The Three Wayfarers.
p. 3.
p. 74.
Burns, Oates, & Co., 17 Portman Street, and 63 PaternosterRow
Preface.
The variousCollections of Household and Legendary Tales of different countrieswhich have appeared of late years sufficiently attest the popularinterest which attaches to these curious and venerable relics of bygonedays. Even such eminent scholars as the Messrs. Grimm have not thoughtit beneath them to devote their time and research to the task ofcollecting the old fireside Stories and Legends of Germany; and theresult of their labours is a volume of tales of remarkable interest andattractiveness, distinguished no less for variety and invention thanfor pathos, humour, and graceful simplicity.
Similar Collections have been published from time to time inrelation to other countries (among others, a remarkable one on theNorse Legends, recently issued); and it seemed to the Editors of thepresent volume that the time had arrived when Brittany too mightventure to put forward her claim in this respect to public attention. Aselection of some of the best of the Breton Legends is thereforepresented to the reader in this little volume. [vi]
It may be remarked, that the Breton Legends, though possessing muchthat is common to the German and other National Tales, have yetfeatures peculiar to themselves. They are, we may say, deeply colouredby the character of the country in which they have their home. Thesea-coast of Brittany, with its rugged rocks and deep mysterious baysand inlets; the lone country heaths in which stand the Menhirand Dolmen, with their dark immemorial traditions; the grayantiquated chateaus with their fosses and turrets,—all impart awild and severe character to its legends, and strike the reader with akind of awe which he scarcely feels in reading those of othercountries. In addition to this, the way in which the religion of theCross, and the doctrines and rites of the Church are interwoven withthe