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Article THE FAIRY FAMILY. ← Page 11 of 13 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Fairy Family.
Benevolent Fairies Avere believed to steal children ; but only those who Avere orphans , or oppressed by their parents ; in the latter case they Avere allowed to rei'isit them twice , at intervals of seven yeare . The bad Fairies left a child in lieu of the one abducted , described as an "ill-faur'd Avauchie ivandocht of a
creatur , " insatiate of appetite , ancl usually sucking the mother into a consumption . The Irish term their elves " Good People , " and the Highlanders " Daoine Shie , " or men of peace . The same principle which prompts the savage to crouch in deA'il-worship , induces these titles of conciliation bestoAved on the Fairy tribe . The Irish
elves inhabit the ancient tumuli , or burrows , and display an odd mixture of the sublime and the ridiculous in their composition , strongly reminding us of the national character of the country . They are clothed in green dresses , and ivear large scarlet caps ; Arhence the beautiful digitalis purpurea , bearing a scarlet bellblossom , is termed fairy-cap . It is further supposed , when it bends , to be making a sign of recognition and obeisance to some invisible elf .
Cluricaune , the Irish Puck , is a little cobbler , everlastingly engaged in repairing a shoe , and believed to possess an inexhaustible purse . The Banshie is a white Fairy with silver locks , chiefly attached to ancient families as an honourable attendant . Another , though rather undefined being , is the Phooka , who haunts the rocks and glens of Ireland : hence the Carrig Phooka
of Cork , ancl the waterfall of Poula Phooka of WickloAV . The Irish Fairies are in great fear of losing their caps , as they are not permitted to rest until they replace the loss . The Fairies of the Isle of Man appear to manifest horse-dealing propensities . A person of integrity stated to Waldron , that liaving occasion to sell a horse , a diminutive gentleman , plainly dressed , accosted
him Avhile travelling across the mountains , and , after some bargaining , purchased the animal . When he had paid the money , and taken his seat in the saddle , both horse ancl rider sank through the earth , ancl disappeared from his astonished gaze . The green rings of varying size met Avith in meadows , Avere , it is Avell known , vulgarly attributed to the Fairy dancers . Thus Scott : —
" Merry elves their morrice pacing To aerial minstrelsy ; Emerald rings on brown heath tracing , Trip it deft and merrily . " So also the great bard : — " On hill , in dale , forest , or mead , By pared fountain , or by rushy brook ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Fairy Family.
Benevolent Fairies Avere believed to steal children ; but only those who Avere orphans , or oppressed by their parents ; in the latter case they Avere allowed to rei'isit them twice , at intervals of seven yeare . The bad Fairies left a child in lieu of the one abducted , described as an "ill-faur'd Avauchie ivandocht of a
creatur , " insatiate of appetite , ancl usually sucking the mother into a consumption . The Irish term their elves " Good People , " and the Highlanders " Daoine Shie , " or men of peace . The same principle which prompts the savage to crouch in deA'il-worship , induces these titles of conciliation bestoAved on the Fairy tribe . The Irish
elves inhabit the ancient tumuli , or burrows , and display an odd mixture of the sublime and the ridiculous in their composition , strongly reminding us of the national character of the country . They are clothed in green dresses , and ivear large scarlet caps ; Arhence the beautiful digitalis purpurea , bearing a scarlet bellblossom , is termed fairy-cap . It is further supposed , when it bends , to be making a sign of recognition and obeisance to some invisible elf .
Cluricaune , the Irish Puck , is a little cobbler , everlastingly engaged in repairing a shoe , and believed to possess an inexhaustible purse . The Banshie is a white Fairy with silver locks , chiefly attached to ancient families as an honourable attendant . Another , though rather undefined being , is the Phooka , who haunts the rocks and glens of Ireland : hence the Carrig Phooka
of Cork , ancl the waterfall of Poula Phooka of WickloAV . The Irish Fairies are in great fear of losing their caps , as they are not permitted to rest until they replace the loss . The Fairies of the Isle of Man appear to manifest horse-dealing propensities . A person of integrity stated to Waldron , that liaving occasion to sell a horse , a diminutive gentleman , plainly dressed , accosted
him Avhile travelling across the mountains , and , after some bargaining , purchased the animal . When he had paid the money , and taken his seat in the saddle , both horse ancl rider sank through the earth , ancl disappeared from his astonished gaze . The green rings of varying size met Avith in meadows , Avere , it is Avell known , vulgarly attributed to the Fairy dancers . Thus Scott : —
" Merry elves their morrice pacing To aerial minstrelsy ; Emerald rings on brown heath tracing , Trip it deft and merrily . " So also the great bard : — " On hill , in dale , forest , or mead , By pared fountain , or by rushy brook ,