Fairy Legends and Traditions by Thomas Crofton Croker [1825]

THE ELVES IN IRELAND. 7
fested in the power with which he obliges every
thing, even inanimate objects, to dance. Whereever
he comes he brings ruin : a series of misfortunes
succeed each other, the cattle become sick,
the house falls into decay, and every enterprise
proves abortive. If he is recognised and threatened
he makes himself invisible, and escapes ; he
dislikes running water, and if he is carried on a
bridge, he jumps over, and sitting upon the waves
plays on his pipe, and returns to his own people.
He is
called in Irish Leprechan*.
At particular times, such as May eve, for instance,
the evil Elves seem to be peculiarly active
and powerful ; to those to whom they are inimical,
they give a blow unperceived, the consequence of
which is lameness ; or they breathe upon them,
and boils and swellings immediately appear on the
place which the breath has touched. Persons
who pretend to be in particular favour with the
fairies,
undertake to cure such diseases by magic
and mysterious journeys.
2. THE CLURICAUNE.
In this quality the Elf is essentially distinguished
from the Shefro by his solitary and awk-
* The word, properly written Preachdn or Prlachan^ is
said to signify a raven.