
as well as the ships which he steals from the heak »
then; and we must view it in this light, wheof*
the Elves are praised as thieves. They exert aU
their dexterity, like the Scotch Elves, in causing
whirlwinds, or even conflagrations, to have an*
opportunity to steal. It is remarkaHe that ill
the Wilkina Sage (chap, xvi.) Elberich is styled
the great thief (hinn mikli stelari). Respecting
the thefts of the dwarfs we may refer to other
German traditions (No. 152, 153. 155). For l3ie
most part they take provisions. A Danish Trold
stole some beer, and on being .suij^sed, escaped,
but left his copper kettle behind (Thide, i. 35).

t^pm^ ofiorgecs eUEkmd axid bioatutiful vessel is ber

Mm' Taat ,TkQmh dT' liie QenaBn and Englijsb
takb^wkois nothing move than ftn active little
£if« jba» not forgotten his pippensity for thieving ;
¥^e plajdog with his companions^ he steals their
things oat of the bag^ and throws the money out
of the king's treasury (Hausm. No. 37 and 45u
See iii. p. 401). A thief celebrated by the high
Qeriitaxt poets of the thirteenth century^ who was
skilled in removing the eggs from under the bird
(t^ tradition which still survives in the nurseiry
tsles. No. I29)y was so different from a commola
robber^ that he assisted Charlemagne in a theft
coBainaiided by an angel; and may^ we thiak^
without being too &r-fetched^ be referred to this
d»S8, as originally an £lf ; partly on account of
Itts dbAiacter^ which is that of a faithful domestic
jsptrit atten^ng his master^ and partly on account
.of his name^ Elbegast (Vide Museum fiir Alt
]>ettt8elie Litteratur^ ii. 234^ 235).

12. CONNEXION WITH MANKIND.

1. The subterraneous spirits love a retired and;
soMtaty life ; tbey cannot endure noise and bustle^
.and. in reference to this circumstance, are called
-the «till (good) people. " At home tranquillity is

»9tto be dfattsTbed^" sajy * dwrnsi, in tiM BddA.
^iiism&l, i.) In tlie dajrtinte they
liftlves quiet : it is not till the nighty when
«is udk^, thftt th^ beoMne livdly and activie.
They ^ not Hke 4l)&t «ny hiittaA eye should tee
dism: if they oeMwajte a feast, or flolemniaea
mamage^ they^ perhi^^ permit the laast^ of the
house to kK^ on (Deat. Sag. No* 31 ) ; hat if any
«dier eye inquisitively peeps^ even through the
aaiaUest hole> they instantly vanish^ and their
pleasure is interrupted* In Tipperary they retire
if men abroach thdr old dandng grounds; and
ibB lowing of the cattle is to them quite insu^^oeu
flible. If a priest comes towards them (see taie of
liie Priest's Supper) they quickly hide themsehres.
The dwarfs in the £rzgebi]^e were driven away
hy the erection of the f<n*ges and stamping milk
(Dent. 8. No. 86), and others by tl^ tinging of
tfas bdls of church«i bailt in the neighbourhood*
A&omer felling trees and squaring timber in dve
fiiaest vexed ^he mountain spmt> which asked^ in
a lamentable tone;, ^ Who is making so much
noise here ?" " A Christian," replied his fellow,
<f has come here, and hews down the wood of
our favourite haunts, and does us much injury."
(DanakeViser,!. 175^ 176.178) Thiele (Danske
Folkesagn, i. ^, 4a 122. 174 175) bas collected
rfmOar tradilions, according to which the Tsoldtt

OV ^TMK lUrraS 'OF THfi B&VS9. 90f

hxre. tbe ooufltiy cm liie xiogiftg «f bdlB, and
in gome places remain away. A passage in tlie
Anglo-Saxon poem of JSeovolf skows tlie hi^
aoatii^ty of this traditioni iha king had built a
easde near die dwelUng of tlie spirit Gkendel ; the
heroes were rejoicing in it, bat (p. 9),

•

te eUengoH earfodRce
ihrage getholode^ teihein thyttrum Mi,
thai he d$gora gthvam dredm gekyrie
hUkdm in heaUe; thmr vat Mearpan tv^
tvutol tang scSpes.

(The mighty spizitj which dwelt in dackness, was
awch gneved to hear every day the loud tumult
in tike hdil-^he minstrel's harp, and the poetis
SQDg») Grendel tried eveiy thing in his power to
sffia^kt the pec^de: at midnight, he and his mo*
thcr sUipt into the eastle, wheca diey murdeted
and {dmidered the sleeping inmates; so that
ew!«y tibiag soon beeaaiie desolate. Chaucerimmo^
distely, in his inttodnction to the wife of Badie'a
ftal^ 6446, describes the es^ttlsion of the Elres
in tha fidlowing manner:

l>ut now can no roan see non Elves mo ;
for now the grete eharltee and prayezes
«f limitoaies and odier holy tees,
ihat aen^eo eyery land and ereiy streme^
as thicke as motes in the sonne heme,
Uisshig hallea, duBBbres, Iddienes and bouics,
rtaiiM JTMt iMq^ cutim hi^ aad toMM^

»
» I

iOS ON TBE KATtmi! Of TKE ELVES.

thorpea and bemeii Aopenes and daSrioi;

this maketh that ther ben no fairies.

For ther as wont to walken was an Elf

ther walketh now the limitour himself

in undenndes aad in morweninges,

and sajth his matines and bis holy thioges .

as he goth In his limitatioun.

Women may now go safely up and doan

in every bush, and under every tree ;

ther is non other incubus but he,

and he ne will don hem no dishonour.

2. They are also called^ as in Scotland^ the
good people, good neighbours^ men of peace; in
Wales (Fairy Tales, p. 134) the family, the hkse-
ing of their mothers, the dear wives; in tlie old
^Norse, and, to tliis day, in the Faroe islands;
hiddufolk ; in Norway, kuldre ; and, in confonmty
with these denominations, manifest a disposition
quite the reverse of the preceding, to be near
mankind, and to be on good terms with*thei)i;
They take up their abodes near those €i men;
even, as in Scotland, beneath the threshold, and
a mutual intercourse takes placei The dwaift'in
the city of Aix-la-Ghapelle have borrowed pots
and kettles, and various kitchen utensils, from ihe
inhabitants, and faithfully restored them (Dent.
Sag. No. 33. See Thiele, i. 121) ; while^ at
QuedUnburg, they have even lent their own tin
goods to people at their marriage feasts (No. d6.
Vide Thiele, ii. 16). The most intimate oqu-

ON 7i£E JlfikTVS,^ 0r TUB XaOVBS. lOf

nezion is ea^pcefised in alefend^ according to which,
the family of the Elves conformed in every re-
spect to the manners of the family to which it
belonged, and of which it was a copy. The do-
mestic Elves cdehrated their marriages on the
same day as the people ; their children were bom
on the same day ; and they mourned their dead
on the same day (See No. 42). These good people
are ready to assist in sorrow and trouble, and show
themselves grateful for any favours they have re-
ceived (Deut. Sag. No. 30. 32. 45. Thiele, i. 72).
The Elves sometimes make presents of singular
and magic tilings, which ensure good fortune as
long as they are preserved (Deut. Sag. No. 36.
.41. 70). In Wales, if no obstacle is opposed to
their leaving the houses, and a dish of milk is set
for^hem, they leave a small present behind. The
jkxitch Elf who, in the sequel, saved his master's
life> testified his .gratitude to him for having made
the desired improvement in his subterraneous
'abode. In Switzerland the dwarfs have c^ten
left their mountains in the night, and have done
aU the hard work, cut the com, &c. ; so that when
the country people came in the morning with their
waggcnas they found every thing quite ready itx
them. Or they have plucked the dierries, and
earrkd them directly to the place where they were
genexally preserved (Deut. Sag. No. 149). A

110 OM THS KAT01KX Of THS KLVte

for wounded wodoKieB, wlikih he liad pirepated M
the night (Kiieger^ der Bodentbaler. Halbeat.
1819. p. 41), NapfhanB led tke eows to pastoie
ia the most dangerous tituatiemi^ vi1lK>nt a eingld
oae hashing ever xeoeived any injury.

Feople, howevev^ muflt preaeire flilenee revpect*
ing their fi&toun^ and not eonunnnicate the oecret.
In etmsequenoe of its hairing gone abroad^ the
Sootch peasant lost the wonderful grain to which
there was no end; and the pitcher which eon*
tinually filled itself, and was given by the EIt^s
to a boy, beeame empty (D^t. Sag. No. 7)*
Ashes having been stzewn to disoover the tniees
of the Swiss dwazfs, they vanished, and firovb
thenceforth withheld their assistance.

S. The Elves also lay claim to the good offices
of men. Two musicians were obliged to play in'
a Seotdi shian for a hundred year*. But the
most fn^veni instanoes are of iheir fetching imir
wives into their mountains, or under the wateti
and demanding their assistance (Deu^. 8agv Ka
41. 48. 304. Thiele, i 36). A fairy enticed
Rolf into her cave that he might lay hands on
her daughter who was ill, and could not recover
exoept by the human toudi. Rolf performed this
service, and was presented with a ling (fiiog^
IU>lfii Sftga, p, 6% 64).

4. Not only the Sookeb tn^tions^ but also Da«
njdi 6oag9» speaky at time8> of more mtimate eon-*
oezlimslietweaiiDankiBdaiidtliofaiiieg^ Ronnev
the watermaa stole a wife &0D1 the earth; Agne$
lilted eight yean in the deep with a water spiritj
and had eight children (See Thiele, 1.114. Schwe*
dische VolksUeder^ i. 1. ii. 22) ; and bUso anot^eip
oae, who danced into the waves witb the daug^tfif
of Marstig (Daoske Vis^> i, 311. See Schwed«
VolksL iiL 139), a tradition which is related
pretty much in the same manner m Germany
(No. 51). In Iceland it is helieved that these
connexions always have a melancholy end^ even
if th^ should seem to be happy at first. The
connexion of Staufenberger with the water Nixe
bringSj, at lastj destruction. Elberich himself
gaixned Otnit's mother invisibly on May^y (Str.
181); and SignUd shares the throne vdth the
dwarf Laurin in the subtesxasieaa kin^^m.

& If an Elf attaches himself to an individual^
or a &mily> and devotes himself to their service^ he
is called Kobold (goblin), Br<mm (in Scotland),
Clnrkemae (in Ireland), the old man in the house
Tonitegubhe (in Sweden), Nisse-god-dreng (in Den-
mark 9fid Norway), JDuende, Trasga (in Spain)^
Lwtin, Gohli» (in IVanoe), Hohgohlm (in £ng*
land) ; perhaps, too, he receives a nickname, as a
Napfhans [Jean de la BoUitaJ in French Switaer-.

ii2 ON THE itfATURE O^ THE *lVE».

hud (Alpenrosen for 1624, p. 7^' 7S) ; 8bd, m
Grerman traditions, we meet with a HoSb&n,
Hinzelmann, Ekerken (squirrel), Kurd CMittgen
(i. e. little Joachim; see the tradition relating -to
him in Kantzow's Pomerania, 1. 333. See Brem.
Dictionar. v. 379), Irreganc, Girregar (Konigsberg
MS. f. 18», 19*), Knocker, Boot (No. 71-^78),
Puck (northern PAki), Man Ruprecht, King Gol-
demar*. Henceforth he does not forsake his
master; evinces the greatest attachment towards
him; and promotes his interest as much as he can: it
is only under certain circumstances that he leares
him ; otherwise he continues as long as his master^
or a member of the family, is alive. But, on the
other hand, his master cannot get rid of him: if
he removes to another place his spirit follows him.
Hinzelmann flew along by the side of his mastei^in
the form of a feather; others creep into a cask,
and, on departing, look out of the bung-hd.e;
others sit up behind on the waggon (Deut. Sag.

* Gobliniu Persona, who flourished towards the end of the
thirteenth) and beginning of the fourteenth century, relates of
King Goldemar, a domestic spirit, who lived for three years
with a Neveling of Hardenberg, that he showed all the cha-
racter of such, and is probably the same Goldemar who is men-
tioned by Reinfried of Brunswick, f. ■194«, where he is called
" daz riche keiserliche getwerc** (the rich, imperial dwacf) ;
and also in the Appendix to the Heldenbuch. (See Alt-
Deutsche Walder, i. 297, 29&)

rf^^yS^r ^V ^ ^^/*R ^ lojib kgl^ of the
Jjif^m^ QeUwr)- TW m^J live below, in
f^iO^Fr. *9d aw: tJjp fe jicb^n. TJip Irish Cl^-
^^W|{|e c^aircb^ 4U id^ wine cellars^
^ , ^€1 domeflf^ apirii; .«^t^pa tlie cjts^raqter of the
j^£1t^: he i$ Acdye, rQguish^ gpod-nat;ured« and
jff^y iviien krils^ vpsy r^Tjengeful (See No. 74.
KTS, Thiek, iii. 8. fil) ; «4mir^ly skUful and un-
.^eaxi^d in ^ laibours^ in^diau^tible in secret a^d
^jlltpemal^ur^ ppwers; ''j^r diene^e im so sin kneht,
',4Ulerhan4e din^e was er im gereht" (he served him
■, l&eA^cvantin all kipd of things whatever he told
.him), is conformably with this^ said of Elberich in
theNibdungen Lied (v. 405) ; and though a king,
' he Hindered every service to Otnit. Only the
4Dine8tip jspirit seems tp have fallen some steps
.jlower^ and to experience more human wants. He
every where manifesets an evident desire fpr fepd
. «id dotbtng* The food must always be placed in
lite same spot^ otherwise he is exceedingly ai^gry.
(Deut. Sag. No. 73> and note to the Irish legend
of. the Haontad €ellar; Danische Sage Thiele^
' i. 135) : be seems to serve for clothing. He
sometimes vanishes on receiving it> wbicb is re-
lated both in a Scotch and Dutch tradition (Ol
<W0niiii,epist.iL 669) > and a German tradition (No.
39. i.)^ but most distinctly in the Mecklenburg
legend (Hederich's Schwerin. Chronik.) of Puck,

PART III. I

1JL4 ON THE NATURE O^ THE EX.VSS.

who bargains for a vanegated coat with hdh,
before he enters into service^ and which he receives
on his departure. When he leaves the house, he
generally makes some presents of things endowed
with miraculous powers^ which must be preserved
in the family, otherwise it will fall into decay.

Prosperity reigns in the house which possesses
an Elf; the cattle thrive better than in other
places, and are not seized with diseases, and every
undertaking succeeds. In the night, when the
spirit is the most active, he, as we have already
said, does not like to be overlooked and watched ;
if he chances to be on good terms with the ser-
vants, he performs the most laborious part of their
work for them ; fetches water, hews wood^ curries
and takes care of the horses, of which he sometimes
appears to be particularly fond. (Thiele, ji. 4).
The whole house is every morning found perfectly
dean and in order, every thing in its place* At
the same time he is strict, abhors idleness and dis-
honesty, reports offences, and punishes the careless
domestics, as Hinzelmann makes use of his stick,
and the Brownie punishes the lazy groom with his
whip. In Denmark it is even supposed (Thielci i.
135) that a spirit dwells in the church, where he
maintains order^ and punishes in case of notorious
occurrences.

There is an ancient testimony of the domestic

t)N TitE itATtyiRE ot THE ELviS. 4 15

spirit in Geirrtae of Tiltury, which is the more
rem a rkable as it describes him as accurately as he
is repreiseiited in thte traditions current at this iay.
(Otia Imperialia, p. 180).
• '' Bcce enim in Anglia dsmones quosdam ha-
bent, demones^ inquam^ nescio dixerim^ an secretie
et ignots generationis effigies^ quos Cralli Nep-
tnnos, Angli Portunos nominant. Istis insitum
est quod simplicitatem fortunatorum colonorum
amplectontur^ et cum noctumas propter domesti-
cas operas agunt vigilias^ subito clausis januis ad
ignem ealefiunt et ranunculas ex sinu projectas
pmnis impositas comedunt, senili vultu, facie cor-
rugata, statura pusilli, dimidium poUicis non ha-
hentes. Fanniculis consertis induuntur et si quid
gestandum in domo fuerit aut onerosi opexis agen-
dam^ ad operandum se jungunt, citius humana
facilitate expediunt. Id illis insitum est, ut ob-
sequi possint et obesse non possint. Verum uuicum
quasi modulum nocendi habent. Cum enim inter
ambiguas noctis tenebras Angli solitarii quando*
que equitant, Portunus nonnunquam invisiis, equi-
tanti se copulat et cum diutius comitatur euntem,
tandem loris acceptis equum in lutum ad manum
ducit> in quo dum infixus volutatur, Portunus
exiens cachinnum facit, et sic hujuscemodi lu-i
dibrio humanam simplicitatem deridet/'

i2

m OJJ THE ^ikTiriiBpF Xlfl2r|IC<Ti:«ii
13. HOSTILS BlBFOSlXlQjm, .

71^ £lye9| wiih all their fpncln^ps fer tftimg^
show themselves to be Tif^U-di^pQ^d bemg9» axi4
friei^j towairdft men; a^d though ffm9^mt»ve^
tiring intp s^clupion^ yet uppA the wkeit> ijAcIined
to maintain m intercouive mtk them* Pw&cdif
oppoA^ to this is anptber timt» with "wbipH Ikt
traditions of all nations liJcQwise ahomid^ ' and
which manifests the mo^t hoatik dii^o«tion im
the fairies towar4s m«n>

1. It is |)elieved in Wales thfit their ¥«ry loek
is deadl7, ^^ ^^ ^^^^ exceedingly dangeroiuk At*
cording to Thomas Boiurke's eonfessiooL in the Irish
Legends, sid^iess, violent fevecj and loss of leasosfy
is the cpn^equ^ce* A youth once saw a biown
dwarf; he was seiised with a tedious illness, and
died in the course of the year (Lady of the Lake,
p. 386). ^ ;E:yery where it is recommended to with,
draw^ and not look up^ when the nocturnal pio*
cession of the fairies is passing by. Whoever looks
at the £lve9 through a knot-hole loses the use of
that leye. A womm, pn relating what she had
seen in the mountain am^ng the suhtenEanaous
^piri^^ bec«^e blind (Thide^ L 3S).

9' They have a weapon^ an «rrQW^ w>hi«h in-
fallibly killi9 both man and beast-^r^ven the itife
touch suffices. (See the Scotch traditions). The

OS Timm^OftE Of^tit fct.tES; 117

Slfin n7m{>lis threats Olof with illiieds^ and give
hiiii a blow between liiis BboiiTdef s^ and the next
MnttBg be ii lyii^ dead on his bier (Danske
Viseivi. JM8» ScA^ed.Iiieder,iii.lte). TheSeru
vian Viie shoots deadl j Ikryows at meH, A youth in
the Isle of Man Wi«hdi«w from the ealresses of a
Nixe^ who^ quitd eftra(gddi thi^W something &fter
lam ; tkougb be Mt blnttelf bat slightly touched by
8 pebble> he elperimeed fh>ttl that moment a fear-^
fnl dveady and iied m seven days afte^. Elberich
sdll exerdsei the aecttstomed tengeaiice: wheii
Othit tcmdies h2in> and inteAcb caitying him off,
h^is said (8ir. 108)^ *' iMVHxn smd detn herein eiik
fr4ker MegitM' (a violent blow wa« aimed at his
heairt)^ and the h^the^ king becomes living mad
ia CQBseqnence 6f the sevtdre blow which he te>-
otivtie from thd itivisible spuit O^tr. S399)i We may
be allowed toeonjeetorei that in the Nibeiun'-
gen I4ed, Elberich coMss the unusual sevenfold
Hooiirge with the heavy knots (buttons) (v. 1991)^
t6 give the elfin Mow*

The- Very breath of the Elves bears contagion
mth h. In Ireland and Bcotlaaid, boils and sick-
ness Are oftused by it. In Norway the disease Is
caUed fOvguit^ or ^iMi (elfin fixe) ; in iM Norse,
ilfabru^ I and only attacks men if they &ya^ to
^e i^ace where an Elf baa been spitting. The
Bootch ifeiiry spltg into the eye whidi had re-

life QJJ THE NATURE OF THE ELVES*

oogtiised Him ; tile PruiS&ian Elf brefttlies on it/aikl
it becomes 'Hind; the Dcotii^ plucks it out (vide
Nyerups Abhandlung)' in the same manner tlite
one mentioned by Genrase> in the passs^ quot^
hereafter^ presses it out with his fing^.

3. Whoever partakes in the slightest degree of
food presented by the Elves^ is then^ according to
Scotch legends> entirely in their power^ and oan^
not return to the society of men« For this reason
they carry golden goblets in their hand^ out of
which they offer drink (Thielej i. 23. 55 ; ii. 67';
iii. 44. Schwedishe VolksUeder^ i. Ill); whkt
was spilt on the horse out of the Oldenbtcrg horn
singed its hair. (See Thiele^ i. 4. 49.) According
to the German tradition (No. 68) the woman of
Alvensleben^ among the dwarfs in the mountaizi^
does not partake of the meat and drink presented
to her^ and therefore returns home ; others ftxrfek
their freedom at the first draught (No. 305 ; vide
Thiele, i. 119). The elfin nymphs try all their
arts to induce the beautiful youth to speak^Dandse
Viser, i. 234 ; vide Deutsche Sagen^ No. 7% or
to jcHn in their dance ; then he is theirs. Whoefvw
has performed any service for them, and take» a
little more of the proffered gold than he has a
nght to, puts his life in danger, gr must renifm
^h them (Deut. Sag. 41, 65). It is rarely itet
any one returns from them; and if he ddes, h^is

Ibr eter <acQ(»3ding :l;o tbe Nor wegifin belief) eijtJb^r
iii$aaer or idiotic (elbisok) . Sometimes, after a long
deatb^like slee]^ he reooviars his seoises (Thiel^^
Dap* Sag. i. 119). Hence it is supposed of a
simple penKm, that he is connected with .subter^
jraneou9 beings; and when they appear in the
.]iigh;t he jumps up and accompanies them; and,
^^coooUng to a Shetland legend, shows himself
fomi^^ with the n^ovements of their dai^ce.
,4* The Elves are fond of healthy infants, beauti^
A^l youths, and lovdy women, whom they take
^ther by force or strat^em. Invisible hands rob
^the mother of her child (Waldron, p. 128); Nixen
idraw it under the water (Deut. Sag. No. 4.61) ;
or they endeavour to entice men by music and
dancing, by promises of miraculous presents, or a
Ui^^ul life; of this the Scotch and Danish tn^-
ditioBS (Thiele,. i. 58) contain numerous examples.
.The Servian Vile, too, seixe upon children. Almost
in. the same manner as Homer relates of the spoils,
tb9^ they eagerly sucked blood to imbibe a sensa*
tipn of life; these beings seem to renovate f>r
replace their circle by their youthful prey, ^^hioh
it in fact a popular superstition in Wales.

ITheiir most frequent depredations are effected

l)(y changing. , It is several times related ini Ger-

:aum tisaditiona (No. 11. 135), that they haye«*b-

fitituted fcff a beautiful woman, during <?}uldbj3d.

^Mt ON THB KATUfbE OF XM^ XliV£9.

tlie ugly daughter of a witch (v. Thide, L 89)^
The Scotch legend says expresslyi that they are
taken to nurse the children of the fairies. Gene^
raUy> however, a rosy new-hom infant is taken
from its cradle and replaiied by a diaiigding* The
Scotch and Irish superstition has been so folly de«
tailed, that we need only notice the great oo^
incidence of the German (No. 81, 86. 87— dO) and
northern traditions (Thiele, h 47; ti* !)• The
antiquity of it is shown l^ a passage in Gervase
of Tilbury, which is important both on account of
its contents and its similarity, which we have
already noticed, to a still current Scotch tale.
Otia tmper. 987.

^^ 1^ et dracos vulgo asserutlt formam hominiB
assumere primosque in forum publicum adventare,
sine cujusvis agitatione. Hos perhibent in cavemis
ihiviorum mansioneni habe^ et nunc in specie ash
nulorum aiireorufb superhatantium aut sc3rphorum
mulieres allicere ac pueros in ripis flumihum bal-.
neanleb. Nam dum vito cupiunt consequi, subito
raptu coguntur ad intima ddabi, nee plus hoc tan*
tingere dibunt quam foeminls ladtatitibus, quas
draci raf^unt, ut prolem suam infdioem nutriant
et noimunquam post exactum septennium remune-
ratse ad hoc nostrum redeunt hemisphmum ; quo
etiam narrant, se in amplis palatiis cum drads et
eonjm uzoribus in cavemis et ripis fluminum hx^

Oft ¥d]£ Kj^'TtJftlS 4>¥TA^ Mt>V£8» !S^>

likasse: Vidknus^ e^ydeni bujiiscemodi fc^Biki&m

mptsahy ddm in lipA flfimhiis Khodaid pannicalos

ftMaelr6t> se3^6 Mgh^d i^peretuit^nte^qtiemdum ad

coMpfefaendenduni sequei^tur^ ad dltaorapre^^efiSti

a draco iiitrc^ertUr^ i^utrixque faeta iilii sni sub

aqtia^ iUtete rediit> a vf^o et bUdds vix aghita post

sejple&iiitito. Narrabat eeque miranda^ quod hd^.

iMmbas rapti$ daradi vesisebatitu]*^ et se in buman£»

spedes tmnsformabant^ cumque uno aliqiio dfe

paslilittxil anguillai^em pro parte dracus nutrid de^

^SSset, ipsa, digites pastilM adipe linitos ad oculum

unum et unam facieiHi easu ducens^ meruit Ifihpi*

didsyium sub aqua ac subtilissiinum hab^e intui*

tilin. Completo ergo 8U£ vick anno tertio cum

^ ipfoptia rediisset in ford Pellieadii (al Belli^

quaiti h. e. Beaucaire) summo mane dtacum ob^^

yiim habuit, quern agnitum s^utavit^ de statti

dofiliflse ac dumni ^ui qusestionem ikdens. Ad

hSBfe fii^cuSj beus> inquitj quonam oculo mei cepisti

aghitidn^m ? at flla oculnm viddnis indicate quern

adipe pastUH pridem perunxerati qud compeftd

diraeus digitum oculo ii^xit sicque de t^tero non

tllus aut eogtiosdbilig divei^t*"

Ad tb^ presence of the domestic spirit caused
faappiii^s and prosp^t^i so tbat of tb^ changeling
Miigs with it destruction to man and beast^ and
6V^ M\et(^cke proves abc^ve^

^. thb dead belong td the Mti^ ^oA the^

tei 0*N THE J* ATVRB 6f TfHE bfiLVil^.

tlieiisfbre celebrate the death of « person l&e a
fbstivBl^ with music and dancing. Thisr Irish su-
perstition agrees with the German tradition (:No.
61), according to which the Nixen are seen
dancing on the waters before a child is drowned^
Persons long since dead are observed in the pro^
cession of the furious host (Eyring ^prichworteir,
i; 781 — 786). In an old German poem, Lieder-
sal, ii. 284 : *' Der tot Juet uns daz lehen in diaeir
toUde aberrant und hat uns den trutten gesant/*
(Death has overtaken our lives in this world, and
has sent us to the intervening state.)

6. Already in the poets of the middle ages the
Alp is a malignant spirit, an evil spectre (getwds),
oppressing men during sleep, and haunting them in
their dreams. The passages are before qubted in
the first division. Hence the common expression
triegen (to deceive) ; as for the spirit itself, getruc,
(phantasma), already in O. iii. 8. 48. we find
gidrog; the adj. elbisch, indicates not only the na-
ture of the Alp, but also that of the person pos-
sessed of the Alp ; hence, still in the VocabuL
1482, elbischer, phantastical. In a fable of the
fifteenth century, der elhische mulesel (the elvish
mule). (Biischings wochentl. Nachr. i, 59.) In
Switzerland, dlhsch, alb, signifies stupid (Stalder^
i.94). In Swabia, elpendrotsch is a nickname for
a stupified person (Nicolais Rdsen^ ix. 160) ; wi

mMe€)d^i^n^ralj9^as^ In Hambufgli, i^^ in;
y^d.wJio ^>^s like a. ghost or ^pectre^ is cttlled
dxfenrihbe (Bipl^y Hamb, I^iot). hx the Sutcb^
^efwittiff. sigiu4es foolish^ silly (albemj, Oltkr
]j>yi^. poets express ^e saine notion. See Maev-
lant Spec* H^ist. i. 5, el/s ghedroch (elvish illi>-
s^c^i), Ap^ ancient testimony for this superstition
is. found in Snorres Heimskringla (i. p. 20) : the
Swedij^ imgy Vanland, complains that the Mara
has^pppressed him in his sleep (at mora trad hann) }
«jndi tlie SkaMe Thiodolf repeats it in a poeni
(inara qualdij. Another is found in Geryase. of
fUbjiry (Otia Imper. c. 86) : ut autem moribus et
auribus hominium satisfaciamus. constituamus, hoc
^iflse fceminarum ac virorum quorundam infortuniaa
quod de. nocte.celerrimo volatu regiones transcuis
rnnt domosi intrant^ dormientes opprimunt^ inge^
runt somnia gravia^ quibus planctus excitant.

