1.

Parca, and which is in itself not badly imagined. 'The Romans, who enlarged their heaven, and increased the number of their Gods, in proportion as they extended their empire; having adopted these northern * divinities, confecrated to them divers monuments, some of which have been recovered. These monu

ments agree very well with the EDDA §. They almost always present to view three females: the oracles these pronounced had rendered them famous. They were especially resorted to at the birth of a child. In many places there were caverns, where the people fancied they might enjoy the pleasure of their presence, and hear them speak. Some places in France retain still the name of the FAIRIES OVEN, the FAIRIES WELL, &C. Saxo, the Grammarian, speaks of a chapel, where king Fridleif went to consult them about the fate of his son Olaus, and he adds, that he saw three

young women fitting
there. Sax. 1. 6. This
superstition, so general
throughout Europe, hath
prevailed almost as long
as that relating to witches
and forcerers. We fee,
in the process or trial of
the famous MAID OF
ORLEANS, that she was
accused of going often to
a certain oak in a folitary
place, to consult the
FAIRIES (Fr. Fees.)
These Fairies were, I be-
lieve, as to their origin,
deified prophetesses. The
Celtic and Teutonic
women had a peculiar ta-
lent for improving all forts
of superftition; and turn-
ing every thing into
omens. Those who had
most distinguished them-
selves in this art, were
deified, and became God-
desses after their decease;
and as they had predicted
the fate of men on earth,
were believ d still to do
it in heaven.

This error is very an
cient. In the time of
Vespasian, there was, ac-
cording to Tacitus, a fe-
male named Velleda, half
a Prophetess, and half a
Fairy, who, from the top

* Fr. Colliques. § Vid. Keyfl. Ant. p. 33. 270. 396. 446. E

f

!

of a tower where she lived recluse, exercised far and near, a power equal to that of kings. Latè imperitabat are the words of the hiftorian. The most illustrious warriors undertook nothing with out her advice, and always confecrated to her a part of the booty. V. Tacit. Hift. 1. 4 & 5. In general, one may observe, that the worship paid to women, hath always had here in Europe great ad

*

1

vantage over that which was directed to men. The religious respect which was here paid to the Fairies or Destinies, is of all the doctrines of the ancient religion *, that which hath longest prevailed. These fabulous divinities have survived all the Gods and Genii, both of the Celts and Romans, and though at last banished every where else, have found a kind of afylum in our romances.

*To the instances given by our Author (in Note A) of the Gothic nations assembling under Trees, may be added the following in our own country, viz.

The Wapentake of SKIRE-AKE in the Weft-riding of Yorkshire, is thought to have taken its name from a remarkable Oak, to which the inhabitants repaired upon public occafions, as at a general Convention of the District, &c. See Thoresby's Ducat. Leod. p. 84. 150. So Berkshire is thought to have been denominated from BEROKE, a bare, or disbarked Oak, to which, upon particular emergencies, the inhabitants were wont in ancient times to resort and confult about public matters. Camd. Brit. (by Gibfon, 1 Ed. p. 137.) - The Translator of this Book knows a Manor in Shropshire, where the ManorCourt is held to this day under a very aged Afh-tree: there the Steward calls over the Copy-holders, and forms a Jury; and then adjourns the Court to a neighbouring inn, for the dispatch of business.

T.

L

THE NINTH FABLE.

G

Of the Cities which are in Heaven.

ANGLER says to Har, You tell me very wonderful things; but what are the other holy cities to be seen in heaven? Har replies, There are many other very fine cities to be seen there. In one of them, called Alfheim (A), dwell the luminous Genii, but the black Genii live under the earth, and differ from the others still more in their actions than in their appearance. The luminous Genii are more splendid than the Sun; but the black Genii are darker than pitch. In these parts there is also a city called Breidablik, which is not inferior to any other in beauty; and another named Glitner, the walls, columns and inside of which are gold, and the roof of filver *. There also is to be seen the city Himinborg, or the Celestial Mount, fituated upon the frontiers, at the place

* The Edda of Goranson says Afgulli, of gold. T. where

4

- where the bridge of the Gods touches heaven. The great city of Valafcialf, which belongs to Odin, is all built of pure filver. There is the royal Throne, called Lidscialf, or the Terror of the Nations. When the Universal Father is seated upon it, he can view the whole earth. On the utmost limit of heaven, towards the south, is the most beautiful city of all: it is called Gimle. It is more brilliant and shining than the Sun itself, and will subsist even after the destruction of heaven and earth. Men of real goodness and integrity shall abide there for everlasting ages. The poem VOLUSPA speaks thus of it; " I know that there is

a place brighter than the Sun, and in" tirely covered with gold, in the city of "Gimle: there the virtuous are to refide; "there they shall live happy throughout “ all ages (B)." Then Gangler demands, What will preserve that city when the black flame comes to confume heaven and earth? Har replied, We have been told, that there is towards the fouth, another heaven, more elevated than this, 'called the Clear Blue; and above that, a third heaven, still more elevated, called the Boundless. In this last we think the city of Gimle must be seated, but it is at present inhabited only by the luminous Genii.