English Fairy Tales

English Fairy Tales

Remarks.—English popular tradition is curiously at variance
about the magpie’s nidificatory powers, for another legend
given by Mr. Swainson represents her as refusing to be in-
structed by the birds and that is why she does not make a
good nest.

XXXVII. KATE CRACKERNUTS.

Source.—Given by Mr. Lang in Longman’s Magazine, vol.
xiv. and reprinted in Folk-Lore, Sept. 1890. It is very cor-
rupt, both girls being called Kate, and I have had largely to
rewrite.

Parallels.—There is a tale which is clearly a cousin if not a
parent of this in Kennedy’s Fictions, 54 seq., containing the
visit to the green hill (for which see “Childe Rowland”), a
reference to nuts, and even the sesame rhyme. The prince is
here a corpse who becomes revivified; the same story is in
Campbell No. 13. The jealous stepmother is “universally

human.” (Cf. Köhler on Gonzenbach, ii. 206.)

XXXVIII. THE CAULD LAD OF HILTON.

Source.—Henderson’s Folk-Lore of Northern Counties, 2nd

edition, published by the Folk-Lore Society, pp. 266-7. I

have written the introductory paragraph so as to convey some

information about Brownies, Bogles, and Redcaps, for which

Henderson, l.c., 246-53, is my authority. Mr. Batten’s por-

trait renders this somewhat superfluous.

Parallels.—The Grimms’ “Elves” (No. 39) behave in like

manner on being rewarded for their services. Milton’s

“lubbar-fiend” in L’Allegro has all the characteristics of a

Brownie.