That they are not Elves^ but the spirits of real
poLeUj, which press others during their sleep^ is
^greea)ble to the superstition still prevailing iA
l^weden. (Westerdahl Beskrifning am svenska
Sed^> p^ 40) and Denmark (Thiele^ ii«.18) ; and|
atBCQxding to which^ young women are unawaJ^.
seized with it in their sleep^ and torment, other,
p^39cmS' during the night. The. name i^ Mare 4
i^ the Faroe islands Marras in En^and Night-,
wwre ; aod in Holland Nachtmaer. In Genoafiy^

i2i oi» Tl&"tl'AT&ti^' 6^^rtik fel^Elr.

&iid as it seems tlahe, der Alp (mtis.) in, indeed^
used ; but the s3riionymous terms^ Mahr and Dfud,
are employed both as masculiuiie and fetninilie ;
and so far it agrees with Gtervase^ Who sjfe&ka
both of men and women. Thebdief and legends
(every thing now curtent in Germany is collected
ba. No. 80) seem to be ferery where nearly th^
same. It is singular that people^ by a simple h6t
of volition^ can^ out of anger or hatiped^ send the
Alp to others; then it creeps in the fbrdi of a
little white butterfly from between the eyehrot^,
flies away^ and settles on the breast of the sleeping
persoUi In perfect eonfoitaity with this bdief^
Ibgs^U (i. e. Tocklin> or l9chtetlin) signifies 1&
fiwitJEserlatid^ acoc^diiig to Stalder, bttth Alp saA
tettelrfly ; and f h the ttisSA df witehes^ the eVil
spirit (the Elbe) is mentioned Utider the mcM df
Molkendieb (stealer of milk) ftnd bitftetfif . In
Frtinee they have the OmwhMmf, Thd Irish
Fhooka^ in its nattiire, perfectly resembles ibfe
Mdht ', atid "we have only to observe^ thilt bbem is
a particuter Gforinan ti^tioii (No^ 79. vide 27$)
ef ti spirit) which iiits l^ttofig If^edi and illde^-
iMlsbesi a^ wMdhi lik^ the I^hiM^ iMpi tipob
Che badk of thMe who paM )3fy ift thd night, and
doed ndt le6r¥6 thddi till th^Jr £utit Ofid fall to tine
eitfth.

14. ANCIENT TESTIMONIES.

Tk^ h3^h ^tygmty of the beUef in the ex|.
k^^ of fairies ^j^eacjs from th^ eailieor use ef
vanous denomin^tipDs to whieh we ^ve refersed
m ^U pippoc pla^^s. 9ut ther^ is no want of
hitherto unexplored testimonies^ which relate to
ftbe contents of the traditions themselFes, and axe
(^greater importance, inasi^iich as their evidence
is more striking* They might, indeed, have heeft
also introduced; but partly it appeared more a4»
vfi&tagBous to review them in succession, and
p^ly it was hardly possible fully to explain themi
except in this place, particularly after we had
.considered the nature of the domestic spirit.

1. Gassianus (a clergyman of Marseilles in the
fifth century) collationes patrum, vii. c. 32.

" NonnuUos (immun^os spiritus), quos &un^
vulgus appellat, ita seductores et joculatores esse
Qianifestum est, ut certa quteque loca seu viae
jitter obsidentes nequaquam tormentis e(»ruti^
quos prietereuntes potueiint dedpere, delectentur,
S^dderisu tantummodo et illusione contenti fatigare
eo8 potius studeant, quam nocere; quosdam soft*
liunmodo innocuis incubationibus hominum per^
noctare."

He describes those little beings which the people
call forest spirits, which delight in gambols, and

ii^ ON iws, NATUiiE OP TitE 'iirviES.

entice men. They have their favoiirite haunts ;
do not wish to hurt passengers, but meriely to
teaz6 and laugh at them, as the Elves are at6us-
tomed to do. Lastly, he mentions the Alp, ■which
presses and weighs upon men in the night.

2. Isidorus hispal. (beginning of the seventh
century. ) Etym. lib. viii. c. ult.

" Pilosi, qui grsece panitfle, latine incubi appel-
lantur; hos dsmones Galli Dusios nuhcupant.
Quem autem vulgo Incubonem vocant hunc Ro-
mani Faunum dicunt."

The Pilosi are the hairy, terrestrial Elves ; the
Scotch Brownie is still shaggy ; and in Wolf-
dieterich the rauche Els is expressly represented.

The Gallic name, Dusii, is met with two cen-
turies before, in Saint Augustin de civ; Dei, c. 23,
demon es, quos Duscios Galli nuncupant ; from
whom Isidor, perhaps, copied this remark, as
Hincmar, subsequently from one of them, in his
de divortio Lotharii, p. 654, and Gervase, i. 989.
They say that women had entered into a familiar
intercourse with these spirits. The explanation
oflncubo by Faunus, which is likewise taken from
Augustine, shows how we must understand Fau-
nus in the passage in Cassian: Vide incubo in
preceding quotation from Petronius.

3. A passage in Diicange (v. aquaticus) from
the Cod. Reg. -5600, written about the year 800 :

01$ THE NATURE QP THE ELVES. Ijg?

''Sunt aliqui rustid homines^ qui credunt aliquas
mulieres, quod vulgum didtur, strias esse debeant
et ad infantea vel peoora nocere possint^ vel du-
sidus vel aquaticus vel geniscus esse debeat."

The Dusii, therefore^ are conceived to be little
spirits; and it is proved by the contrast with the
others mentioned^ that they are wood or domestic
spirits; for we are, no doubt, to understand by
aquaticus a Nix, but by geniscus (from genius.
Alp) a real Elf, or spirit of light : both words
contain literal translations. (Hincmarus reniensis,
opp. Paris, 1645. T. i. p. 654, calls lamiae, sive
genidales feminae.) They injure children by
substituting changelings in their room ; and the
Scotch tradition expressly says that they do the
'same with animals.

4. Monachus Sangallens (died 885) de Carolo.
M. (Bouquet, V. p. 116) :

" Daemon, qui dicitur larva, cui curae est ludicris
hominum illusionibus vacare, fedt consuetudinem
ad cujusdam fabri ferraiii domum (in Francia qu«
dicitur antiqua) venire pet er noctes malleis et
incudibus ludere. Cumque pater ille familias
signo salutifers crucis se suaque munire conaretur,
respondit pilosus : ' mi compater, si non impedieris
me in officina tua jocari, appone hie pontiunculam
tuam et quotidie plenam invenies illam.' Turn
miser ille plus penuriam metuens corporalenj.

128 ON THE NATURE OP THE ELVES.

quua aetamcMB animte perditionam^ fecit juxta
0U9Aionem adversarii. Qui adsumpto praegrandl
flascone cellarium bromii rel ditis illius^ irrumpenSj
rapina pei:petrata> reliqua in pavimentum fluere
permifdt. Cumque jam tali modo plurimie culw
exinamtse fiiissent animadvertens episcopus quia
deemanum fraude pezisBsent^ benedicta aqua cellam
adspeisit et invecto cruds signaculo tutavit. Nocte
imtem fiicta funs antiqui callidus satelles cum
vasculo suo venit et cum vinaria vasa propter im«*
pressionem sanctae crusis non auderet attingere^
nee tamen ei liaeret exire> in kumana specie se-
pertus et a custode dpmus alligatus^ pro fure ad
supplicium productus et ad palum oesus, inter
eiedendum hoc solum prodamavit : ' vs mihi J vs
mihi ! quia potiunculam compatris mei perdidi !*"
The domestic spirit is evidently described here ;
and the whole story^ which may well be a thou-
sand years old^ is so exactly in the spirit of those
. now current^ that we might believe it was taken
from them. He is called larva, that is^ vdcht,
9^hrat, as the above-quoted old glosses translate
it; as in Isidor: Pilosus; like the wight, he ap-
pears in the human figure. He comes in the
night, plays with the smith's tools, in the same
manner as the Cluricaune hammers, and like the
subterraneous brings is heard at work. An at-
tachment follows this ; and he makes a present of a

t

ON THE NATURS OV THE ELVBS. 129

jiitclier of wine wliieh is never empty^ in order to
promote the interest of the house^ in the sasne
msomer as the Kohold. He makes no consdence
of stealing the wine elsewhei!^ ; as the Irish Cluri-
eanne goes bynight into the weH-stoted cellar^ and^
m order to exercise justice accordmg to his notions,
letA the wine mtt out of the casks to punish the
edvetous.

5. Odericus Vidalis (bom in England in 107^ ;
Hved in Normandy). Hist. Ecd. v. p. 556.

'' Deinde Taurinus fenum Dianee intravit Zabu-
lonque coram populo visibilem adstare coegit^ quo
viso ethnica plebs valde tinuiit. Nam manifeste
flpparuit eisMthicfps niger et fuligo^ barbam habens
prolixam^ et scintillas igneas ex ore mittens. Deinde
angelus Dei splendidus ut sol advenit cunctisque
cemendbus ligatis a dorso manibus dsmonem
adduxit. Demon adhuc in eadem urbe degit et in
variis frequenter formis apparens^ neminem ledit.
Hunc vulgus Grobelinum appellate et per merita
S« Taurini ah humana Isesione coercitum usque hoc
affirmat."

6. Poenitentiale^ in a Vienna MS. of the twelfth
century (Cod. Univ. 633). The composition is pro-
bably older.

Fol. 12. ^^ Fecisti pueriles arcus parvulos et
puerorum sutularia^ et prqjecisti eos in cellarium^
sire in horxeum ut satyri vel pilosi cum eis ibi

PART III. K

130 ON THE VATyBE Off THE X,hVlS».

jocarentur et tifai alioruin bona oomportareftt> dt
inde ditior fieres."

As the domestic wights are little; childien's
toys are placed for them in the cellar or ham^
their usual hauiits : a bow^ in order that they may
discharge little arrows at men^ and tease them^ as
they otherwise do with small pebbles ; for the dan-
gerous Elf-bolt of the Scotch tradition hath doubt-
less its counterpart in one that is harmless. A
pair of child's shoes, which are the Sutularia ;
(Notker, Capella, 16. 37- sufielAre, petasus, sub-
talare, what is tied under the foot. They were
worn only in the night, and in summer. See Dii
Cange) ; for the wights love articles of dress above
all things. The master of the house does this,
that the sly Kobold may secretly steal something
(generally provisions) from others, and bring it to
him, for wherever he takes up his abode there is
abundance of every thing.

7. Radevicus (in the twelfth century) De Gestis
Frid. i. 1. ii. c. 13, mentions the omens which
preceded the burning of the church at Freisingen,
among others :

" Pilosi, quos Satyros vocant, in domibus ple^
rumque auditl."

The Kobold is heard knocking in the houses as
a warning, in the same manner as the wights an-
nounce a death to the mountaineer (Deut. Sag.

6^ i^'^/ht'RE' 6t 'ME^tvvt^. AM

No,47)y and as the Domestic Spirits presage an
impending evil.

8. Here we must place the passages quoted in
the preceding sections, from Oervase of Tilbury,
whose Otia Imperialia was written in the thir-
teenth century; in which the belief in the existence
of the Brownie, Changeling, and Nightmare, is
related in perfect conformity with existing tra-
ditions.

9. In conclusion, we quote a legend of the Do-
mestic Spirit, which is in a Heidelberg Codex
(No. 341. f. 371, 372), and the contents, per-
fectly agreeing with the still current traditions,
are as remarkable as the manner in which it is
told is agreeable. The MS. is of the fourteenth
century, the poem in all probability still older, and
composed in the thirteenth century. Respecting
the source of this tale, it seems most natural to
assume, that a German had heard the tale in the
North, or that a travelling Norwegian related it
in Germany.

. The king of Norway wishes to make the king
of Denmark a present of a tame white bear. The
Norseman who conducts him thither stops in a
village on the road, and begs a lodging for the
mght of a Dane. He does not refuse him, but
complains to the stranger that he is not master
ofhis house, because a spirit torments him in it ;

k2

132 ON THE NATURE OF THE I:LVE.A.

mk itihi* ich daz ervam kan

swaz creatiuren ez n.

tin hani itt twar* alsam em hU :

wen ez erreU^iet mit dem Hage'^

€» Oat in^dazer veUet nider*

tin gestaU unt tiniu gelider

diu moht ich leider nie getehen,

wan daz ich det vurwAr muoz Jehen

unde tage ezinze wunder^

daz ich gevrietch nie kunder

t6 ttark noch tb geienke :

Utche, ttuele unde henke

die tint im ringe altam eindal;

ez wirftt Hfunde ze tal

die tchuzzeln unde die iopfe gar^

ez rumpelt state vur tich dar^

ovenbrete unt oventteine^

lairhe^ kitten algentdne^

die wirfet ez hin unde her,

ez gSt ot aUez daz entwer

waz itt in dem fume min *,

Upon this^ he had quitted the house with all
his servants^ choosing rather to huild a hut in the

* I cannot by any means discover what kind of creatore it
is. Its hand is as heavy as lead ; whoever it reaches with its
blow, it strikes so hard that he falls to the ground. Its
form and its limbs I have unfortunately never seen. I must
tell you for truth that I never knew a spirit so strong or so
nimble ; tables, chairs, and benches it tosses like a ball ; it
throws about all the dishes and pots ; it rattles every thing
before it, oven stones and boards, baskets and all the chests :
in short, it breaks to pieces every thing that is in my house.

ON THE KAT0BE OF THE ELTB8. 133

fields. The Norseman^ who had only to stop in the

house for that night, takes up his quarters in the

kitchen, roasts his meat at the fire, and is quite

merry ; at length he lays himself down to sleep.

The hear, who has also finished his meal, and is

tired with his journey, stretches himself by the

fire-side.

46 nd der guete man gehe

unde sldfit nAch der muedepttae

utU ouch der muede her enttlief^

hoeretf trie ein schretel dort her lief^

daz VMU kUme drier tpannen lane,

gem dem viure ez vatte spranc,

ez woM gar eitlich get&n^

unde h&t ekt rotez keppel on.

daz ir die tvArheit wizzet^

ez hiU ein vleitch gespizzet

an einen tpiz itentn^

den truoc ez in der hende tin,

daz tchreUl ungehiure

rich tazte zno dem viure

unde Met rin vleitch durch tipnar^

rnnz ez det hern teart gewar

ez ddhte in rinem rinne:

waz tuot diz kunder hkine 9

ez itt td griuliche getdn I

unde tolezHdir hie heet&ny

d4 muoet rin lOUe tchaden nemen;

nein, blibene darf ez niht gezemen,

ich hdn die andem gar verjaget^

unde hin ouch noeh nihi «d verzagei^

ez muoz mir rdmen diz gemach,

nHli^* ez 'Sifden hem each,

ez each at dor unt allez dar^

ztUst erwac ez eich dn gar

184 ON THE NATURE OT THE ELVES.

unde ffap dem lem einen Hac
mit dem spizze uf den nac.
er rampfsich unde grein ez on,
daz Schretel spranc von %m hindan
unde briet sin vkUchel vUrbax^
unz daz ez wart von tmalze naz^
dem hern ez aber einez sluoc,
der ber im dber daz vertruoc^
ez Irtet sin vleisc vur sich dar
unz daz ez rehte wart gewar^
daz nH der brdte s^sete^
unt in der hitze hrdsete,
den spiz ez mit dem braten z6ch
vaste •if iS)er daz houbet Mchy
daz boese tuster (or custer $) ungeslaht
sluoc Hz aller stner maht
» den mueden bem ilber daz mUL

nu was der ber dock niht so vu/,
er vuor Uf unde liefez an *•

/

* Now when the good man laid down and enjoyed sleep
after his fatigue, and the wearied bear was also sleeping,
hark ! how a Schretel, scarce three spans high, comes running
along, and goes up quickly towards the fire. It was dressed
quite eisHch (Elfish ?) and wore a red cap. That you may
know the truth, he had put a piece of meat upon an iron spit,
which he was carrying in his hand. The Schretel monster sat
down near the fire, and roasted his meat ; and when he per-
ceived the bear, he said within himself: ^' What does this
creature here ? It is so hideously dressed ! And if it should
remain here with thee, thou mightest easily receive some hurt
No, troth ! it shall not abide here. The others I have scared
away, and I am not so cowardly but it shall quit thu room
forme!*' With anxious look he gazed upon the bear, he
looked all round ; at length he roused himself, and gave the
bear a blow upon the neck with the spit. The bear ndsed
himself and grinned upon him ; the Schretel jumped from him,

ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES. 185

A scene of scuffling and scratching now com-
mences between the bear and the Schretel; the
bear growls so loud that his master awakes^ and
in his terror creeps into the oven :

nH Mz& biz, nu limtnd Ivm !

nil kratza kratz, ni krimmd krrm !

sie bizzen unde lummen ■

tie krazten unde krummen.

The combat is for a long time uncertain; at
lengthy however, the bear is victorious, and the
Schretel suddenly disappears. The bear, quite
fatigued and hurt, lies down on the ground and
rests his wearied limbs. Early in the morning the
Norseman creeps out of the oven, takes leave of the
Dane, who is surprised to see him alive, and then
continues his journey with his bear. Meantime
the Dane is preparing his plough :

ze acker er damite gienc,
■ er mente sin ohsen, hin treip er,
nd liefdaz Schretel dorther
unde trat oh im -dfeinen stein,
mit hluote w&ren siniu bein

and continued to roast his meat ; and when it was well basted
he gave the bear a blow ; but Bruin bore it patiently: he con-
tinued roasting his meat ; and when he saw that it began to
hisa and froth, he lifted the meat on the spit over his head, and
with all his might struck the bear across his snout. Now the
j^eat was not so lazy ; he sprang up and ran at him.

5enmMyi 4f •*< « ^
lift /ito/ dag was iileral

zekratzet unde zeHzsetk,

zezerret unde gerrUtgen

Wit tin keppel dax ez trw>c»

ex rirfeitlUh* unt ULtegenuoc*

unde tprach dem UUnanne zuo^

ex rUfttol drittunt ; *' JwreH ddz dH $

hSrett dHz dH $ horett ddxjedoch f

khet ^n gr6ze katze noch $**

er iuoget Hf unde tach ez an^

tut anttpurt* im der hHinan :

" jA, Jd^ min gr6ze katze,

dir ze trutze unt ze tratze

khet tk, dd Vitex wWUel, nceh f

tarn mir daz o/uel unde daxjoch i

viimfjungen tk mir hint gevan^

dk tint tchoene unde wolgetdn

htictitk^ wiz unde herlidi,

der aUeu katxen alk geHch,*^

'^ vUntfJungen 9*' tprach dax Schretelin.

"i^» fjfrach er, 4fdk triwwe mlw,

hufhin unde tchouwe tk,

dH ne getaehe to tefwner kaixen nk,

betkh dock, ob et wdr «)."

" pjl dkh ! tprach dax Schretel, gfi I

tol ich tk tchouwen, <wS mir wart,

nein, nein, kh kom niht dfdk vart,

tint ir n4 tehte warden,

tk begunden mkh ermorden,

din eine t'dt mir i ti wi,

in dinen ho/kh niemer mi

komy dk wtk kh h&n min kben»*'

diu rede kam dem bUman eben,

dax Schretel td vor im vertwant,

der bdman kirte heim xehant^

in jln€»i hofMdth er H^ xvUtr
unde toot dd mit gemaehe tider^
er unde tin uip tsni HHtuMnt^
diu Uieten dd mU vnudm thU K

It is remarkable that the Schrat comes in the
night to the fire to roast meat^ as this agrees with
what Gervase of Tilbuiy says in the passage he-
fore quoted: The wights came in the night to
the fire^ where they roasted frogs^ and then ate
them. The Schretel has rendered his house in-

* He went with it to his field and drove his oxen befoce
him. Now the Sdiretdnin that way, and stepped before him
upon a stone; his legs were all besmeared with blood, his
body was all over scratched and bitten, and the cap he won
was rumpled and torn. He called out like an £1^ and loudly
enough, said to the ftnner, **• Dost thou hear ? Dost thou
hear ? Dost ihoa hear, fellow ? Is thy great cat still alive ?'*
He turned and looked at it; and thus the ftrmior answeied
him i ^ Yes, yes, my great eat, to spite thee, is still alivt,
thou evil wight ! To-day she has had five kittens, which ans
all fine and handsome^ white and beautiful, all like the old
«At*'— «« Five kittens f " says the Schiedio. «< Yes ! by my
tnlk. I fun and look at them ; yon never saw finer kittens in
aU your life : go and see if it is true.'*— .^^ No^ indeed,*' says
the Schretel, '^ no; if I were to look at them It would be the
worse for me— no, no, I shall not go there. Now there aie
six of them-i-4faey might mmrder me t the one hurt me so much
Ifaat I wiU never go into ymur house again so long as I live.*'
This was just what the farmer wished to hear; the Schretel
vanished, the farmer returned home immediately, took up his
abode again in his hoose, where he dwelt in safety; he and
iis wj^ md chttdm UM tiisie happily.

198 (m TH!E KATURE OF THE ELVBS.

tolerable to its ovmer^ as the malignant spirit;
Orendel did the castle to the Danish king^ wh'o
like him was delivered from his tormenter by
a strange hero. Grendel^ too^ always carried on
his tricks during the night. In this point of view
it cannot be overlooked that many of our modem
nursery tales^ in which some brave traveller clears
the place where he takes up his abode for the
nighty of ghosts and goblins^ is founded on the same
idea. In the morning the owner manifests the
same surprise that his guest had escaped with his
life ; sometimes^ also^ the wanderer is attended by
an animal which^ as in this case the bear^ decidedly
terminates the affair against the spirits.

15. ELFIN ANIMALS.

It is believed in the Faroe islands^ that large
and fat sheep and cows^ belonging to the fairies^
feed invisibly among the other cattle^ and that one
of them^ or one of their dogs^ is sometimes seen.
This superstition prevails in Iceland. Their herds
are not supposed to be numerous^ but very pro-
ductive ; they show themselves only when they
please. In Norway^ the Huldre drive cattle
before them, which are as blue as they are them-
selves. In Germany^ too, they relate stories of a
blue Elfin Cow, who knew beforehand if an enemy
was approaching, and pointed out to the peo]^le

ON THE MATURE OF THE EIJVBS. 1S9

secure places of retreat (Strack's Beschreib. von
Eilsen^ P* 7)* ^ Sweden, the Sea-woman drives
snow-white cattle to pasture in the islands and on
the beach (Schwed. VolM. iii. 148), and the £lfin
nymphs, in a certain song (Ibid. iii. 171 and 173)
promise twelve white oxen.

The Scotch legend respecting the £lfin buU.is
circumstantial, though certainly very ancient, as it
must have been known in Iceland as early as the
beginning of the thirteenth century, as appears
from the E3rrbyggia Saga (chap. 63), which is of
that date. A cow w(i8 missing, and people pre*
tended that they had seen her in the pasture with
an ox which had the colour of a gray horse
{apalgrdr), and which obviously answers to the
mouse-coloured bull of the Scotch tradition.
During the winter, she suddenly returns to the
stable, and towards the summer she has a bull-
calf, which is so exceedingly large, that she dies
in calving. An old blind woman, who had when
young the gift of " second sight," on hearing the
calf bellow, cried out, '^ This is the bellowing of
an iElf, and not of a living creature; you will
do well to kill it instantly !" She again repeats
her assertion, which, however, on account of the
beauty of the animal, is not attended to. It grows
very strong, and roars in a frightful manner, and-
when four years old, it kills with its horns the
master of the house; and. then jumps into a lake.

140 air TRE KAS'UBB or TH£ sltes.

In Oeaaany, too, iho MMiuJi appeatsto iutve
hem knonm. It is related in SimplicisBiaiug
(book V. chap. 10)^ that as soiae herdsmen were
tending their cattle near the Mummel See (that
is, the Lake 4if the Watemixen^ for the3r are
called Muhmen^ Mummeln^ as the female land
Blfs Boggeomnhraen^ idde No. 89)^ a farown bull
had issued from it, and joined the rest of the
cattle ; a Watemixe immediatelj fc^owed to fating
htm back ; to whom he paid no regard, till 1^
latter wished he might have all the misfortunes
of men if he refused^ upoa which both retomed
into the water. We must compare with this the
Irish tradition of the cow with the seven heifers,
and the Swiss legend of the spectre animal which
ravaged the Alps, and could only be tamed by a bull
trained £at the purpose. (Deut. Sag. No. 142.)

16. WITCHES AND SOB0SBS88X8.

We conclude these remarks with the following^
which immediately result from them. The belief
in fairies and spirits prevailed over all Europe
long before the introduction of Christianity. The
teachers of the new faith endeavoured to abolish
the deeply-rooted heathenish ideas and customs of
the people, by representing them as siniiil and
omnected with the devil. Hence many originally
pleasing fables and popular amusements gradually
assumed a gloomy, mixed, and dubious character.

OS THJE KATUBE OF THE BXVJBS. 141

Nbttha^ the heatfaenisli belief was without &e
ooDtanst ci evil: the northern mythology hai
heinga which are not amiahle^ particularly females
who ride out by night to do misehief, to ezdfte
ttoims and tempests : they were not unknown in
Germany*.

The people too could never be faHlj weaned fmax
the innocent notions of their ancient opinions;

• The following Glosses refer to this place : 6L Vindoib.
kmia s hohsmuwa and hobsmove* 6L Trer. 70* hobmvkt^
lamia, 6L Lindenbrog. 996>> lamia : kobmwwo G\, Flor.986^
ftohruna, lamia. — 61. Doc 219^ hdbmuqja, wUdaz toip, lamia,
Mw^ seems to signify the screaming, bellowing, lowing.
Tm^. Fuldens. ii. 544, domiM, teUdero 'wibo^ a place. The
rough Elf, who endeavoois to entice Wolfdietiicfa, and
throws a charm over him, appears to be such a savage wood-
nymph. In the Kolotzer Codex^ we find the following pas-
sage, p. 261, 262.

wi du unholdCy
Htxett du hie mit golde
gexieret und hehangen I
ez itt dir vol ergangen
ich wil des wesen ticher
du nHdett Wlicher

dd ze holze vam*

{die hescholtene aniwortet :)

Ich bin kein unholde *,

* O woe ! thou sorceress.
Dost thou sit here adorned
And bung about with gold !
Thou hast been very prosperous!
(The accused replies :)

1 am no sorceress.

1^2 ON THB kATl/RE OF THE ELVES.

atid^ as we tiave endeavoured to show^ scattered
features and images of heathenism were imper-
ceptibly adopted in the legends^ usages^ and fes-
tivals of the Christian church. On the whole^
however^ a gloom has been cast in the minds of
the people over their ideas and opinions of those
ancient traditions. To a dread of incorporeal
beings^ that of the sinful and diabolical has been
added. They avoid the good people as one would
shun a heretic ; and^ perhaps^ much of what distin-
guishes heretics has for that reason been ascribed
to the fairies; for instance^ abstaining from cursing
and swearing. The dances on the Brocken^ those
a'h)und the fire on Midsummer £ve^ were nothing
more than festivals of the Elves of light : they, have
been transformed into hideous^ devilish dances of
witches; and the ringsin the meadow-dew, formerly
ascribed to the light footsteps of the fairies^ are now
attributed to this cause. The beings, too, which
were formerly believed to be kind and gracious,
are become odious and inimical, though the ancient
name expressive of good qualities still subsists here
and there (in Hesse and Thuringia, Dame HoUe of
whom they have made the more idol-like Dame
Venus).* All stories of witches have something

* The oldest ordinances against witches are : Lex Salicft, tit
(i7' I^x Langob. 1. L tit. xi. cap. 9. Caroli M. Capitul. de
partibus Saxonie, cap. 5. Vide a particularly remarkable

ON THJ5 N^TUJRE OF TH^ EJ^-YES. 14j3

dry and monotonous ; only the lees of the old fancy
remain. They are sterile and joyless, like witch-
craft itself, which leaves those who practise it poor
and indigent, without any worldly compensation
for the loss of their souls. Cervantes says (Per-
i^es, ii. 8), ^^ The witches do nothing that leads
to any object." Yet we see how accurately thal^
which the tortured imagination of these unhappy
persons can confess, leads through so.trpubled a
stream to the fountain of the fairy legends *. The
witches dance in the silence of night, in cross-
roads, secluded mountains, and woodland pastures.
If an uninitiated person approaches, if he utters a
sacred name, every illusion vanishes. The cock
crowing (the break of day) interrupts the assembly
(Remigius Daemonolatria, German trans. Franc-
fort, 1598. viii. p. 121). Like the Elves they have
no salt or bread at their meals (Idem, p. 126). (Ac-
tenmaszige Hexen Processe (Trials of Witches),
Eichstadt, 1811. p. 32). TheDruden Shot is the
Elf-bolt; on Fridays the Drud hears the most
acutely. In the night the witches ride with great
velocity through the air on animals, or inanimate

passage in Regino, Eccl. Discipl. lib. 2. § 364. See Mone
oai Heathenism, 2, 128, who views the thing in the proper
light

* The ancient appellation still occurs here and there. In
the Low German Romance of Malagis (Heidelberg MS. f.
1 IS'^) the sorceress is expressly called the Elfin.

