nt which would derive the Satanic patronymic of 'Old Nick' from
these beings, as spirits extremely familiar to the Teutonic mind. On
fine sunny days the nixies may be seen sitting on the banks of rivers,
or on the branches of trees, combing their long golden locks. Previous
to a drowning accident the nixies can be seen dancing on the surface of
the water. Like all sea and river spirits, their subaqueous abode is of
a magnificence unparalleled upon earth, and to this they often convey
mortals, who, however, complain that the splendours of the nixies'
palaces are altogether spoiled for them by the circumstance that their
banquets are served without salt.

Where on the marshes boometh the bittern,
Nicker the Soulless sits with his ghittern;
Sits inconsolable, friendless and foeless,
Bewailing his destiny, Nicker the Soulless.

The Nixie of the Mummel-lake

The legend of the nixie of Seebach is one of gloom and tragedy, albeit
as charming as most of the Rhine tales.

It was the custom among the young people of Seebach to assemble of an
evening in the spinning-room, which on the occasion about to be dealt
with was in the house of the richest and most distinguished family in
the country. The girls spun and laughed and chatted, while the youths
hung about their chairs and cracked jokes with them. One evening while
they were thus employed there came among them a stranger, a young lady
beautifully clad and carrying an ivory spinning-wheel. With becoming
modesty she asked to be allowed to join the company, which permission
the simple youths and maidens readily accorded. None was more eager to
do honour to the new-comer than the son of their host. While the others
were still gaping in awestruck fashion, he quietly fetched her a
chair and performed various little services for her. She received his
attentions so graciously that a warmer feeling than courtesy sprang up
in his heart for the fair spinner.

He was in truth a handsome lad, whose attentions any maid might have
been proud to receive. Well-built and slender, he bore himself with a
proud carriage, and the expression on his delicate features was grave
and thoughtful beyond his years. When at length the fair visitor
departed, he loitered disconsolate and restless, listening to the idle
surmises of the peasant youths concerning the identity of the lady, but
offering no opinion himself. On the following day at the same hour she
again appeared and, seein