Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

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92 Old Irish Religions.
Danish, DamJicst ; Polish, Rotri ; the Russian, Domavoi
EngHsh, Puck, Elf, Fay, or Robin Goodfellozv ; Cornish,
Pixie; Burmese, 7W?/^; Vyx^'LOW, Korigan, or Koril ;
Scotch,
Brozvnie ; Norwegian, Trolls, or Nyss ; Oriental, Jin;
Jewish, Schedijii ; Italian, Fata; Greek, Parcce, or Eiinienidcs.
" That which is neither ill nor well,
That which belongs not to heaven or hell."
Because many are represented as little men, writers have
fancied the idea was but a tradition of pre-existing races,
small in stature, who were improved off by visitors or
marauders of larger growth. Dwarfs or Dnzes are thought
in Brittany to haunt the dolmens, or ancient graves, though
in some manner they are known as the ghosts of Druids.
Certainly Africa bears evidence of a wide-spread pigmy
race. There are Dokos of South Abyssina, Obongo of
West Africa, Akka of Central Africa, Batua living in trees
like monkeys, and others in Congo, &c.
The Fairies are associated with mankind at present,
though they may carry off their children, replacing them
by changelings. The mannikins may be white, brown,
grey, or yellow. Some are small enough to sit in ears of
corn, while others fly about on magic horses. It is sad to
know that these little people indulge in faction fights, and
pinch those who dance with them. Giants figure less often.
The Book of Leinster tells of giant Luter, with fourteen
heads, wooing Gobal, whose charms extended over fifty
cubits.
Occasionally these little people are not content with
stealing babies, but would run off with men ;
as Nea, of
the golden hair, did the Irish Fenian warrior. The busy
Maakiset, who worked underground, were more worth}' of
offerings than the Kapcet, who caused eclipses by catching
hold of the moon. It is discreet always to speak well of