144 OK tHE KAT^RE OF TfitE ELVE8.

Sticks and forks^ Invigorated with magic ointment^
in the same manner as the Irish Cluricaune rides
on a reed ; whoever has accompanied them^ unper-*
ceived by them^ requires days and weeks to return
home. They brew tempests in pots^ till a hailstorm
arrives and beats down the com^ as the French po-
pular story relates of Oberon^ that he made storms^
rain> and hail ; or the Servian Vile gathers clouds
(Wuk. L No. 323). Their look, the squeeze of
their hand, affects cattle, less frequently men, but
oftenest little children. Almost every confession of
such actions must be founded on a real event, the
thousand-fold natural causes or motives of which
were overlooked. But it was not the people so much
as the judges who were exasperated against the
witches. One trial led to another ; and why should
the frightful number of witches have lived in the
sixteenth, seventeenth, and first half of the 18th
century in a little tract of country, in a small town
where sorcerers were before as little heard of as in
our days ? The intercourse with the evil spirit*

* He is called Meister HemmeileiD (Remigius, loc. cit p.
18] . 240. 280. 298. 359. 38?. 408. 448) exactly as the moun-
tain spirit (Deut Sag. i. 3). Has this any connexion with the
H&mmerlin of Zurich (bom 1389) ? See John MuUer, 3.
164. 4. 290, and Kirchhofer's Proverbs, p. 79. Or is Ham.
mer a much older name for Devil and Enchanter? See
Frisch under Hammerlein : Poltergeist, Erdschmidlein, KIop-
fer.

<m THE N ATVSB OW THE BLTlS. X4ii

of whioh they were acenaed, ii no more thaa what
tbe earlier tntditicms relate of the coimexioiu of
the fairies of both Hpedes with mankind. The penal
laws of thoae timea (revived and confirmed t^ the
bull of Innocent VIII. in 1484), aceoiding to
Gharlei V. Criminal Code (ccc lOd) enacted duel
water rardeala, the torture, and burning alive; and
many thousands sufiered death, all innocent of the
imputed impossible crimes. The merciless error
may be excused, if it can, by the drcumstance that
Aott of die ocndemnations appear to have fallen
upon women <tf ,faad character, and otherwise de-
■vring (rf punishment. It a not in >U countries
that an insiguficsnt superstition of the people has
sseniBed such a dreadful influence ; it wa* a fear-
fill parody of teal life on the system of the invisible
wld founded on ancient poetry.

ADDITIONS TO THE AUTHORITIES.

From the Manuscript Communication of Dr.WUhelm

Grimm,

HOLLAND.

In those districts where the dwellings of the
white women are founds the inhabitants are una-
nimously heard to declare, that frightful appari-
tions had appeared in the neighbourhood; that
there had been frequently heard within woeful
cries^ groansj and lamentations of men^ women^
and children; that by day and night people had
been fetched to women in labour ; that these spirits
foretold to superstitious men their good or bad
fortune ; that they were able to give information
respecting stolen^ lost^ or mislaid effects^ who the
guilty were^ &c. ; and the inhabitants behaved to
them with great respect^ as recognising something
divine in them ; that some of the people who had^
on certain occasions^ been into their dwellings^ had
seen and heard incredible things, but did not dare
to tell of them at the peril of their life ; that
they were more active than any creatures^ that they

QN THE NATUHE OF THE ELVES. 147

were always dressed in white, and were therefore
not called the white women, but merely the whites*
Picard's Antiquities of Drenthe, p. 46.

FINNLAKD.

Para, a kind of goblin among the Finns, is bor-
rowed firom the Swedes, who call him Bjara ; he
steals the milk from strange cows, drinks it, or
carries it into the chum. If a certain fungus
{Mucor unctuosus flavus, Lin.) is boiled in tar,
salt, and sulphur, and beaten up with a whip, the
owner of the Goblin appears, and intercedes for
him.

The Alp is known uiider the name of Paina-
jainen (the presser). It resembles a white nymph,
illumines the whole chamber with its brightness,
and presses upon the breast of the sleeping person,
who screams out and laments ; it likewise hurts
children, and causes them to squint, and may be
expelled by a steel or a broom placed under the
pillow*

The house goblin Tonttu, from the Swedish
Tomtgubbe, is also common in Finnland. Ruh's
Pinnland, p. 304, 305.

LIVONIA.

Swehtas jumprawas (literally, holy virgins), ac-
cording to the LivQnian superstition, are certain

l2

148 ON THS NATUllE OF TRX XLVES.

invinble spirits and goblins> wluch^ during the
nighty do all the spinnings sewings grinding^ and
threshing. Stender Livonian Grammar^ p. 146.

ABMBNIA.

Niebuhr (Travels, ii. 399) on his journey to
Diarbeck^heard of a sweating spirH in the Armenian
convent of Kara Klise. The bishop had cast him
out of a person possessed^ and condemned him to
sweep everj ni^t the church, the cells of the
priests, the kitchen, and the hearth, and to remove
the rubbish.

AFRICA.

Mumbo Jumo is the Man Rupert, among the
Mandingof ; he has a magic wand. See Mungo
Park.

The Cadi of Sennaar acfced me with an air of
great importascey ^^ if I knew when Hogkige
Magiuge would come ? What mj books said on the
subject, and whether they agreed with theurs ?"'
I answered^ " that I could not say any thin^ as
I did not know what was contained in their books."
Upon this he said, " Hagiuge Magiuge are little
people of the size of bees or flies of Sennaar..
They issue from the earth in countless numbers,
have two chiefis, who ride on an ass, the hairs of
which are all pipes, each of which plays a par-

ON THE NATURE OF THE SIEVES. 149

lioilar air. Those peiacms, ]uiwever> wko hear
and follow them, th^ cany nvilk thjBm into hell.
James Bruce> v. ii.

LOWBR SKBTAONE.

In tho neighboiirhood of Modaix, the peopfe
are afraid of evil spirits and genii, whom they
^9ll Teurst; they belieiTe that one of them, Teursa'
pwliety goes about, and appease to tfiett under the
form of a domestic animal.

They say, that poreTioos to a death, a hearse
(which they call caniqiui an nanhm) covered
with a white doth, and drawn by skeletons, is
seen, and the cteakiiig of the wheels is heard
hsfore the house in. whidi a sick persoa is to die.

They are oonvinoed that below the castle of
Morlaix there area great number of little men, a
foot highj who ixve in subterraneoos hdies, where
th^y may be heard walking about and playing with
Qjrmbals. The mountain dwar£» are the guardians
cf secret treasures, which they sometimes bring
up, and allow every one who finds them to take
a handful, but oa no account any more ; for if
any one attempted to fill hit pockets, be would
not only see the gold instantly vanish, but also be
punished, by having his ears botied by innomerable
iavisihle hands.

The people of JLoiver Bretagne stiU entsctain

l5b ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES.

great dread of other spirits and dsemons^ wliich
are said to interfere in many human affairs. There
are^ for instance^ Sand Yon y tad (Saint John
and his father) > who carry hy night five lights
at their fingers' ends> and make them go round
with the rapidity of a wheel; it is a kind of
ignis fatuus.

Other spirits skim the milk. A malignant wind>
aeelfal, ravages the country.

Among the ruins of Tresmalaouen dwell the
Courtis, dwarfs of a malevolent disposition^ and in
some measure magicians^ who are very fond of
dancing. They have their nocturnal meetings
amidst the Druids' stones^ and danoe^ leap^ and
caper in regular time. Woe to the shepherd who hag
the temerity to approach them ! he is ohHged to join
in their dance^ and hold out till the cock-crowing.
Many have been found dead on the following
morning through giddiness and exhaustion. Woe
to the damsels who come near the Courils ! Nine
months afterwards something new takes place in
the house; the birth of a young sorcerer^ who is
not indeed a dwarf^ but to whom the malicious
spirits give the features of a young villager; so
great is their power and subtilty.

Wicked fairies^ known hy the name of the noc-
turnal washer- women {eur cunnerez noz), appear
on the shore and invite passengers to assist them

ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVES. 151

in rinsing the linen of the dead. If a person re-
fuses> or does it against his inclination^ they draw
him into the water and break his arms.

In many houses they never sweep the rooms
after sunset^ that they may not^ with their broom^
injure the dead> who walk about at that time ; a
single blow would irritate them^ and be attended
with serious consequences. On All Saints' Day
in particular^ the house is supposed to swarm
with them ; their number is like the sand on the

sea-shore.

In order to find the corpse of a drowned person
they fasten a burning light to a boat^ and let it
swim on the water ; where it stops^ the dead person

lies.

The sea-nymphs, too, have been seen by many
thoiisand fishermen. They excite the most violent
tempests, and from them there is no deliverance
except by prayer and invocation of the Patron

Saint.

They consult the birds whether they shall marry,
and how old they are to be. They count how
often the cpck crows before midnight : if it is an
even number of times, the wife dies; if an odd
number, the husband.

. They believe that, on Christmas Eve, no rur
minatin^ domestic animal goes to sleep ; that they

45& ^HT'txsrirAViSRX* av tbe xlves.

coDmte an tlie life and death of the imnatei of the
hooK^ and £ar thU reason thefgive them % dottUb
share of fobd.

If the dogi hark in the night, it is a pmn^e of
deaMi*

They obserw heieditai3r costoms ki eases of sidfi-
nasB and pregnanej^ steep the hody-lineix in eot^
sectated water, watch hy the desd to keep off the
evil spirits^ make piIgrinagBa to our Imif 4ss
P&rta, and pass the hand orvr hsE gaonetits ; the
rustling and shining of which is an indka t fam of
serene daja and a plentifal harrest^

In theneii^bourhoodof Vamies^ there is a very
popular hdief in a spirit of cqlossal staBbme. H0
is called Tens ot Bugelnoz, and never shows bufeh
sebP but hetfff een midnaghi and two o'doek. His
garmenta are white, and his office is. to disappoitit
Sattan of liis prey. He then spreads his amntk
over the victim which the evil ox» is about to &idi.
The latter, who has to come across the sea, cwoflt
longbear the presence of the good spirit; he sinks
again, and the q)irit vanishea.

From the Joumai Der CksdUehaftgt, 1826. No.
30, where the anthori^ ia not mentioned. See
alsoLegoniderDictionn. Celtobreton. voeibna: are-
hMef, mMcktr, bitf/elno9, bmdih, ffMlm, korr,
kgrrik.

J«[I8GBX4l«AKi:0U6«

0« ^ gobliat of the Ramaxi^ ¥• PlairtwAtt-
iidftriik Pnkg*

friequis mociiu", ^td nniy paoeis elo^nttF
Uode DM eottuntem me aspezistw.

I have cemmanioated&Matv^^ii birr ^^
from the verbal narrative oC a fnead^ lo the Mfir-
chen Almanach of Wilhelm Hauff for 1827.
Stuttgard.

Some particiikn relatiYe to the Servian Vile
may be found in Wesely Serbisehe Hochxeit lieder
Pest. p. 17. 1286.

From the Faroe songs of Lyngbye^ Banders^
1822^ we may leam something from the Liede von
Quorfin respecting the nocturnal orgies and oc-
cupations of the dwarfs. I have reviewed this
book in the GKitting. gelehr. Anzeigen^ 1824. No.
143. p. 14—17.

In the ancient Noricum (the modem T3rrol,
Salzburg, Stiria^ and Carinthia) there is a very
popular belief in a Schranel, the peevish mountain
spirit; in an Alp spirit Donanadel} in the terrific
Perchte, which announces a death ; in the spirit
Butg, which causes people to go astray; in the
Dusel, Klaubauf, Loiter, Bartel, which creep into
lonely houses and steal children ; in the Klagcy the

134 ON THE NATURE OF THE ELVEB.

moat dzeadful tad terrific image of inaxonble de-
stiny, the playing wood'teomen, and other Bpirits of
meadows, springs, and fountains. These beings
are genesaUjr invisible, but oftentlmas appear to
men. Mucliar Rom. Norikum- Oriitx, 1826, ii. 37.
Bespecting the Wendischen dwarfs (they are
called Berstvc, Markroptt, and Koltk) see Masch
Obotrituche Alterthlimer, iii. 39. Wiener Jaht-
bucher der Litteratur.

THE MABINOGION,
FAIRY LEGENDS

WALES.

" Ttus wu let iowae, for eauwa more than one.

The world belcevea, no more tbM it hath aeent :
When thing! lye dead, and tyme U put and gone,

Blynd people say, it u cot ao we weece.
It ig a tale deviide to please the eare
Hoie foe delight of tojtt, then troth to beare :
But thaw that think, ihia may a fable be
To author's good, I (end them here from me."

CHDKCHTARS's WOBIHINXB OF WaLXS.

The compiler of this work havijig been
favoured with several original communications
respecting the Legends of Wales, which he
found it impossible to interweave with the
notes of the former Tolumes, has arranged
them in the following pages ; as in many cases
they afford striking illustrations of the legends
current in Ireland.

The notice of the Mabinogion is chiefly
derived from the kind assistance of Dr. Owen
Pughe, who, besides the information conveyed
in the introductory letter, placed in the hands
of the compiler hk manuscript translation of
these romances, and with permission to make
extracts* In availing himself of such flattering
liberality, the compiler sincerely hopes that
by more fully explaining to the public the
nature of the Mabinogion than oould be done
within the limits of a prospectus, he may
assist rather than injure the learned doctor's

158

subscription list *. And as expressing his own
sentiments, he will repeat the words of the
Editor of the Cambro Britain, in his pre-
fatory address to Dr. Pughe on the appearance
of the second Yolume of that work :
^' By a translation of the Mabinogion,

* In 1825, Dr. Owen Pughe issued the following pro-
spectus for the publication of the Mabinogion, so soon as sub-
scribers should be obtained sufficient to de&ay the expense of
printing :

'' In three volumes, demy octavo, price 21, in boards ; fifty
copies will be on large superfine paper, price 47., The Mabi-
nogion ; or, the Ancient Romances of Wales, in the original
language, and a literal translation into English. By W. Owen
Pughe, LL.D. F.A.S.

'* A general introduction, containing a review of the literature
of Wales, in the early ages, will be prefixed ; and each of the
tales will be illustrated by such allusions as occur in the works
of the bards, and other memorials.

'^ It is presumed, by the editor, that these interesting re-
mains of British lore will be considered a valuable acquisition
by the literary world, exhibiting a faithful and unique por-
traiture of the ancient manners and customs that prevailed
among the Cymmry, through the middle ages. They may
also assist in deciding a long-disputed question respecting the
origin of all tales of a similar character difiiised over Europe,
and form an important accession to the curious and valuable
illustrations of the subject, elicited by the learned researches
of Ellis, in * The early English Romances.*

'' Names of subscribers received by Messrs. Lewis and
Alston, 30, Bishopsgate-Street ; Mr. Jones, 90, Long Acre ;
Mr. Ellis, 2, John-Street, Oxford-Street ; Mr. H. Hughes,
15, St. Martin'sle-Orand ; and by the Editor, Denbigh.**

150

avowedly among the most curious of our an-
cient remains, you will not only impose on
your country a lasting obligation, but you will
enrich in an essential degree the literary trea-
sures of Europe. There may be other de-
partments of learning more useful, but there
is none more generally attractive than that in
which the genius of romance has painted the
fantastic splendours of her visionary reign.
And among the niunerous ancient productions
of this nature, there are few, if any, that excel
in interest the juvenile romances of Wales."

A gentleman, who is unknown even by
namie to the compiler, has furnished him with
some of the subsequent remarks on the ro-
mantic and chivalrous tales of the Welsh. And
to a lady (whose name he would feel proud in
being allowed to mention) he is indebted for
the extensive oral collection of tales. That lady
thus prefaced her communications :

" The subject of Welsh fairies is one which
interestsmemuch; buttheopportunities of con-
versing with story-tellers are few,the race being
now almost extinct in Wales. The increase
of wealth, the intercourse with enlightened
Saxons, the improvement of roads, and the

160

progress of education, hare nearly banished
< the fair family*' However, I have the good
fortune to inhabit a romantic valley in Gla-
morganshire, and am acquainted widi s<»ne
old secluded mountaineers who speak no
language but Aeir own, and who inherit die
superstition of their ancestors. They see At
fairies — they hear t^ir enchanting music, and
sometimes join in their merry dances. They
are also familiar with ghosts and strange noises,
behold supernatural lights, and always fovetel
death by certain signs* I am sorry to add, too,
tibat my country folk have frequent c(»nmu-
nications with * the old gentleman,' who visits
them in all possible shapes and places. A
favourite spot is near a Roman road on one
of the liills behind this house, where it is sup^
posed treasure is hidden *.

<^ The stories which I send are deficient in
the charm of national idiom, as they are trans-

* Int^ jubBeqnent letter the fair writer saya :..^^^ Mama re>
roembers a meeting of twenty preadien assembled on a hiU not
far from tbis, to combat the wicked spirit who had enticed so
many to sinful practices, by tempting them with bars of sold,'
which were dug up near a Roman causeway called Sttn
Helen. A fanner, a tenant of ours, who became suddenly rich,
was commonly supposed to have sold himself to the evfl one.**

161

lationa from the Welsh ; but I have endea-
voured to imitate as closely as possible any
peculiarities of phraseology, and in some in-
stances have preserved the expressions in the
original."

To the materials thus derived the compiler
has added several foavy tales from printed
sources, which are acknowledged ; and on the
entire he has appended notes, gleaned from
various authorities. Even on this limited col-
lection, like more extensive commentators, he
has found these notes to exceed considerably
his original intention ; but he trusts that cir-
cumstance will not render them lessacceptable.
Although imperfectly qualified for the task,
his aim has been to excite a general interest
towards the more abstruse Legends of Wales.
And in this endeavour he has been obliged
in many instances to repeat particulars with
which several readers must be familiar. He,
however, preferred this fault to that of leaving
any point, however trivial, unexplained.

The Ancient Bardic Poems and other re-

' mains, which are so frequently referred to,

and quoted from, were collected and published

by the Welsh Mecsenas, Mr. Owen Jones,

PABT III. M

162

better known as ^^ Honest Owen Jones, the
Thames Street Furrier." This patriot printed
at his own expense, in 3 vols, large 8vo., the
Arehaiology of Wales. 1st and 2d vols, in
1801 ; 3d vol. in 1807. A work which pro*-
bably has preserved these curious remains
from destruction, and certainly from oblivion*.

* The three volumes are spoken of by booksellers as *' rare,
and at present seU in boards firom ten to twelve guineas.

»»

THE MABINOGION.

TO THE AUTHOR OF THB IRISH FAIRY LEGENDS.
DEAR SIR^

I BEG leave to express to you^ that I was
greatly interested^ by the perusal of the Irish
Legends^ at finding the fairy tales so generally
and uniformly difiused over Britain and Ireland ;
far there appears a great similarity between those
popular traditions^ as preserved in the Emerald
Isle (Iwerdhon) and in Wales^ though in the latter
oountry a great many have sunk into oblivion^
which I used to listen to when young.

Among those in Wales^ dr lavar gwlad, or^ on
the voice of the country^ according to our common
saying, the most deeply rooted in the public
memory and most general are^ ** The Man who
killed his Greyhound," and the ^^ Two prominent
Oxen."

The first has found its way into the books of
tours in Wales, and been applied to Llywelyn, our
last prince ; but this is not warranted by the tra-
dition, and a strong proof of its high antiquity is^

h2

164 THE MABIN06I0K.

that sir William Jones^ in his '^ Institutes of
Menu *," gives the tale literally the same^ from
Persian tradition. The tale is thus related : A
family went out to work at the harvest^ leaving
an infant sleeping in a cradle^ and a favourite
greyhound in the house as a safeguard. The head
of the family had occasion to return home> and on
entering the house^ he was alarmed at finding the
cradle overturned^ and the dog lying in a comer
covered with bloody and also blood about the floor.
The man immediately killed his dog^ supposing
that the animal had destroyed the child; but
upon turning up the cradle, he diseova*ed the child
asleep^ with the clothes about him^ and a large
serpent dead by his side. The man^ when it was
too. late> found how inconsiderately he had de^
stroyed the faithful guardian of his child^ and
hence comes the old proverb, " Edwared ag y
gwr h ladhes ei vilgi .*" that is, as repentant as the
man yrho killed his greyhound t*

* Mavm^ in Welsh, is inteUect, mind. Menw nuA Teirgm
waedh^ the Son of the three Cries, agrees in attributes with
the Indian Mena. The latter gave the three Vedas, or the
three revelations, and gwaedh in Welsh becomes waedh under
many forms of coBstructfion, and i» thus identified with the
Sanscrit ved,

f The romantic village of Beddgelart (the grave of the
Gilbertines), in North Wales, is popularly said to be the
scene of this legend, m which a wolf is substituted for the

The adventure of the two oxen^ Ninio and
Peibio^ as drawing the crocodile out of the lake^
is localised to sevei»l pools in Wales *. There is

aerpcnt Accorcling to the modem tiaditioD, the name of the
dog wa3 Gelart or CUiart, oddly enough anglicised into Kill
hart.

^* And till great Snowdon*8 rocks grow old
And cease the storm to hrave,
The ^onsecxated spot ahall hold
The name of « Gelatins Grave.* "

The names of many places in Wales appear to he more ob-
viously connected with the story. Thus Bwrdd Arthur
(Arthur's table) in Carmarthenshire, a druidical remain (se^
Gibson's Camden, col. 7^2), is likewise called Gwal y VSlast,
the couch or Uag&s of the greyhound. There is a monument
of the same kind, called also Gwal y ViUut^ in Glamorgan-
shire ; another called Llech y Asty the flat stone of the Dog
in Cardiganshire. And in Merionethshire, we find Ffynawn
Maen Milgiy the spring of the greyhound's stone, a stream
issuing out of the side of Berwyn mounttin.

This legend, although more romantic, bears some resem-
blance to that related in Ireland of Partbolan, who, in a fit of
jealousy, killed his wife's greyhound, which wascaUed Samer,
and hence Jnis Samer^ or the Dog's Isle, in Lou^h Erne. Not
&r from Bruree, in the county of Limerick, the figure of a
greyhoxmd, rudely sculptured on a rock, is pointed out by
the peasantry with the. tale, that the figure is in memory of
a fiuthiul dog, whom his ^master had killed in a burst of
passion.

* The story of the prominent Oxen (F qain IcLnang) or
the oxen having a prominence, probably buffaloes, drawing
the Avanc (Crocodile) out of the lake of fioods, is said to
be a memorial of the Deluge. See the original Triads in

166 THE MABIN06I0N. .

one inCamavonsliire^ and another inDenbiglu^ire,
and both are called Lfyn dau ychain, or the Pool
of the two Oxen. I have formerly heard an old
man (and probably the very last performer)^ play-
ing upon the Crwth *, a singular piece of music^
which imitated the lowing of the oxen^ the clank-
ing of their chains^ &c. in drawing the animal out
of the lake.

Besides those legends^ which were popularly
recited^ there is another remarkable class of tales

Arch, of Wales, and translation, with interesting remarks, in
the Cambro Briton, 1820, vol. i. p. 127* Some curioas par-
ticuIaiB relating to this inquiry will also be found in the
second volume of Bryant^s '^ Analysis of Ancient Hjrtho-
logy,*' and Mr. Davies's Works.

These oxen belonged to Hu Gadem, or Hu the Mighty,
respecting whom see the Notices collected by Dr. Owen Pughe,
from the Triads, and published in the Cambro Register, 181 ft,
vol. iii. p. 182, and an extremdy ingenious and learned paper
in the Cambro Briton, vol. ii. p. 59.

* The Crwffif pronounced Crooth, was an instrument
hdd by the Welsh next in estimation to the harp. It was
on the principle of the violin, and had six strings ; four of
these were played with a bow, and the fifth and sixth, which
served as a base, were struck with the thumb.

Crowder is still used in some districts of England for
fiddler. The adventures of Crowdero in Hudibras are well
known. Venantius Fortunatus (I. vii. p. 169, ed. Mognnt
1617) in panegjrrising the Dux Lupus, tells him that the
British Chrotta sings him.

*^ Romanus que lyra plaudat tibi, borbarus haipa
Oraecus anhillata, ehrotta Britanna canat**

THE MABINOGION. 167

or romances^ wliicli are preserved in ancient manu-
scripts *y but which in latter times have entirely
passed away from public memory.

Their existence^ however^ has been made
slightly known to the literary world within the
last thirty years^ by an announcement of their
intended publication^ but this has not hitherto
been accomplished. I have lately renewed my
intention of printing the originals^ with a trans-
lation^ in three volumes^ by subscription^ and as
soon as a prospect of indemnity for the expense
appears likely^ the work will go to press.

The tales thus announced are known under
the title of Mahinogion f^ which implies matters
interesting to youth.

* An Account of the principal Collections of Welsh Manu-
scripts was communicated hy Dr. Owen Pughe to the Anti-
quarian Society, and is published in the Archaeologia, toL xiv.
p. 2 1 1 — 220. In this very valuable paper, the Doctor states,
that having made a calculation, he is enabled to infer, that
he has perused upwards of thirteen thousand poetical pieces
in Welsh of various denominadons (for the puii>06e of col-
lecting words) in the course of about dghteen years, whilst
engaged in compiling his Welsh dictionary.

t The Welsh word Mahinogion (in the singular Mabinogi)
may be rendered by juvenilia, and signifies any thing that
appertains to youth. It is, however, commonly used in a
limited acceptation, and understood to mean certain romantic
Actions, or stories for children, whidi were in former ages the
popular legends of the country. These legends are sometimes

168 THE MABIKOOION.

These are Bome of tilie moit ^uarious vemauu of
the literature of Waks^ composed and popularly
recited at a period when that country enjoyed its
own independent government* Fxon the oon«
sfderation of various circumstanoes recorded in our
andent manuscripts, it would appear that a recital
of heroic achievements must have been conducted
on a Kgular S3rstem, and that there was a daosof
persons under the appdlation o£ DatgeuUaid, or
reciters, who peculiarly cultivated it as a means
of support, under the sanction of the laws. At
what time such a system originated^ it would be
difficult to determine, bnt that it had its source
in the bardic institution, there can be little room
to doubt.

Judging from all the evidence that can be ad-
duced, it may be concluded that all the tales of
the Mabinogion must have been put into the form
in which they are still preserved^ at different
periods anterior to the union of Wales with Eng-
land under Edward I. in the year 1283 *.

alladed to under the name Trtorktu^ or Talcf, and Men
Titoreuony or old storiei.

* To penons conviiwnt with Welih aatiquitiet lome in-
stances of anachronism are evident in the Mabinogion ; with
respect to PwyU himself, the hero of the first talc, in parti.
euUr ; and, therefore, no pretensions to exactness of date ca^
be made. Taliestn, who flowished in the sixth century^

TH£ MABINOGION. 169

The traditions fonning the basis of the Mtfai-
iic»gion are so intimately blended with our early
poetry^ and are so completely its machinery^ that
the high antiquity of these tales admits of no
question *. Most of the real characters introduced
in them are recorded in our historical memorials^
and many of the places mentioned are still known^
and bear the same names.

mentions several inddents in these tales ; so also do the Welsh
poets, who flourished in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
Many of the personages and events in the Mabinogion are
likewise mentioned in the Triads.

* In the tale of Pwyll, the real persooagei sie Pwyll, P17-
deri, Teymon, Twrv, Blivant, and Hyhaid Hen. Bhianon,
the D7iuon.Mw3m, or Fairy, is a mythological creature; and
Arawn, Havcan, and Gwawl mab Glud are imaginary beings.

Bhiaoon was a character in the bardie mythology, the song
of whose birds so entranced any one who heard them, that
they listened unconscious of years passing away. The name
Riiianon implies the queen, or paragon of the fkir sex ; and
the Welsh poets complimented a lady for superior endowments
by comparing her to Rhianon :

'^ Gwenhwyvar I

Ei pryd a cudiwyd i prid i

Dygn ooofofi BMamon rod /"

'^ Owenhwyvarl Her countenance has been covered with
earth : severe the recoUections of her having the gift of
Rhianon." — Goronwy Cyriog. 1300.

Arawn signifies eloquent one; Havcan, the splendour of
summer, or summerahJne ; and Owawl mab Clud means, light
son of transit.

170 THE MABIN06I0K.

The Mabinogion are divisible into three clasps :

In the first class are to be included^ Pwyll,

Prince of Dimetia; Bran's Expedition to Ireland*;

Manawydan's t Destruction of the Enchantment

that was over Dimetia X ; ond The Magical Ad-

* See subsequent account of this Bf abinogi ; the events of
which arise out of the tale of PwylL

f Manawydan is the brother of Bran, and one of the seven
who carried his head to London. The events of this tale are
a continuation of the former, and its conclusion is the doing
away of some spells or enchantments laid upon Dimetia,
arising out of the events of the tale of Pwyll.

X '* Neere Deneuoir, the seat of the Dimetian king.
Whilst Cambria was herself full, strong, and flourish,
ing," &C.

So sings old Drayton in his Poly<^lbion.

The Dimetia of Roman writers is called in Welsh Dyvedj
and, strictly speaking, denotes the modem county of Pembroke ;
which last name of Pembroke is a corruption of the Welsh
PenbrOy or bead land. Penbro and Dyved are epithets
equally descriptive of the country ; as the latter implies, the
region of gliding waters, in allusion to the two channels of
Dau Cledau, which glide nearly through its whole extent, and
form the haven of Milford. But according to the ancient
divisions oi Wales, Ceredigion^ or Cardiganshire, the Vale of
Tywi and Gxtryr^ or Oower, were often comprehended under
the name of Dyved^ or Sdsylwg. By the poets it was de-
nominated Bro Esylt, Tir PrydeH^ and Gwlad yr Hud^ the
country of illusion :

'< Y mwyalcen atoenatoU^
Hed yn pres % gwlad EsyU.**

THE MABINOGIOK* ITl

ventures of Gwdion^ under Math^ the son of Ma-
thonwy*. These four tales follow each other in

^ Thou blackbird, abounding in melody — fly hastily to the
country ofEsyh,** — Dav. ah GwUym, 1340.

