Fairy Legends and Traditions by Thomas Crofton Croker [1825]

O
THE ELVES IN IRELAND.
mercy at the day of judgment.
This mixture of
the dark and malevolent is visibly manifested in
their actions and inclinations.
If in remembrance
of their original happy condition they are beneficent
and friendly towards man,, the evil principle
within them prompts them to malicious and injurious
tricks.
Their beauty, the wondrous splendour
of their dwellings, their sprightliness, is
nothing more than illusive show; and their true
figure, which is frightfully ugly, inspires terror.
If, as is but rarely the case,
they are seen in the
day-time, their countenances appear to be wrinkled
with age, or, as people express it, w like a withered
cauliflower ;" a little nose, red eyes, and hair hoary
with extreme age.
One of their evil propensities consists in stealing
healthy and fine children from their mothers, and
substituting in their room a changeling who bears
some resemblance to the stolen infant, but is in
fact only an ugly and sickly Elf. He manifests
every evil disposition, is malicious, mischievous,
and, though insatiable as to food, does not thrive.
When the name of God is mentioned, he begins to
laugh, otherwise he never speaks, till being obliged
to do so by artifice, his age is betrayed by his voice,
which is that of a very old man. The love of
music shows itself in him, as well as extraordinary
proficiency ;
supernatural energies are also mani-