, field.

This book, and its successors in the series which it is proposed to
issue, may come into the hands of some who, having little opportunity
afforded them to consider how the legends and tales it contains may be
of the value we claim for them, may be glad to have the "case" for
legends and national stories presented to them in a few words.

The peasant's tale, the story preserved through centuries on the lips
of old wives, the narrative which has come down to us having done duty
as a source of amusement in the fireside groups of preceding
generations, may seem to some to afford slight matter for reflection,
and may even appear so grotesque in its incidents as to be fitted only
to excite a smile of wonder at the simplicity of those among whom such
stories could obtain reception, and surprise at the fantastic
imagination in which such tales could find their origin. Modern
thought has, however, been busy asking itself what is the meaning of
these stories, and it has done much to supply itself with an answer.
This, at least, it has done: it has discovered that these legends and
tales, which so many have been inclined to cast aside as worthless,
are of a singular value, as throwing a light which little else can
afford upon the mind of primitive man. At first the collection of
national stories was undertaken merely for the purpose of affording
amusement. Folk-tales were diverting, so they found their way into
print, and were issued as curious literary matter fitted to supply
diversion for a vacant hour. Many of the tales are very beautiful, and
their mere literary merit sufficed to make them sought for. But
legendary lore was soon observed to possess much more value than could
attach to its merely amusing features. It was obvious that in these
legends were preserved the fragments of the beliefs of the ancient
folk. "The mythology of one period," remarked Sir Walter Scott,
"would appear to pass into the romance of the next century, and that
into the nursery tale of the subsequent ages." "Fiction," said Sir
John Malcolm, "resolves itself into its primitive elements, as, by the
slow and unceasing action of the wind and rain, the solid granite is
crumbled into sand. The creations embodied by the vivid imagination of
man in the childhood of his race incorporate themselves in his fond
and mistaken faith. Sanctity is given to his daydreams by the altar of
the idol. Then, perhaps, they acquire a deceitful truth from the
geni