" Clyw mi Aav—

Hed trosov i tir EtyU

O permed gwlad Gwyned gwyU,

91

^' Hear me, summer — fly for me to the land EtyU^ from the
middle of the wild country of Gwyned."— 7^ tameo

<* Gwen Eleri
Gwlad Pryderi
Yuf gwraid deri
Gwrd a t%Hr.''

■ '^ Fair Eleri f the country of Pryderi is where the roots of
mighty oaks will be grounded." — L. Glyn* Coti, 1460.

<< Dyved a tamed o symud ei matered
Am eryr bro yr Hud,**

'' Djnred has been disappointed from the removal of its
dignity, for the eagle of the land of illunon**-~Dav, ah
Gtvilym, 1350.

* This tale follows the preceding in connexion ; but the
incidents in it are distinct, so that it may be considered as a
separate one. It opens with an embassy from Math, prince
of Owynedd (Venedotia) to Pryderi, the son of Pwyll, prince
of Dyved (Dimetia). The ambassadors are twelve bards, with
Gwydion, the son of Don, at their head, who had magic speUs
at command. The object was by means of rich presents to
obtain a race of new animals, of which Pryderi had possession,
and these were swine, being the first of the kind in the island.
The request is refused ; but Gwydion, by iQusions, obtains

172 .Tȣ SAABINOCWV.

connexioQ* tnd abound with inTifliUe agraoies of
various kinds^ with mtaxy aUusioasito mjthoL^ipfitl
persons and things of remote antiquity *.

The heroes of the next dass are those who seek
adventures to entitle them to the honour of being
enrolled among the knights of Arthur. These
are^ Owen^ the son of Urien ; Peredur^ the son of
Evrog ; and Oeraint^ the son of Erbin. Trystan
was the hero of another tal^^ to which many
allusions are made by the baids; but of which
not a Welsh copy is now to be found. To make
amends^ however^ a venion of it by Thomas of
Erdldoune has been given to the world by Sir
Walter Scott. This dass has an identity of cha-
racter with the romances of the middle agesy which
are familiar from the elegant synopsis given of
them by Ellis.

There are four other miscellaneous tales^ which
do not fall within the foregoing dasses : These
are> The Contention of Lludh and Llevdys t ; The

(he swine. Prydsri, in levenge, invades Gywnedd : the ocm-
Mquenoe is the nun of both counties; and the tale protteds
with a setieB of spells often very fanciful and striking.

* The originals of these four tales aie preserved in -the
«< Llf(fyr Coch fferguty*' or Red Book of Heincsty in
Jesus College, Oxford, pages 700. 726. 739. 751, and in the
Hengwrt library other copies are to be found.

t JUudh, SOD of BeU, was the father of Caswallawn (Cassi-
veUaonus) ; he and Iilevdys, his brother, are described play*

THE MABIN0610K. ITS

Dream of Maximus *; This Difeamof RhonidiyvTy t^
and The History of Taliesm.

Some tales^ to which frequent refeiencei aet
mnie hy- the Welsh bardSi will not be inserted in
the edition of the Mahmogion, which I intend
printings as th^ are already before the pablic;
such as the San-Greal and Morte Arthur^ which
were originaUy in Wdsh^ as may be seen by a fine
copy of them at Hengwrt> written in the thirteenlii
century. There are also Welsh copies ci Sir Bevis
of Hampton^ and of Charlemagne. The latter tale
may have been^ as suggested by Leyden^ or]^;inaliy
composed in Brittany; and the author must have
been well versed in British lore^ as the tale contains
much of the mythology of Hu Gadam^ or Hn the
Mighty.

I sl^all conclude this notice with giving two
ihstanees of the correctness of tradition^ as cor-
responding with things related in the Mabino*
gion.

ing «t boll, which, with the events the game produeed, and
their reconcilement, foim the subject of this tale. — The ori-
ginal in the Red Book of Hergest, p. 705.

* The Dream of Mazimus is concerning his elevation to
power, and in it are narrated the incidents leading to its ac-
complishment.— The original in the Red Book of Hergest,

p. 697.

t The original will be fomid hi the Red Book of Hergest,
p. 565.

1T4 THE MABINOGIOK.

The first is conceming Bronwen^ the Aunt of
Caractacus^ who is said^ in the tale of Bran^ to
have heen buried on the banks of the Alaw^ in
Anglesea *. There is an islet in that river still
bearing the name of Ynys Bronwen^ or the Isle of
Bronwen ; and a friend of mine, with others, made
a discovery there in the year 1813, which confirms
in a very remarkable manner the historical truth
whereon the tale of Bran is founded.

The particulars of the discovery were inserted by
that indefatigable antiquary. Sir Richard C. Hoare,
in the Cambro Briton, vol. ii. p. 71* The following
is an extract from that account:— •^^ A farmer
living on the banks of the Alaw having occasion
for stones to make some addition to his farm-
buildings, and having observed a stone or two
peeping through the turf of a circular elevation on
a flat not far from the river, was induced to exa-
mine it, when, after paring ofi* the turf, he came to
a considerable heap of stones, or camedh, covered
with earth, which he removed with some d^ree
of caution, and got to a cist formed of coarse flags,
canted and covered over. On removing the lid he

• " Bedd petrual a vmaed i Bronwen fetch Lyr or km
Alaio ac yno y claddwyh hV*

^' A square grave was made for Bronwen, the daughter of
liyr, on the hanks of the Alaw, and there she was buried.'*

THE HABIHOGIOK. 175

feund it contained an um *, placed with its montli
downwards, full t^ aslies and half calcined (cag-
meata of bone."

This um, with its contents, are now in the
posseasion of Mr. Richaid Llwyd, the author of
Beaumaris B^, and other Poems, and now re-
siding at Chester.

The other instance of the fidelity of tradittoo
rdates to the discovery of the fortress of Arianrod,
mentioned in the tale of Math. Its situation was
thus found. — Being in conversation respecting
names of places in Anglesea with a late friend
ol mine from that country, he said that there
was a remarkable ruin in the sea, nearly midway
between Llandwyn Point and the church of
Clynog, in Carnarvonshire, which sailors in passii^
over can see in the water, and which is dan-

* From a iketch of Bnmven's um.

176 THE MABIKOGION.

gerotts to veflseb^ and called by tbea Oaer Anaa-
rod. Tlicuy by mere accident, I found wbat I
had often vainly inquired for. I tfaougbt that it
was to be found somewhere on the coast of Aivon,
and not about two miles from it in the ses^

Excuse my sending yon so has^ andimoon-
nected an account of the MabinogioD, and believe
me to remain.

Dear Sir,
Yours truly,

WiLIiIAlf OWKN Pu«H8.

London^ 11th May^ 1827*

The following may be considered as fair
specimens of the Mabinogion. The first is
intended to illustrate the style of narration.
Of the other, as connected with Irish tradition,
a partial synopsis is given, which, at the same
time, conveys an idea of the rapid succession
of wild and romantic adventure in these tales.

THE COMHENCEMENT OF THE TALE OF

PWYLL*, PRINCE OP DYVED f.

PwYiiL, prince of Dyred, was lord of the seven
provinces of Dyved. Once upon a time lie was
at Arbertfa f , a principal court belonging to him,
and he formed the resolution to go out hunting,
and the part of his territory where he intended to
hunt was the glen of Cuch §.

* PwyU, means impulse, and in a secondary sense, it is
reason, intellect, or wit The original, and a translation of
this Mabinogi, is given in the Cambrian Register for 1795,
voL L p. 177> continued in voL ii. for the following year,
p. 322, from the Red Book of Jesus College, Oxford, a MS.
of the fonrteenth century, and it is completed in voL ilL for
1818, p. 230.

f Dyved— Dimetia, as before explained.

f Arberth is at present a hundred in the south-east of
Pembrokeshire, where there is a small town near the ruins of
an old castle bearing the same name, the meaning of which
is, ^* above the thicket." The English call it Narberth,
from blending a part of the preposition yn with the original
name.

§ The small river Cuch, through most of its course, divides
the counties of Pembroke and Carmarthen, and faUs into the
Tdvi a little above Cardigan, The name is desaiptive of
its dark bed beneath frowning rocks.

PART III. N

1*78 PWYLL, PRINCE OF DVVED.

So be set out the same eyening from Arbertli^
and proceeded as far as the head of the grove of
Dyarwya *^ where he remained that night. The
next morning, in the infancy of the day^ he arose
and went to the glen of Cuch^ to turn out the
dogs below the wood. He blew his hom^ and
entered fully upon the chase^ following after the
dogs^ and separating himself from his com-
panions.

As PwyU listened to the cry of the hounds> he
heard the note of another pack different from that
of his own^ and that note coming in an opposite
direction. And he perceived a dusky glade in the
wood« forming a level plain ; and as his pack was
entering the skirt of the glade, he saw a stag
before the other pack ; and towards the middle of
the glade, beheld the hounds that were pursuing
the stag overtake him, and throw him down;
and then remarking the colour of the dogs, without
thinking of noticing the stag, he deemed that of
all the greyhounds he had seen in the world, he
had not seen dogs of similar colour with them ;
for their colour was a clear shining white, and
their ears were red, and as the dogs glittered with

* There is in the river Cuch a romantic waterfall, near
which we must look for the' grove of Dyarwya, or the roaring
torrent.

PWYLI^ PRINCE OF DYVEi)'' ITO

^udk whxteiies^ so glittered the red;ae88 of tlieir
ears.

Thereupon Pwyll came to the spot» and driving
the pack that had killed the stag away, he drew-
his own pack on the stag. And while he was
thus engaged in drawing on his dogs^ he saw a
knight coming after the other pack, upon a large
d^ple gray horse, having a bugle horn hanging
round his neck, and dad in a hunting dress of
dark grayish cloth.

The knight then approached Pwyll, and said
thus to him : ^^ O chief! I know not who thou
art, and will not therefore bid thee a welcome." '

'' What, then," said Pwyll, " thou art, per-
haps, of too high a rank to entitle me to that
honour }'*

*' Truly," answered the other, '^ it is not any
worthiness of my honour that deters me from the
civiHty."

<' Then, chief," replied Pwyll, " what other

cause?"

'' Heaven bear me witness," quoth the knight,
" thy own ignorance, and thy want of courtesy."

'^ What discourtesy, chief, hast thou perceived

m me?

^' I have never experienced greater incivility
from any man," said the knight, " than driving
away my dogs that had killed the stag, and setting

m2

(S

180 PWYLL, PRIKCE OP DYVED.

tby own paek upon hhn. That/' added he^ '' was
an insult ; and though I may not avenge myself
as to thee^ I vow to heaven^ I will cause thee
disgrace^ for which a hundred stags will not make
amends."

« O <adef !" said Pwyll, '' if I have done thee
an injury^ I will purchase thy fHendship."

'^ In what manner wilt thou purchase it ?" in-
quired the other. " According as thy dignity,"
answered Pwyll ; " but I know not who thoti
art." " I am a king/* rejoined the other,

wearing a crown in the country whence I come."

Sir," said Pwyll, '^ I greet thee with a good
day: and what country then dost thou come
from ?"

" From Annwn," answered the other ; ^' I am
Arawn *, king of Annwn t»"

** Arawn may signify eloquence : in the Cambrian Register
it is tmnslated ^' the silveied tongued."

f The mythological region of Annwn deserves partiAdaB
explanation. This term, in its most strict application, relates
to the bardic theology ; wherein it denotes, agreeably to its
literal import, a privation of knowledge, being the contrast to
Owynvyd^ vr'theintellectuel world, by which the naMe hap-
piness was defined. Annwn was the lowest point of animatioD^
or the extreme of evil, in the circle of Abred, or metempsy-
chosis, out of which the lapsed soul was imagined to re-ascend
thvottgh all intermediate modes of existence, until it attttined
the human state, wherein ultimately it aceomuUted iBUi«

PWYLL, PBIlirCfi OP DYVJED. 181

<* Sir," said Pwyll, *^ by what means may I
obtain thy friendship ?"

ligenoe for aiabliog it to dioese, and sd to attach itself to
good or to evil, as a free agent*. If good preponderated in
the choice, the soul escaped by death to a higher qrde of
bein^, wherein the memory was restored, so as to recognise
the incidents and economy of every state of inferior life passed
through ; and though the soul progressively accumulated
faiowledge in the drde of felicity, and it merged into the
intellectual circle of infinitude^ to experience varied modes of
existence eternally in approaching to the Deity ; and as no
finite being could, consistently wi& happiness, endure eternity
without changing, this was a necessary condition. But if
noan was attached to evU, by death the soul again fell into a
lower state of being, corresponding with its turpitude in the
circle of necessity and evil ; and again it transmigrated to the
state of humanity. Thus the reprobate proceeded, so as
ultimatdy to become attached to the good i fuid this state of
good preponderating, it would consequently become universal
among men, and then would this world end. So taught '^ the
bards of the isle of Britain.**

AnnTtfUy in its more lax acceptation, as in the Mabipogion,
is the unknown world, the invisible state, and fairy land.
There is another Welsh term, very similar in sound, but dif-
fering in strict literal sense, yet not greatly so, as sometimes

* The fall into the lowest point of existence was termed cwymp i had,
wliich literally is a lapse into seed ; that is, into the seed of llfe« whence
it again increased. This lower state was tiie hell of the haxdie doctrine.
Had has the exact sound of the Greek Hades, divested of its termina-
tion ; and the Welsh term Hil, is increment or accumulation, and
Ueia is to accumulate, to gather, also to hunt. This term is descriptive
of the progress from theHod, or seed, in the circle of evil, or the Bardic
hell, and it has precisely the same tound as the English word Hell.
These are curious coincidences.

182 PWYLL, PEINCB OF DYYED.'

'' This is the manner thou shslt obtain it/' was
the answer: " there is a person whose dominioit
borders upon mine> and who makes war upon me
continually; he is called Havcan'*^ also a king of
Annwn: by freeing me l&om his attacks^ which
thou canst easily do^ thou shalt obtain my friend-
ship," &c.

used. This term is Andwvn^ the abyss, or bottomless pit»
Tartarus. Thus the sun, on approaching to the winter solstice,
is made to say :

'< I gocel axvel gduav

I gwlad andwvn dwvn yd av**

^^ To shun the winter gale, to the region of the abyss pro-
found I go." — Dav* ab GxHlytn^ 1350*

It should be remarked, that after his return from Annxm^
the cognomen of Pwyll Fentevig Dyved is changed to PwyU
pen Annwfty or Pwyll, the head of the world unknown.

Mr. Davies, in his '' Celtic Researches,** p. 175, considers
Annwn to imply *< figuratively the condition of the dead, or the
infernal regions, which comprehends the Elysium and the
Tartarus of antiquity.** And in support of this opinion, he
quotes the proverb, ^' Nid eir i annwn ond untoaith .*** there
will be but one journey to hell ; and likewise the common
expressions, Cwn Annximy hell-hounds; Plant Annton^
children of the deep, certain wandering spirits. The Irish
are said to have anciently called their country by the name
Annun or Annan,

* Literally, sununershine.

SKETCH OP THE TALE OP BEAN.

Bran> the son of Llyr^ with his brothers^ and
the attendants of his court, are described as sitting
on a large stone at Harlech*, when they perceive

* The vicinity of Harlech abounds in Druidical remains : At
the ebb of the tide part of a great stone wall, four-and-twenty
feet in thickness, may be seen, extending into the sea for about
two-and-twenty miles in a serpentine manner, from the coast
of Merionethshire, midway between Harlech and Barmouth.
This extraordinary work is called Sam Badrig, or St. Patrick's
Causeway. Sam Badrhwyg, or the Ship Breaking Causeway,
remarks Pennant, it ought to be more properly called, from
the numbers of ships lost on it. Its principal dty is supposed
to have been.Caer Wyddno, or Gwyddno's City. Gwyddno
flourished from about the year 460 to 520. He was suraamed
Garanhir, and was father to Elphin, the patron of Taliesin
the bard. At the end of Sam Badrig are sixteen large stones,
one of which is four yards in breadth. Sam y Bwlch runs
from a point N. W. of Harlech, and is supposed to meet the
end of this. It appears at low water near the mouth of the
Dysynni. The space between these formed, several centuries
ago, a habitable hundred of Merionethshire, called Cantref
Gwaelod, the lowland hundred. There appears little reason
to doubt that these Saras, or Causeways, were the work of art ;
according to monkish legends, Sam Badrig was miraculously
formed by St Patrick, to expedite his passage to Ireland.
That this part of the sea was formerly dry land seems to be

184 SKETCH OF THE TALB OF BEAN.

thirteen ships steering towards them from the
south of Ireland. They go down to the strand,
and the ships offer tokens of peace. The Irish
king> Maltholw^^ is on board one of these ships ;
and he says^ that he has made the voyage for the
purpose of obtaining the hand of Bronwen*^ Ll3rr'8
daughter^ and so create a union between the two
islands. Bran invites him on shore^ and Maltholw^
lands. The next morning a council is held, when
the Irish king's request is complied with, and he
is married to Bronwen.

Bran's half brother Evnisien (the man of strife)
becomes angry at not being consulted respecting
this marriage, and, as an insult to Maltholw^^
mutilates his horses by cutting off their ears and
their lips dose to the teeth. Intelligence of the
insult is conveyed to Maltholw^, who immediately
orders his ships to prepare for departure. Bran

well attested both by written and oral tradition. The cata-
strophe of its being deluged is recorded in a very old MS.,
written between the ninth and twelfth centuries, called the
Black Book of Caermarthen (preserved in the Hengwrt
collection), page 53. The inundation is believed to have
happened about the year 500, owing to the negligence of a
drunkard named SeiUiennin, who left the slucies of the em-
bankment open. Vide Welsh Archaiologia, vol. iL p. 64.

* Bronwen means white bosom. In Jones's Relics of the
Bards, p. 124, it is stated that the highest turret of Harlech
Castle is called Bronwen*s Tower.

^KSmtiti "THE TAL]k OF BBAN. 185

denuoids the reason of his so doing, and expressfBs
his tegret at the insult which has been offered to
Jbim by Evnisien : he at length proposes not only
to replace the horses^ but also to give Maltholw9
a bar of silver equal in compass and height to him-
ddf, and a plate of gold as large as his face. On
these terms the matter is made up, and a banquet
of reconciliation takes place.

At this feast the appearance of Maltholw9 is
pensive, instead of his usual gay manner. Bran
makes a farther apology^ and offers him, as an
additional remuneration, a magic cauldron, into
which any man who may be slain to-day shall, if
thrown, be on the morrow as well as ever; but
he shall not have the use of speech*. The horses
lire given the next day, and in the evening there
is another banquet, at which Maltholw9 inquires
of Bran where he had obtained this wonderful

* Taliesin more than once, in his mysterious verses, spealu
of magic cauldrons. In his poem of Preiddeu Annvm, the
Bpoih of Annwn (translated the deep ?),Wel8h Archaiol. p. 46,
he styles it the cauldron of the ruler of the deep, which first
began to be warmed by the breast of nine damsels (the Gwil-
lion). He describes it as having a ridge of pearls round the
border:

" Keu pair pen Anwwfn I Ptty y vynud 9
Gwry'(n am ei oror a mererid,^*

i^ Is not thia the cauldron of the ruler of the deep ? What
ig its quality, with t^e ridge of pearU round its border?*' &c

WS 6KXTCH OF THE TALE OF BRAN.

oavldron. Bran replies^ that he bdleves it came
from Ireland^ and expresses his wonder that Mai-
tholwf diould be ignorant of its history. Mai-
tholw9^ thus reminded^ says^ that he remembers
something of it ; for thatj as he was one day hunt-
ing on a mountain above a lake in Erin^ called the
Lak^of the Cauldron^ he saw a hideous^ gigantic,
tawny man come out of the lake with a cauldron
on his back^ followed by a woman who was twice
his size^ being large with child. That he took
them home with him ; but they were of so mis-
chievous a nature> and so riotous^ that^ to get lid
of them^ he had recourse to the plan of forming
an iron house^ in which he induced them to live ;
and having made them drunks he had caused coals
to be piled about it and blown into an ardent glow.
The heat becoming white^ and inconvenient to the
inmates^ the gigantic man put his shoulder to the
side of the iron house> and forced it out ; his wife
followed him^ and they escaped from Ireland over
to Wales.

Bran then says^ that he received them kindly ;
in gratitude they gave him the cauldron^ and after-
wards became excellent warriors.

After this conversation^ Maltholw9 and his thir-
teen ships depart for^ Ireland^ taking with him
his wife Bronwen. They are received with great
joy in Ireland; and a son is bom, who is named

SKETC& OF THE f ALS OF BftAK. MT

Owem ab Maltholwf , and who is put out upon
fosterage. The Irish^ however^ on l^amihg the
insult which had been offered to their king in
Wales^ become indignant. To toark their anger,
they cut off all communication with that oountiy^
and insist on Maltholw9's putting away his wife
Bronwen, and making her perform all menial
ct^ces, Bronwen, thus disgraced^ rears a starling,
whom she teaches to speak ; and having completed
her tuition of the bird^ ties a letter under its wings,
with which it flies over to Wales. The bird at
length contrives to discover Bran^ ''the blessed*/'
alights on his shoulder^ ruffles its wings, and dis-
covers the letter. Bran immediately assembles his
forces; a temporary government is formed, and with
his host he proceeds to invade Ireland ; '' where
there were then only two rivers called Lli and
Ar9an f."

* Bran was the father of Caradawg (Caractacus), and ae«
cording to the Triads, he with all his family were carried to
Rome, and remained there seven years as hostages for the son.
Btan haying met there with some Christians, and beiqg oon-
yerted, he prevailed on two Christians to accompany him to
Britain, by which means the faith was introduced. Hence
was the epithet *' blessed'* given to him.

f 0'Flaherty*s Ogygia, as well as Eeating*8 History of
Ireland, (which profound works may be considered of about
equal historical value with the Mabinogioii), record that, on
the landing of Fartholan, the first inhabitant of Ireland alter

108 SJLEirCB OF VHE TALB 09 BBAN.

Some swineherds^ wlio were on the sea shore*
discover his approach^ and go with all posiiUe

the flood, then vece thite lakes, and ton riven in tfaatidand;
which the old poem, begipning, "^Aiiy ^^m rttuicAti
flUAS," (Adam, the reverend sire of all our race), thua enu-
merates:

" W| UAtflTObAfl loc IJO llOHf
at) C]fitO -J^?n A ccioDtj,
Sl^c cttT locA ioi7ttA6 5490;
^r befcSftocA SeAij-AbAQf?.
SloiijijpeAbrA 50 pjofi TAbno,
ai)toA9i| pA cent SeAt}Aoat]m
Tv>t)ihloc IfiMur ucc 5UTIJ,
loc lunsAn* loc f OTibtteAiijAjij.
l40f, \)v^x,'bAfir)A, ^AfibA BuAiy,
SATijen, SliseAc, »?o6ont), 9)ua6,
fioijij, bipe 4 bA|5n|b 50 slec,
In^b nn ija SeAijAiboe.*'

^' Nor lake expanded, nor a rapid stream

Found they in Ireland, on their first arrival.

Besides three ludd lakes of obscure fame,

And ten bright streams of ancient high renown.

In truth-declaring verse 1*11 now record

The names of these three andent, smooth, wide lakes;

IiTus, fair lake of soft expanded bosom ;

Lodi-Iurgan, and Fordreman*s lake.

The Lee, the Bois, the Barrow bright, and Erne ;

The Sligo fair, the Moame, and the Moy ;

The Finn, the Liflfy, watering Leinster's plain,

Are the fair rivers of high ancient fame."

Both Keating and O 'Flaherty mention, in the course of
their history, the bursting out of various other lakes and
rivers in Ireland.

SKETCH OP THE TAI.E O^ BHAN; » 189

speed to Maltiiolwf ^ t^hea the blowing dialogue
takes place :

«* Sir," they said, '' health to thee !"

** lEieaven grant you success I" was his teply ;
" and have you any news ?"

*^ Sky we have most Woiider£\il news/' they said
in Answer; '' we have certainly seen a wood on
the sea, where we never beheld a single tree
btfore."

" Truly, that is a strange thing," said the king,*
'^ did you see any thing besides ?"

" O yes; we could perceive a great mountain
by the side of the wood, sir," they repHed; *^ and
that mountain was moving, and there was a very
high ridge on the mountain, with a lake on each
side of the ridge. The wood, the mountain, the
whole seemed in motion."

^^ Well," said the king, *^ there is no body here
who knows any thing of all this unless it be Bron-
wen ; inquire if she knows ?"

Thereupon messengers repaired to Bronwen.

'' Madam," said they, ^' what dost thou suppose
those things can be ?"

^' The men of the Isle of the Mighty, who are
coming over, from having heard of my affliction
and disgrace."

'^ What can be the wood that was seen on the
sea ?" said the messengers.

1 do sitETCK CfFnmz t ax£ of b& ajv.

**

ff The masts of sbips^ and their sa]l<«yaidsj
Bronwen replied.

'' Mercy on us !". they cried ; '^ but what vras
the mountain that was seen on one side of the
ships?"

*^ That was Bran^ my brother^ coming into
shallow water," she replied; '^ there was no ship
that could contain him."

'^ But what could be that tremendous ridge, and
the lake on each side of the ridge ?"

^' It is he surveying this island," said Bronwen :
'^ he is full of wroth ; his two eyes on either side
of his nose, are what seem the two lakes on either
side of the ridge."

The Irish warriors hold a council, and retreat
over the river Llivon, breaking down all the
bridges. Bran advances with his troops, but they
find the river impassable.

^' There is only this to be done," Bran replied,
*' that whosoever would be the top, let him be
the bottom ; I will be a bridge." And then was
that saying first made use of, and still is it pro-
verbial from that event.

Bran laid himself across the river, and hurdles
being placed upon him, his troops pass over. A
n^otiation ensues; when Bronwen suggests, that
a house should be built of sufficient size to contain
Bran, who, as he nev.er had one . before, large

SKETCH OF THE TAUS OF B3AN. l&l

enough for him, will fed. the honour so greatj that
he will accede to a peace.

To proceed with a more rapid analysis of the
tale. Only seven return from this expedition to
Irdland^ after having destroyed nearly all the
people of the country. Bran is mortally wounded^
and Qorders his companions who survive to carry
his head to be interred in the White Hill in
London, as a protection against all future invasions,
so long as the head remained there. The sequel
of the tale recites their progress to London to
bury the head. At Harlech, in their way, they
are kept seven years listening to the birds of
Rhianon, singing in the air, and in Dyved (Di-
metia)^by attending to the last words of Bran,
they stay in a grand hall for eighty years, enjoy-
ing every kind of pleasure; all their misfortunes,
and the object of their further progress being kept
out of their minds : but upon opening a door
locking towards Cornwall, their real condition
breaks in upon their memory, and they pursue
their journey.

MYTHOLOGICAL PERSONS.

The following slight notice of a few of the
characters mentioned in the Legends of Wales,
although the list could readily be extended
to some hundred names, may not be im-
acceptable to the reader, Druidical supersti-
tions, which obscure the verses of Taliesin
and Myrddin, tinge the complexion of.many
Welsh traditions. In their compositions, as
in those of other early bards, frequent allusions
are made to disembodied spirits and super-
natural beings; whence proceeding, or how
existing, we are not informed. These my-
thological personages seem to be completely
wrapped up \n mystery, and are presented to
us by such partial and indistinct glimpses,
that we can usually only perceive their ex-
istence, and rarely define their forms and
attributes. Among these are three spj^^tre
bulls {tri tharw Ellyll) which, in the e^nly

t

MTTHOLOGICAL FBBSONS. 1^

9geSf greatly disturbed the tranquillity of the
country. There were also the Gwythmntj or
Birds of Wrath^ whioh Taliesin, who wrote
in the sixth century, informs us he saw ; but
he does not describe their appearance.

^ Gwdais ^mladd tofir yn nant Francon*
Hhwng Wuthaint a Gwydiony**

I saw a fierce oonfiict in Nant Franoon
Between the birds of Wrath and Ghrydion, &c.

<< It would be ahnost an endless task/'
writes a g^itlemau evidently well acquainted
with the subject, << to enumerate all the
ancient superstitions with which the early
bards abound. Several of these have been
entirely forgotten; obscure allusions to others
e^dst in popular tales, and some have been
handed down with very little diange. Among
the tales whidi have been preserved by tra-
dition, those of the enchanter Merlin, the
contemporary and friend of king Arthur,
though certainly not of the age assigned to
that chieftain, yet are of very considerable
antiquity among the Welsh ; and when com-

* One of the valleys of Snowdon, between Capd Cairig and
Bangor.

PART III. O

194 MYTHOLOGICAL PERSONS.

pared with the real history of that people,
throw some light upon the origin of romantic
fiction beyond what can be obtained from
any other source. If in other countries we
seek the earliest patterns of chivalry and
romance, we can trace them from nation to
nation, and from one age to another, until
we arrive at Arthur and the Knights of the
Round Table, but beyond him we cannot pro-
ceed. It will be found, that every nation of
Christendom acknowledges Arthur and his
warriors as the first and most perfect models
of knighthood ; Merlin, as the greatest and
most powerful of magicians, and Wales and
the British islands as the place of their birth.
However they may have been disguised in
the extravagant legends of the middle ages,
these warriors were real personages in early
Welsh history, as the following list will testify ;
though it would not be easy to account for their
universal adoption as the heroes of romance
throughout the rest of the world."

