MYTHOLOGY OF GERMANY, GREAT BRITAIN, SCANDINAVIA, ETC.
Mythology of Germany, Great Britain, and Scandinavia--The world Niflheim--The world Muspelheim--How Ymir was created--The cow Aedhumla--Ymir's Offspring--Odin, the chief God--Valhalla--Queen Frigga--How the Seas, Waters, Mountains, and Heavens were made--Chariots and Horses in Heaven--Night and Day--Evil-disposed Maidens--Creation of New Beings--Bridge between Midgard and Asgard--Sacred Fountain--Roots of the ash Yggdrasil--Baldur's Dreams and sad End--Loki, the Evil Spirit--Hel and her Brothers--Worship of Scandinavian Gods--Norsemen and their Ancient Gods and Goddesses--The Volsung Tale--Odin, Loki, and Hænir's Wanderings--The Sword Gram--Sigurd's Exploits--What the Worshippers of Odin believed--Frodi's Maidens and Quern--Gods of the Laplanders--Sale of Winds--Lucky and Unlucky Days--Other Superstitions 85
The Calendar--Names of Days, whence derived--The Power of Jupiter--Influence of Zeus--The God Indra--Origin of the term "Hours"--Hours under Planetary Control--Coronation of a Persian King--Evils transferred to the Turks and Kafirs--The Moon's Controlling Power--Time reckoned by Moons--A Strange Story--Heathen Gods--Thor's Palace--Thor's Power--Frigga's Abilities--Description of Seater or Crodo 99
Names of Months, whence derived--January--First of January, how kept--New Year Gifts--February--Sacrifices for purging Souls--Second of February--Virtue of Candles--Shrove Tuesday--Eating Pancakes--Partaking of Brose--Choosing a Valentine--March--April dedicated to Venus--First of May--May Poles and May Fires--Dispute between Men and Gods--Superstitious Customs in Scotland--Superstitious Ceremonies in England--June Marriages--July--August--September--October--Hallow-e'en Ceremonies--December--Christmas Trees and Gifts--The Misletoe--Privileges in Leap Year--Yule Log--Christmas Festivities 110
MIRACLES PERFORMED BY HOLY PERSONS, AND THE INFLUENCE OF SACRED RELICS.
St. Peter, and Simon the Magician--Clement's Miracles and Death--St. Agnes--A Miraculous Circumstance--St. Blase's Power--St. Agatha's Holy Life--St. Patrick's Missionary Labours, and Expulsion of Reptiles from Ireland--St. Germanus stilling the Raging of the Sea--St. David and the Welsh Leeks--Stirrup Cup and Origin of "Pledging"--Elfrida's Treachery and Remorse--St. Benedict's Power--St. Dunstan cured by an Angel--The Æolian Harp--St. Columba's Prophecy concerning Iona--Sacred Ducks of Ireland--St. Paul binding a Dragon--Saints and Frogs--Friars and Jesuits--Father Mark proof against Fire--Virtue of Holy Water--St. Noel's Imprecation--St. Boniface--Pope Silvester assisted by Satan--Necromancing Popes--St. Januarius's Blood--St. Anthony's Conflicts with the Devil--St. Anthony's Hog and Bees--A Tradition concerning Melrose--St. Cuthbert--A Princess swallowed up by the Earth--Monk Waldevus's inexhaustible Stores--Holy Relics--Rusticus and his Hog 130