Fairy Legends and Traditions by Thomas Crofton Croker [1825]

4 THE ELVES IN IRELAND.
mountains, and make the boldest leaps without
the least exertion.
They do not appear to require any food, but
refresh themselves with dew-drops which they
collect from the leaves. .
They severely punish all who inquisitively
approach or tease them ; otherwise they are
friendly and obliging to well-meaning people who
confide in them.
They remove humps from the
shoulder; make presents ofnew articles of clothing;
undertake to grant requests ;
though in such cases,
good-humour on the applicant'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 to join
in
their dances ; but there is always some danger in
this intercourse.
The person becomes ill in consequence,
and falls into a violent fever from the
unnatural exertion, as they seem to lend him a part
of their power.
If he forgets himself, and, according
to the custom, kisses his partner, the whole
scene vanishes the instant his lips touch hers.
The Elves have another peculiar and more intimate
connexion with mortals.
It seems as if they
divided among themselves the souls
of men, and
considered them thenceforth as their property.
Hence certain families have their particular Elves,