Knights, ^c, of Romance. Warriort of the Bardt.

Merlin the Enchanter. Meiddin.

Uther Pendragon. Uthyr Pendragon.

King Arthur. Arthur.

Queen Gueneyer. Gwenhwyfar.

MYTHOLOGICAL PERSONS. 195

JTnighU, 4^<J. of Romance, Warriors of the Bards.

•:Medrod. Medrawd.

King Urience. Urien Rheged.

King Mark. March ap Meiichion.

SirfSwemsoii of king Urience. Ewain ap Urien.

Sir liamoiac. Llywarch Hen, Latinized into

Lomachus, whose Welsh
poems are still extant.

Sir Oawen. Y wen ap Llywarch.

Sir Tristram. Trystan ap Fallhwch.

Sir Carados Brisbras. Caradawc iraich fras.

Sir Ilay. Cai ap Cynir, &c.

Abianrod is a female^ whose name implies
silver-wheel. She was the daughter of Don^ and
the sister of Gwydion. Arianrod is a term often
used for the galaxy ; and Caer Arianrod is the
constellation of the Northern Crown.

Cawr, the heroj in its popular signification^
is a giant.

DoN^ is a chief. Llys Don^ the court of Don^
is the naine of the constellation Cassiopeia.

Gwydion. His attributes point him out as
identified with the Saxon Woden. The latter is
traced as coming £rom the banks of the Don^ and
the former is styled Gwydion ap Don, or Gwydion,
the son of Don, which signifies Son of the Wave ;
and hence it has been conjectured, that he ap-

o2

196 MYTHOLOGICAL PEH80K8.

plied his skill in astronomy to the purposes of
navigation. Gaer Gwydion^ or the rampart of
Gwydion^ is the common term in Wales for the
galaxy.

OwENiDW is a female who presides over the
sea. The white breakers out at sea are called
Devaid Owenidw, or the sheep of Gwenidw. So
in Ireland the Killamey boatmen term the waves
"O'Donoghue's white horses." See vol. i. p. 324,
second edition of this work.

GwiDHAN and Gwidhanes, a hag, a witch, a
sorceress, a giantess.

" Y drwg

Gwae dhynion vaint gwidkanes
Er diwynaw y eyvan /"

« Evil— Woe to men the magnitude of such a hag to
pollute the whole !" ElU Wyn, 1700.

GwBAOH is also a hag. See account of Gwrach
y Rhibyn, or the hag of dribble ; which legend, it
should be stated, is confined to Dimetia^ pAges
186 and 206 in the first vdiume^ second edition,
of this work. It may here be remarked, that
Bun si in Welsh, which is not unlike :the Irish
Banshee, signifies '^ the 9hi:ill«vfnced damsel."
Gwrach y Rhibyn oo^ke^ at dusk^ and pokes her
shrivelled face to the window, and in a small.didll
tenor and lengthened vcioe ealls the q^aoim fay

MTTHOLOGICAi; PfiEfiONS. 197

nsme who is shortlj- to die ; as Dei o bt$g ! Dear
Dav-yJ

GwYN AP NuBD, a in3rthological person^ often
mentioned by the ancient poets; Davydd ab
Ginrilym^ in a poem composed 1346^ makes him
to be the king of fairy-land.

** Among the extenave mountains about the
junction of the counties of Brecon^ Monmouth,
and Glamorgan," writes an intelligent but un-
known correspondent, " there is a considerable
eminence, known by the name of Gwyn ap Nudd,
generally corrupted into Gwyneb y Nyth, which,
though nearly alike in sound, yet, as applied to
a mountain, is absolutely unintelligible. The
real name of the mountain seems derived from
Gwyn ap Nudd (pronounced Gwyr ap Neeth), a
mythological personage, well known in old British
legends, as the king of those aerial beings who
frequent the tops of mountains. It is likewise
stated in the Triads, that there was in former
times a real chieftain of this name, who was also
a great astronomer, and ranked with Owydion and
Idris, as excelling in that science. Gwydion is
the same with the combator of ^ the Birds of
Wrath' in Snowdon ; and Idris gives his name to
the mountain of Cader Idris, or the keep of Idris,
in Merionethshire.

^ Concerning Gwyn ap Nudd, the following

196 MYTHOLOGICAL PBRSOHS.

ancient triplet is preserved among others of great
age:

<< Gwyn op Nudd hudd huddinawr
Cyta i tyrthiai cadoedd rhag Cameddafwr
Dyfraich no hrwyn hriw i lawrJ**
Gwyr ap Neeth I victorious warrior !
How fell the hosts before the dweller of the Cairn !
Thy arm, like rashes hew'd them down.

'^ The word Cameddawr might be translated
mountaineer; but if the first translation be correct^
it must refer to the warrior buried under the
Cairn; and therefore implies^ that Owyn ap Nudd
was once a real person^ though by some means
or other^ he has for many centuries been classed
with the imaginary inhabitants of the hills."

IdbiSj or Edris^ is before mentioned as an
astronomer. " l^pi^, in Greek/' says Mr. Davies,
in his Celtic Researches^ " implies an expert or
skilful person^ and W^T (Idresh) in Hebrew, from
tt^n (Dresh), to seek, search, inquire diligently.
Hydres has a similar meaning in Welsh."

^' Not far from Dolgelleu, on the road to
Mach3mlleth (pronounced Mahuntleth) are three
large stones, in a pool of water or lake, Lynn y
tri Graiennyn *, or the lake of the three grains or

* Mr. Davies, p. 174, Celtic Researches, expresses his
opinion, that the word Graiennyn here comes from Gretan,
sun.

MYTHOLOGICAL PERSONS. 199

pebbles. The tradition concerning them is^ that
the giant Idris finding them rather troublesome
in his shoe as he was walkings threw them down
there." ^^ Very troublesome/' remarks the reason-
ing Mr. Roberts^ in his Cambrian Popular Anti-
quities^ '^ they are not to be supposed to have
been to the ^ant^ as they would only weigh a
few tons ! They are, however, large enough for
a nursery computation of the giant's stature."
p. 224.

M. de Gebelin, in his Monde Primitif (tom. iii.
p. 392), observes, ^^ that Enoch was known in the
East under the name of Idris, or the Wise."

The Arabians say that he was a Sabean, and the
first who wrote with a pen after Enos the son of
Seth. See Orient. Coll. vol. ii. p. 112.

Moll Walbee, supposed to have been Maud
of St.Waverley, or Maud de Haia, who built
Hay Castle, and who was popularly termed Malaen
y Waif a, or the Fury of the Enclosure.

Mr. Theophilus Jones, in his history of Breck-
nockshire, states, that ^^ under the corrupted name
of MoU Walbee, we have her castles on every
eminence, and her feats are traditionally narrated
in every parish. She built (say the gossips)
the castle of Hay in one night ; the stones for
which she carried in her apron. While she was
thus employed, a small pebble, of about nine

SOO MYTHOLOGICAL niRSONt.

feet long and one ihixk, dropped into her shoe.
This she did not at first regard^ but in ashort time
finding it tronUesomej threw it over the Wye
into Llowes churchyard^ in Radnorahire (about
three miles off }^ where it remains to this dxf, pre-
cisely in the pontion it fell^ a stubborn memorial
of the historical fact, to the utter confusion of all
sceptics and unfaelievera."

FAIRY LEGENDS OF WALES.

The Fairies were tie Dynion Mwyn ♦, or
kind people of the Mabinogion. They were
also called Ytylwyt teg, the fair family, and
in some pju-ts of Wales, Y Teulu, the family,
also Bendiih eu Mamau, the blessings of their
mothers; and Chffreigedih Anzvyl, or dear
wives.

The idea of the Fairies being diminutiye
is only current in Pembrokeshire and the
adjoining districts, where they are called Y
dgnon bof teg, the small &ir people. In the
poems of the bards, and in the traditionary
tales of the country, they had other names^
such a9 Ehd f , intelligences ; and EttyUon,

, * iMna JlfdA (correctly wzitten in Irish DaUme MaUh) or
good people, is in Webh Dynau mad, and Dynion mad
{mmyn)*

t EUBlod^ an intdligenoe, a wpsAt, an angd, a fidiy.
Tht qootn of the fairies is caUed T}yiwytoge$ yr JShd.

202 FAIRT LEGENDS OF WALES.

goblinsy or wandering spirits. The tenn eBytt*9
with its plural eUyUony corresponds with the
Hebrew elil and elilim. BwydEUyUon, Elves'
food, is the poisonous mushroom; menyg
eUyUon^ are the flowers of the foxglove. {liyB
MawTj great herb), and Ceubreii yr Ettyttj
the Elves' hollow tree f . The popular stories

* EUyU 18 the angular of fiUyDen.

«< Tri iarv EUyU ynyg Prydain : EDyU Gwyda^l^ EUyU
Llyr Menni ; ac EUyU Gwrtrnvfl GwUdtg:^ Triads.

The three buU Elyes of the isle of Britain ; the Elf
Gwydawl ; the Elf of Lyr Merini ; and the Elf of Gwrtmwl
Gwledig.

Bull Elyes, in another Triad, has been rendered Stag Elves.

And again, in the Triads we find, •

The three Sylvan Elves of the isle of Britain. The pro-
minent Elf, the yellow Elf, and the Elf of Ednyvedawg the
Amorous.

Another Triad for Melen and Melan^ yellow, has Melw as
a different reading ; Ba$umg^ prominent, is also changed into
Manawgy spotted. The meaning of both these Triads appears
to have baffled the skill of commentators, who pronounce one
to be as mysterious as the other.

t Cruben yrEUyUy or the Elves hollow tree, so was popu.
larly called a venerable oak which stood in the park of Sir
Robert Vaughan at Nannau, not fu from Dolgelleu. Its
girth, according to Pennant, was 27 feet and a half. This
tree is remarkable from the circumstance of ihe discovery of
the bones of Howd Sele, the former proprietor of Nannau,
who was supposed to have been murdered by the famous
Owen Glyndwr, and concealed in it. The story of the murder
is variously related ; but many years after the mysterious dis-
appeazance of Howd Sde^ the skdeton of a large man, such

FAIBY LEGENDS OF WALES. 203

of their friendly, and at the same time mis-
chievous, intercourse with the inhabitants of
Wales are endless. They are supposed to be
the manes of the ancient Druids, suffered to
remain in a middle state ; not worthy of the
felicity of heaven, but too good to associate
with evil spirits, and therefore permitted to
wander among men until the day of doom,
when they are to be elevated to a higher state
of being ; hence the adage, ^^ Byw dr dir y
tylwyth ieg^ to live in the land of the fair
family ; that is, to subsist by unknown means.
Though the fairies are generally represented
as inoffensive, yet they sometimes discover a
mischievous propensity in seizing an unwary
traveller on the mountains, and giving him a
trip through the region of air. See note on
the story of Master and Man, in the first part
qS. this work (p. 171, second edition), which
is illustrated by a quotation from Dav ab
Gwil3an, a bard of the fourteenth century.

as Howel was known to have been, was found within the
hoUow trunk of Cruben yr EUylL

A sketch of this venerable tree was made by Sir Richard C.
Hoare, the evening previous to its faU (13th July, 1813)
from which the etching is taken.

90i FAIBY LBGEM1>8 OF WlLLEfiV

wko gives a yery humo««» ii«»uiit of bb
journey in a mist

The fisdries are. believed to oomb the beardfe
of the goats on Friday nighty which is aaid to
be the reason for the shining and nlky ap-
pearance of the beard on Saturday, ^^ made
decent for Sunday/^ When a person happens
to find a piece of money, he wift always find
another in the same place so long as he keeps
it a secret*

'^ In Wales, as in other pastoral districts,"
saya a note on Mr. Llwyd's Can y iyianfA
teg*, ^^ the Fairy Tales are not erased from
the traditional tablet ; andage seldom neglects
to inform youth, that if, on retiring to rest^
the hearth is made clean, the floor sw^t, and
the pails left full of water^ the fidries will
come at midnight, continue their revels till
day-break, sing the well-known strain of
Torriad y Dydd, leave a piece of money upon
liie hob, and disappear.

^< The suggestions of intellect and the pre-
cautions of prudence are earily discernible

« Or Fairy Song^ publiifaed in Thonuon'a Biitiab U^
lodies.

FAIBY LBGENDS OF WALES. 203

under this fidaon : a safety from fire in the
neatness of the hearth ; a provision for its
e2;tinQtion in replenished pails, and a motive
to persevecanee in the promised boon."

The ftiries have concerts of delicious mnsic
upon calm summer nights, which mortals are
ofteu permitted to hear. They are also ex-
tremely fond of dancing in circles by the
light of the moon, and are much addicted to
the stealing of children, sometimes even en-
ticing grown-up people away.
' << In sut»niijting.9toriQS illnstrative of Welsh
superstition," writes the lady who has col-
lected them, ^^ I cannot help expressing my
surprise at finding so many labouring under
delusions which seem inexpHcable. Many
of my old friends are highly respectable in
their line of life, farmers and farmers' wives,
of strict veracity on all other topics save
supernatural agencies ; and they relate these
stories with an earnestness and an air of truth
that is perfectly confounding. Some have
actually seen the fidries, and among this
number is old Shane of filaenllanby, in the
vale of Neath. She says, " that several years
ago she saw the fairies to the amount of

206 FAIRY LEGENDS OF WALES.

several hundreds. It was almost dusk, and
they were not a quarter of a mile from her.
They were very diminutive persons, riding
four a-breast, and mounted upon small white
horses, not bigger than dogs. They formed
a long cavalcade, and passing on towards the
mountain, at a place called Clwydau'r Ban*
wen, they disappeared behind the high ground,
and seemed to be traversing the Sam, or
ancient Roman road, which crosses that moun-
tain.

*' Many old people have told me," con-
tinues the fair writer, " that when they were
young, and had occasion to go to the moun-
tains to look after sheep, or to fetch the cows,
their parents always cautioned them to avoid
treading near the fairies' ring, or they would
be lost."

THE STORY OP GITTO BACH,

AS BELATED BY SHONE TOMOS SHONE BHY-

THERCH *• ^

" Don't talk to me, you silly young things —
don't provoke an old man, now upwards of ninety,
years of age, by saying there were no fairies in
Wales. If your great grandfather was alive, he

* The lady to whom the compiler is indebted for the follow-
ing collection of oral tales, in a letter dated Ist March, 18279
writes thus :

^' I have cut out from the Cambrian newspaper the death
of Shone Tomos Shone Rhytherch, alias John Jones, alias
* Cobbler Jig,' as he was commonly called by the country,
people here, which was a great afiront to him. I never saw
the poor old man afbr he related to me his stories : he was
one of the most entertaining persons I ever met with, and to
those who understood Welsh, he was certainly a great treat.

*< On Wednesday, the 31 st ult. at Ty-yn-y-Craig, near
Aberpergwm, in the vale of Neath, John Jones, better known
by the name of ' Cobler Jig,' at the advanced age of 91. He
was a native of Uewel, in Breconshire, and when a young
man lived as servant at Ynis-y-gerwn, and was distantly re-
lated to the late Mrs. Gwyn, of Pant-y-Corrid, in that county.
For the last twenty years he has resided in the vale of Neath,
and has chiefly supported himself by cobbling, and occasionally

MW IBM STOUT OV GXTTO BACH*

wonld eoofina every word of what I say. 'Tis of
wliat I saw^ I wpetk, and will speak, wliile I hskf^
bicath. I tdl you tliat fairies were to be seen in
the days of my youth by the thousand, and I have
seen them myself a hpndied times. Indeed, when
I w&a a boy, it was dangerous to leave children in
their cradles, wxthimt some one to watch .them ^
so common was it foe the fairies to steal them
away.

'^ There was poor Hqwel^Merodydd ShoaeJior-
gan's family * ; whati trouble th«y bad when they

gardening. The eccentricity of his character, and his jocular
disposition, together with his advanced age^ had rendered him
ft gieftt &vourite among the Kspeet^ble fanuUe* in the neigb-
bomfaood ; and what is lenuurkable, althoAigh daily working
at his trade of mending shoes, his eye-sight was so good that
he never wore spectacles. At his request, his remains were
taken to Groynant Chapd for iatenxient, where his wife was
buried about twenty years agow Rees Williams, Esq. of Aber-
pei^^wm, very kindly sent a number of his workmen to aaslBt
in carrying his remains to their last home, a cUstaace of jWVin
miles.**

* The peasants in Wales generally add their father'sCbiiii-
tian name to their own, and sometimes (heir graiid|allMr*s^
and even their great grandfather*s, and so on, until at Isft
their names become almost interminable. Penasftt relstet^
<' that Thomas ttp Richard ap Howel ap Jevan Vycfaai^
lord of Mostyn, and his brother Piers, founder of the family
of Trelace, were the first who abridged their name in WsJwi
and that on the following occasion: Rowland Lee, bishop of
Lichfield, and president of the maiches of Wal«s>iA ths iet9>

THE STOBY OF GFTTO BMH. 8M

liyed on the Rhos *, in the Oreiiiaiit^ when Gitto
Bach t was stolen away. Gitto was a fine boy>
and would often ramble alone to the top of the
mountain to look at his father's sheep ; and when
he returned^ he would show his brothers and sistera
a number of pieces^ the si^e of crowns^ with letters
stamped upon them^ and resembling them exactly^
only that they were made of a peculiarly white
paper. When asked where he had found thern^
he would say^ ' The little children with whom I
play on the mountain give them me :' he always
called them the little children.

" At lengthy one day^ poor little Gitto was miss-
ing. The whole neighbourhood was in a commo-
tion. Search was made; but no little Gitto was heard
of: two years elapsed^ and the still desponding
mother received no other intelligence^ than in fresh
cause of alarm for the safety of her other children.

o^ Henry VIIT., sat at one of the courts on a Welsh cause,
and, wearied with the quantity of *' aps" in the jury, directed
that the pannel should assume their last name, or that of their
residence ; and that Thomas ap Richard ap Howel ap Jevan
Vychan should for the ^ture be reduced to the poor dissyl-
lable Mostyn ; no doubt to the great mortification of many
m ancient line.''— Vol. L p. 18. 8vo ed. 1810.

* A plain. The Creinant is a small secluded vDlage in the
mountains, consisting of a few scattered houses.

t Gitto is an abbreviation of Griffith ; bach signifies little,
like the Irish leg.

PART III. P

310 THE STOBY OF GIXXO B^CH.

For they took to wandering on the mountainfiy and
fix>m one or two excursions they had returned widi
coins resertfWing those which had been given to
Gitto previous to his disappearance; whereupon
the family became doubly vigilant in watching'
these children^ and the oottage-^door was cautiously
secured with bars and bolts* One manxing, as the
mother opened the door^ what should she see bttt
little Gitto sitting on the thrediold, with a bundle
under his arm ? -He was the very same sise^ and
apparently the same age^ and dressed in the same
little ra^ed dress, as on the day of his departure
from the Rhos.

'^ * My child !' said the astonished and delighted
mother, ' where have you been this long, long

while?'

'^ * Mother/ said Gitto, ' I have not been long

away ; it was but yesterday that I was wi& you.

Look what pretty clothes I have in this bundle,

given to me yesterday by the little children on

the mountain, for dancing with them while they

played on their harps.'

*^ The mother opened the bundle ; it contained a

dress of very white paper, without seam or sewing.

She very prudently burnt it immediately, having

ascertained that it was given him by the fairies.
** This extraordinary occurrence," continued the

narrator, '^ interested me much, and made me more

TflS STORY OF GITrO BACSB. SI 1

anxious than ever to see tbe fSdries; and as I was
walking cme erening with my companion Da^dd
Rhys, near Pant Owns, above tike llinas Rod^,
we met a gipsy^ andeonTened with her. I ex-
pressed to her my great desire to see the fidries.'
" ' Ah^ Shone V said Ae, ^ it is not to every
one it is given to see the f^od people; hut I have
the power, and can dispense it to you> if you
fsUew my direetaons. Go and find a clover with
four leaves* {tneilHomen pedtdr ddakn), and hring

^ Many wapeaAtiiQm ia hekod tie attsflhed U> a four,
leaved Bhamioc. The lucky finder of one is beliered, by OKeans
•of it, to acquire the power of seeing airy "beings, and things
invisible to other eyes— «f causing all doors, however strongly
bazred and bolted, to fly open at will, &c. The old Welsh
poem called Eadeir Talieain (Welsh ArchoL p. 37), or the
Chair of Taliesin, the obscurity of which is supposed to be a
detailed account of mystic Druidical rites, contains, among
other ingredients,

" Ag urddawl fegyrffyg
A Uyun meAdyg
XJt aUxayr venffyg^''

'*• And the honoured aegpffyg^ and medical plants from an
exovdsed spot''

^' Segyrfiug,'* says Mr. Davis, in his Mythology of the
British Druids, p. 277) '' means, protecting ftcm illusion ;*' he
imagines it to be the name of some plant, and adda, that
<« the populace of Wales ascribe the virtue hnplied by this
name to a species of trefoiL" Four white trefoils are said to
have instantly sprung up wherever Olwen trod upon the
ground.-^'^ee Owen's Cam. Biog.

p2

312 THE 8T0BT OP 6ITTO BACH.

nine grains of wheat, and put them on this leaf,
in this book ;'- handing me a book which she took
out of her pocket.

^' I did as the gipsy told me.—' Now/ said she,
* Shone, meet me by moonlight to-morrow night
on the top of Craig y Dinas*.' — I did ao. She took
a phial, and washed my eyes with its contents;
and as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw at a short
distance thousands of little people all in white,
dancing in a circle to the sound of at least a score
of harps. After dancing for some time, they left
the circle, and formed a line on the brow of the
hill; the one next the precipice squatted down,
clasped her hands under her knees, and tumbled,
tumbled, tumbled, head-over-heels, head-over-
heels, all the way down the hill; the rest all
following her example, until they were lost in the
dark wood of the valley beneath.

" After this adventure, I was in the habit of
seeing them continuaDy. And you, Moigan
Gwillim (Morgan was sitting in an arm-chair op-
posite the narrator), in your younger days, you
saw the fairies as well as I.

" Oh, that I '11 swear to, although I never took
an oath in my life," replied Morgan. *' I have seen

* An etching of Craig y DinEB, from an original sketch, is
annexed.

THE STOEY OF GITTO BACH! 21S

them on the Vart^*^ and by Cylepsta Waterfall t^
and by Sewyd yr Rhyd^ in Cwm Pergwm J ; and
I once saw them^ and I never saw them to such
perfection^ as when I stood between the cascade
and the rock §, over which it fell ; I could at that
moment see them distinctly glittering in all the
colours of the rainbow^ and hear their music sofUy
blending with the murmur of the waterfall. After
enjoying themselves here for some time^ they all
proceeded into a small cave H^ which they had made
in the rock^ where they seemed to be exceed-
ingly amused^ laughing^ and having a great deal
of merriment : then they ascended the rock^ and
frisked away; the sound of their melodious harps
dying away among the mountains^ whither they

* Properly called Eil Hepsta.

f A beautiful waterfalL

X Sewyd yr Bhyd is a waterfall in the grounds of W. Wil-
liams, Esq. AberpergwD, Vale of Neath, where the furies
are said to bathe.

§ The valleys in the neighbourhood of Pontneathvaug^ian
abound with waterfalls, several of which are of considerable
height, and surrounded by the most romantic scenery. In
some instances the rock, over which the water is projected, so
overhangs its base as to admit of a road being made between
it and the waterfall.

n The cave, thus attributed to the industry of the fairies, is
still to be seen in Cwm Pergwm.

214 THE STOBT OF «ITTO BACH.

had fled;, and the last stzam I heard sounded
aomethbkg liJce this :

Bi da dee dee

but the falling cadence I could not catch for the
life of me^. it was so faint."

Morgan added^^ that his wife^ Shone, had often
seen them with their white mantles *, and sometimes
they were to be seen bearing each other's trains.
Indeed she saw them so often^ that she at last took
no notice of them.

• **'Cyvli'» dry gorwyn gorwydd hynt.

f»

" Of the same hue as the extremely white snow of the
front of the dedivity.'

f»

LLEWELLYN'S DANCE,

. AS TOLD BY DAVIDD SHONE*.

^' About seventy years ago, there were two
fanner's servants living at Llwyn y Ffynon : I
knew them both welL They were returning from
their work one iine evening at twilight, and
driving their little mountain ponies before them,
weary with having toiled all day, carrying lime
for their master's use. When they came down
into a smooth plain, one of the men, named Rhys
ap Morgan, suddenly halted.

'' ^ Stop,' said he to his companion, Llewellyn,
' do stop, and listen to that enchanting music ;
that 's a tune I 've danced to a hundred times. I
cannot resist it now. Gro, follow the horses ; I
must find out the musicians, and have my dance;

* It is almost needless to point out the similarity between
this and the Scotch tradition, related from Stewart, in the
Bwther Grimm's Essay, at p. 16 of this volume There is
an ancient Welsh ballad called '^ The Old Man of tlie Wood,*'
in which like The Adventures of Porsenna, alluded to in the
first volume of this work, at p. 303, second edition, years roll
away as moments.

and if Iddn't oyerttLke you before ]rou readi home,
. take the panniers off the horses. I 'U be with yon
piiesently.

^ ' Music in such a spot !' replied Llewell3nri^
' in such a lonely place ! what can you be dream-
ing of ? I hear no music; and how should you?
Cknne^ come, no nonsense ; come home with me/

*' He might have spared himself the trouble of
this remonstrance, for away went Rhys ap Mor«
gan, leaving Llewellyn to pursue his homeward
journey alone. He arrived safely, untacked the
little horses, completed his day's work by de^
spatching an ample supper, and was retiring to
rest without any anxiety about his companion,
Rhys, who, he supposed in his own mind, had
made this music a pretence to go to the alehouse,
which was five miles off. For, reasoned Llewdlyn
to himself, how could there be the sound of musie
in that lonely spot, remote from any dwelling ?

" The next mcmiing, when he found that Rhys
wfts still missing, he reluctantly told their master
that he must have assistance to attend the horses,
for that Rhys was not yet returned. This alarmed
the farmer and his family, for Rhys was a ver|r
steady fellow, and had never before played the
truant, although he was notoriously fond of
dancing. Llewellyn was questioned and cross*
eauunined as to where he had parted from him^

«oA horns and wHy^ And all abeut it ; buft tD no
ooe cs^ld He give wliat was conaidered tp be| a
satisfactory answer. He said that music had al-
idad hiiUj and that he had left him to jdn the
dancers.

" *JXd you hear the music?' inquired his
master.

*' Llewellyn replied that he had not; whereupon
it was rescdyed that the alehouse should be searched^
and that he should be sought for everywhere.
But it was all to no purpose ; no information was
received (ji him ; there had been no dance in the
whole country round ; not a sound of music
had met the ear of any one ; and^ in fine> not the
slightest traceof the lost servant could be made out.

" At lengthy after a strict but fruitless inquiry,
suspicion fell on LlewellyiH It was supposed by
some that he must have quarrelled with Rhys
on their wayhame^ and perhaps had murdered
him. Llewellyn thus accused^ was taken up and
oooSned on. suspicion. He vehemently protested
hifr inndoenee, although he could give no dear
aocount of the ^air; and things temped thus
for a year, when a fiurmer. in the neighbourhood
who had some experience in fairy customs^
flhrewdly suspected how the matter stood, and
suggested) that he and several others should ac-<
compajs^ Llewelyn Walter to the very spot> and

ai8 ukwelltn's dance.

at tbe very stme time wbne bo nJd' that He hod
pavtedfiram Rhys* ap Moi|^. Thir propoBitkni
wu'agreeii to^ and when they aRived at the spol,
which waa gnen as the mountaiit*aBh. (Gerimy,
UeweUyn stopped.

'' 'This is the veiy spot/ sadd he> ' and, hush !
I hear music ; melodious harps I hear.'

<' We aU listened, for I was one of dieoi ; but
we heard nothing. ' Pat jour fbot on* iiii&e»
Davidd/ said Uewellyii, whose fbot was at tiot
moment upon theoutward edge of the ^sbry ciick.
I did 80, and all the party did the same in suok-
cession, and we all instantly heard die sound of
many harps in full concert, and saw, within a
cdxude of twenty feet in diameter, countless num-
bers of little figures, the sixe of children of three
or four years old, enjoying themsdyes vastfy*
They were going round and round the ring wkh
hands joined. I did not perceive any varied
figures in their dance; but as they were going
round, we saw Rhys ap Morgan among them.

'' Llewellyn at once seixed hold of his smock
fteck, send twitched him out of the drde, taking
great care himself not to overstep the edge of their
sxBg; fisr once you are inside it^ you lose all poiArer
over yourself, and become their property.

'' 'Where axe the horses? wiiere are the hones ?'
said Rhys impatiently. ' Where axe the hemes;

iijpimLjAns*8 SAKGS* fits

indeeGk !' aodLfewdQjiiy ' where have 76a bees?
CSem^^ answEr for youcaeSf^ and- acooant for 3^out
oondaet. Clear ny dbaiaetai^ wkh^ jous-abBenoa
hai cast the Tepvaaah afi muzdss iqaon.'

