_Parallels._--Mr. Nutt in his _Studies on the Legend of the Holy Grail_, p. 193, connects this visit of Cormac to the Otherworld with the bespelled Castle incident in the Grail Legend, and gives other instances of visits to the Brug of Manannan. Manannan Mac Lir is the Celtic sea-god. XLV. RIDERE OF RIDDLES. _Source._--Campbell, _West Highland Tales_, No. xxii. vol. ii. p. 36, _seq._ I have modified the end, which has a polygamous complexion. _Parallels._--Campbell points out that the story is in the main identical with the Grimms' "Raethsel," No. xxii. There the riddle is: "One slew none, and yet slew twelve." MacDougall has the same story in _Waifs and Strays_, iii. pp. 76 _seq._ _Remarks._--There can be no doubt that the Celtic and German Riddle Stories are related genealogically. Which is of the earlier generation is, however, more difficult to determine. In favour of the Celtic is the polygamous framework; while on the other hand, it is difficult to guess how the story could have got from the Highlands to Germany. The simpler form of the riddle in the German version might seem to argue greater antiquity. XLVI. THE TAIL. _Source._--Campbell, No. lvii. _Parallels._--Most story-tellers have some formula of this kind to conclude their narrations. Prof. Crane gives some examples in his _Italian Popular Tales_, pp. 155-7. The English have: "I'll tell you a story of Jack a Nory," and "The Three Wise Men of Gotham" who went to Sea in a Bowl: "If the bowl had been stronger, My song would have been longer." _Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. _London and Edinburgh_ _BY THE SAME AUTHOR._ =ENGLISH FAIRY TALES.= Collected by JOSEPH JACOBS. Illustrated by J. D. Batten. Small demy 8vo, pp. xvi-253, 8 full-page and 60 smaller Illustrations, fancy cloth, price 6s. This new and charmingly illustrated volume.--_Daily Telegraph_ (Leader). As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all ages ranks second to none.--_Daily Graphic_ (with illustrations). A delight alike to the young people and their elders.--_Globe._ Prettily and brightly adapted.--_Star._ A most delightful volume of fairy tales.--_England._ A number of charming English fairy tales.--_Speaker._ Mr. Jacobs may be congratulated alike on the matter and form of his book.--_Manchester Guardian._ A more desirable child's book ... has not been seen for many a day.--_Daily News_ (Leader). From first to last, almost without exception, these stories are delightful.--_Athenaeum._ The most delightful book of fairy tales, taking form and contents together, ever presented to children.--E. S. HARTLAND, in _Folk-Lore_. The whole collection is dramatic and humorous.... This delightful book....--MISS THACKERAY, in _Atalanta_ (with illustrations). A gift-book that will charm any child, and all older folk who have been fortunate enough to retain their taste for the old nursery stories.--_Literary World._