These old-young things--bequests, as they look to be--from the loving, singing childhood of the earth, may lawfully make children, lovers, and songsters of us all; and _will_, if we are _fond_, and hearken to them. In that same "hallowed and gracious time," lying YON-SIDE our chronologies, "When the world and love were young, And truth on every shepherd's tongue," the men and the Dwarfs had unbroken intercourse of _borrowing and lending_. Many traditions touch the matter. Here is one resting upon it. No. CLIV. _The Dwarfs near Dardesheim_. "Dardesheim is a little town betwixt Halberstadt and Brunswick. Close to the north-east side, a spring of the clearest water flows, which is called the Smansborn,[28] and wells from a hill wherein formerly the Dwarfs dwelled. When the ancient inhabitants of the place needed a holiday dress, or any rare utensil for a marriage, they betook them to this Dwarf's Hill, knocked thrice, and with a well audible voice, told their occasion, adding-- 'Early a-morrow, ere sun-light, At the hill's door, lieth all aright.' [Footnote 28: For LESSMANSBORN, _i.e._ LESSMANN'S WELL.] The Dwarfs held themselves for well requited if somewhat of the festival meats were set for them by the hill. Afterward gradually did bickerings interrupt the good understanding that was betwixt the Dwarfs' nation and the country folk. At the beginning for a short season; but, in the end, the Dwarfs departed away; because the flouts and gibes of many boors grew intolerable to them, as likewise their ingratitude for kindnesses done. Thenceforth none seeth or heareth any Dwarfs more." In _Auvergne_, Miss Costello has just now learned, how the men and the Fairies anciently lived upon the friendliest footing, nigh one another: how the _knowledge_ and _commodious use_ of the _Healing Springs_ was owed by the former to these Good Neighbours: how, of yore, the powerful sprites, by rending athwart a huge rocky mound, opened an _innocuous channel_ for _the torrent_, which used with its overflow to lay desolate arable ground and pasturage: how they were looked upon as being, in a general sense, _the protectors_ against harm of the country: and, in fine, how the two orders of neighbours lived in long and happy communion of kind offices with one another; until, upon one unfortunate day, the ill-renowned freebooter, Aymerigot Marcel, with his ruffianly men-at-arms, having approached, by stealth, from his near-lying hold, stormed the romantically seated rock-mansion of the bountiful pigmies: who, scared, and in anger, forsook the land. Ever since the foul outrage, only a straggler may, now and then, be seen at a distance.