^ 'What st^flTyou talk^LIewdLTai goyfbUfMrtha
horses^ my good fellow^ while I finish my dance ;
for I have not yet been above five minutes dancing.
I never enjoyed a dance Hie this ; oh let me return
to the dance/ said Rhys.

'''Five minutes/ repeated the enragedLlewellyn.
' You must explain the cause of your absence for
this whole year. This foolish talk of yours about
five minutes won't answer for me ; so> come you
must.'

'' He took him by main force. To aU our ques-
tions he could say nothing, but that he had only
been absent from the horses five minutes, and
that he was dancing very pleasantly ; but of the
people with whom he was he could give no ao-
count whatever; they were strangers to him, he
said. He could answer no questions as to what
he had eaten, or where he had slept, or who had
dothed him; for he was in the same dress as when
he disappeared, and he seemed in a very despond-
ing way; he became, 'sad, suUen, and silent/
and soon took to his bed, when he died.

** And/' continued the narrator of the tale,
'' the moming after we had found Rhys, we went

220 Llewellyn's dance.

to examine tlie scene of this extnordinaiy adven-'
tiixe^ and we found the edge of the ring quite led^
as if trodden down^ and I oould see the marks of
little heels^ the sLse of my thumb-nails." He
rqwatedly compared tlie size of the heels to his
thumb naiL

I }«.•!-

THE EGG-SHELL DINNER,

AS RELATED BT DAVIDD T0M08 BOWSN.

'^ My mother lived in the immediate neighbour-*
hood of a farm-house that was positively infested
with fairies. It was one of those old-fashioned
houses among the hills, constructed after the man-
ner of ancient days, when farmers considered the
safety and comfort of their cattle as much as that
of their children and domestics ; and the kitchen
and cow-house were on the same floor, adjoining
each othei, with a half door, over which the good
man could see the animals from his own chimney-
comer without moving.

''My mother and the farmer^s wifewere intimate
friends, and she used often to complain to her, that
the fairies annoyed her and her family to that de-
gree that they had no peace ; that whenever the
family dined, or supped, or ate any meal, or were
sitting quietly together, these mischievous little
beings would assemble in the next apartment.
For instance, when they were sitting in the kitchen,
they were at high gambols in the daiiy ; or when
they were yoking the cows, they would see the

222 THE EGG-SHELL DIKNER.

fairies in the kitchen^ dancings and laughing, and
provokingly merry.

'' One dayas there were a great number of reapers
partaking of a harvest-dinner, which was prepared
with great care and nicety by the housewife, when
they were all seated round the table, they heard
music, and dancing, and laughing above ; and a
shower of dust fell down, and covered all the
victuals which were upon the taUe. The puddingi
in particular, was completely spoiled, and the hsea
appetites of the party were most provokingly dis-
appointed. Just at diis moment of trouble and
despair, an old woman entered, who saw the con-
fusion, and heard the whole aiSur ei^piained.
' Well,' said she, in a whiqper to the farmer's
wife, ' I'll tell you how to get rid of the fairies;
to»porrow morning ask six of the reapers to din-*
ner, and be sure that you let Uie fairies hear you
ask them. Then make no more pudding than
will go into an egg-shell, and put it down to boil.
It may be a scanty meal for six hungry reapers,
but it will be quite sufficient to banii^ the fiuries;
and if you follow the directions you will not be
troubled with them any more.'

'^ She did accordingly, and when the fairieB
heard that a pudding for six reapers was fadling
in an egg-shell, there was a great noise in the
next apartment, and an angry voice called out :

THE EGKS-8HELL DINNER. 22B

« ' We have lived long in this world ; we were
bom just after the earth was made^ but before
the acorn was planted^ and yet we never saw a
harvest-dinner prepared in an egg-sheU. Some-
thing must be wrong in this house^ and we will
no longer stop under its roof.'

*' From that time the rioting^ and music^ atid
dancing ceased ; and the fairies never were seen
or heard there any more*."

* The absurd oucamstaDee of boiling a supper for six hungry
men in an ^g-shell will doubtless recaU to the reader's me^
mory the tale of the Brewery of Egg-shells, in the first volume
of this work ; where a changeling is betrayed into a similar
exclamation of astonishment, and instantly disappears.

" I' • • . I c

STORIES OP MORGAN RHYS HARRIS-

The last time the fairies were seen among the
hills in the vicinity of Neath was ahout ten years
since, by Morgan Rhys Harris^ an old man^ who
related the following account of it to his landlord,
a very respectable farmer, who lives about seven
miles fromAberpergwm> and who has now repeated
it exactly as it was told to him. He says, the old
man told it with such an appearance of truth, and
that he was always so correct in every thing he
said, that for his part he does not doubt the truth
of his narration :

^' Morgan Rhys Harris rented two farms ; the
one he lived at^ and the other he held in hand, and
farmed himself. In old times the farmers had kilns
dose by their houses^ to bake their oats and their
barley ; and the house I am speaking of had this
appendage. Morgan Rhys Harris was going down
a hill, which led to the farm, when he heard the
most delightful music. He stopped, and still he
heard this music ; he advanced, and he heard it
plainer still *.

• The compiler preserves this sentence as ho received it,
although its punning construction renders the precise meaning
questionable.

iTORlES OF MOBOAN AHYS HAEBI8. 925

** At a little distance before him^ in the direct
path which he had to cross^ and near the kiln^ he
Baiw numberless little beings all dancing. Various
vrere the figures and changes of the dance ; some
•advancing^ others retreating^ and others as if they
V9exe dancing reels. The old man paused^ and
hesitated whether he should return^ or what course
he should pursue ; he feared to pass them^ lest he
should put his foot on fairy ground, and lose pos-
session of himself ; so he made a circuit, and reached
the bam near the kiln. There he sheltered himself
inside the door, and from this place he watched
their movements for an hour. He distinctly saw
thexn ; and he learned the tune which they played,
and would have taught it to me, if I had had an
ear for music. This old man only died two years
ago. I wish you had seen him, for he really was
one who spoke the truth, and you might have re-
lied on every word he said."

An old woman in the neighbourhood of Aber-^
pergwn states, that her father often saw the fairies
on horseback in the air, on little white horses ;
but that he never saw them descend; that he heard
their music in the air ; and that she heard of a

PABT TIT. Q

226 STORtCS OF MORGAN RHYS HARRIS.

ft

man who bad been twenty-five yearfi with the
fairies^ and who^ when he returned, thought he
had only been five minutes away. She added,
that those who have once been with the fairies
never looked afterwards like other people; and
that her own son, when a baby, looked so sacULy,
that her neighbours all thought, and used to tell
her, that he was exchanged by the fairies.

FAIRY MONEY,

GIVEN TO DAYIDD SHONE's MOTHER.

" My mother^ once upon a time, was in the
habit of receiving money from the fairies ; and near
our house there was a well, and near it a green
spot, celebrated for being the scene of many fairy
exploits. Whenever my mother went to the well,
she would find upon the stone, above the water-
spout, a new half guinea. Once I was bargaining
about a pig, and my mother, to prevent farther
contention, brought her little bag of gold forward,
and gave me a new half guinea. I was frightened
when I saw a poor woman like my mother pos-
sessed of so much money, and I entreated she
would tell me how she came by it. ' Honestly,*
said she ; I remember the very word.

'' ' Oh, mother !' said I, ' tell me where you got
it ; to whom would you trust your secret, if you
do not confide in your only son ?'

" ' Well, if I must, I must,' said my mother.
She then told me, and most unfortune, poor wo-
man, for her was the disclosure; for from that

q2

228 FAIRY MONEY.

moment the donation ceased. Often did she attend
the well ; but^ alas ! in vain. Not a farthing did
she find from that time/'

Davidd Tomos Bowen knew a fanner who
was much annoyed by the fairies ; they frequented
the brook that ran by his house^ and so mischievous
were they^ that their greatest amusement was to
take the clay from the bottom of the brook^ and
make little round balls^ the size of marbles^ with
which they played ; but that he never could dis-
cover what game it was. The water used to be
so muddy in consequence of this^ that the cattle
could not drink of the stream ; and when he would
mutter a complaint against them for such conduct,
they would always repeat his expressions with de-
rision, and laugh^ and frisk away. A girl in the
neighbourhood used to assist them in making these
clay-balls^ for which, in return, she received quan-
tities of money, and became a very rich woman,
and went away to London, where she married a
grand gentleman.

THE KNOCKERS.

" Avery good-natured^ fortunate sort of beings^
whose business it is to point out^ by a peculiar kind
of bumping^ a rich vein of metal ore, or any other
subterraneous treasure. They are highly respected,
and are deemed nearly allied to the fidries." —
Roberts's Cambrian Popular Antiquities.

THE PWCCA.

The Welsh Pwcca is evidently the same
as the English Puck, and is known in some
parts of the principality by die name of Bwcci.
In Breconshire a whole glen bears bis name,
Cwm Pwcca; and it is traditionally said, that
from this spot Shakspeare drew some of his
materials for the Midsummer Night's Dream,
through the medium of his friend Richard, the
son of Sir John Price of the priory of Brecon.

CWM PWCCA.

Cwm Pwcca, or the Pwcea's Valley, forms part
of the deep and romantic glen of the Clydach,
which, before the establishment of the iron- works
of Messrs. Frere and Powell, was one of the most
secluded spots in Wales, and therefore well cal-
culated for the haunt of goblins and fairies. But
the bustle of a manufactory has now in a great
measure scared these beings away ; and of late it

CWM PWCCA. 231

is very rarely that any of its former inhabitants^
tlie Pwccas^ are seen. Such^ hqwever^ is the
attachment to their ancient haunt^ that they have
not entirely deserted it ; as there was lately living
near this valley a man who used to assert that he
had seen one^ and had a narrow escape of losing his
life^ through the maliciousness of the goblin. As
he was one night returning home over the moun-
tain from his work^ he perceived at some distance
before him a lights which seemed to proceed from
a candle in a lanthem> and upon looking more at-
tentively^ he saw what he took to be a human
figure carrying it^ which he concluded to be one of
his neighbours likewise returning from his work.
As he perceived that the figure was going the same
way with himself^ he quickened his pace in order
that he might overtake him^ and have the benefit
of his light to descend the steep and rocky path
which led into the valley; but he rather won-
dered that such a short person as appeared to carry
the lantern should be aUe to walk so fast. How-
ever^ he redoubled his exertions^ determined to
come up with himj and although he had some
misgivings that he was not going along the usual
tracks yet he thought that the man with the lan-
tern must know better than himself, and he fol-
lowed the direction taken by him without farther
hesitation. Having, by dint of hard walkings

232 cwM PwccA.

overtaken him^ he suddenly found himself on the
brink of one of the tremendous precipice^ of Cwm
Fwcca^ down which another step would have car-
ried him headlong into the roaring torrent be-
neath. And^ to complete his consternation^ at the
very instant he stopped, the little fellow with .the
lantern made a spring right across the glen to
the opposite side^ and there, holding up the light
above his head, turned round and uttered with all
his might a loud and most malicious laugh; upon
which he blew out his candle, and disappeared up
the opposite hill *.

* A Welsh peasant, well acquainted with Cwm Pwoca and
itft supernatural inhabitants, was requested to describe their
form ; he accordingly made a sketch, of which this wood-cut
is a reduced fac-simile.

, ) f:-4 V

/ '

;^S;

'' f • .

YANTO'S CHASE:

I I

SoHS yedrs ago^ the]*e lived amoiig the hills a
liian named Bvan Shone Watkin^ commonly known
as Yafito'r Coetcae {Ynnto or lanfo being the fft«
miliar term for Eran). It happened that this
Evan was once invited to the house of a friend,
on the borders of Glamorganshire^ with several
other relatives and neighbours^ to celebrate a chrie^
tening; and^ as is usual on such occasions^ the
evening was passed with much conviviality. They
drank the strongest ale — ^they quaffed the best old
mead * — they sang Pennilion f to the harp ; and it

* Mead, called also Metheglin, is a liquor manufactured
from honey. Queen Elizabeth is said to have been particularly
fond of it, and to have annually imported a large quantity for
her private drinking from Wales. A receipt for ^e manu«
&cture, from an ancient Welsh manuscript, may be found in
that useful and clever compilation, Nicholson^s Cambrian
Traveller's Guide, second edition, 1813, p. 63.

f Pennili is explained by Dr. Owen Pughe, in his Welsh
Dictionary, to mean, generally, ^' a prime division or part,
and, applied to poetry, ^' a stanza, strophe, or epigram.
Hence pennilion are properly epigrammatic stanzas, probably
of bardic invention, when writing was little practised, with a
view to preserving the wit and wisdom of their age ; and in-
tended as an agreeable ezerase for the memory. The custom

>»

284 YANTO'S CHASE.

was near midnight before Eran Shone leooUected
that he had a great way to return home. As he
had urgent business to require his attendance at
his own house early the neact mornings he deter-
mined upon departing; and the better to qualify
him for his journey, he plied the al&-cup with
double diligence. Remembering the old adage,
that a spur in the head is worth two on the heel,
he took a parting draught of mead, and then set
off for his home oyer the mountains of Camo *.

Df penoiliop singing has been the means of handing down
verses of remote antiquity. Pennant appearii, generaDy speak-
ing, to be in error when he compares the Welsh peonilion.
singer to the impvorisatori of Italy ; at esfeemponneoiu com*
pofitioi), althou^ sometimes used, li for from being con.
s^der^ as constituting excellence, and has been objected to.
When two singers strive in rivalry, the art consists in pro-
ducing pennili apposite to the last sung, without repeating the
sa&e sCania twice ; for this is regarded as a defeat. The sub-
jects of the verses are humorous, satirical, or naonitoiy, at the
will of the singer ; and parishes have been known to oontend
against parishes in this amusement Ahhaugfa the cqstom
!s on the decline, persons may still be foond who can recite
from memory some hundred of these ataBsas, and with tfacm
accompany the harp through various tunes and transitions
with wonderful tact Of late an attempt has been made by
the Cjrmrodorion Society to revive and patronise pennllion
singing. For some curious particulars on this sul^ject see
Mr. £. Jones's ^^ Relics of the Bards," p. 00. et seq.

* On these mountains, in the year 728, a battle was fought
between Ethelbald, king of Mercia, and Rodrick Moelwynoe,
the Welsh prince.

TANTO'S CHA8S. S86

He liad tnyelled some time, and proceeded a con*
ddenfale way along the hills^ when he thought
he oould hear at a great distance some sounds re-
semblmg nuisie^ neazfy in the direction he was
going. And as he advanced, Evan Shone found
himself approaching these sounds so near, that he
could plainly distinguish them to proceed from a
harp, and some voices singing to it. He could
even make out the tune, which was that of Ar
h^d y nos */ hut the night heing dark, and the mist
lying thick around him, he could not discover the
persons who were thus amusing themselves. As
he knew there was no house within a great di-

♦ " Of nU the Welsh aiw," say« Mr. John Parry, in a
oominunlcation on Welnh music, to the Cambro-Briton, vol. i.
(1820) p. 95, " that oi Ar h^d y n6sy or The Live-long
Night, is the most popular in England, partly owing to its
own beauty, and partly to the pathetic words, whidi were
written to it (by Mrs. Opie, I believe), commencing

* Here, beneath a wUlow, deepeth

' Poor Mary Anne."

Iliere Is Bcandy a composer who has not written variations
on this melody, particularly for the harp. And lately Liston,
the actor, has introduced a comic parody on it, which he sings^
riding on an ass ; and wherein the simple burthen of the ori-
ginal is burlesqued into, <* Ah ! hide your nose." In Wales
it is considered by the prizeniingeri as a mere bagatelle, and
generally introduoed as the last strain at convivial meetings,
when extempore stanzas are sung to it alternately by the
company.

8S8 TAXTO'ft CHA8S.

ftttAoeidf tluil tgoi, hiscuncntty wasgrcstLy eigAffcrd
by what lie heard; and the muaic still eontmuia^
itoA Beemiagly but a short distaiuie from the pnth,
be thougbt there eouM be na harm ia deviatiii^ a
little out of his way^ in ordear to see what was go«
10^ forward. He^ moreover, thought it would be
a pity to pass so near such a merry party without
stopping for a few minutes with them to partake
their mirth. Accordingly he made an oblique cut
in the direction of the miisic, and having gone fuJl
as far as the place from which he at first imagined
the sounds proceeded, he was a little surprised to
find that they were still at some distance from him.
However, he very philosophically explained this
to himself, by recollecting that sounds are heard' at
a much greater distance by night than by day, and
as he had gone so far from his road, he was deter-
mined to discover the cause ; but, somehow or other,
the more he walked the less the probability seemed
of his arriving at his object. Sometimes the sounds
would recede from him, and then he would quidken
his pace lest he should lose them entirely; and
through the darkness of the night, he more than
once tumbled up to his neck in a turf bog. When
he had struggled out, and got upon his legs again,
he would form a resolution to give up the chase ;
but just at that moment he would hear the sounds
more lively and encouraging than ever, and not

YttKTO's CHASir. Q8/t

vmbequeoAf Ms exettkins would be atiirtiflnted bf

This being tbie most respeot^l node of ^acU
diessing biia> be oooduded, tbat wboever tbe^r
were be was in puvsiiit of^ tberfrmoat be well^bre^
people, and on tbat account be was tbe more de^
siious of joining tbem. At otber time^ as be
followed, be would bear bimself called by bis less
dignified appellation of ^' Yanto ! Yanto V* wbicb;
tbougb not so flattering to bim as tbe otber, be
oooduded must come from scmie intimate fiiend,
and tberefore tbe familiarity was excusable. Like
tbe music, tbese salutations were sometimes so
indistinct, tbat be could not always exactly di-
stinguisb wbetber or not tbey proceeded from tbe
grouse or tbe lap-wings, wbicb be was continually
disturbing among tbe beatber.

At length, cbagrined and mortified at bis re-
peated disappointments, and excessively fatigued,
be was determined to lie down on tbe ground till
morning ; but be bad scarcely laid bimself down,
wben tbe barp struck up again more brilliantly
tban ever, and seemed so near, tbat be could even
distinguisb tbe words of tbe song. Upon tbis
be started up, and commenced anotber diase, and
again went tbrougb tbe same routine of tumbling
Into bogs, wading knee-deep tbrougb swamps,
and scratcbing bis legs in labouring tbrougb the

heatber> till both, his patience and hb strengA
had almost deserted him. But hefove he was
quite exhausted, what was his joy when he per-
oeiTed, at a small distance hefore him> a number
of lights, which, on a nearer approach, he found
to proceed from a houae, in which there appeared
to be a large company assembled, enjoying a similar
merry-making to the one he had left, with music
and with drink, and other good cheer ? At such
a sight, he mustered up all his energies, walked
in, sat himself down by the fire, and called for a
cup of ale. But before the ale arrived, or he
had time to make many observations on the jpes-
sons about him, excepting that the people of the
house were in a great bustle with attending on
their guests, and every thing bore the marks of
high conviviality, such was the effect of the
£fttigue he had undergone, and of the ale and mead
he had before drank, that he fell fast asleep.

No doubt he slept long and soundly, for he
was awoke the next morning by the sun-beams
playing on his face. On opening his eyes, and
looking around him, judge his astonishment at
finding himself quite alone, and not a vestige re-
maining of what he had positively seen when he
was going to sleep. Both the house and the com-
pany had completely vanished; and instead of
being comfortably seated by a good fire, he found

t

YANTO'S CHASE. S39

himself almost frozen with cold^ and lying on a
bare rock, on the point of one of the loftiest crags
of Darren j Killai, a thousand feet in height,
down a good part of which poor Yanto wotdd
have tumbled perpendicularly, had he moved but
a foot or two more in that direction.

THE ADVENTURE OP ELIDURUS.

{From Geraldus Cambrensis.)

" A SHORT time before our days^ a circumstance
worthy of note occurred in those parts (near Neath)
which Elidurus^ a priest^ most strenuously affirmed
had befallen himself. When a youth of twelve
years^ in order to avoid the society of his preceptor,
he ran away, and concealed himself under the
hollow bank of a river ; and after fasting in that
situation for two days, two little men of pigmy
stature appeared to him, and said, ^ If you will
go with us, we will lead you to a country full of
delights and sports.' Assenting, and rising up,
he followed his guides, through a path at first sub-
terraneous and dark, into a most beautiful country,
but obscure, and not illuminated with the full
light of the sun. All the days were cloudy, and
the nights extremely dark. The boy was brought
before the king, and introduced to him In the pre-
sence of his court, when, having examined him for

THE ADVENTURE OF ELIDURUS. 241

a long time, he delirered him to his son, who was
then a boy. These men were of the smallest
stature, hut very well proportioned, fair com-
plexioned, and wore long hair. They had horses
and greyhounds adapted to their size. They
neitiier ate flesh nor fish, but lived on milk diet,
made up into messes with sa£&on.

"As often as they returned from our hemisphere
they reprobated our ambitious infidelities and in-
constancies; and though they had no form of public
worship, were, it seems, strict lovers and reverers
of truth.

"The boy frequently returned to our hemisphere
by the way he had gone, sometimes by others, at
first in company, and afterwards alone, and made
himself known only to his mother, to whom he
described what he had seen. Being desired by
her to bring her a present of gold, with which
that country abounded, he stole, whilst at play
with the king's son, a golden ball, with which
he used to divert himself, and brought it in haste
to his mother; but not unpursued, for as he
entered the house of his father, he stumbled at the
threshold ; he let the baU fall ; and two pigmies
seizing it, departed, showing the boy every mark
of contempt and derision. Notwithstanding every
attempt for the space of a year, he never could
find again the track to the subterraneous passage.

PABT III. R

242 THE ADVENTURE OF ELIDURUS.

He had made Himself acquainted with their lan-
guage^ which was rery conformable to the Ghreek
idiom. When they asked for water, they said,
Udor udorem. When they want salt, they say,
Halgein udorem *"

* On this specimen of Fairy language, Mr. Roberta, io
his Cambrian Popular Antiquities, p. 196, builds an ingenious
theory respecting the fairies ; at least so far as accounting
for their appearance and habits.

STORIES OP FAIRIES,

From " A Relation of Apparitions of Spirits in the
County of Monmouth, and the Principality of
Wales:'

This little book was written by the late Reverend Edmund

Jones of the Tranch.

*' W. E. of Hafodafel, going a journey upon
the Brecon mountain, very early in the morning
passed by the perfect likeness of a coal-race, where
really there was none : there he saw many people
very busy, some cutting the coal, some carrying
it to fill the sacks, some raising the loads upon the
horses' backs, &c. This was the agency of the
fairies upon his visive faculty ; and it was a won-
derful extra-natural thing, and made a consider-
able impression upon his mind. He was of un-
doubted veracity, a great man in the world, and
above telling an untruth. The power of spirits,
both good and bad, is very great, not having the

r2

244 STORIES OF FAIRIES.

«

weight of bodies to encumber and hinder their
agility.

** W. L. M. told me^ that^ going upon an errand
by night from the house of Jane Edmund of
Abertilery, he heard like the voice of many
persons speaking one to the other at some distance
from him. He again listened attentively; then he
heard like the falling of a tree^ which seemed to
break other trees as it fell : he then heard a weak
voice^ like the voice of a person in pain and misery^
which frightened him much, and prevented him
from proceeding on his journey. Those were
fairies which spoke in his hearings and they doubt-
less spoke about his deaths and imitated the moan
which he made when some time after he fell from
off a tree, which proved his death. This account,
previous to his death, he gave me himself. He
was a man much alienated from the life of God^
though surrounded with the means of knowledge
and grace; but there was no cause to question
the veracity of his relation.

'' The Parish of BedweUty.—Yvoai under the
hand of the Rev. Mr. Roger Rogers, bom and bred
in this parish, I have the following remarkable
relation : A very remarkable and odd sight was
seen in July 17^> acknowledged and coxifessed by

8TORIE8 OF FA2RIE8. 245

sereral credible eye**witne8se8 of the same, i. e. by
Lewis Thomas Jenkin's two daughters^ virtuous
and good young women (then: father a good man^
and substantial freeholder), his man-servant, his
maid-servant, Elizabeth David, a neighbour and
tenant of the said Lewis Thomas, and Edmund
Roger, a neighbour, who were all making hay in
a field called Y Weirghd Fawr Dafalog. The first
sight they saw was the resemblance of an innu**
merable flodc of sheep over a hill called Cefen
Rkyohdir, opposite the place where the spectators
8tood> about a quarter of a mile distant from them.
Soon after they saw them go up. to a place called
Cefen Rhfchdir ucha, about half a mile distant from
them ; and then they went out of their sight, as if
the^ vanished in the air. About half an hour before
sunset they saw them all again; but all did not
see them in the same manner ; they saw them in
different forms. Two of these persons saw them
likcf sheep ; some saw them like greyhounds ; some
like swine, and some like naked infants : they ap-
peared in the shade of the mountain between them
and the sun. The first sight was as if they rose
up out of the earth* This was a notable aj^>eai*-
ance of the fairies, seen by credible witnesses.
The sons of infidelity are very unreasonable not
to believe the testimonies of so many witnesses of
the being of spirits^

246 STORI£S OF FAIRIES.

"E. T. travelling byniglit over Bedwelliy moun-
tain, towards the valley of Ebtoy Fawr, where
his house and estate were^ within the parish of
Aberystruth, saw the fairies on each side of him,
some dancing. He also heard the sound of a hugle
horn, like persons hunting. He then hegan to he
afraid ; hut recollecting his having heard, — ^that if
any person should happen to see any fairies, if they
draw out their knife, they will vanish directly ;
he did so, and he saw them no more. This the
old gentleman seriously related to me. He was a
soher man, and of such strict veracity, that I heard
him confess a truth against himself, when he was
like t6 suffer loss for an imprudent step; and
though he was persuaded by some not to do it, yet
he would persist in telling the truth, though it
was to his own hurt.

" The Parish of LlanhyddeL—Rees John Ros-
ser, bom at Hen^dy, in this parish, a very religious
young man, on going very early in the morning
to feed the oxen at a bam called Ysgyhor y laim,
and having fed the oxen, he lay himself upon
the hay to rest. While he lay there, he heard
like the sound of music coming near the bam:
presently a large company came in the bam, with
striped dothes, some appearing more gay than
others, and there danced at their music. He lay

STORIES OF FAIRIES. 247

there as quiet as lie could^ thinking they would
not see him^ hut in vain ; fcfr one of them^ a wo-
man^ appearing hetter than the rest^ brought him
a striped cushion^ with, four tassels^ one at each
corner of it^ to put under his head. After some
time, the cock crew at the house of Blaen y coome
hard by; upon which they appeared as if they were
either surprised or displeased; the cushion was
then hastily taken from under his head, and they
went away.

^^ This young woman's grandfather, William Jen-
kins, for some time kept a school at Trefethin church,
and coming home late in the evening used to see
the fairies under an oak, within two or three fields
from the church, between that and Newynidd
bridge. And one time he went to see the ground
about the oak, and there was a reddish circle upon
the grass, such as have been often seen under
the female oak, called Brenhin-bren (King-tree),
where^ they danced. He was more apt to see
them on. Friday evenings than any other day of
the week. Some say, in this country, that Friday
is apt to differ often from the rest of the week with
respect to the weather. That, when the rest of
the days of the week are fair, Friday is apt to be
rainy or cloudy, and when the weather is foul Fri-
day is apt to be more fair. If there is any thing

248 STORIES OF FAIEIES.

in it| I believe it must hb with lai^ge tfad frequent
exceptions, which yet may posuhlj consist with
some measure of reality in the matter ; but of this
I am no judge> having nbg^ted to make ob-
servations of the matter.

'' I am now going to relate one of the most ex*
traordinary apparitions that ever was oomiiiuni-
cated to me, either by word bf mouth, or by letter,
which I received from the hand of a pious young
gentleman of Denbighshire, then at school, who
was an eye-witness of it :

" ' Rev. Sir, March 24th, 1712.

" ' Concerning the apparition Isaw, I shall relate
it as well as I can in all its particulars. As far as I
can remember, it was in the year 1757> in a sum-
mer's day about noon, I, with three others, one of
which was a sister of mine, add the other two were
sistens ; we were plajring in a fidd called Kae^
kaled, in the parish of Bodvary, in the county of
Denhighy near the stile which is next Landwyd
house, where we perceived a company of dancers
in the middle of the field, about setenty yards
from us. We could not tell their numbers, because
of the swiftness of their motions, which seemed to
be after die manner of morris-dancers (something
uncommonly wild in their motions); but after

STOKIES OF FAIBI£S« 249

looking some tim^ Wie casie to guess that theif
number mig^t be about fiflteen or sixteen. The^
were clothed in red^ Hke soldiers, with red hand-
kerchiefs, spotted with yellow, about their heads.
They seemed to be a little bi^er than we, but of
a dwarfish appearanee. Upon this we reasoned
together what they might be, whence they came,
and what they were about. Presently we saw one
of them coming away from the company in a run«
ning pace. Upon this, we began to be afraid, and
ran to the stile. Barbara Jones went over the
stile first, next her sister, next to that my sister,
and last of all myself. While I was creeping up
the stile, my sister staying to help me, I looked
back and saw hini just hy m^ ; lipon' which I cried
out ; my sister also cried out, and took hold of me
under her arm to draw me over ; and when my
feet were just come oyer, I still crying and loddng
baek, we saw him reaching after me, leaning on
the stilei but did not come over. Away we ran
towards the house, cidled the people out, and
went trembling towards the place, which might
be about one hundred and fifty yards off the house ;
bat though wfe came so soon to see, yet we could
see nothing of them; He who came neat us had
a grim*oountenfltiiee!» a wild and sonlewhat fierce
lo6k. He came towards us in a slow rubuing pao^

250 STORIES OF fairies:

but with long steps f6r a little one. His com-
plexion was copper-^coloured^ which might be sig-
nificative of his disposition and condition ; for they
were not good, but therefore bad spirits. The
red^ of their cruelty — ^the blacky of their sin and
misery ; and he looked rather old than young.

