Elf

(old Scandinavian, Alfar; Anglo-Saxon, AElf; Danish, Elv; German, Alp; apparently meaning white), in Norse, British, and German popular superstitious belief, is a being between deity and man. The Edda names three classes of elves: Light, Dark, and Black; the first of whom inhabit the pure regions of light, the second mountain-grottoes and caves, the third the infernal regions. But this threefold division seems to have been soon abandoned for a dualism. Snorre Sturleson (died 1241) says: "In Alfheim there live the people of Light-Alfs, and under the earth are the Dark-Alfs, both entirely different from each other in appearance and powers; the former shining with a brightness that eclipses the sun, the latter darker than pitch." The light elves are cheerful, pleasant beings, sometimes visible, sometimes invisible; they enjoy the company of men and gods. On the contrary, the dark elves shun the light, and only leave their gloomy habitations at night; and in case the sun finds them still on earth, they become petrified by his rays. The dark elves are greatly misformed. They have monstrous noses and bellies, bones thin as a spindle, bald or horned heads. However, they are quite skilful, and not only expert in all powers of magic, but possess a rare knowledge in all metallic works; but with all their labors there is always an accompanying curse. The dwelling of these is ever in the thickest darkness;. but they light up their dismal habitations by means of brilliant precious stones and shining metals. Some dwell in stones, others in the earth, still others in the sea. They eagerly steal unbaptized children of Christians, rear them in their earthen or rocky dwellings, and bring some of their own hateful, malformed children as substitutes, which can only be got rid of by rubbing their feet with fat and roasting them over the fire. The child cries unmercifully, whereupon the elves return and bring back the stolen child, in order to save their own from the tortures. The light elves are entirely different in every respect; justice and fairness are sacred to them. They never harm any one; even when they have been wronged they only revenge themselves by teasing. They find great pleasure in associating with Christians. As they have human forms and are extraordinarily beautiful, it is not seldom that they form intimate relations with men. If children follow from such intimacy, these must be bathed entirely in the sacred water for baptism, as otherwise they will not be endowed with- immortal souls. The time of the elves' appearance is after sundown, in cheerful, summer moonlight nights; then they often appear in swarms, to enjoy themselves and follow every imaginable sport. Their favorite pastime is the dance; they pass whole nights occupied with this amusement, and wherever in the field or pasture a company of elves have danced, there the grass grows greener and fresher. We are accustomed to suppose the elves to be very small, but they can take on any form or size they choose. Sometimes they are hateful, sometimes beautiful; sometimes large, at other times small; just as suits their purpose. The Scots and Irish still hold to the belief that their respective countries are pre-eminently loved and. visited by the elves. The most pleasant and animating stories may be found there relating to these beings; and whenever a cloud of dust is seen to rise from the road, the people, believing that the elves are changing their dwelling- places, bow in reverence before them. They often teach men their arts of magic; and, although the information they impart is very meagre, still the persons so instructed become powerful, and are feared and dreaded. Music is loved by the elves above everything else, and although their music is simple, still it exerts upon man a most wonderful influence. The piece of music entitled "Elf-king" forces every listener, and even the table and chairs, to dance as long as the music lasts; but the player cannot stop playing, for the arm and hand using the instrument is likewise charmed and bewitched: either he must play the piece backward exactly, or somebody must come from behind and cut the strings of the violin. Some have said that the elves are angels banished from heaven, who have notsunk into hell, and in this respect there is great similarity between them and the peris of the Persians. The latter are also pleasant, supernatural beings, but deprived of heaven, still not banished to hell. The elves often, in their songs, express a hope of a coming deliverance; this song immediately becomes a weeping and wailing if any one is so cruel as to disturb them in their hopes. The belief in elves has given German poets of modern days material for the loveliest and most animating representations. Compare the fable "The Elves," in Ludwig Tieck's book Phantasus; also the novel of the same, entitled Die Vogelscheuche; and especially a passage in the story of "Cordelia," by A. Treublurg (Friedrich Vischer), in the Jahrbuch schwabischer Dichter, by Morike and Zimmermann. Some myths of dwarfs, witches, sprites, etc., make all these appear as the nearest relatives of elves.