Northern mythology

INTRODUCTION.
XXV
the giant Ymir, and at the behest of the gods received
human form and understanding, and had habitations
assigned them in the earth and in stones ^
From these we may consider the subterraneans in all
the Northern countries to derive their origin. We will
first direct our attention to Iceland. As in Norway, the
subterraneans here also dwell in hills and mounds, they
are neat and cleanly, comely and flighty, readily hold converse
with Christians,
by whom they formerly had children.
These they strove to exchange for the children of
Christians before they were baptized, that their own might
enjoy the benefit of baptism. Such substituted children
were called Umskiptingar, and are usually stupid and
weakly. The subterraneans have beautiful cattle, whicli,
like themselves, are invisible, though they sometimes let
themselves be seen in the bright sunshine, which they
lack in their dwellings, and in which they therefore from
time to time recreate themselves. On New Yearns night
they sometimes change their habitations, at which time it
was formerly a custom in Iceland to leave well-provided
tables standing, and the doors open, in order to gain the
good wdll both of the comers and goers. According to
old traditions, the subterraneans of Iceland were governed
by two chieftains, who are changeable every second year,
when, accompanied by some of their subjects, they sailed
to Norway, to appear before the king of the whole race,
who had his residence there, to renew their oath of fealty,
1 See vol. i. p. 9. According to one tradition, the subterraneans descend
from Adam's children by his first wife Lileth. Goethe alludes to
her in Faust.