*■ The dress, the form, the colour, and the size
Of these, dear sir, did me surprise.
The open view of them we had all four.
Their sudden flight, and seeing them no more.
Do stiU confirm the wonder more and more.*

" Thus far Mr. E. W.--'8 letter.

'^ P. W. who lived at the Ship, in Pont y Pool,
and bom also in Trefethin parish, an honest, virtuous
woman, when a young girl going to school, one
time seeing the fiedries dancing in a pleasant dry
place under a crab-tree, and seeing them like
diildren much of her own size, and hearing a
small pleasant music among them, went to them,
and was induced to dance with them; and she
brought them unto an ^mpty bam to dance. This
she did, at times, both going and coming from
school, for three or four years. Though she danced
so often with them, yet she could never hear the
sound of their feet ; therefore she took off her

I

STORIES OF FAIRIES. 261

shoes, that she might not make a noise with her
feet, which she thought was displeasing unto them.
Some in the house observing her without shoes,
said, this girl walks without shoes to school ; but
she did not tell them of her adventure with the
fairies. They all had blue and green aprons on.
They were of a small stature, and appeared rather
old."

LB0END8 OF LAKES.

THH IiBOaWD OP LLTM CWM LLWOB.

In the county of Brecon there is a lofty range
of mountains^ called in Welsh Bannau Brecheiniog,
and in English the Brecon Becons^ forming part
of that chain which runs through the greatest part
of South Wales^ and is generally known by the
name of the Black Mountains. Pen y Van, the
principal peak^ is considered the highest of this
range, being nearly three thousand feet^ and when
seen with its attendant points from the north of
the town of Brecon^ forms a magnificent feature
in the landscape. Immediately at the foot of the
precipice of Pen y Van, and almost surrounded
by very lofty rocks, is an extraordinary crater-
shaped pool called Llyn Cwm Llwch, about two
hundred yards wide, and of unknown depth, con-
cerning which many superstitious tales are re-
peated by the country people : — and it certainly
must be allowed that it would be difficult to find
a spot better calculated to produce superstitious
impressions, being far removed from any habita-

THE LEGEND OF hLYV CWM hLWCH. 2dS

turn, and even far out of sight of any cultivated
land; overhung by rugged and frowning preci-
•piosB, often rendered more fearfully indefinite by
the douds and mists floating ov^ them, or curling
down their sides ; the hoarse croak of the raven,
too, as he sails among the crags, adds in effect to
the rugged grandeur of the scene.

Of the various stories related of this pool, the
following seems the most generally known, and is
related exactly as told by an old man who resided
at no great distance from it.

*^ Several years ago, for some cause or other, the
inhabitants of the neighbourhood formed a plan
of draining Llyn Cwm Llwch, for what purpose is
not now known, whether from curiosity to see
what was at the bottom of it, or with an idea of
finding some treasure there. However, having
formed the resolution, they assembled at the lake
one day in considerable numbers, with spades and
pickaxes, and commenced their operations with
such vigour that in a few hours they dug a trench
thirty yards in depth, the remains of which may
still be seen. Having worked very hard for several
hours, they at last approached so near the water
of the pool, that it seemed as if another blow of the
pickaxe would complete the undertaking by break-
ing through the remainder of the bank, and letting
out the water. But just as this blow was going

254 THE LEOEKD OF LLTN CWM LLWCH.

to be performed — just as the pickaxe was lifted
up to give the finishing stroke — a flash of light-
ning was seen^ which averted the blow — ^the sky
became blacky a loud peal of thunder rolled among
<the mountains^ waking their hundred echoes ; and
all the workmen ran from the trench^ and stood
in awe upon the brink of the pool. As the sound
of the thunder died away^ a sort of ripple was
perceived on the face of the water^ and then the
centre of the pool became violently agitated. —
From this boiling eddy was seen to arise a figure
of gigantic stature, whose hair and beard were
three yards in length. Having arisen nearly half
out of the water^ he addressed the workmen : he
told them to desist from their purpose^ or else they
would drown the town of Brecon and all the
country of the Vale ,of Usk. He concluded by
saying, * Cofiwch artoydd y gath,' (remember the
token of the cat)^ and then disappeared in the
water^ amidst a most tremendous storm of thunder
and lightning.

'^ When the wonder and fear had a little sub-
sided^ the people began to discuss the matter to-
gether^ and could perfectly understand the warn-
ings and comprehend every thing he had said but
the concluding sentence^ which they were much
perplexed about.

*^ On this difficult point an old man came fn*-

THE LEGEND OF LLTN CWM LLWCH« 255

ward^ Tomos Shone Rhythercb (an ancestor of
the narrator of the tale)^ and said that he conld
explain the meaning of the words ; and he accord-
ingly told them^ that when he was a boy he had
heard a tradition^ that a woman who lived in a
cottage among the Van mountains had a cat which
was very troublesome^ and she determined upon
destroying it. For that purpose^ a lad who fol-
lowed the occupation of a shepherd upon those
hills took the cat with him one morning in order
to drown it in Llyn Cwm Llwch. Having ar-
rived there he took off his garter^ and with it he
tied a large stone to the cat's neck, and then he
threw her into the pool. The cat of course im-
mediately sunk out of sights the sides of the pool
being very precipitous. Shortly after there was
seen a cat precisely of the same description in a
fishing boat upon the lake of Llyn saf addon, ten
miles oW, having a garter about her neck precisely
the same with the one which the lad had thrown
into Llyn Cwm Llwch. Therefore it is concluded
that there is a connexion between this pool and
the large lake of Llyn sa faddan^ and though the
pool is but small, yet if attempted to be drained^
the lake of Llyn sa faddan would assist its little
relative^ and avenge the injury by discharging its
vast body of water over the whole of the adjacent
country."

SM TKB LXOBKD OF MSDDTOON MYDDVAJ.

THB LEOBND OF HEDDTOON MTDDVAI.

From the CambrO'Briton, vol. ii. p. 313.

A HAN^ who lived in the farm-house called
Ssgairllaethdy, in the parish of Myddavi, in
Caerntarthenshire^ having bought some Iambs in a
neighbouring fisur^ led them to graze near Lfyn y
van Vach in the Black Alountains. Whenever he
visited the lambs^ three most beautiful female
figures presented themselves to him from the lake^
and often made excursions on the boundaries of
it. For some time he pursued and endeavoured
to catch them» but always failed ; for the enchant-
ing nymphs ran before him^ and, when- they had
reached the lake, they tauntingly exclaimed^

** Crat dyjhra
Anhawdd ein daloy

•>

which, with a little circumlocution, means, '^ For
thee, who eatest baked bread, it is difficult to
catch us."

One day some moist bread from the lake came
to shore. The farmer devoured it with great
avidity, and on the following day he was suc-
cessful in his pursuit, and caught the flair damsels.

THE LEGEND OF MEDDYGON MYDDVAI. 257

After a Httle conversation with them^ he com-
manded courage sufficient to make proposals of
marriage to one of them. She omsented to accept
him on the condition that he would distinguish
her from her two sisters on the following day.
This was a new and a very great difficulty to the
young farmer ; for the fair nymphs were so similar
in form and features^ that, he could scarcely per-
ceive any difference between them. He observed,
however, a trifling singularity in the strapping of
her sandal, by which he realised her the fol-
lowing day. Some, indeed, who relate this legend,
say, that this lady of the lake hinted in a private
conversation with her swain, that upon the day
of trial she would place herself between her two
sisters, and that i^he would turn her right foot a
little to the right, and that by this means he might
distinguish her from her sisters. Whatever were
the means, the end was secured ; he selected her,
and she immediately left the lake, and accom-
panied him to the farm. Before she quitted, she
summoned to attend her from the lake seven cows,
two oxen, and one bull.

. This lady engaged to live with him until such
time as he would strike her three times without
cause. For some years they lived together in
comfort, and she bore him three sons, who were
the celebrated Meddygon Myddvai.

FART III. 8

2dS XMV ll^QENp OF JtfEDDlFGON MYDDVAI.

One day> when'preparing for a ffdr in the ndgli^
bourhood> he desired her to go to the field for hk
horse : she said she would ; but being rather dila-
tory^ he said to her humorottsly^ " Dos^ dos^ dos/'
i. e. *' gOi gOf go/' and he slightly touched hei^
arm three times with his glore.

As she now deemed the tefms of her marriage
broken^ she immediately departed, and summoned
with her her seven cows, her two oxen, and the
bull. The oxen were at that very: tixne ploughing
in the field, but they imniediately obeyed fact
call, and took the plough with them* The furrow
from the field in which they were plou^dng to
the margin of the lake is to Ije'seen in several
parts of that country to the present day. .

After her departure, she on6e met. laer two sons
in a ewm *> now called Ctdm Medd^^n^ and deli-
vered to each of them a bag eontaiiiing some
articles which are unknown, but wMch are sup*
posed to have been someicBscoveries ininedicihe.

The Meddygon Myddvai were Shiwallow, and
his sonSj Cadwgan, GtufTydd,' and Einibw. They
were the chief physicians of their age, and they
wrote about A; D. 1230; A copy of dielr.works
is in the Welsh school library'in.'Gray'a»Ini»<lanft

* A dale or yallej ; hence tlie English word cbmbe, as ifl
Wycombe^ nftacambe^ &c.

rUE I«LAKD OF THE FAiR FAMILY. ^9

THE ISLAND OP THB PAIB FAMILY.

{From " The Mythology and Rites of the British
Druidfi. By Edward Davies, Author of Celtic
Researches. London, Svo. 5ooM«— 1809)/'

In the mountaixis near BreoJmodc there is a
snmU lake^ to whick traditioa asaigns soane of the
properties of. the fkbtiloua Avemus. I.recoQieet a
mabinc^, or mythological tale^ respectingiJiis piece
of water> which seems* to implj that it had once a
floaditg. raft.; for here is Jio.islaiuL .

In ancient tiraes^ it is said^ a. door in a rock
near this lake was found open upon a certain day
every year : I think it was May-day. Those .who
had the curiosity and resolution to enter were*
conducted by a secret passage^ which terminated
in a fflnall island in the centre of :the lake. . .Here
the visiters were surprised with the prospect of a
most enchanting garden^ stored with the choicest
fruits and flowers> and inhabited by the Tylwyth
Teg, or fair family, a kind of faiiies> whose beauty
could be equalled only by the courtesy and afia-
bility which they exhibited to those who pleased
(hem. They gathered fruit and floweis for eaeh

82

260 THE ISLAKD OF THE FAIR FAMILY.

of their guests^ entertained them with the most
exquisite music^ disdosed to them many events of
futurity^ and invited them to stay as long as they
should find their situation agreeahle. But the
island was sacred^ and nothing of its produce must
be carried away.

The whole of this scene was invisible to those
who stood without the margin of the lake. Only

an indistinct mass was seen in the middle : and it

>

was observed that no bird would fly over the
-water^ and that a soft strain of music at times
breathed with rapturous sweetness in the breese
of the mountain.

It happened^ upon one of these annual visits^
that a sacrilegious wretch^ when he was about to
leave the garden^ put a flower with which he had
been presented into his pocket; but the theft
boded him no good. As soon as he had touched
* unhallowed ground^ the flower vanished^ and he
lost his senses.

• ''' Of this injury the fair family took no notice
at the time. They dismissed their guests with
their accustomed courtesy^ and the door was closed
as usual: but their resentment ran high. For
though^ as the tale goes^ the Tylwyth Teg and their
garden undoubtedly occupy the spot to this day,
though the birds still keep at a respectful distance
from the lake^ and seme broken strains of music

THE ISLAND OF THE FAIR FAMILY* 261

are still heard at times^ yet the door which led to
the island has never re-appeared ; and from the
date of this sacrilegious act the Cymry have been
unfortunate."

It is added^ that '^sometime after this^' an
adventurous person attempted to draw off the
water in order to discover its contents^ when a
terrific form arose from the midst of the lake,
commanding him to desist, or otherwise he would
drown the country,

*' I have endeavoured," says Mr. Davies, *^ to
render this tale tolerable, by compressing its
language, without altering or adding to its cir-
cumstances. Its connexion with British mytho-
logy may be inferred from a passage of Taliesin,
where he says that the deluge was presaged by
the Druid, who earnestly attended in the ethereal
temple of Geirionydd to the songs that were
chanted by the Gwyllion *, children of the evening,
in the bosoms of lakes."

• Frequent allusions are made in early Welsh poems to the
Gw/Uion, which term has been generally understood to mean
shades or ghosts of departed men, who were allowed, to
inhabit this world, and sometimes appeared in a visible state.

«(

Seith gwaw gowanon
Seith loneid afon
O gTiaed Cinreinion
Y dylanwon.

1W2 THE 1SLAKB or THK VAtRVAMILY.

SeUh wgain fuuUon
A aeihaiU yn GvfyUiom
Yn hoed Celiddon
YdatfiuinU^

Meiddin, 580l

*< Seven battles of the apear

Seven riven fiiQ of blood of leading wairiors

ShaU fill up.
Seven score heroes have become
'Wandering phantoms : in (^ woods of Caledonia

They came to their end.**

Again : —

'^ Cad GwylHon Dav^ ia gyrchiadJ*'

LI. P. Moch, I24D.

*^The battle shades of David of good onset**

- Gwendyd thus addiesses her bMther Merddin in his fit of
frenzy: —

*' Ciin ethffv iy FwyU edn Ovyflte mynyd
A thy hutt yn agro
Pwy gwledych gwedi logo ?*

»♦♦

^* Since thy reason is gone with the gloomy shades of the
mountain, and thou thyself despairing, who sways the realm
after lago ?**

The compiler avails himself of this opportunity to correct
what he has said respecting the word Gwyll in the 1st part of
this work (2d Ed. p. 247) and quoted at page 11 of this
volume) ; although the explanations he has given of the word
are correct, he was wrong in comparing it with the Irish
Phooka. The Welsh name for this spirit is Mwca or Purcca^
which Doeans, formed of smoke, from jlfvc^— smoke.

Tns^MJSMiMS^9iAnY* iM8

TSne HBADLSSS LADY.

Cwm Rhyd y Rhesg is a dark and gloomy
dingle in Glamorganshire. A bridge crosses a
wild ravine^ which is overhung with trees ; and
the murmuring of the streamlet among rocks^ or
the rustling of the breeze among leaves^ are the
only sounds which disturb the solitude of this
romantic dell. Here it is that the Headless Lady
is said to wander every alternate sixty years;
being absent for sixty years^ and then returning,
to the great terror of the neighbouring district.
She is seen in the dusk of the evening ; and the
present year (1827) is part of her term of appear-
ance.

Many stories of this appalling spectre are related
by the peasantry. Some say the most death-like
chill freezes their blood at beholding her, although
she has never been known to molest any one, but
tranquilly wanders along. Others, that their
very clothes seem to freeze around them and
become stiff; and that they are deprived of utter-
ance or motion. The following tale is given as
related by the parties concerned; and so feu* as
relates to the alarm of the girl, and her account
of the matter, is certainly no fiction. Ever since
the occurrence she has been called Maryr JElor *.
* Elor IS the Wdah for bier.

864 THE HEADLESS LABY.

Aboat ten yean ago^ as Mary Lewis was going
through Cwm Peigwm^ on her way to Blaen-
pei^gwm &rm^ near the bridge called Pont Rhyd
y Rhesgy there appeared .before her a female
figure^ dressed in white, and without a head,
which, although it seemed to approach her, neyer
came nearer. Retreat was useless, for every
retrograde step she took, the headless figure kept
pace with her : she therefore determined on going
forward; but the lady preceded her, and always
kept in full view about two yards in advance of
poor Mary. She describes this frightful object as
about ^ve feet in height, and having in every
respect, with the exception of the head, a complete
and beautiful female form. Her dress was snow
white, and a mantle of dazzling purity fell over
her shoulders in Vandyke points*. The figure
made no sign or motion whatever to Mary; but
accompanied her to within six paces of the farm-
house, and then vanished.

As soon as the poor girl gained the threshold

she fainted away ; and every time she revived, and

endeavoured to explain the cause of her alarm, and

describe the spectre,, the very recollection terrified

>
* In the neighbourhood of Pont neath vaughan, there is
abo seen an apparition lesembling a woman without a head ;
and haying the part of her dress whieh comes round the throat
cut into Vandykes, called in Welsh Cam rhedynen^ or the
Cftwk of the fern.

THX HEABLSgS LA0T. 06$

her into hysterio fits. She remained in this state
for two days^ at the end of which time she
appeared lifeless from exhaustion. The good
woman of the house thought she was actually
dead^ and sent for her relatives^ who brought a
bier to take her home. A procession followed
the bier to Mary's hoxuie ; and when they were
going to lay her out^ she showed symptoms of
returning animation, and by slow degrees re-
oovered, when she related the above account of
the appearance of the Headless Lady.

» < I

I

OWEN LAWGOCH'S CASTLE.

In one of the most seduded parts of the
principality may be seen the rains of an
ancient fortress, called ** Castell Owen Law-
gocb," from the name of the chieftain, Owen
Lawgoch, or Owen of the Bloody Hand, by
whom it was once occupied, and who is be-
lieved to be at this moment,^ together with
all his warriors, in a state of enchanted sleep
in the vaults under the castle*; and in cou-
firmation of this belief, the following story

* A peasant, according to Waldran, ventured to explore the
vaults and passages under Castle Rushin, in the Isle of Man.
After wandering from one apartment to another, he anived
at a hall, into which he looked before he ventured to enter.
He there beheld ^' a vast table in the middle of the room, <^
black marble, and on it extended at full length, a man, or
rather monster ; for by his account he could not be less than
fourteen feet long, and ten round the body. This pndigioui
fabric lay as if sleeping on a book, with a sword by him, of a
size answerable to the hand supposed to make use of it.*'

He is terrified at the sight, and returns without disturbing
the giant.

OWEN LAWGOCH's CASTIiE. 267

was related by Thomas ap Rhys as having
Ofseurred not many years ago :

^^ It happened that as a Welshman was one day
sauntering among the ruins, of Castle Owen Law-
goeh> he discovered an opening which seemed tb
lead to some subterraneous passage. Haying re-
moved the obstructions caused by the ivy and the
rubbish about the entrance^ he managed to creep
in. To his surprise he found that this passage
led to others of considerable lengthy and curiosity
induced him to explore further^ until he suddenly
eeme into a vaulted hall of vast extent^ in which
he beheld an immense multitude of warriors dad
in armour, lying upon their arms fest asleep.
This unexpected sight completely checked his
curiosity; and, quite satisfied that he had proceeded
&r enough, he hastened to teturn before his in*
trusion should be discovered: but as he turned
himself round to depart rather incautiously^ he
unfortunately struck his foot against something
whidi he did not perceive in the dim light, but
which seemed to consist of arms piled up together,
and they fell with a tremendous dang ; whereupon
all the warriors started up from their sleep, and
grasping their arms, exclaimed ^A ydyw hi 'n
ddydd? a ydyw hi 'n ddyddf (Is it day? Is it
day?) ; but the intruder^ with the most adiniraUe

968 OWEN LAWOO€HSi CASTLE.

presence of mind, answered ' Nagywy nagfw,^
^sgwch etto,' (' No> no> sleep again ;') when they
all immediately laid themselves down, and fell fast
asleep as before, where they still are, waiting the
signal which is to awaken them *"

Another legend says, that it is in a cavern under
a hill that the chieftain, Owen Lawgoch, with his
thousand warriors, lie in a state of enchanted
sleep, waiting for the time to arrive when they
are to be awakened in order to oppose a hostile
army which they shall meet at the ford oiRhyd
goch arddy faych, and at Llyn pent y Weryd; and
that the destinies of Britain depend on the valour
and success of the awakened warriors f.

* Frederick Barbarossa, aoootding to German tradition, as
has been mentioned in a note on the Giant*s Stairs, in the 2d
part of this work, sits within the Eyffhaiisen, leaning on a
stone table, into which his long beaid has grown, waiting
until the day arrives when he is to hang up his shidd upon a
withered tree, which will immediately put forth leaves, and
happier days will then begin their course. ~ See also note on
Barry of Cairn Thiema, in the same volume.

■f- ^' In ages of romance, a romantic inomortality has been
bestowed by popular loyalty on those heroes who commanded
the admiration as well as the fondness of their countrymen.
Those who had seen their king flushed with victory and
leading on his warriors, or enthroned in majesty and wisdom,
were almost reluctant to admit that he too could die.*'

^^ Greece revered her yet living Achilles in the White
Island; the Britons expected the awakening of Arthur,
entranced in Avdon ; and almost in our days it was thought

OWEN lawoooh's castlb. 299

. This hill Ib said to be the scene of a very extra-
ordinary appearance^ concerning which^ an old
man of the neighbourhood related the following
story :

*' Whoever stands at the distance of a mile or
two from the hill may perceive upon its summit a
fine large yew tree; but should you attempt to
approach the spot> you will find that the "yew
tree has vanished. If you retreat again to a short
distance, you will plainly see the tree as before.

" It happcmed that a shepherd lad being one day
upon this hill, wanted a walking-stick, and per-
ceiving a hazle tree 'near him, he cut it for that
purpose. In a short time afterwards he became
tired of his pastoral occupation, and he resolved
upon leaving home, and seeking 'his fortune in
some other line of life. He set out accordingly,
and as he was journeying on he met a stranger of
noble appearance, who looked very earnestly at
him^ and at the hazle stick which he had in his

that Sebastian of Portugal would one day return and daim
his usurped realms. Thus also the three founders of the
Helvetic confederacy are thought to sleep in a cavern near the
lake of Lucerne. The herdsmen call them the three Telia,
and say that they lie there in their antique garb in quiet
slumber ; and when Switzerland is in her utmost need they
will awaken and regain the liberties of the land.**

Quarterly Review, No, xliv.^br March, 1820, /y. 371.

it
ft

S70 OWEK XAWGOCH'Sr CASTLE.

hand. At length he spoke to him and said^
'Young man^ where did yon get that stick?
Con jou show me- the rery spot?'

' I can, sir/ replied the poor Welsh hoy.
' And will 70a ?' inquired the stranger in an
earnest manner.

'' 'Most readily would 1/ said the h<^, ' if I
was near it.'

'* The stranger then offered to pay all the ex*
penses of the journey, and to reward him for his
trquhle. The hoy agreed to the proposal, and they
accordingly set off together and arrived at the
very root of the tree. The hoy then stopped and
said, 'This, sir, is the root of- the hazle stick
which I hold in my hand/ The stranger then
desired hun to look under it, and that he would
find a trap-door which would admit him into a *
vaulted passage; that this passage would lead
him into an apartment in whidi numbers of armed
warriors lay asleep, and that at its entrance he
would find a rope conducting him to it : ' but/
said he, 'press gently on this rope, for it is
attached to a bell, which, if rung, will arouscrthe
warriors and their chieftain; who, if he be
wakened, will ask. Is it day?' Should this be
the case, mind and answer quickly ' No !' 'In
this apartment,' he continued, ' there is a vast

mds.
it tbi

riojt

rhk

hej

the

'(/

r

OW£N LAWOOCH^S CASTLE. 271

qoantity of gold^ concealed under a pile of arms ;
and this g<^d I ^rant yon to bring* awy. Be
caatious, and remember what I have told }H)a.'

^' The' lad^ after some little hesitation, obeyed :
he found the trs^-door, descended^ and arrived at
the apartment described by his companion. There
he beh^d the warriors lying on their arms asleep ;
and near the chieftain was the pile of arms whic&
concealed the heap of gold. The intrepid lad
approached to seize it^ and was in the very act^
when down fell the arms with a fearful clangs and
up started Owen Lawgoch^ who stretched out
his handj which was as lai^e as a shield^ and cried
out with a voice that pealed like thunder^ 'A
ydyw hi 'n ddydd? a ydyw hi 'n ddydd?^ ( Is it
day? is it day?) ; whereupon all the armed men.
were aroused, and reiterated the same question.
The young Welshman with great coolness replied^
' Nagyw, nagyw, cysgwch etto; (No, no, sleep
again); when they all composed themselves to
sleep again.

" The lad then secured as much gold as he could
carry, and returned with it to the entrance of the
davem, Avhere he delivered it to the stranger, who
desired him to descend again and bring up the
remainder, promising him a handsome share of it.
Upon this second attempt, he found neither rope
nor hall, nor warriors nor treasure } and after much

27S OWEN LAWGOCH^S CASTLE.

toil and feiar^ he found his way back to the trap-
door ; but his companion had fled for ever, and he
never even heard of him afterwards."

The cavern^ like the yew tree on the mountain^
has ever since been in a state of Dygel (invisi-
bility)> and no one from that time has disturbed
the enchanted sleep of Owen Lawgoch and his
steel-clad warriors.

CWN ANNWN;

OR, THE DOGS OF HELL ».

(From " A Relation qf Apparitions" 8fC. by the

Rev, Edmund Jones.)

Before the light of the gospel prevailed, there
were, in Caermarthenshire and elsewhere, often
heard before burials, what by some were called

* '' I inteiTogated Davidd Shone," says the lady from
whose inquiries the compiler has derived so much assistance,
^ respecting the various signs he had witnessed preceding
death. He seems to be quite experienced in them, and well
acquainted with every description; he has himself heard and
seen more than most people. He has heard the Kyhirraeth
(groans) and the Cwn Anntvn'^ (little d(^s that howl in the
ur with a wild sort of lamentation) : one of them, he says, fell
on a tombstone once, but no one ever found him. He has also
heard a little bird called Aderin y Corff^ which chirps at the
door of the person who is to die, and makes a noise that re.
sembles in Welsh the word ^ come, come.* Who ever is thus
called must attend the summons."

t fhe word Annwn has been before explained ; see page 180. .
FART III. T

274 CWN annwn;

Cwn Annum (I^ogs of Hell)^ by others Cwn ben-
dith eu Mammau (Dogs of the Fairies)^ and by
some Cvm-wybir (Sky-dogs). The nearer they were
to man^ the less their voice was^ like that of small
beetles ; and the farther^ the louder^ and some-
times like the voice of a great hound sounding
among them^ like that of a bloodhound^ " a deep>
hollow voice."

As Thomas Andrews was coming towards home
one night with some persons with him^ he heard
as he thought the sound of hunting. He was afraid
it was some person hunting the sheep^ so he
hastened on to meet^ and hinder them : he heard
them coming towards him^ though he saw them
not. When they came near him, their voices were
but small^ but increasing as they went fi*om him ;
they went down the steep towards the river Ehwy,
dividing between this parish and M^^nyddaslwyn ;
whereby he knew they were what are called
Cvm-wyhir (Sky-dogs), but in the inward part
of Wales Cym AuHwn (Dogs of Hell). I have heard
say that these spiritual hunting-dogs have been
heard to pass by the eves of several houses before
the death of some one in the &iaily. Thomas
Andrews was an honesty religious man, who would
not have told an untruth eithar fix fear or for
favour.

OR, THE DOGS OF HELL. 275

One Thomas Phillips, of Trelech parish, heard
those spirituaL dogs, and the great dog sounding
among them ; and they went in a way which no
eorpse used to go ; at which he woodcred, as he
knew they used to go only in the way in whidi
the corpse was to go. Not long aft^, a woman,
who came from another parish, that died at 7Ve-
ieeh, was carried that way to her own parish-church
to he buried, in the way in which those qnritual
dogs seemed to hunt.

An acquaintance of mine, a man perfectly firm
to tell the mith, bemg out at night, heard a hunt-
ing in the air^ and as if they overtook something
which they hunted after; and being overtaken
made a miserable cry among them, and seemed to
escape ; but overtaken again, made the same dis-
mal cry, and again escaped, and foUowed after till
out of hearing.

Mr. D. W. of Pembrokeshire, a religious man,
and far from fear or superstition, gave me the
following account : That as he was travelling by
himself through a field called the Cot Moor , where
two stones are set up, called the Devil's Nags, at
some distance from each other, where evil spirits
are said to haunt, and trouble passengers ; he was
thrown oicer the hedge, and was never well af^r-

t2

276 CWN ANNWN ;

wards. Mr. W. went with a strongs ' fighting,
mastiff dog with him ; but suddenly he saw an-
other mastiff dog coming towards him. He thought
to set his own dog at it, but his dog seemed to be
much frightened, and would not go near it. Mr.
W. then stooped down to take up a stone, think-
ing to throw at it ; but suddenly there came a fire
round it, so that he could perceive it had a white
tail, and a white snip down his nose, and saw his
teeth grinning at him ; he then knew it was one
of the infernal Dogs of Hell ; one of those kind of
dogs against which David prayeth in Psalm xxii.
V, 20. " Deliver my soul from' the power of the
dog."

