Joseph JacobsXXXIX. ASS, TABLE AND STICK.
Source.—Henderson, l.c., first edition, pp. 327-9, by the Rev.
S. Baring-Gould.
Parallels.—Mr. Baring-Gould gives another version from the
East Riding, l.c., 329, in which there are three brothers who
go through the adventures. He also refers to European Vari-
ants, p. 311, which could now be largely supplemented from
Cosquin, i. 53-4, ii. 66, 171.
Remarks.—As an example of the sun-myth explanation of
folk-tales I will quote the same authority (p. 314): “The
Master, who gives the three precious gifts, is the All Father,
the Supreme Spirit. The gold and jewel-dropping ass, is the
spring cloud, hanging in the sky and shedding the bright
productive vernal showers. The table which covers itself is
the earth becoming covered with flowers and fruit at the
bidding of the New Year. But there is a check; rain is with-
held, the process of vegetation is stayed by some evil influ-
ence. Then comes the thunder-cloud, out of which leaps the
bolt; the rains pour down, the earth receives them, and is
covered with abundance—all that was lost is recovered.”
Mr. Baring-Gould, it is well-known, has since become a
distinguished writer of fiction.XL. FAIRY OINTMENT.
Source.—Mrs. Bray, The Tamar and the Tavy, i. 174 (letters
to Southey), as quoted by Mr. Hartland in Folk-Lore, i. 207-- I have christened the anonymous midwife and euphemised
her profession.
Parallels.—Mr. Hartland has studied Human Midwives in
the Archaeol. Review, iv., and parallels to our story in Folk-
Lore, i. 209, seq.; the most interesting of these is from Gervase
of Tilbury (xiii. cent.), Otia Imper., iii. 85, and three Breton
tales given by M. Sebillot (Contes, ii. 42; Litt. orale, 23; Trad.
et Superst., i. 109). Cf. Prof. Child, i. 339; ii. 505.