* The romances in which the FAIRIES and DESTINIES are used as fynonymous, are not thofe of Gothic origin, but rather the Oriental tales and fables. The FAIRIES of our own northern ance.tors, are pro perly what are called throughout this work the DWARFS: whereas our author applies the word Fees (FAIRIES) in nearly the fame fenfe as the Latin Nymphe and Parce; and perhaps this may be the sense in which it is generally used by his countrymen. The Norna, however, of the Edda, feem to be evidently the fame with the Weird Sifters, so famous in Gothic Hiftory and Romance. See Bartholin. Caufa Contempt. Mort. 610. Junii Etymol. Ang. (Verb. WERDE.). T.

Parca, and which is in itfelf not badly imagined. The Romans, who enlarged their heaven, and increased the number of their Gods, in proportion as they extended their empire; having adopted these northern * divinities, confecrated to them divers monuments, fome of which have been recovered. Thefe monuments agree very well with the EDDA §. They almost always prefent to view three females: the oracles these pronounced had rendered them fa

mous.

They were especially reforted to at the birth of a child. In many places there were caverns, where the people fancied they might enjoy the pleasure of their prefence, and hear them. fpeak. Some places in France retain ftill the name of the FAIRIES OVEN, the FAIRIES WELL, &c. Saxo, the Grammarian, fpeaks of a chapel, where king Fridleif went to confult them about the fate of his fon Olaus, and he adds, that he faw three

young there. there. Sax. 1. 6. This fuperftition, fo general throughout Europe, hath prevailed almoft as long as that relating to witches and forcerers. We fee, in the procefs or trial of the famous MAID OF ORLEANS, that she was accused of going often to a certain oak in a folitary place, to confult the FAIRIES (Fr. Fees.) These Fairies were, I believe, as to their origin, deified propheteffes. The Celtic and Teutonic' women had a peculiar talent for improving all forts of fuperftition; and turning every thing into omens. Thofe who had mot distinguished themfelves in this art, were deified, and became Goddefles after their deceafe; and as they had predicted the fate of men on earth, were believ d still to do it in heaven.

women fitting

This error is very an cient, In the time of Vefpafian, there was, according to Tacitus, a female named Velleda, half a Prophetefs, and half a Fairy, who, from the top

* Fr. Celtiques. § Vid, Keysl. Ant. p. 33. 270. 396. 446.

of a tower where she lived reclufe, exercised far and near, a power equal to that of kings. Latè imperitabat are the words of the hiftorian. The moft illuftrious warriors undertook nothing without her advice, and always confecrated to her a part of the booty. V. Tacit. Hift. 1. 4 & 5. In general, one may obferve, that the worship paid to women, hath always had here in Europe great ad

vantage over that which was directed to men. The religious refpect which was here paid to the Fairies or Deftinies, is of all the doctrines of the ancient religion *, that which hath longest prevailed. These fabulous divinities have furvived all the Gods and Genii, both of the Celts and Romans, and though at laft banished every where else, have found a kind of afylum in our romances.

* Fr. La Religion Celtique..

To the inftances given by our Author (in Note A) of the Gothic nations affembling under Trees, may be added the following in our own country, viz.

The Wapentake of SKIRE-AKE in the Weft-riding of Yorkshire, is thought to have taken its name from a remarkable Oak, to which the inhabitants repaired upon public occafions, as at a general Convention of the District, &c. See Thorefby's Ducat. Leod. p. 84. 150.So Berkshire is thought to have been denominated from BEROKE, a bare, or difbarked Oak, to which, upon particular emergencies, the inhabitants were wont in ancient times to refort and confult about public matters. Camd. Brit. (by Gibfon, 1 Ed. p. 137.)-The Tranflator of this Book knows a Manor in Shropshire, where the ManorCourt is held to this day under a very aged Afh-tree: there the Steward calls over the Copy-holders, and forms a Jury; and then adjourns the Court to a neighbouring inn, for the dispatch of business.

T.

1

THE NINTH FABLE.

·Of the Cities which are in Heaven.

G

ANGLER fays to Har, You tell me very wonderful things; but what are the other holy cities to be seen in heaven? Har replies, There are many other very fine cities to be feen there. In one of them, called Alfheim (A), dwell the luminous Genii, but the black Genii live under the earth, and differ from the others ftill more in their actions than in their appear

ance.

The luminous Genii are more fplendid than the Syn; but the black Genii arè darker than pitch. In these parts there is alfo a city called Breidablik, which is not inferior to any other in beauty; and another named Glitner, the walls, columns and infide of which are gold, and the roof of filver *. There alfo is to be seen the city Himinborg, or the Celeftial Mount, fituated upon the frontiers, at the place

* The Edda of Goranfon fays Afgulli, of gold. T. where

4

where the bridge of the Gods touches heaven. The great city of Valafcialf, which belongs to Odin, is all built of pure filver. There is the royal Throne, called Lidscialf, or the Terror of the Nations. When the Univerfal Father is feated upon it, he can view the whole earth. On the utmost limit of heaven, towards the fouth, is the moft beautiful city of all: it is called Gimle. It is more brilliant and fhining than the Sun itself, and will fubfift even after the deftruction of heaven and earth. Men of real goodness and integrity shall abide there for everlasting ages. The poem VOLUSPA fpeaks thus of it; "I know that there is

a place brighter than the Sun, and intirely covered with gold, in the city of «Gimle: there the virtuous are to refide;

there they fhall live happy throughout " all ages (B)." Then Gangler demands, What will preferve that city when the black flame comes to confume heaven and earth? Har replied, We have been told, that there is towards the fouth, another heaven, more elevated than this, called the Clear Blue; and above that, a third heaven, ftill more elevated, called the Boundlefs. In this laft we think the city of Gimle must be feated, but it is at present inhabited only by the luminous Genii.

RE