As R. A. was going to Langham town one even-
ing on some business, it being late, her mother
dissuaded her from going, telling her it was late;
and that she would be benighted j likely she might
be terrified by an apparition, which was both seen
and heard by many, and by her father among
others, at a place called Pont y Madog, which was
a pit by the side of the lane leading to Langham
filled with water, and not quite dry in the sum-
mer. However she seemed not to be afraid ; there-
fore went to Langham, On coming back before
night (though it was rather dark) she passed by
the place, but not without thinking pf the ap-

OB, THE DOGS OF HELL. 277

parition. But being a little beyond this pit^ in a
field where there was a little rill of water, and
just going to pass it, having one foot stretched over
it, and looking before her, she saw something like
a great dog (one of the Dogs of Hell) coming to-
wards her. Being within four or five yards of her,
it stopped^ sat down, and set up such a scream, so
horrible^ so loud^ and so strong, that she thought
the earth moved under her; with which she fainted
and fell down. She did not awake and go to the
next house> which was but the length of one field
from the place^ until about midnight, having one
foot wet in the rill of water which she was going
to pass when she saw the apparition.

One time, as Thomas Miles Harry was coming
home by night from a journey^ when near J)fn y
Lltvyn, he saw the resemblance of fire, the west side
of the river, on his left hand ; and looking towards
the mountain near the rock Tarren y Trwyn on his
left hand> all on a sudden, saw the fire near him on
one side^ and the appearance of a mastifi*dog on the
other side, at which he was exceedingly terrified.
The appearance of a mastiff dog was a most dread-
ful sight. He called at Tyn y Llwyn, requesting
the favour of a person to accompany him home.
The man of the house being acquainted with him
sent two of his servants with him home.

278 CWN AKNWN ; OR, THE DOGS OF HELL.

W. J. was once a Sabbath-fareaker at Riaca vil*
lage, where be firequently used to plaj, and visit
the ale-houses on the Sabbath day, and there stay
till late at night. On returning homeward he heard
something walking behind him^ and turning to see
what it was, he could see the likeness of a man
walking by his side ; he could not see his iace, and
was afraid to look much at it, fearing it was an
evil spirit, as it really was : therefore he did net
wish it good night. This dreadful, dangerous ap-
parition generally walked by the left side of him.
It afterwards appeared like a great mastiff, dog,
which terrified him so much that he knew not
where he was. After it had gone about half a
mile, it transformed itself into a great fire, as large
as a small field, and resembled the noise which a
fire makes in burning gorse.

THE CORPSE-CANDLE*.

(From '* AEelaiion of ApparitMM/* SfO. ^ the

Rev, Edmund Jones.)

About the latter end of the sixteeiith centur3r^
and the beginning of the seventeenth^ theire lived
m the valley of Ebwy Fawr, one Walter John

* Called in Welsh CantoyU gorf, or Canwyllau Cprph,
The eorpstt-candle denotes the dealh of ^ penson #ho is
teen carrying it, and varies in the strength of the light ac-
cording to the sex of the victim ; the female CanwyU gorf
being a pale and delicate blue light tt Is seen all o^ret
Wales. Mr. Roberts however says^ in his Cambrian Popular
Antiquities, that *•*• the superstitious notion ■ concerning the
corpse-candle is at present almost confined to the diocese of
St. I>avid*s, where it is the popular belief, that a short time
before the death of a person, a light is seen issuing from the
aiok.bed, and taking its course to the church-yard along the
very track which the funera] is aflerwards to pursue.'* Both
the corpse-candle, and Aderin y corff, the oorpse-bird
(screech owl), may be naturally accounted for; but it is only
Ifae business of the compiler to record and illustrate the
superstitious belief in them. There is an appearance in
Wales caUed a Llatrith, which is similar to the Scotch Wraith^
and the Irish Fett^ ; that is, a resemblaaee of any particular
penon. But in Wales, this does not always denote the deatili

280 THE C0RP8E-CANDL£.

Hany^ bdongmg to the people called Quakers^
a harmless^honest man^ and by occupation a fanier^
who went to live at Ty yn y Fid, in that valley,
where one Morgan Lewis^ a weaver^ had lived
before him ; and after his death had appeared to
some^ and troubled the house. One nighty Walter
being in bed with his wife^ and awake^ saw a light
come up stairs^ and expecting to see the spectre,
and being somewhat afraid, though he was na-
turally a very fearless man, strove to awake his
wife by pinching her, but could not awake her ;
and seeing the spectre coming with a candle in
his hand, and a white woollen cap upon his hiead,
and the dress he always wore, resolved to speak
to him, and did, when he came near the bed, and
said, '* Morgan Lewis, why dost thou walk thiis
earth?" To which the apparition gravely answered,
like one in some distress, '^ that it was because of
some 'bottoms of wool which he had hid in the
wall of the house, which he desired him to take
away, and then he would trouble them no more."
And then Walter said, " I charge thee, Morgan
Lewis, in the name of God, that thou trouble my

of the person so seen, as there are many now aHve,. whose
Llatrith has been seen by several in the Vale of Neath,
when they were at a great distance from thence, and who are
still alive, and in ignorance of the circumstance. This sort
of vision never speaks, and vanishes when spoken to.

THE CORPS£»CANDLS; 281

house no more ;" at which he vanished away^ and
appeared no more.

A clergyman's son in this county (Monmouth),
but now a clergyman himself in England, who,
in his younger days, was somewhat vicious, having
been at a debauch one night, and coming home
late, when the doors were locked and the people
in bed, feared to disturb them ; fearing also their
chiding and expostulations about his staying so
late, went to the servant, who slept in an out-
room^ as is often the manner in this country. He
could not awake the servant, but while he stood
over him^ he saw a small light come out of the
servant's nostrils, which soon became a corpse-
candle. He followed it out, until it came to a
foot-bridge, which lay over a rivulet of water. It
came into the gentleman's head to raise up the end
g[ the foot-bridge from cff the bank whereon it lay,
to see what it would do. When it came, it seemed
to offer to go over, but did not go, as if loth to
go because the bridge was displaced. When he
saw that, he put the bridge in its place, and
stayed to see what the candle would do. It came
on the bridge when it was replaced ; but when it
came near him, it struck him, as it were with a
handkerchief; but the effect was strong, for he
became dead upon the place, not knowing of him-

B82 THK CORFSE-CANDLB.

self a long time before he revirecL Such is the
power of the spirits of the other world> and it is
ill jesting with them. A Sadducee *, and a proud
ridiouler of apparitions, in this gentleman's jdace,
now, would have a pure seasoning for his pastime.
It is true these gentlemen have not seen the
corpse-candles of Wales; but they should believe
the numerous and ever-continuing witnesses of
it> and not foolishly discredit abundant matten
of fact, attested fay honest, wise men. We hare
heard of others, who, from an excess of natural
courage, or being in liquor, have endeavoured to
stop the ccrpse-eandlesy and have been struck
down upon the place, but no# none offer it, being
deterred by a few former examples related, re*
membered, and justly believed.

Joshua Coslet, a man of sense and knowledge,
told me of several corpse-candlee he had seen, but
one in particular, which he saw in a lane called
Hool bwkh y ^wynt ( Wind*gap lane) in Landeik
Fawr parish, where he suddenly met a catpm*
candle, of a small light when near him, but in-*

* By this name Mr. Jones hss b«c& {ileaBed vnUbmily to

desiginate all penont incredalom in the appearance of fidiiesi
Cwn Annwn, (Hell-hounds), and corpse candles. AAsr the
perusal of so many detailed accounts, reader I art thon a
Saddttcee?

THE CORPSE-CANDLE. S6B

creasizig as it went &rtlia: from him. He could
easily perceive that there was some dark shadow
passing along with the candle^ hut he was afraid
tct look earnestly upon it. Not long after a hury-
ing passed that way. He told me^ that it is the
common opinion^ doubtless from some experience
of itj that^ if a man should wantonly strike it,
he should be struck down by it; but if one
touehes it unawares^ he shall pass on unhurt. He
also said^ that some dark shadow of a man carried
the candle^ holding it between his three fore*-
fingers over against his face. This is what some
have seen^ who had the courage to look earnestly.
Others have seen the likeness of a candle carried
in a skull. There is nothing unreasonable or
tmlikely in either of these representations.

One William John^ of the parish of Lanboydi>
a smithy on going home one nighty being some-
what drunk and bold (it seems too bold)^ saw
one of the corpae-candlee* He went out of his
way to meet it^ and when he came near it^ he saw
it was a burying^ and the corpse upon the bier>
the perfect resemblance of a woman in the neigh-
bourhood^ whom he knew^ holding the candle
between her fore-fingers^ who dreadfully giizm^
at him ; and presently he was struck down firom his

284 THE CORPSE-CANDLE.

liorse^ where he remained awhile^ and was ill a
long time after^ before he recovered. This was
before the real burying of the woman : his faulty
and therefore his danger^ was his coming pre-
sumptuously against the candle. This is another
sensible proof of the apparition and being of
spirits.

The fore-knowledge of those corpse^canUe
spirits^ concerning deaths and burials^ is wonder-
ful^ as the following instance will show. One
Rees Thomas^ a carpenter^ passing through a
place called Rhho Edwst, near Cappel Ewen, by
nighty heard a stir coming towards him^ walking
and speaking ; and when they were come to him^
he felt as if some person put their hand upon his
shoulder^ and saying to him " Rhys bach pa /odd
yr y'ch chm ?" (Dear Rees^ how are you ?) which
surprised him much^ for he saw nothing. But a
month after^ passing that way^ he met a burying
in that very place, and a woman who was in the
company put her hand upon him, and spoke ex-
actly the same words to him that the invisible
spirit had spoken to him before; at which he could
no less than wonder. This I had from the mouth
of Mr. T, I., of Trevach, a godly minister of the
gospel.

THE CORPSE-CANDLE. 285

The following account I had £rom under the
hand of Mr. Morris Griffith^ a man truly religious^
and a lively preacher of the gospel among the
Baptists^ which came to pass in Pembrokeshire^
as follows. " When I kept school at Pont Faen
parish^ in Pembrokeshire^ as I was coming from
a place called Tredavith, and was come to the
top of the hill^ I saw a great light down in the
valley ; which I wondered at^ for I could not
imagine what it meant. But it came to my mind
that it was a light before a burying^ though I
never could believe before that there was such a
thing. The light which I saw there was a very
red lights and it stood still for about a quarter of
an hour^ in the way which went towards Lan-
ferch'llawddog church. I made haste to the other
side of the hiU^ that I might see it farther^ and
from thence I saw it go along to the church-yard^
where it stood still for a little time^ and entered
into the church. I stood stilly waiting to see it
come out^ and it was not long before it came out^
and went to a certain part of the church-yard^
where it stood a little time^ and then vanished
out of my sight. A few days afterwards^ being
in school with the children^ about noon^ I heard a
•great noise over head^ as if the top of the house
was coming down. I went to see the garret^ and
there was nothing amiss. A few days afterward^

886 THB CORPSE-CANDLE.

Mr. Higgon of Pont Faem's son died. When
the carpenter came to fetch the boards to make
the coffin^ which were in the garret^ he made
exactly sudi a stir in handling the boards in the
garrot as was made before by some spirit^ who
foreknew the death that was to come to pass. In
carrying the body to the grave^ the burying stood
where the light stood for about a quarter of an
hour^ because there was some water cross the
way^ and the people could not go ovor it without
wetting their feet; therefore they were obliged to
wait till those that had boots helped them over.
The child was buried in that very spot of ground
in the church-yard where I saw the light stop
after it came out of the ehurch. This is what
I can boldly testify^ having seen and heard what
I relate ; a thing which before I could not be-
lieve. MoRBis Griffith."

Some have been so hardy as to lie down by the
way-side where the corpse-candle passed, that they
may see what passed ; for they were not hurted
who did net stand in the way. Some have seen
the resemblance of a skull carrying the candle;
others the shape of the person that is to die car-
rying the candle between its forefingers^ h(^a^
the light before its face. Some have said that
they saw the shape of those who were to be at

8TORT OF POLLT SHONE RHYS SHONE. 287

the burying. I am willing to suspend my belief
of this^ as seeming to be extravagant^ though their
foreboding knowledge of mortality appears to be
very wonderful and undeniable.

8T0BT OF POLLY SHONE RHYS SHONE.

From the oral rdaHon of David Shone.

'* I LIVED as a servant in a farm-house in Ystrad'
felltOy where a young woman, named Polly Shone
Rhys Shone, was in the habit of coming to sew.
She was ^nployed in the nei^bourhood as a
sempstress. Well, it happened that I was coming
home one night with William Watkin, a fellow-
servant, and we perceived a light coming to meet
us, which we soon discovered to be a corpse-candle.
I cautioned my companion not to stand in its way
(knowing the danger of such temerity), but, said
I, * follow my instructions ; station yourself here
with me ;' and we placed ourselves upon a bridge
over a brook, through which the road passed, and
we lay down and turned our faces towards the
water, and there we clearly saw the reflection of

288 STORY OF POLLY SHONE SHYS SHONE.

Polly Shone Rhys Shone> bearing the odrpse-can-
^e upon the ring-finger of her right hand^ and
the other hand over the lights as if to protect it
from the wind. We remained motionless in this
position until the reflection vanished, and then
we walked home sad and sorroii^ul; although
we could not believe that it was Polly ; for what
should she do in that church-yard ? that was not
her burying-place *. But, however, sad thoughts
we ha4» although we said nothing on our Tetum,
though repeatedly questioned why we.loo]^ so
mournful. In a week after we heard ihstt poor
Polly had been suddenly taken off, and her ooifise
passed that very road, to be buried in that satfie
church-yard."

* The Welsh, like the Iri^ are singolaEly attacHed t^ 6k
burial-place of their family, and adhere to the 8{K>t. whose
their forefathers were laid with an extraordinary tenacity. A
labourer will request to be carried to the grave of his anoestots,
though his death-bed may be fifty miles distant; '>E«ay
Easter, Whitsuntide, and Chxistmas theireUtiTes. oCih^ de-
parted are busy white- washing the head and foot-stones, and
planting flowers on the graves : they also listen at the church-
door in the dark, when they sometimes fancy they hear tUe
names called over in church of those who are destined jhort^
to join their lost relatives in the tomb. , .

I Mi

THfi KYHIRRAETH.

XFtom ** A Relation of Apparitions,** 8fC, by the

Rev, Edmund Jones,)

*^I AM now," says the reverend author, '^ goiHg
i;o'giye you an account of the Kyhirraeth, a doleful
foreboding noise before death.

'^ D. P., of Lan y byther parish, a sober, sensible
^man, and careful to tell the truth, informed me,
•that, in the beginning of the night, his wife and
.taaid-servant being in the house together, whidi
was by the way-side, they heard the doleful voice
of the Kyhirraeth; and when it came ovor-against
the window, it pronounced these strange words,
of no signification that we know of, woolach^
jwoolach; and some time after a burying passed
that way. I confess a word of this sound, espe-
cially the lattar part of this last syllable, sound*
ing'in Welsh like the twenty-third lettet ofthe
Oreek alphabet, at least as they pronounced it
formerly in the schools, pronounced by a spirit of
the night, near at hand, with a disagreeable, horrid^
sounding voice, was very terrible and impressive
upon the mind and memory* The judicious Joshua

PABT III. V

Podlet) w)w liTfid flu tlwti side of ^jklic^ riyor.'I^Tfji
wtxfch niM through th^ middle of Qaermarthen-
AixBy where, the Kyhirzaeth ^ often heard,^ igaive
me the.^Uowii^ T^m4r]M>^^ $^<^^^(^ *t^^ •

'^Thi^ it ifl a doleful^ disagreeable Boiiiid>.h^flf d
ht^ore :^fi deaths of jfo^j, miwovt opt. tp he
heard before foxd we^then The voioe resembles
the groaning of sick persons who are to die« hesrd
at fivst at a distance^ then comes neivrar, and the
hiBt near at hand; so that it is a threefold waroing
of death, the king of terronr. It b^ns atrong,
and louder than a iidc man can make ;.the seooiid
cry is lower, but not less ddefulff but rather more
so ; die third yet lower, and jtoft, like the gWi^
ing of d sick man almost Bpent. and dying; so that
a person well remembering the voice, and qomiag
to the sick man's bed who is to die, shall hear his
groans exactly alike ; which ia an amazing evidence
of the spirit's foreknowledge.

^* Sometimes when it cries very loud it.bcmS'a
resemblance of one crying who'is trouble^ vnth.s
stitch* If it meets any hindrance in the wfty, it
seems to groan louder. It is, or hath heeni very
common in the three commots of Ynis^C&im* A
commot is a portion of ground less than a pffQttref,
or a hi^idred : for three commote; majke. iip th^
hundred of Ynis-Ceninj, whiph e^ctend^ fi^im the
sea as £fur as f^mdilo Ftnor^ containiQg . tw^ye

piitfalie&; vistyLMHio JPhwr, BeMs, iMneM, Ltd-
nm^VydiDtH^ Langmkh^ Penfre, Ltmarthhey, Lan*
pyndehtn, ^c.^ whidi lie <»i tli6 sodtli-ie&st eddebz
the river Towy, where sometime past it cried and
(^^rotmed before the death of every person^ as my
jnfbteant thought, who lived that side of the
^UQtjr^ It sonnded before the death of persotis
who were born in theaie parishes^ and died else*
wh^re. Sometimes the voice is heard long before
death i yet three quarters of a year is the longest
time beforehand. But it must be a common thing
Indeed^ as it came to be a oonmion thing for
people to say, by ^vay of reproach to a person
makiagil disagreeable noise, Oh'rKyhirraeth; and
sometimes to children crying and groaning liiv*
reasonable*

^ Walter Watkins, of Neuath, in the parish of
Landdetty, in the county of Brecon^ being at school
atCaermarthen^ and as be and some other sdiolars
who lodged in the same house with him were
playing ball by the house late in the evening,
h<^d the dismal, mournful noise of the Kyhirraeth
very near them, but could see nothing, which was
very shocking to hear. Though these sort of men
are incredulous enough^ yet they were soon per-
suaded that it was the voice of neither man nor
beast, but of some spirit; which made them leave

,THE TCYHIEfeAETi^.

ihelr play and run into the hoiise. Not long after^
a man who lived near the house died.' This kind""
of noise is always heard before some person's
death.

^^ The woman of the house where these sehohrs
lodged related to them many such ^ccounts^
which they heard with contempt and ridicule,
believing nothing of what she said. ' One morning
they asked her sportingly what she had heard dr
seen of a spirit that night ? She readily answered^
that she heard a spirit come to' the door/ and
passing by her while she sat by the fire, it seemed
to walk into a room where a sick man was ; and
after some time she heard it coming back^ and ii»
if it fell down in a faint^ and was raised up again.
Soon after^ the sick man rose up^ thinking he was
able to walk, came into the room where -the
woifian heard the fall^ and fell 'down dead in that
very part of the room where the spint made thd
same kind of stir which his fell mad^^ and Wste
made by those that raised him up. ' ''''*:

*^ In Montgomeryshire. Edward Lloyd, in iSte
parish of Langyrig, being very ill, those that wCMf
with him heard the voice of some person very n6ar
them ; they looked about the house, but could see*
no person: the voice seemed to be 'in i^e rbtm.
wh^re they were* . Soon after, they heard jth^ae^

,i;hr kyhiubaeth, ^93

wprdsj by spxnetliing unseen^. Y mae Nenbren y
I)/ yn craccio (The uppermost beam of the hoi;se
cracketh);'800ii after^ Fe dorr yn y man (It will
presently break) ; then they heard the same voice
wy^ Oy^f^flf yntorri (There, it breaks !) He died
that moment, which much affected the company..

, ^^. A woman in Caermarthen town protested to
Mt.Charles Winter, of the parish ofBedweUty (who
waa then at the academy, and since became a
preadjer of. the gospel), that she heard like the
^ound of a company, as it were a burying, coming
ap from a river; and presently, as it were, the
Bocind of a cart, coming another way to meet the
Qompany ; and the cart seemed to stop while the
oompany went by, and then went on. Soon after
a dead corpse was brought from the river from one
^^ the vessels, and a cart met the burying, and
stopped till the company went by, e^ctly as the
woman heard. Mr. W. was no man to tell an
untruth ; and the woman had no self-interest to
serve by telling au untruth* The wonder is, how
these spirits can so particularly foreshow things to
oome. Either their knowledge of future things near
at hand must be very great, or they must have a
great influence to accomplish things as foreshown.
Be it either way, the thing is wonderful, of the
very minute and particular knowledge of these
spirits in the manner of deaths and burials."

291 THE KYHISAAETH.

(From Roberts'^ Cambrian Popular Aaiiqtatiea.)

" In Soath Wales another appearanoe i* generallj
affinned to take place before th« dearth of Bome
noted person, vis. a coffin and boml train arc
seen to go from the neighbourhood of the hooM
in the dead of n^ht towards the dinrdi-yatd.
Sometimea a hearse and mourning ooadiea fbrm
the cavalcade, and move in gloomy silenoe in Such
a direction i not a footstep is heard as they prooeed
along the public roads, and eren throng the
towns; and the terron^Uie few who happen to M6
them are spread orer die whole neighbourhood.
Of tbeae appearanoea the causea are prob^y
artificiali and Lear's idea of sAofi'n^' a troop of
AorM with felt may be in these instances more
than imaginary."

1 < t • • J - < r< •

\ . •. . , > •/ • ' • ?.' '• M. > .♦^

, ADDITIONAL NOTES .

TUB lEtSH LEGENDS IN THE FIR^ VOLUME.

BT TH£ BB0THSB8 OBIMIC.

The Legend of Knockske^&umtju

This legend leaembles the Gezman oim of the boy who
does not know what tenor is, and whom no apparitions can
frighten, less in .the fahle than in the dbaiactei; Vide Haus-
marchen, No. 4, and the notes on it.

The Legend of Knoekgrqfton

Belongs to that class of tales in which it is represented that
the spirits give good fbrtune only to the good, and that the
same favour, when asked by the wicked, turns out to his de-
triment. See the notes to the third volume of Hau^marchen,
p. 156. ,

The Voung Piper.

The little bag^nper is Hans nieUt tgel of the German Tales
(p.. 108)» who Ukewise asks his father for a bagpipe, on which
he plays with much skill. There is a stiH more striking oo»
inddence wiih German stories of changelings (vide our Ck)U

296 HOTBfr TO THE mtST YOLUMB.

lecdon, i. Nob. 81 and 82), who, when they come near the water,
or on a bridge, jump in, and play as merrily as in their own
dfBomU while nt tbe aame moment the true diild is fotnd
itamg and bealihy by its mother in the ccadls*

One of the aldest l^;endfl of the changeling is that in the
how Gtrman poem of Zeno (Bruns Sammlung, p. 26). The
de?il cAixies off the unbaptiaed child, and places himsdf in
its ccadle; ba( is so greedy in his demands on the motfaer's
milk that she cannot satisfy him. Nurses are hired ; but as
they, too, are unable to appease the insatiable changeling,
cows are brought for his noarishmeDt * The parents are
obliged to expend their whole fortune in feeding the false
diild.

What the poets, in'a Chnstiah point of view, ascribe to the
devil, the people in their songs and tales attribute to fames and
dwarfs. The ^orth abounds in stories of such changes (»m-
skiptingar)y to which new-bom, unbaptised children are ex-
'posed. See the Collection of Faroe Songs, p. 294.

The Brewery of Egg-shells,

ACterman tradition (l*ales, ilL 39.)) which is obviously the
same, is superior to it in the pretty trait, that the mother re-
covers her own child as soon as she succeeds in making the
changeling laugh. The mother breaks an egg, and in the
two shells puts water on the fire to boil; upon this the change-
ling cries out, <' I am as old as the Westerwald, and never
yet saw any one boil water in an egg-shell P' bursts out into
a laugh; and the same moment the real child is restoiked. Jt
is also related in Denmark* Vide Thide^ i. 47*

The Legend qf Bottle ffiOn

'' The Ckrman tale of <« Table Cover4hyself* (HausmSrdicn,
'Kot 36.) agrees with this in the mun ; and in the note on it
ihe corresponding Italian story is also quoted.

. ..»
. Foiriety or no Faitiest

People tHio believe In fkirieg will account for the appttidoA,
by supposing that the spfaits which would not show fhemtielv^
to the young people had tiansfomied themsdvesinto ncmsb-
fooms, beneath which they are very fond of reposing; and it
is not the object of the tale to taxn the belief in them into
ridionk. Henee the title, in the original. Fairies or no Fahnea ;
£Mr «hich webttfe tnbstitdted another*

Tlfe Haunted Cellar,

In German Traditions, i 93, a fanner, quite tired of the
kobold, determines to' bum down the bam in which he has
taken up his abode. He first removes from it all the straw, and
on taking out the lost load, after having closed it carefully, he
sets fire to it himself. When It is all in flames, happening to
turn round, he sees the kobold, who is sitting on the cart, and
who calls out to hkn, ^* It was higH time for us to come
out."

Master and Man»

> Sir Walter Scott, in the second volume of Border Mki»
fttrelsy,p. J77,i^elate8 the same stbry, with the remark, that it
Occurred in the sixteenth century ; that the man, while witdk*
ing In the field, was suddenly earried off^ hearing the itoise of
a whirlwind, and these words ! {Horse and HattocJi).

There' is a similar tradition related in a letter written on
the 15th of March,1696, and printed In Aubrey^s MisceUanies,
p. 158 ; and which is likewise communicated by Sir Walter
Scott, p. 178, 179.

Some schoolboys at Forres were spinning their tops in the
ebuscfa^yard, when^ though the'aur was cabn, th^Jieaid the
noise of a wind, and saw a light dust arise in an eddy, at some
distance. It came nearer, and the. boys crossed themselves i

but one of tfaem, psore undnuftted than the rest, cried ogt,
*^ Horse and Hattock with mjr tpp !" , The top was instantljr
lifUd «p and carried off, bat whither they eottld not tell, on
•ccouut of a doud of du4t; but they afterwards found it in
the church*yazd, on the other side of the church.

7*fie Spirit Hone.

In SootUnd, the light which entices the wanderer from the
rond into marshes and precipices is called Spunkie. — See
Stewart, 16i; 162.

jyaniel O^Rourke.

The man in the moen is a popular mpentition^ wftidh
perhaps even now is spread over the whole of filuope; hut
which pieyailed in the middle ages, and is probably founded
on still more andent heathen notions. In the spots on the
moon's disk, the Tulgar recog^nize the figuve of a man wiih a
bundle of thorns on his back, and an axe in his hand. Among
the people in Germany, he is the man who hewed wood on a
Sunday; and, as a punishment for the pro&nation of the
Sabbath, is doomed to fteease in the cold mooQ.-^ee HebdS
long in the Alemannic poems. It seems to have a v^fio'enoe
to ft passage m the Bible (Numbers xv. 32, 36.) The
Italians of the thirteenth century imagined the man in (he
moon to be Cain^ who is going to sacrifice to God thcnu ; the
most wretched productions of the ground.^(See Dante,
Inlbmtf, XX. 124; Paiadiso, VL 50. (Gihio e H Spine), and
the commentators.) A rather difficult old English song of the
fourteenth century is among Ritson's ancient songs, London^
1790, p. 85, 37* The man in the moon is represented cold
Md fatigued^ with n pitchfiDrk and thenia, which have Mm
Ui dress* He fonnerly dwelt on earthy cut wood whererhe
hadno right, and the bailiff seized his coat Sbakapeift%

UrOTES' to THE' Fl&ST VOLUME. 1^9

attugions are more fajiuliar (Midsummer Kight^s Dream anid
Tempest^ ii. 2.) An Englifth nurseiy ta|e says :•.

« The man in the moon
Came down too soon.
To ask hia way to Norwich."

The Crookened Back*

3imilar games in Oermanj. V. Hansmarchen, ii. xxiii.

For similar customs on May-day, and the beg^ning of
Spring, disseminated throughout Europe, see Hausmarchen,
Introduction to second volume, p. 30.

The pernicious breath of the fairies is called ato-gutt (see
HaDagar under this word). In Norway and in Iceland, a
certain Ipnd of boil is called iLlJh IrunL

FUfr Usgeu

Waldran has a legend of the Isle qf Man, according to
which a diver came to a town under the sea, the magnificence
of which he cannot sufficiently extol, and where the floors of
tl^ rooms are composed of precious stones.

There are also In Germany and other countries traditions
enough of lakes, which occupy the sites of former cities and
cfMtl^ ; see German Tales, No. 131.

The Legend of Lough Gur.

This tale is connected with the Scotch and Irish legends of
Hm Elf-bull, respecting which see our Essay.

The Endhanted Lake*

However deferent in external form, this tale is. In fiKt,
very nearly coincident with the German one of Dame HoUe
(HKOsmHrchen, 24). It is a singular drcumstance, that the

300 NOTES TO THE FIEST VOLirMI.

AromBO imdci the like hu Urge teeth, like Daine llolle,
bcrntb the watci. It ii alio lenurkatde, thM as they uy
in HesK whtn it nioiri, " Dame Holle ii making hel bed,
the feathen ue ilfiiiff i" (he Iriah diildnn cry, with a limitai
notion, " The ScotchmeD are plucking theit geeu."

LONDOiV:

raiNTED Bt IBOHAB DATISOB, 1

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