These nimble little animals, which play such a distinguished part in this Witch Scene, are denominated in the original "_Meer-katzen_," literally "Sea-cats;" of which Adelung (in voce) gives the following account:--"A name given to a certain kind of monkeys with a cat's tail, of which there are many species,--_Cebus_, Linnæi. They are so called from coming across the sea from warm countries." I originally intended to retain the German phrase "_Sea-cat_;" but afterwards had no hesitation to adopt the happy translation given by the writer in _Blackwood's Magazine_, vol. vii. There is something mystical in the idea of an animal half cat and half ape, which agrees wonderfully with the witch-like antic character of this whole scene. Besides, the term "Cat-ape" is far more expressive of the nature of the animal than that in the original. Note IX. _And we will strew chopped straw before the door._ A German custom prevalent among the common people, when they suspect the virginity of a bride. The ceremony is performed on the day before the marriage.--_Vide_ Adelung in voce _Häckerling_. Note X. _And good Sir Urian is the guide._ "Sir Urian is a name which was formerly used to designate an unknown person, or one whose name, even if it were known, it was not thought proper to mention. In this sense it was sometimes applied to the devil. In the Parzival of Wolfram von Eschenbach, the unprincipled Prince of Partartois is called Urian."--/Bayard Taylor/. Note XI. _The ointment gives our sinews might._ "According to the orthodox theory, the witches anointed their whole body with a salve or ointment prepared in the name of the fiend, murmured a few magic sentences into their beard, and then flew up, body and soul, head and hair, actually and corporeally into the air."--Horst's _Dæmonomagie_, vol. ii. p. 203. Note XII. _Make way, Squire Voland comes._ A name of Satan, derived probably from the Latin _Volo_, through the Italian _Volante_, expressive of that agile quality of the old deceiver, whereby he is always "going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down in it."--Job i. 7. See Reichard's _Geister Reich_, vol. i. p. 397. But I rather suspect this appellation is connected with the office of the evil one, as chief of the flies, and other volatile tormentors. In the French edition of the popular story the devil is called "Le Diable volatique," c. vi.;--or, better still, the devil is so called as being "the prince of the power of the air," and therefore a flying spirit. "Mon Valet, dis moi quel esprit es-tu?--Mon Maistre Faust, je suis un esprit Volant, qui ay mon cours dans l'air sous le ciel"--in the same French history of Doctor Faust. Note XIII. _Who then is that?--'Tis Lilith._